Principal Student Adviser

• Student Affairs Division

• This is a full time continuing position with salary in the range $96,649.64 to $105,244.58 plus a generous super allowance of up to 17%.

• Bring your experience in supporting student mental health, wellbeing, welfare and learning support services to work in a dynamic student support role.

• Based at our St Lucia campus

About This Opportunity 

The Principal Student Adviser provides students with assistance and support through all aspects of student life. This includes advice on financial assistance, accommodation, diversity, disability, inclusion and health and wellbeing related issues. In addition, the Principal Student Adviser proactively develops and leads programs to address issues impacting on students.  

The position functions as part of a larger team within Student Services, working closely with other key providers including Student Counselling, Learning Advisers, Libraries and Academic Units. This role will also act as a referral service to external agencies and internal specialist areas.

Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Identify and assess the specific support needs of students and deliver support via appointments (face to face and virtual), whilst planning and delivering support programs in response to these needs, assisting with their transition to the University environment.

• Provide advice and training to university staff on requirements, within the University environment, on support for students with a disability, welfare or wellbeing concern and formulate strategies to address these requirements.

• Conduct regular evaluation of student advisory and support programs and engage in relevant research to initiate service improvement.

• Manage and mentor staff and placement students as relevant to the specific need area.

• Provide assistance and leadership in crisis situations.

• Perform administrative duties such as case management and recordkeeping, correspondence and report writing.

• Develop and maintain networks or partnerships with other staff of the University, student groups, government departments and other agencies on international student support services and issues.

• Undertake strategic applied research proactively, ensuring effective operations to support students with a permanent or temporary disability, including illness and injury, during their studies.

About You  

Essential:

• A degree in a relevant area (Social Work, Sociology, Behavioural Science, or Psychology) and at least four years subsequent relevant work experience; or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and/or education and training.

• Demonstrated proficiency in understanding human behaviour and student concerns, with a track record of coordinating proactive programs to address their needs, including developing strategies to support students with disabilities in achieving independence in their studies.

• A demonstrated high level of communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to exercise critical judgement and provide relevant advice to staff at all levels.

• Strong organisational skills, including planning, scheduling, and prioritisation to support managing multiple events.

• Skills to work in an electronic environment and deliver online web enabled information and services, including appointments, meetings, and workshops.

• Experience and a positive attitude to working and liaising with people from varied backgrounds and ages, including understanding the needs of people from non- English-speaking backgrounds and/or with a disability.

• Ability to work co-operatively and supportively as a member of a team.

Desirable:

• Experience providing welfare, academic or disability support services, particularly in a tertiary or related environment.

The successful candidate may be required to complete background checks including, criminal history and education checks.

As part of the UQ community, you’ll have the opportunity to work alongside the brightest minds, who have joined us from all over the world.

Everyone here has a role to play. As a member of our professional staff cohort, you will be actively involved in working towards our vision of a better world. By supporting the academic endeavour across teaching, research, and the student life, you’ll have the opportunity to contribute to activities that have a lasting impact on our community.

Join a community where excellence is at the core of our culture, contributions are valued and a range of benefits and rewards are available, such as:

• 26 weeks paid parental leave or 14 weeks paid primary caregiver leave, 17% superannuation contributions, 17.5% annual leave loading.

• Access to flexible working arrangements including hybrid working options, flexible start/finish times, purchased leave, and a condensed fortnight.

• Health and wellness discounts – fitness passport access, free yearly flu vaccinations, discounted health insurance, and access to our Employee Assistance Program for staff and their immediate family.

• On campus childcare options, Cheap parking (from just $5.75 a day), Salary packaging options.

Want to Apply? 

Should you wish to apply, please attach the following documents to your application:

• Cover letter of no more than 2 pages addressing the ‘About You’ section.  

• Resume 

For more information about this opportunity, please contact Helen Clayton at [email protected] . 

For application queries, please contact [email protected] stating the job reference number (below) in the subject line. 

Applications close 7 April 2024 at 11.00pm AEST (Job Reference Number - R-36215). Please note that interviews have been tentatively scheduled for 15 April 2024.

At UQ, our strength lies in our diverse colleagues. We're dedicated to equity, diversity, and inclusion , fostering an environment that mirrors our wider community. We're committed to attracting, retaining, and promoting diverse talent. Reach out to [email protected] ​ for accessibility support or adjustments.

If you are a current employee (including casual staff and HDR scholars) or hold an unpaid/affiliate appointment, please login to your staff Workday account and visit the internal careers board to apply for this opportunity. Please do NOT apply via the external job board.