Academic Advisor and Learning Communities Coordinator

PRIMARY PURPOSE

This position provides leadership for the delivery and assessment of programs and strategies for enhancing student success with the College of Education through the College Learning Communities initiative and academic advising.

NATURE OF WORK

Reporting to the Director, Undergraduate Programs in the College of Education, this position is varied with a range of duties that impact a number of areas and individuals. There are administrative duties; instructional duties; consulting duties; and, academic advising duties. This position supports the organization and delivery of the four learning communities as part of the Bachelor of Education Program. The administrative work may include organizing and supporting experiential learning in a variety of community learning settings. 

This position provides leadership for the offerings and continued development of learning community courses: EDLC 101, 102, 201, and 202; recruits upper year peer mentors; and, provides training opportunities to ensure the successful delivery of content to first and second year Education students in learning communities.  They work closely with the Learning Communities and Academic Advisor to deliver the weekly training sessions and to coordinate learning communities; explores and updates resource bank and delivery models; and holds conversations when necessary with peer mentors and students regarding peer performance, student professionalism, etc. 

Working in a busy, student-centered team environment, this position involves a high degree of autonomy, initiative and independence within the reporting structure. Using a developmental advising model, this position will work with current students to plan their program of study and promote their effective use of Degree Works and other university supports and tools available to them, such as the Course and Program Catalogue and Student Employment and Career Centre. Responsibilities also include participation in student events (e.g., Orientation, U-Start, Open House, etc.) and working with a team of advisors to ensure that students receive a consistent and supportive program experience.

ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Some undergraduate teaching may be required.
• Since the first learning communities were introduced to the College of Education in the 2016 Fall Term, recruitment of peer mentors has evolved. It has grown to create a recruitment/marketing plan to seek quality upper year peer mentors. Peer mentors now must meet eligibility criteria and go through an interview process.
• Create lesson plans for each week of the learning communities.
• Schedule training times for peer mentors (coordinating with their schedules, possibly resulting in more than one training session per week)
• Respond to requests peer mentors have made for support, including lesson plans for each week, support materials (PowerPoint, game apps such as Kahoot, books) and professional development about instructional strategies/active learning strategies.
• Respond to requests from partner on the EDLC staff (learning communities/academic advisor) for manual to guide week-to-week activity and instruction.
• Seek and vet potential resources for use with teacher candidates and peer mentors. Share with facilitators and colleagues through email, loan of materials/books.
• Meet with students/teacher candidates when problematic situations arise (comments, lack of cooperating with peer mentor) to dig into the issue and to find a solution.
• Communicate with students who are absent from learning communities. Accommodate students who may have to be absent beyond the two allowed absences (based on communication). Meet with those students as necessary.
• Determine eligibility of peer mentors for the EDLC course (currently EDLC 498.3), which requires two terms of peer mentoring prior to the Extended Practicum, successful completion of the Extended Practicum, and being a peer mentor in the term following the Extended Practicum.
• Serve as instructor for the EDLC course, which involves building course modules and marking assignments.
• Coordinate the peer mentor recruitment marketing with the Communications and Advancement Coordinator in the College of Education.

• Provides academic and holistic advising to students, which may include short term, solution focused counseling strategies, goal setting, action planning, referrals and evaluation of degree completion plans, general and academic advising.
• Encourages student persistence and success by supporting effective transition to the university learning environment.
• Understands and participates in advising strategies that acknowledge individual characteristics of the student.
• Practices culturally competent advising by working and responding in a manner that acknowledges and respects individuals’ cultural beliefs, attitudes, behaviours, and customs.
• Maintains direct and ongoing contact with students.
• Understands and abides by confidentiality practices.
• Ensures that accurate records are kept.

DUTIES

• Heighten awareness and provide resources for peer mentors about anti-racism resources.
• Incorporate FNMI resources, strategies, and content.
• Organize and deliver a peer mentor recruitment event at the end of the Winter Term.
• Organize peer mentor pictures for use in the recruitment campaign.
• Introduce and support Reconciliation information and resources to peer mentors and strategically to each learning community.
• Seek resources to support peer mentor orientation and training to develop and to expand active learning strategy repertoire.
• Recruit guests, where appropriate.
• Respond to requests of partners and guests.
• Create alternate assignments if a student exceeds the two-absence limit (especially those who have AES accommodations).
• Populate and monitor asynchronous courses of EDLC 101, 102, 201, and 202.
• Determine applicability of students who request synchronous, web-based sections of EDLC 101, 102, 201, and 202. Work with LC staff partner to provide both access and permission

QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Education or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience; valid Saskatchewan Teaching Certificate or the ability to obtain such. Knowledge of the school systems, schools and school curricula in Saskatchewan. Knowledge of First Nations cultures and perspectives, and knowledge of the College of Education courses, policies and degree requirements.

Experience: Minimum two years teaching experience. Experience with Saskatchewan curriculum, STF, and SPTRB.  Experience in counseling students would be desirable. An understanding of protocols and procedures for working with partners and school divisions. Academic advising experience in a post-secondary setting is considered an asset.

Skills:  Ability to adapt to a changing environment; ability to establish and build partnership relationships with diverse teams of people inside and outside the College of Education; sound judgment, tact, discretion and professional integrity; ability to work independently as well as in a team environment; mediation skills; knowledge of First Nations and Aboriginal community protocols; demonstrated knowledge of computer applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint); effective multi-tasking and organizational skills; attention to detail; effective communication skills, both written and verbal, with teacher candidates, cooperating teachers, community and school division partners and College of Education Faculty and staff.

Department: College of Education - DnOffce
Status: Permanent
Employment Group: ASPA
Full Time Equivalent (FTE): 1.0
Salary: The salary range, based on 1.0 FTE, is $67,681.00 - 105,753.00 per annum. The starting salary will be commensurate with education and experience.
Salary Family (if applicable): Specialist Professional
Salary Phase/Band: Phase 2
Posted Date: 5/28/2024
Closing Date: 6/24/2024 at 6:00 pm CST
Number of Openings: 1
Work Location: On Campus

The successful applicant will be required to provide the following current verification(s) where 'Yes' is indicated below. Further information is available at: https://careers.usask.ca/tips-for-applying.php

Criminal Record Check: Not Applicable
Driver's License and Abstract Check: Not Applicable
Education/Credential Verification: Not Applicable
Vulnerable Sector Check: Not Applicable