Academic Data and Accreditation Specialist, College of Engineering

Academic Data and Accreditation Specialist, College of Engineering

Primary Purpose: Academic Data and Accreditation Specialist, reports to the Programs and Projects Officer in Engineering and provides administrative and data management support. The focus of this position is to assist in administrative tasks and document preparation to retain accreditation for the College of Engineering programs.

Work on the accreditation project will include working with colleges, departments and faculty to gather necessary course information, assessment and program improvement data. The Academic Data and Accreditation Specialist will work with the Program Accreditation Leads from the eight programs and the first-year program in the College of Engineering, as well as with faculty from other colleges that offer courses for Engineering students. Engagement with relevant stakeholders including students, alumni and industry will be required. This position will work with the Programs and Projects Officer to interpret and organize the information as necessary before submission to the accrediting body.

Nature of Work:

A high degree of autonomy and initiative is expected and required within the reporting structure. This position is expected to be self-motivated and work productively with very little supervision.

The responsibilities of this position are diverse and complex, requiring a high capacity for problem solving, independence, sound judgment, and attention to detail. It exercises professional academic judgment and in-depth analysis in interpreting academic policy and procedures, student programs and other academic issues and in analyzing, defining problems and issues, and finding solutions. It communicates complex and specialized information to a variety of audiences.

The position requires the development and maintenance of professional relationships and teamwork that support exceptional collaboration and problem solving, working closely and collaboratively with a broad range of personnel. It therefore entails significant interaction with faculty, and academic leaders, individually and in groups, serving as a resource and providing expert counsel and analysis to all. It also requires significant collaboration and persuasive powers to facilitate resolutions.

Working conditions require innovation and flexibility and require the ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment where competing deadlines and multi-tasking is the norm. The standard for the quality of work and timely completion of each project is high.

Typical Duties or Accountabilities:

Assist the Programs and Projects Officer in:

• Research of best and comparative practices of graduate attribute assessment activities across engineering schools in Canada;
• Distribution and follow up of graduate assessment data collection requests for all engineering undergraduate programs;
• Receiving of graduate attribute assessment data from faculty, staff, and students across the institution. Managing file storage in the Accreditation Repository and archiving all files into prescribed locations.
• Uploading program, faculty and course information into Tandem, the CEAB data management system;
• Review of historical graduate attribute assessment data collection strategies and reformat files into preferred formats;
• Scheduling and recording of accreditation-related activities, meetings, workshops, and events;
• Preparing and formatting draft correspondence and documentation, as required;
• Preparing and circulating quarterly accreditation updates to relevant stakeholders and the College of Engineering leadership team;
• Supporting the implementation of a project communications plan, as required;
• Maintaining the Accreditation Repository on a regular basis and ensuring the Accreditation Repository is ready for the Accreditation Visit in 2027;
• Preparing and formatting draft correspondence and documentation related to the Accreditation Visit, as required:
• Scheduling and recording of Accreditation Visit-related activities, presentations, meetings, tours, and stakeholder interviews;
• Other project-related activities, as assigned.

Qualifications

Education: An undergraduate degree from a recognized Canadian institution is required; a graduate degree in relevant to the job profile will be considered an asset.

Experience: Two to four years of postgraduate work experience as well as experience working with university personnel from various departments and colleges. A well-developed understanding of the undergraduate programs and academic structures in Engineering is required. An equivalent combination of academic experience and preparation may be considered.

Skills: Demonstrated initiative, creativity, innovative thinking and analytical capability. Demonstrated proficiency with computer systems and computer-based applications including Microsoft programs, specifically proficiency with Excel, data management software.

Ability to work independently, collaboratively or as part of a team, excellent written and oral communication skills, proven, polished presentation skills, interpersonal and organizational skills, and strong leadership, motivation and team-player skills. Proven flexibility and success in meeting constantly changing priorities and deadlines.