Student Advisor

This competition is restricted to internal candidates of the University of Alberta. Please indicate your internal status using the "Advertisement" drop down menu when applying.

This position offers a comprehensive benefits package which can be viewed at: Faculty & Staff Benefits .

The Education Student Services (ESS) unit in the Faculty of Education is a dynamic environment where flexibility and adaptability are essential. Undergraduate Student Advisors support the Associate Dean - Undergraduate Programs and Services and report directly to the Education Student Services Manager.  The Faculty of Education advises approximately 3,000 current students and evaluates and processes admissions files resulting in approximately 1,100 newly admitted students, per academic year. Undergraduate Student Advisors play an integral part in the day to day functioning of the unit and the faculty.

Student Advisors perform a wide variety of student services duties in support of the undergraduate degree programs and provide student advising to both undergraduate applicants and current students. Student Advisor positions involve specialized roles and situational leadership duties, and within each position Student Advisors participate in situational leadership.

The incumbent is required to anticipate needs and daily fluctuations in workload to meet variable demands and independently prioritize their workload to meet expectations and timelines. It is desired that the incumbent brings a richly related set of experiences for this position, including directly related delivery of service to students, working knowledge of PeopleSoft Campus Solutions and practical experience with evaluating and processing admissions and transfer credit evaluations.

With growth in the Aboriginal Teacher Education Program (ATEP) within the Faculty of Education, it is ideal if the successful candidate has knowledge or is familiar with the traditions, values, and beliefs associated with First Nations, Metis, and Inuit (FNMI) cultures.

Duties:

• Advises continuing students about university and faculty policies and procedures to provide accurate information to assist in making academic decisions such as course selection, registration, course withdrawals, deferred exams, grades, academic standing, and convocation
• Resolves student issues using interpretive judgment of university and faculty regulations in standard and non- standard situations
• Coaches students to identify problems and possible strategies and resources; advises students on larger life issues, and refers to appropriate resources when necessary, including academic success and personal issues such as health, isolation, financial stress, career planning, etc.
• Collaborates with unit and university staff to promote student success, with a focus on the advising and support services available to students struggling to achieve success
• Assesses situations and identifies at-risk students, referring students with severe personal difficulties to the appropriate agencies and services on campus
• Documents all student interactions and success plans, re-connects with the student when necessary to monitor success
• Ensures that policies and procedures are applied with the care in the management and accessing of student files and records in adherence with FOIP
• Evaluates applications for graduation
• Promotes undergraduate degree programs through recruitment activities (i.e. Open House) and student orientation programs (i.e. Faculty Welcome Events and Registration Events)
• Contributes to the overall effective operation of the Education Student Services office and interacts in a manner that positively contributes to a cooperative office atmosphere
• As decision making responsibility for admissions falls to the Student Advisors, responsibilities include processing transfer applications for admission, including assessing transfer credit, determining admissibility, and deciding to grant/refuse admissions
• Prepares and presents information and statistics on admissions
• Evaluates transfers courses for program fit for coursework from transfer colleges, other Canadian Universities and Foreign institutions
• Responds to inquiries from partner institutions and applicants regarding admission requirements, transfer credit, admission procedures, and admission decisions
• Advises and clarifies the admission processes and Faculty’s Undergraduate programming to new staff Supports the Faculty’s Enrollment Management process through monitoring and reporting admission progress and proposing changes to admitting GPA's
• Liaises directly with combined degree program advisors from partner faculties and collaborative degree contacts from partner institutions regarding program and course requirements
• Supports the training of staff members within ESS and in Departments within the Faculty and will participate in University-level networking and meetings to keep apprised of system processes and procedures
• Assists Associate Dean(s) in the evaluation, approval or denial of requests for exceptions to published program requirements and documents and implements approved exceptions
• Creates, reviews, updates and maintains student program forms, academic advisement modules and other electronic student records while maintaining the integrity of student records and confidential information regarding student programs

Qualifications:

• Minimum Undergraduate degree in a related area
• Minimum two years of providing student services in a post-secondary environment, plus considerable related student advising and undergraduate admissions evaluations experience
• An understanding of and respect for the diversities of First Nations, Metis and Inuit cultures, languages, and histories to provide a holistic support system to First Nations, Metis and Inuit learners
• Understanding and possession of a strong knowledge base of issues pertinent in Indigenous communities. Demonstrated understanding of the cultural knowledge and perspective required to connect with Indigenous communities, schools and students, plus knowledge of Treaty 6 communities is an asset
• Ability to speak and communicate in any Indigenous language is considered an asset
• Extensive experience with university administrative systems in student administration (PeopleSoft/Campus Solutions) including working knowledge and experience with the Academic Advisement module and training and working knowledge of the new Undergraduate Admission System (Slate)
• Electronic Document Records Management/Alfresco experience is required
• Computer proficiency in a Windows environment using MS Office and Google applications Reporting and statistical analysis experience is an asset
• Working knowledge of the University of Alberta academic policies and procedures
• Ability to thrive in a student centered organization and to work collaboratively to accomplish organizational goals Positive attitude and commitment to work in a team environment that is focused on continual improvement and the provision of positive student service
• Excellent interpersonal and communications skills and especially strong writing and public speaking skills with an ability to communicate effectively through correspondence, email, on the telephone and in person
• Demonstrated ability to manage challenging situations in a respectful and thoughtful manner
• Ability to effectively organize priorities, manage time, problem solve and demonstrated accuracy and attention to detail are essential
• Ability to exercise independent judgment

Along with a resume, qualified candidates are encouraged to submit a cover letter outlining your qualifications and demonstrating your passion for student service. Applications without a resume and cover letter will not be considered.

COVID-19 Vaccination: Proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 in compliance with the University’s COVID-19 Vaccination Directive. Fully Vaccinated means a status an individual achieves 14 days after having received the recommended number of doses of a COVID-19 vaccine approved by Health Canada or the World Health Organization, and requires the individual to maintain the recommended number and type of vaccine doses as updated and required by Health Canada thereafter.

Note: Online applications are accepted until midnight Mountain Standard Time of the closing date.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those individuals selected for an interview will be contacted.