Educational assistant Jobs in Kitimat, BC

Job Summary

The Educational Consultant, Inclusion leads and supports the UBC Okanagan teaching and learning community's professional development around inclusive teaching and learning practices. The position takes an evidence-informed approach and provides consultation, facilitation, programming, and resources to the University community. The position offers expertise on the assessment of classroom and campus climate and the implications this has on teaching practices and learning experiences at UBC Okanagan as well as external communities. This position provides ongoing consultation services within the Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL) as well as with external stakeholders, and is responsible for evaluating educational resources, programs, and services related to inclusive teaching for further development.

In partnerships with relevant groups across campus, the position researches, plans, and delivers strategies to cultivate pedagogical practices that foster the inclusion of diverse voices, including those that have been marginalized or excluded, and to support practices for making learning materials accessible for in-person and online courses. The position addresses differences in social identities and social structures in the classroom. The position supports and aligns university-wide strategic plans and emerging initiatives, such as StEAR Framework, Outlook 2040, Indigenous engagement, intercultural learning, student diversity, and student wellbeing.

Organizational Status

UBC Okanagan's Centre for Teaching and Learning promotes and supports teaching and learning excellence. The Centre provides campus wide support for all models of inclusive and evidence-based teaching and learning; including online learning. UBC Okanagan campus faculty are provided with a variety of academic development opportunities including peer mentoring programs, seminar series, support for the Scholarship for Teaching and Learning (SoTL), training workshops, learning technology support and resources on teaching practices. In addition, the Centre provides graduate students and teaching assistants with professional development opportunities, and supports students-as-partners in teaching and learning initiatives.

Reports to the Manager, Centre for Teaching and Learning, UBC Okanagan campus.

Work Performed

Provides consulting services for members of the UBC Okanagan teaching and learning community for strategies and approaches to enable productive conversations around socially contentious issues, facilitation and assessment of learning, program evaluation, educational leadership, and related topics.

Informs and advises teams within the CTL on approaches to support inclusive teaching and learning.

Works in alignment with Faculties, Departments, units (especially UBC Equity & Inclusion Office), committees at UBC Okanagan and across UBC, and in external communities to develop and implement university- and campus-wide strategic initiatives related to inclusive teaching and learning.

Liaises with campus and community partners to develop and implement short- and long-term plans for educational programming and services to improve teaching and learning environments at UBC Okanagan. A process may consist of anything from a single workshop to a large, multi-phase initiative (for example, an ALT2040 project).

Develops and assesses course design, curriculum, and educational resources focusing on inclusion and accessibility through research and consultation.

Designs, facilitates, and evaluates professional development programs, workshops, and presentations (including associated budgets) to the UBC Okanagan teaching and learning community on topics related to inclusion and accessibility.

Collaborates with other members of the CTL team to develop plans, procedures, and educational resources in support of the CTL's strategic goals and overall teaching and learning professional development.

Conducts needs assessments and consultations with faculty and community partners to develop, implement, and assess programs and resources on inclusive teaching.

Recruits faculty-, campus-, and community-partners for co-design and co-facilitation of professional development programs, workshops, and presentations.

Informs a broad community of scholars, educators, and other practitioners around the scholarly assessment of teaching and learning and their relationships with inclusive teaching and accessibility through research and consultation.

Maintains collaborative relationships with staff, faculty, departments, and community representatives involved in projects.

Represents the CTL and UBC Okanagan teaching and learning interests through provincial, national, and international associations and liaisons. Disseminates research, practices, and ideas at local, national, and international conferences. Presents papers for publication and collaborates with colleagues in developing proposals to do this.

Ensures compliance of educational programming with university policies and strategic plans, governmental regulations, and international governance. Performs other duties related to the qualifications and requirements of the job.

Builds strategic relationships with partners in faculty support and academic service areas.

Directs the development of workshops and trains UBC faculty and other interested parties.

Teaches / facilitates online, in-person, and multi-access programs and workshops.

Maintains knowledge of pedagogical theory, instructional design.

Consequence of Error / Judgement

The Educational Consultant, Inclusion serves in an important interface role within the teaching and learning community on campus and beyond, promoting a collaborative atmosphere amongst a wide range of personnel with possibly differing goals / approaches to instructional skills development. The incumbent must be capable of achieving consensus and resolving conflicts in a collegial manner. This position is intended to positively impacts the learning environment overall at UBC Okanagan campus. If inappropriate judgment is used, it can damage the long-term relationship between the Centre for Teaching and Learning and academic and professional staff in academic and administrative support units across campus, as well as the Centre for Teaching, Learning and Technology at UBC Vancouver.

Must exercise a high level of professionalism and judgment when dealing with various units and departments, as well as with non-UBC colleagues. Failure to follow culturally-responsive and appropriate practices, and exercise sound judgment could result in significant resource and reputation costs to the Centre and could possibly have a negative impact on future internal and external partnerships.

Supervision Received

The position reports to the Manager, Centre for Teaching and Learning, UBC Okanagan Campus. The Educational Consultant, Inclusion will work independently, with minimal supervision and take a leadership role in project management, program planning and delivery. The incumbent is expected to show initiative and creativity in completing project requirements. Consults with supervisor on funding and major policy issues and periodically on other developments. Works closely with the CTL Manager, as well as the CTL Academic Director, in short- and long-term planning for the Centre for Teaching and Learning. Communicates with the Provost Office as needed through the Manager.

Supervision Given

Manages project teams of varying composition, depending on the scope and nature of the specific project. Project teams may include University faculty members, students and staff,

colleagues within CTL, members of other teaching and learning units, members of other educational institutions, external partners and specialists hired for specific tasks.

Minimum Qualifications

Master’s degree in Education.

Minimum of six years of related experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.

Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own.

Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Preferred Qualifications

Master’s or Doctoral degree with a primary focus in inclusive teaching and learning practices. Experience in curricular design, learning experience design, resource development, program development, facilitation, and evaluation in a higher education setting. Experience in design, development and facilitation of processes and educational programs or the equivalent combination of education and experience. Deep understanding of inclusive teaching and universal design for learning, with attention to how race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, ability, class, and religion impact classroom dynamics and engagement.

Experience in facilitating group processes both face-to-face and online. Experience in teaching face-to-face and using online and multimedia technologies. Experience with educational program planning and evaluation. Demonstrated teaching skills, and familiarity with a wide variety of teaching and learning techniques. Demonstrated process design and facilitation skills, and familiarity with a wide variety of facilitation approaches and techniques. Demonstrated project management skills with ability to prioritize and work effectively under pressure to meet multiple deadlines. Effective oral and written communication, interpersonal, planning, organizational, and problem-solving skills. Ability to work both independently and within a team environment. Knowledge of University policies and procedures is considered an asset.

Experience developing strategic engagement processes and developing strategic plans is an asset. Ability to maintain accuracy and high attention to detail. Ability to think strategically and exercise diplomacy, tact, and discretion. Demonstrated ability to conduct respectful consultation and

collaboration with Indigenous communities, including within the Syilx Okanagan Nations.

Experience and knowledge in educational research, preferably in a university setting.

Ability to exercise tact and discretion when handling sensitive or confidential curriculum matters.

Effective presentation skills, in addition to oral and written communication.

Ability to multi-task and manage competing priorities independently under pressure.