Cultural Immersion School Teacher - Language & Culture Program Okanagan Indian Band

KʷU KʷLIW̓T L̓ NQMAPLQS | WE LIVE AT HEAD OF THE LAKE

Located within the unceded territory of the syilx people, the Okanagan Indian Band is comprised of six reserves located in the North Okanagan.
Come join the OKIB Team and enjoy all that the beautiful Okanagan Valley has to offer, including a great climate, stunning scenery, world-class ski resorts, golf courses, wineries and beaches.

The OKIB offers a welcoming team environment and a rewarding job experience. You can expect a supportive work environment and a compensation package which includes:

• 6% Vacation Pay

• Pro-rated Statutory Holidays

• Discounted Silver Star lift passes

• Cultural Leave

• Employee Assistance Program

• Pro-rated Paid Sick Days

Hours of work**: 22.5 hours per week**

Start Date: ASAP

Deadline for applications**: December 15, 2025**

JOB SUMMARY
The Teacher working with the Okanagan Language and Culture staff is responsible for supporting the Language and Culture staff to provide a variety of meaningful language and culture experiences that foster our sqilxw ways. The teacher will provide guidance and support for planning yearly overviews, unit plans, and lesson plans.

Language and cultural teaching and activities must strengthen children’s sense of identity, culture and history. The Language Teacher supervises a language and cultural teaching team that includes a language instructor and language assistant. The position of language teacher aims to foster a learning environment among students and school staff based on sqilxw values, culture and traditions. The position will oversee the development of a complete language and cultural curriculum for the school’s elementary level students.

REPORTING STRUCTURE
Reports to the School Administrator (Vice Principal/Principal).

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Collaborate with Language and Culture staff to create and develop yearly overviews, unit plans, and lesson plans inclusive of syilx/sqilxw knowledge and land-based learning when applicable and appropriate

• Collaborate with the Language and Culture staff to create resources and activities to support language and cultural teaching

• Collaborate with school staff including school administrators, classroom teachers, support staff, bus driver, counsellors, Speech & Language pathologist, and Occupational Therapists

• Continually assess student progress

• Integrate students with exceptionalities in a positive and respectful manner.

• Classroom supervision and management and supervise field trips and other supervision duties as required.

• Implement positive discipline when required, conflict management of students incidents.

• Ensure children have a safe and secure environment.

• Meet with families and attend community events which are sometimes outside of regular school hours (weekends or evenings)

• Work with OKIB departments and other organizations and agencies to provide additional support and resources for families

• Develop and maintain positive and respectful relationships with students, families, and school staff

• Supervise students during outside play times such as before school, recess play, lunch time play, and after school

• All persons employed by the Okanagan Indian Band may be required to assist the Band in providing emergency services. Duties assigned during an emergency may differ from regular duties

ADMINITRATIVE DUTIES

• Complete and submit student progress reports

• Attend regular staff meetings and team-based meetings

• Must attend nsyilxcen language classes for school staff with a willingness to learn

• Attend all school-based Professional Development Days as directed

• Follow all guidelines as outlined in the Cultural Immersion School Handbooks

• Be ready, willing, and able to physically attend work during school closures (regular school day)

• Performs all duties and responsibilities in accordance with the OKIB policies and procedures

• Perform other duties as required

WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR
You have education, experience, or an equivalent combination may be considered. You are community-minded, detail-oriented, have a willingness to contribute to a team and an excellent communicator.

Education

• Bachelor of Education, or equivalent

• Valid BC teaching certificate issued by the Teacher Regulation Branch

• Current First Aid/CPR certificate or willing to obtain

• Criminal Record Check that includes the vulnerable Sector

• Valid Class 5 BC Driver’s License, with a reliable vehicle

Experience

• Demonstrated ability to teach at an elementary level

• Experience teaching multi-grade classes (grades 1-7)

• Experience working with First Nations preferred

Competencies (KSAs & Desired Attributes)

• Possesses cultural appropriateness and sensitivity towards OKIB and Community

• Demonstrate knowledge of the content being taught

• Effective leadership skills

• Plan for meaningful instruction

• Effective verbal and written communication skills

• Excellent interpersonal skills

• Ability to listen and demonstrate empathy

• Ability to collaborate as a part of a team, maintaining positive working relationships

• Adaptability and flexibility

• Energetic and enthusiastic

CLASSIFICATION/PAY SCALE
$65, 000.00 - $83, 000.00 per annum dependant on education and experience.

Please send resume, cover letter and references in any one of two ways:

Email: recruiting@okanagan.org
Mail or drop off: 12420 Westside Road, Vernon, BC V1H 2A4
If you have accessibility needs, please contact Hollie Lachuk @ 250-542-4328 ext. 1011

The successful applicant will be required to provide a Criminal Record Check that includes the vulnerable sector and three references

Preference will be given to qualified Aboriginal Applicants as per section 41 of the Human Rights Code***.***

Education : Bachelor’s degree

Experience : 1 to less than 7 months