Curriculum Specialist, Indigenous Learning

OCAD University acknowledges the ancestral territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Haudenosaunee, the Anishinaabeg and the Huron-Wendat, who are the original owners and custodians of the land on which we live, work and create.

OCAD University is Canada’s largest and oldest art and design university, internationally recognized for creativity, innovation, and interdisciplinary learning. As the University advances its Academic and Strategic Plan, we are continuing to strengthen our commitment to Indigenous learning, decolonization, and meaningful institutional change. 

The Opportunity 

OCAD University is seeking a Curriculum Specialist, Indigenous Learning to lead strategic initiatives that advance Indigenous teaching, learning, and student success across the University. 

Working within the Centre for Learning & Teaching (CLT) and reporting to the Manager, Teaching Support & Curriculum Enhancement, the Curriculum Specialist collaborates closely with the Director, Indigenous Initiatives, and a broad network of Indigenous and academic partners to strengthen Indigenous curriculum development and renewal across undergraduate and graduate programs. Through curriculum review, faculty engagement, online course development, and the renewal of OCAD U’s Indigenous Learning Outcomes (ILOs), the successful candidate will help advance Indigenous histories, perspectives, knowledges, methodologies, and cultural art and design practices throughout the curriculum. 

As a member of CLT, the Curriculum Specialist will join a collaborative team of teaching and learning professionals dedicated to supporting faculty, students, Teaching Assistants, and instructional staff. Working in consultation with the Chair of the Indigenous Visual Culture (INVC) program, the Indigenous Student Centre (ISC), the Indigenous Education Council (IEC), and other campus and community partners, the successful candidate will play a key role in supporting OCAD U’s commitment to Indigenous teaching and learning and the priorities of the University’s Academic and Strategic Plan. 

What You’ll Do 

Advance Indigenous Curriculum and Student Success 

• Lead and support curriculum development and renewal across OCAD U’s undergraduate and graduate programs, strengthening engagement with Indigenous histories, perspectives, knowledges, methodologies, and cultural practices in art and design 
• Collaborate with the Indigenous Student Centre and Indigenous Visual Culture program to assess Indigenous students’ learning experiences and identify and address systemic barriers to learning 
• Develop teaching and learning resources and faculty professional learning initiatives that support Indigenous student experiences and success 
• Provide subject matter expertise in Indigenous pedagogies, methodologies, and decolonizing approaches to strengthen the Centre for Learning & Teaching’s programming and engagement 

Lead the Renewal of Indigenous Learning Outcomes (ILO) 

• Organize and lead the redesign and renewal of OCAD U’s ILO 
• Develop strategies, resources, documentation, and processes that support ongoing engagement with the ILO across the University 
• Coordinate and conduct consultations with faculty, the Indigenous Education Council, the Indigenous Cultural Advisory Circle, and Indigenous community partners, including Six Nations of the Grand River and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation 

Develop Learning and Community-Engagement Initiatives 

• Co-facilitate and support the design, development, and production of an online Indigenous art, design, and history course in collaboration with a multidisciplinary course-development team 
• Develop and deliver community-engagement programming that strengthens faculty and staff understanding of Indigenous learning and decolonization 
• Facilitate professional learning and complex conversations to build institutional capacity and support meaningful organizational change 

What You Bring 

Indigenous Citizenship, Knowledge and Community Relationships 

• Indigenous citizenship (First Nations, Inuit, Métis), connection to an Indigenous community, a history and/or evidence of lived experience and an understanding of Indigenous culture(s) and practices 
• In depth knowledge of Indigenous pedagogies, methodologies and ways of knowing at the post-secondary level, including decolonizing and Indigenizing pedagogies, land-based learning, storytelling, experiential learning, and intergenerational and relational approaches to teaching and learning 
• Significant experience living and/or working with Indigenous communities and well-versed in protocol matters related to Indigenous relationships is essential 
• Demonstrated intercultural competence; experience working with diverse Indigenous communities, including Elders, Knowledge Keepers, community members, faculty, academic administrators, administrative staff, program staff and students 
• Understanding of the barriers and learning needs of Indigenous post-secondary students 

Education and Experience 

• Successful completion of a graduate/Master’s degree with a specialization in Indigenous Education, Curriculum Studies or similar, Ph.D./Ed.D preferred 
• Four (4) years of progressive experience working in Indigenous educational programming, community engagement, or related fields, or an equivalent combination of education, community-based knowledge, and lived experience. 
• Three (3) years of experience developing collaborative partnerships to advance decolonization, including experience of organizational change-based projects in comparable sectors; demonstrated experience facilitating professional learning to build institutional capacity 
• Familiarity with post-secondary studies in art and design is essential; background in studio art or design a strong asset 
• Post-secondary teaching experience or experience in a post-secondary teaching centre, writing centre or similar academic support unit is an asset. An equivalent combination of teaching, community, and/or professional experience demonstrating the required knowledge and competencies will also be considered. 

Curriculum, Consultation and Program Leadership 

• Experience in the development and delivery of hybrid and online curriculum, an asset 
• Demonstrated ability to manage programming with proven vision and initiative grounded in Indigenous epistemologies 
• Program planning skills with ability to meet deadlines and manage complex projects 
• Experience designing and implementing consultation and needs assessment processes 

Collaboration and Communication 

• Facilitation and consensus-building skills, with demonstrated ability to navigate complex and sensitive conversations across diverse community members, with faculty and staff 
• Strong collaborative work orientation; ability to work both independently and consultatively within a team environment 
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with demonstrated ability to build collaborative relationships, anticipate and respond to resistance and influence curriculum development and educational initiatives through dialogue, consultation and partnership 
• Excellent oral and written communication skills including academic and professional writing experience 

Commitment and Flexibility 

• Demonstrated commitment to the principles and practices of equity, anti-racism, decolonizing and accessibility; experience promoting a respectful work and learning environment for students, faculty and staff 
• Flexibility to adjust hours and location of work as needed to support programs and events outside of regular office hours and location 

Work Arrangement & Compensation 

Compensation: OPSEU Unit 1, Appendix B, Grade 4; $46.33 to $60.88 per hour 

Hours of Work: Monday to Friday, for a total of 35 hours per week. This is a temporary contract expected to continue until May 31, 2027. 

Mode of Work: This position is eligible for hybrid work arrangements; however, a minimum of three (3) days per week of on campus work is required with flexibility to adjust the days and times of work on campus to meet programming needs.  

Why Work at OCAD University 

• A vibrant and creative work environment surrounded by artists, designers, educators, and researchers 
• Access to employee assistance program 
• Paid time off during the annual Winter Closure 
• A centrally located downtown campus with easy access to public transit 
• The opportunity to work collaboratively with Indigenous faculty, staff, students, leaders, and community partners 
• A meaningful role supporting Indigenous student success and advancing curricular and institutional change 

If you are an Indigenous applicant and require support during the recruitment process, please reach out to Olivia Bowes, Talent Acquisition Coordinator at oliviabowes@ocadu.ca.