Manager, Indigenous Education and Land Based Learning

Date Posted: 05/30/2025
Req ID: 43184
Faculty/Division: VP & Provost
Department: Hart House
Campus: St. George (Downtown Toronto)
Position Number: 00057771

Description:

About us:

Hart House is a student and community-facing cultural, learning and wellness centre, with locations at the University of Toronto St. George campus and “Hart House Farm” in Caledon, Ontario. This 150-acre outdoor education space is part of the UNESCO Niagara Escarpment Biosphere Region and within the Mississaugas of the Credit Treaty territory. It features woods, fields, ponds, an outdoor sauna, caves, recreational equipment, and various gathering, learning and overnight stay spaces.

A student-led Hart House Standing committee plays a key role in delivering an annual set of programs at the farm.

Purchased in 1949, Hart House Farm has served as a recreational and educational space for University of Toronto students and has been a focus of programming for access and outreach initiatives with an array of communities.

Hart House Farm is a vibrant co-curricular land-based space shared by the University of Toronto community, that seeks to support and prioritize: Indigenous Engagement and Land-Based Learning: and Student Engagement through values centered around land stewardship, access, collaboration and Indigenization.

As such, Hart House has re-engaged with a number of Indigenous campus and community partners to support Indigenous ceremonies, healing, learning, and community building.

Events and programming at Hart House Farm involve numerous and various U of T and community groups and partners, academic partners and programs, and serves all three campuses of the University

Visit our website to learn more: Hart House Farm
Location: 15911 Creditview Rd, Terra Cotta, ON L7C 3G8

Your opportunity:

The Manager of Indigenous Education and Land-Based Learning is a newly created position at Hart House, following an extensive consultation and review process 

This position will lead, support and facilitate various Indigenous and land-based educational experiences, predominately at Hart House Farm. This role involves building and maintaining strong relationships with campus and community partners, with particular consideration for Indigenous lived experience, community-building, and learning approaches. It will work closely with Indigenous campus advisory groups, Elders and Knowledge Keepers, and across Hart House program areas and internal departments.

The successful candidate will be a member of an Indigenous community, will have professional experience working with Indigenous communities, and a strong background in outdoor education and land-based learning. This position will require exceptional interpersonal and organizational skills, and a passion for connecting people with nature. 

The incumbent will engage directly with the Office of Indigenous Initiatives and Indigenous student services on all three campuses of the University of Toronto in relation to land-based learning initiatives, as well as ceremonial and community gatherings at Hart House Farm. Supporting the development of relationships with key partners, including faculty, student organizations, and community groups - with a focus on engaging traditionally underrepresented groups, including Indigenous, Black, and Racialized students and groups, is essential. 

This position leads annual planning, including budget development, and the execution of Indigenous Education and Land-Based Programming, building a phased framework for implementation of the recommendations emerging from the Hart House Farm Review

Annual planning will involve direct collaboration with the Hart House Program team and the Hart House Strategic Initiatives team. It will also field requests and inquiries from potential visiting groups, support with coordinating and managing Farm bookings, maintain accurate records of bookings, attendance, and program outcomes, and provide regular updates and reports to supervisors.

This role, along with the Program Associate role it oversees, will also often provide day-of support for university and community groups visiting the Farm when needed or when leading programming. Together this team will and facilitate a variety of educational and recreational experiences, ensuring all activities are safe and engaging.

The incumbent and the program associate will facilitate outreach to promote the Farm’s offerings through various outreach efforts and marketing channels, and to support the development of new programs and initiatives to enhance student and community experiences.

This role also provides strategic guidance to inform program and organizational planning, as well as mentorship and support to students, staff and volunteers, and supervises the program associate in delivery of programs and initiatives.

This is a hybrid work location position, that will require on-site presence at the Hart House Farm location, ability to engage in remote work, and in-person engagements at the main Hart House location on the St. George campus of the University of Toronto. A valid drivers license is required.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Keeping well-informed on theories related to equity, diversity and inclusion
• Keeping well-informed on University programs, policies and procedures
• Ensuring other adhere to established risk management protocols during University events
• Building and strengthening relationships with stakeholders and partners of strategic importance
• Fostering cooperative working relationships with a wide variety of internal and external contacts
• Planning and implementing components of curricular and/or co-curricular programs and activities
• Consulting with instructors, administrators and student groups on the development of tailored programming needs
• Advising students on the implementation of rules and regulations regarding the use of space and organizing events on campus

Essential Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in related field, or acceptable combination of equivalent education and experience including Indigenous Land-Based learning and ways of working
• Lived experience as a member of Indigenous community and professional experience working with Indigenous communities, is required
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in land-based outdoor education, environmental education, Indigenous education, or a related field
• Experience supervising and mentoring staff and volunteers, and working with students or youth
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Innovative self-starter with ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Ability to work effectively in a highly diverse University community
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational and project management skills
• Proficiency in program planning and evaluation for program efficiency and student learning outcomes
• Ability to work weekends and evenings as required
• Valid Ontario non-probationary Class G Driver’s Licence and access to a vehicle
• Standard First Aid and CPR certification

Assets (Nonessential):

• Outdoor Learning Certification or experience is an asset
• Knowledge of university policies, procedures, and industry best practices

To be successful in this role you will be:

• Adaptable
• Approachable
• Intuitive
• Proactive
• Problem solver
• Resourceful

Notes:

• A cover letter is required to accompany your application. 
• If you have any questions or would like to review the full job description, please reach out to dilini.perera@utoronto.ca 

Closing Date: 06/22/2025, 11:59PM ET
Employee Group: USW 
Appointment Type: Budget - Continuing 
Schedule: Monday to Friday 8:45am-5:00pm, with occasional evenings or weekends (On-site presence at the farm may be required) 
Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone:
USW Pay Band 14 -- $90,056. with an annual step progression to a maximum of $115,169. Pay scale and job class assignment is subject to determination pursuant to the Job Evaluation/Pay Equity Maintenance Protocol. 
Job Category: Administrative / Managerial
Recruiter: Dilini Perera

Lived Experience Statement
Candidates who are members of Indigenous, Black, racialized and 2SLGBTQ+ communities, persons with disabilities, and other equity deserving groups are encouraged to apply, and their lived experience shall be taken into consideration as applicable to the posted position.