Academic and Career Advisor

University of British Columbia · Kelowna · CA$7,158–CA$10,292/month (stated in the posting)

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Compensation Range

The Compensation Range is the span between the minimum and maximum base salary for a position. The midpoint of the range is approximately halfway between the minimum and the maximum and represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge, qualifications and experience for the position. In the normal course, employees will be hired, transferred or promoted between the minimum and midpoint of the salary range for a job.

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Posting End Date

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.

This position will be filled internally. It is posted for informational purposes only.

At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career. 

Job Summary:

Academic & Career Advisors work on a centralized team that serve all students at UBC Okanagan. The Advisors are either generalists, or are assigned to a specific faculty as a specialist advisor. Advisors are responsible for delivering and evaluating student services to support student learning based on the specific and unique student needs. Through relationship building beginning in the student’s first year, the Advisor works closely with students throughout their degree to encourage success and retention. This position is responsible for not only providing academic support, but also student engagement programming to enhance academic and career outcomes. Advisors will work with students in all faculties to provide general advising and they must also be knowledgeable enough to have a broad knowledge of Vancouver campus programs. 

Organizational Status:

This position works independently and with initiative under the general supervision of the Manager, Academic & Career Advising.  This position provides consultation to Associate Deans, and may work with Deans, Directors, Unit Heads, Senate Committees, Managers, and other faculty and staff.  Advisors interact routinely with students in all Faculties at UBC Okanagan.

Work Performed:

Academic & Career Advising:

• Assists students in determining their academic, personal and professional goals and identifying appropriate academic courses and programs that support attaining those goals.
• Advise students on work integrated learning and skill building opportunities that enhance their career readiness
• Discuss job search strategies, provide labour market information, and student career outcomes information to current students and alumni
• Assists students with course selection to ensure they meet degree requirements, program prerequisites, and career goals.
• Interpret and advise on University policies and procedures.
• Aiding both faculty and students with issues related to academic progression (full and blocked classes, waivers, transfer credit, academic concessions, late withdrawals and additions), and other issues as they arise.
• Annually evaluates student performance to ensure students are meeting requirements and, as needed, adjudicate student records for graduation eligibility.
• Develops and maintains a knowledge base of worldwide educational systems in order to advise students participating in exchange programs or considering taking courses outside of UBC's Okanagan campus and advising students coming from other global educational systems.
• Evaluates and approves student requests to study outside UBC's Okanagan campus.
• Evaluates requests for academic concession and provides appropriate advice, action and follow-up.
• Identifies students in crisis, either personal or academic, and provides support as well as advice on academic options and personal support services on campus.
• Acts as liaison between students and faculty/departments to facilitate appropriate resolution of disputes.
• Advises students on developing career plans and provides referrals to other appropriate campus units for further exploration.

Faculty Specialist:

• If assigned as a faculty specialist, the Advisor participates fully in academic and career advising specific to their designated faculty and works consultatively with the Associate Dean(s) and faculty members
• Provides advice and guidance to faculty committees regarding the development of new courses, how courses might fit academic requirements and how new courses apply to degrees.
• Provides input into curriculum redesign and advises on experiential learning and practicum opportunities within the community for students.
• Assists departmental advisors and faculty members in interpreting and applying University and faculty specific policy, procedures and regulations.
• Evaluates programs and makes recommendations for improvements in degree design and progression.
• Evaluates and makes strategic recommendations for areas of improvement and growth in student advising services.
• Develops and promotes best practices specific to a faculty and their programs.
• Provides advice regarding advising policies and procedures, ensures campus wide consistency with other faculties and programs.
• Evaluates the usage and functioning of technologies in student advising, retention, and student development.
• Collaborates on projects within the faculty and across campus.
• Researches and implements initiatives with other faculty units and community leaders.
• Works in partnership with the Communications teams in the faculty and AVPS portfolio to develop accurate and easily understood website content and resources for students.

Student Success and Retention:

• Attend academic and career-related programming and events on and off campus
• Proactively engages new to UBC students through strategic and aligned communication approaches
• Conducts research, makes recommendations, and implements transition and retention projects for undergraduate and graduate students.
• Organizes and/or participates in advising, orientation and campus recruitment events designed to improve the undergraduate experience and assist students with the cultural and academic transition to UBC.

Unit and Faculty Support:

• May participate in recruiting, hiring, training and management of student staff.
• Plans and executes events designed to improve the undergraduate and graduate experience.
• Attends and presents at conferences and workshops, and develops and promotes best practices.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Consequence of Error/Judgement:

Misinterpretation of University policies can cause students serious difficulties in attaining their educational objectives.  Advising decisions directly affect the quality of a student’s undergraduate experience.  Poor performance in this position will contribute to inefficient operation and low-quality service being provided by Academic & Career Advising.  In turn, this not only affects the reputation and credibility of Academic & Career Advising and the University, but also our ability to recruit and retain students.  If an Advisor does not consider the intercultural aspects of communication with students, this can negatively impact the advisor’s ability to function in a culturally diverse arena. Errors in decision making can have a serious negative effect on the Department’s ability to carry out its mandate.

Supervision Received:

Academic & Career Advisors work independently under the general direction of the Manager, Academic & Career Advising. Must be able to work independently and carry out work to completion.

Supervision Given:

This position may supervise student staff and/or volunteers. This position may supervise the work of junior M&P professionals and will be required to train colleagues on faculty specific programs, unique advising requirements and program complexities. This position works as a member of a broader student support team.

Minimum Qualifications :
Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum of three to four years of related experience, or an 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:

• Experience working with the student population, including domestic, international, aboriginal, and disabilities is an asset.
• Ability to deal with a diverse population in a calm, courteous, and effective manner.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing is critical.
• Ability to be a team player.
• Ability to effectively adopt and successfully use technologies that enhance the student experience and overall advisor efficiency.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and with initiative.
• Ability to take the lead within a team environment.
• Ability to handle stress within a varied work environment.
• Demonstrated attention to detail.
• Must provide willingness to learn and continually upgrades skills and knowledge.

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