Academic Development Specialist, Engineering Student Centre, Schulich School of Engineering

Position Overview

The Engineering Student Centre in the Schulich School of Engineering is currently seeking a Full-time Temporary Relief Academic Development Specialist for approximately 17 months.

This position reports to the Associate Director, Student Services, and will provide academic and developmental advising to engineering students. The Strategist coordinates the peer-supported tutor program and success seminars hosted in the EASC. This position works with the Engineering Student Centre, engineering departmental offices, the Student Success Centre, and Student and Enrolment Services to help students be successful in their program and the completion of their degree; providing them with various study strategies, and time management skills.

The Engineering Student Centre supports over 3,500 students handling all student services. The Schulich School of Engineering admits approximately 800 students to the first-year program and graduates 550-600 each year. The students participate in a broad range of academic activities in eight-degree programs.

The Engineering Academic Student Centre (EASC) provides academic support and services to engineering students by providing a number of programs including, but not limited to: a peer-supported tutor program, academic and developmental advising, and houses a large study space for first and second year engineering students. Working with the other student services units, particularly the Student Success Centre, the Student Advisor will coordinate academic support programming for Engineering students such as Student Success Seminars.

Position Description

Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):

• Maintain direct contact with and advise a caseload of students including first-year, transfer, adult and academically at-risk students
• Meet with individuals as well as small groups on an ongoing basis to build rapport, interpret university calendar, degree requirements, and regulations, identify barriers to success, and set goals and develop action plans for academic success
• Through developmental academic advising, proactively identify at-risk scenarios and opportunities to develop, implement, measure and improve academic success strategies
• Proactively connect with new students to identify, refer and escalate matters that would affect their ability to have a smooth and successful start. Collaborate with THRIVE and other programs and units as appropriate
• Provide proactive and timely outreach, referrals and intervention with the engineering student population through a variety of communication methods. Support student progress by planning and coordinating active outreach and ‘intrusive’ advising programs
• Assist the Engineering Student Centre (ESC) in developing plans to improve overall student retention and success practices
• Work closely with academic affairs regarding curriculum updates, scheduling, student concerns and needs. Collaborate with Faculty partners regarding student concerns, student progress and course content
• Develop and facilitate seminars, workshops, and in-class presentations for first-year and transfer students on program placement, annual academic review, and other academic regulations and policies that empower students to make informed decisions
• Collaborate with the Student Success Centre to deliver the Academic Turnaround program
• Management of the peer-supported tutorial program and the learning assistant team
• Coordinate and deliver success seminars in the Engineering Academic Student Centre (EASC)

Qualifications / Requirements:

• Master’s Degree in related discipline (education, leadership, learning)
• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or a related degree, and/or possessing some sort of engineering technical knowledge would be an asset
• Five years of student services, student affairs, or academic advising experience, which provides the following knowledge, skills and abilities
• Ability to conceptualize, design, and implement new approaches to undergraduate advising
• Familiarity and experience with facilitating skills and interest inventories to assist students with educational planning, demonstrated by professional presenetations
• Ability to successfully handle a large, intense student workload with a positive student centric attitude
• Demonstrated commitment to exceptional, proactive student service with a focus on improving student success
• Outstanding interpersonal communication skills, including written, oral, one on one and group demonstrated by professional experience.
• Strong critical thinking, judgment and decision-making skills, demonstrated by student advising
• Abilities in problem identification, reasoning, and ability to develop original ideas to solve problems
• Ability to work under pressure to meet strict and multiple timelines, balancing important and sometimes competing demands
• Demonstrated ability to be resourceful, creative, innovative, and flexibility to work effectively individually and as a team member
• Ability to exercise solid judgment and accountability in making appropriate advising decisions within the scope of responsibility, including knowing when to refer complex matters to appropriate advisors or senior administrators
• Experience developing and providing presentations for students
• Excellent computer skills including experience using technical advising tools (such as student information management systems like People Soft, Degree Audit software and Microsoft Office), and a desire to learn and implement new software/programs
• Extensive knowledge of faculty and university regulations, processes and procedures, including the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIP)

Application Deadline:  Month xx, 202x

We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.

Additional Information

This position is part of the AUPE bargaining unit, and falls under the Specialist/Advisor Job Family, Phase III.

To find out more about management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary and all we have to offer, view our Management and Staff Careers website. For more information about the Schulich School of Engineering visit Careers in the Schulich School of Engineering.

About the University of Calgary

The University of Calgary is Canada’s leading next-generation university – a living, growing and youthful institution that embraces change and opportunity with a can-do attitude. Located in the nation’s most enterprising city, the university is making tremendous progress on its Eyes High journey to be recognized as one of Canada’s top five research universities, grounded in innovative learning and teaching and fully integrated with the community it both serves and leads. The University of Calgary inspires and supports discovery, creativity and innovation across all disciplines. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.

The University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their professional success while they are here. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.