BC's Indigenous Public Post-Secondary Institute

Events Planner


Type: Full-time, Ongoing
Opening Date For Accepting Applications: Thursday, November 14, 2024
Resume Review: Thursday, November 28, 2024
Position Start Date: As soon as suitable candidate is available
Salary: $68,485 – $80,446
Contact: Human Resources
Email: hr@nvit.ca
Phone: 250-378-3308
Address: NVIT
4155 Belshaw St.
Merritt, BC, V1K 1R1

NVIT is BC's Indigenous Public Post-Secondary Institute. As a leader in Indigenous post-secondary education and a fully accredited member of BC's post-secondary education system, we provide a comprehensive range of programs up to the degree level at our campuses in Merritt and Burnaby. NVIT also delivers programs online and in Indigenous communities throughout British Columbia. Join a growing and innovative institution committed to making a difference in Indigenous education and communities. With an institutional mission to empower learners by strengthening voice and identity through education, NVIT employees honour an atmosphere embedded in Indigenous culture and traditions while cultivating an environment founded on learner centred principles that promote student recruitment, engagement and achievement.

Job Description:

NVIT anticipates a need for one full-time, ongoing Events Planner at the Merritt Campus and invites applications from qualified candidates. This will be a support staff position that will commence as soon as a suitable candidate is available.

Job Summary:

The Events Planner is a member of the Enrolment Services Team, who works collaboratively with the Communications Planner; this individual will report to the Manager of Marketing, Communications & Events. The Events Planner is responsible for coordinating and planning NVIT student, employee, and community activities and events for both campuses. This includes but is not limited to responsibilities for learner Orientation and Graduation, employee Welcome Back, Changing of the Seasons, and other events or ceremonies throughout the year. The Events Planner will also be responsible for ensuring there is a strong relationship with NVIT’s five founding bands by inviting and involving the communities in events and initiatives held by NVIT, and ensuring staff is informed of events within the community.

The Events Planner works closely with the Communications Planner and Manager of Marketing, Communications & Events, as well as all employees across the institute. As a member of the Enrolment Services Team, the individual assists with selected duties of other team members as needed.

Specific Job Responsibilities Include:

  • NVIT’s main contact person for all internal events across the institution.
  • Providing assistance with internal events and meetings such as, but not limited to, the staff welcome back, staff meetings, external meetings and events on campus, and support for the Indigenization Committee, Employee Wellness Committee, SEM, etc. 
  • Planning and executing NVIT events for both Merritt and Burnaby campuses, including but not limited to, organizing logistics, hosting, coordinating with vendors, ensuring compliance of staff and faculty, and evaluating the success of the events
  • Assisting the Student Society in executing events sponsored by the organization
  • Leading promotional events with partner communities and organizations
  • Working in collaboration with the Facilities Manager for all community event requests across the institution.
  • Developing and maintaining strong relationships, sharing NVIT information and materials with community partners, and hosting events and activities both on-campus and off-campus in partnership with First Nation Communities and Indigenous organizations and systems.
  • Actively communicating with Indigenous communities around Merritt and Vancouver to support engagement initiatives
  • Providing documented, detailed plans and reports on institutional events/activities hosted both on and off-campus.
  • Providing input into the NVIT communications and marketing strategic plan.
  • Supporting the recruitment team with their marketing materials including monitoring promotional inventory
  • Collaborating with the Cultural Coordinator and Indigenous Knowledge Keepers to ensure proper and extensive execution of events
  • Working closely with the Communication Planner to adequately support responsibilities on both campuses
  • Other duties as assigned by the Supervisor.


Requirements/Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Communications and/or Tourism and/or Business is preferred plus 2 years of directly related experience; a combination of education and experience may be considered;

  • Experience in Indigenous Community Engagement is preferred

  • Understanding of Canada’s colonial history and the devastating impacts on Indigenous peoples and Indigenous ways of being and knowing;

  • Practice from a holistic, culturally safe and trauma-informed lens;

  • Lived experience and/or a deep understanding of the lived experiences of Indigenous people in Canada;

  • Knowledge of and appreciation for Indigenous languages and cultures,

  • Proven ability to build collaborative working relationships to achieve outcomes in the best interest of students and NVIT;

  • Ability to plan and execute an event with strong attention to detail

  • A demonstrated commitment to quality service to students and the public;

  • Excellent personable recruitment, sales, and communication skills;

  • Extensive knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, MS publisher)

  • Strong interpersonal, written, and oral communication and presentation skills;

  • Self-motivated, independent problem solver with enthusiastic initiative;

  • Able/willing to travel to Merritt/Vancouver Campus and other locations for work purposes;

  • Energy and perseverance required for extensive travel;

  • Valid driver’s license with a driver’s abstract clear of traffic violations; and

  • First Host Certification or willing to obtain.

As an Indigenous centre for excellence, NVIT inspires learners to strengthen community.

NVIT gives high priority to Aboriginal candidates. All applicants should be experienced in working with Aboriginal people.