Director, Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppression Office

• Finish each working day knowing you have truly made a difference in the lives of others
• Work at an organization with a progressive culture and values the contributions of our employees
• Receive a competitive salary of $125k-140k/yr and incredible benefits!

The British Columbia Teachers' Federation (BCTF) is located on the unceded ancestral territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, sḵwx̱wú7mesh, and səlil̓w̓ətaɬ nations since 1917. The BCTF is a union of professionals representing over 50,000 public school teachers throughout the province of BC. As an organization, we are dedicated to advancing learning conditions for students concurrently with advocating for BC's public school teachers and the teaching profession. We are also deeply committed to democratic decision-making and supporting the engagement of the teachers who make up our member base. Equally, we act on our belief in social justice in schools and the broader community, and actively support our members in striving to achieve equity, inclusion, and a more just society for their students today and into the future.

The BCTF office building is situated in close proximity to the Canada Line and other major transit routes in a central Vancouver location. The BCTF provides an exceptional working environment where respect, learning, and professional growth are championed and valued. Please note, this is a full-time, in-person position based out of the head office in Vancouver.

For more information, please visit our website.

Reporting to the Associate Executive Director, this position will be responsible for leading the BCTF Antiracism and Anti-Oppression Office. The successful candidate will be tasked to develop the further work of this office, including a comprehensive plan to further BCTF priorities in this area and develop these initiatives to ensure they remain member-led and participatory. This is a unique opportunity to play a key role in carrying on the Federation’s 100+ year history towards building an equitable and inclusive union where the structures, processes, and culture provide access, agency, and a sense of belonging to all BCTF members.

Some of your key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Developing and coordinating a plan for leadership, information, opportunities, and liaison on equity matters throughout the BCTF
• Focusing on the structural review, in a member-driven and participatory manner, of existing Federation policy and procedure to identify areas for growth and change to further promote a culture of belonging
• Developing, coordinating, and promoting opportunities, both formal and informal, towards effecting cultural and systemic change
• Participating in online gatherings, issue sessions, task forces, ad hoc committees, think tanks, and panels, as well as support options and guidance for BIPOC and other equity-seeking members teaching in a dominant system
• Conducting formal development of reports and stewardship of actions arising from governance bodies, as well as ongoing support to the Executive Committee, local leadership, and cross-divisional staff and management
• Evaluating initiatives, monitoring patterns and trends, producing reports for governance bodies, as well as working in collaboration with the Human Resources Director on employment-related issues, investigations, hiring practices, and/or policy
• Collaborating with members, directors, and senior leaders to identify issues and conduct related research, e.g. literature reviews, needs assessment, data collection and analysis
• Coordinating, developing, and leading learning opportunities, coaching, and discussions on topics including anti-oppression, unconscious bias, inclusive leadership, anti-racism, upstander intervention, supporting and affirming trans and non-binary staff and members, and disability inclusion
• Developing and promoting community connections and networks including government agencies, non-profits, and grassroots organizations to facilitate anti-oppression initiatives and goals 
• Supporting the Executive Director to ensure that best practices are applied across the organization, identifying and developing strategies, policies, and/or procedures to improve, address, or correct structural and systemic barriers to equity for greater participation of marginalized members
• Engaging in special projects and other duties as assigned

Required qualifications:

Education

• A master’s degree and/or advanced degree in a related field is required, however, education will be considered in combination with robust relevant work experience

Experience

• Minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience in a senior leadership role with a demonstrated history in the social justice, equity, decolonization, diversity, inclusion (JEDDI), antiracism and/or anti-oppression arenas, preferably within a unionized setting. You have an understanding of how to lead and support organizational change, empower people, navigate a political landscape, and manage conflict in an organization with a large, complex, and/or member-driven organization structure
• Exceptional communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trusting, respectful relationships with a wide range of colleagues, partners, and members
• Leadership, critical listening/thinking, and team-building skills required to effectively manage a small team and motivate others
• A track record of challenging and influencing others to approach all work with an equity lens, a true passion for the topic through research, and knowledge of best practices for organizations regarding JEDDI and anti-oppression
• Previous experience managing with a trauma-informed approach is preferred, but more importantly is an openness to a multi-faceted range of viewpoints and an ability to engage tough questions in a thoughtful manner

Skills and abilities

• Demonstrated knowledge of the concepts of JEDDI, anti-racism, transformative justice, human rights, intersectionality, and anti-oppressive frameworks
• Working knowledge of the BC Human Rights Code, and other relevant legislation
• Demonstrated experience with leading and implementing institutional change initiatives, including developing new strategies, policies and procedures
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, facilitation, and mediation skills
• Excellent time management, organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills
• Strategic thinker with a collaborative and creative approach to problem-solving
• Ability to exercise a high degree of diplomacy, tact, and discretion
• Ability to function successfully both within a team and with direction. 

Other desired qualifications

• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends
• Flexibility to travel
• Ability to communicate in French is an asset

In exchange for your hard work and dedication, you will be rewarded with a competitive salary of $125k-140k. You will also be entitled to the following excellent benefits:

• Extended health and dental (employer-paid)
• Long-term disability
• Life insurance (employer-paid)
• Teachers’ Pension Plan (shared contribution)
• Seven (7) weeks of vacation per year plus paid time off between December 26 and January 1
• Thirty-five (35) hours weekly schedule Monday to Friday with flexible work hours
• Generous professional development allowance
• On-site parking available/subsidized transit
• Employee and Family Assistance Program (employer-paid)
• A supportive team environment

Only applications received in writing by 11:59pm on July 10, 2024, will be considered. Please submit a letter of application and résumé, including reference contact information.

The BC Teachers’ Federation is committed to furthering social justice, diversity, decolonization, equity, and inclusion within our community. Applicants are encouraged to disclose, on a voluntary basis, whether they self-identify as a member of an equity-deserving group, which includes female, 2SLGBTQIA+ person, a person of colour, a person who has experienced racism, Aboriginal (Indigenous) person, and/or a person with a disability. 

The BCTF strives for compliance with the Accessible British Columbia Act and ensuring our communities are as barrier-free as possible. Applicants requiring an accommodation are encouraged to contact the hiring manager at 604-871-2200.

If you're looking for a meaningful position within a supportive member-based organization - Apply Now!