Academic Advising and Program Assistant, College of Agriculture and Bioresources

Academic Advising and Program Assistant, College of Agriculture and Bioresources

Please note that a strong internal candidate has been identified.

Purpose: This position provides academic advising and administrative support to undergraduate students and develops initiatives that enable student success. This position will support students across all of our degree, diploma, and certificate programs, including specialized support for Indigenous students and international students.

Nature of the Work: Reporting to the Director, Academic and Student Affairs, this position is part of the college team that provides academic services to students in degree, diploma, and certificate programs. Using a developmental advising model, this position will work with students to choose a major and to promote their effective use of Degree Works and other university resources and tools available to them, such as the Course and Program Catalogue, Career Services, the International Student and Study Abroad Centre, Student Learning Services, and other support units, so that students can gather the information they need to make their own decisions. This position will provide guidance and direction to students and others within the college regarding academic policies and procedures.

This position provides support to incoming and outgoing Study Abroad exchange students, including reviewing applications, providing academic advice on course selection, facilitating transfer credit evaluation of courses offered at other post-secondary institutions, and providing support for registration in collaboration with the International Study and Study Abroad Centre.

This position performs administrative functions related to undergraduate Student Services including, but not limited to: processing course overrides, program changes, and major/minor declarations; maintaining and updating student records on DegreeWorks; maintaining and updating student files; sending communications to students via PAWS; supporting Faculty Advisors; supporting student events as required; assisting with class build and convocation as required. Occasional travel to recruitment and other events may be required.

This position builds effective working relationships with students, parents, colleagues, faculty, and First Nation Band members and their communities. This position also must work effectively with the Gordon Oakes Red Bear Student Centre, the International Student and Study Abroad Centre, and other units on campus to develop strategies to support international and Indigenous students.

Working in a complex environment, this position requires discretion, tact, professionalism and a commitment to continuous improvement. The work requires attention to quality of work, the ability to understand and accurately communicate college academic programs, and the need to prioritize in order to meet deadlines. Typically, the incumbent will apply established policies and procedures, exercising effective decision making within the scope of job duties.

Accountabilities

• Accurate communication of university and College of Agriculture and Bioresources program regulations and requirements and academic policies, including admission requirements, course selection, major selection, academic counselling, prerequisite checking, schedules, funding and scholarships.
• Timely and effective communication with students seeking registration and program assistance.
• Support students as they resolve student issues, making necessary referrals to link students with existing campus services, and working with students experiencing difficulty academically to develop student action (success) plans.
• Encourage and empower students to assume responsibility for their academic career.
• Effectively identify, participate in, adopt, implement and monitor best practice student life, advising services and supports.
• Participate in the development of strategies and initiatives to enhance student experience and share these initiatives with members of the AgBio Student Services team and faculty advisors.
• Model a high standard of performance and outcomes; ensure positive, diverse and respectful work environments.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with faculty and staff.
• Collaborates with others as required to complete assignments and support team efforts.
• Deal with sensitive and confidential issues using discretion, judgment and compassion; all confidential information and materials are treated in an appropriate and professional manner.
• Understand and appreciate diversity; sensitivity to and knowledge of cultural differences.
• Maintain a commitment to professional participation and development.
• Complies with all relevant legislation, regulations and procedures.
• Processes and procedures are documented and updated and are followed according to established standards.

Education and Experience: A Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline. A minimum of two years of experience working with undergraduate students and the educational process in service-related roles. Strong assessment skills with the ability to differentiate academic issues from those requiring personal counselling; knowledge of basic counselling techniques. Understanding of the issues faced by Indigenous students and adult learners will be considered an asset. Proficient working knowledge of MS Office. Working knowledge of Banner student applications will be considered an asset.

Skills: Excellent interpersonal communication and listening skills; must possess the aptitude to plan strategically, in consultation with others; effective planning and organizational skills; must be flexible and responsive to an evolving and dynamic work place; proactive, versatile and self-directed; ability to build collaborative relationships and to work effectively as part of a team; ability to relate to people of diverse cultural and organizational backgrounds. The work requires creativity, collaboration, issues management, strong initiative and follow-through.