Indigenous Student Advisor

University of British Columbia • Kelowna, BC

7d • CA$7,502 - CA$10,788 • Onsite

About The Position

Develops, provides, evaluates and assesses student advising services, programs and projects for the UBC Okanagan campus in order to support the academic success, personal development and retention of all undergraduate degree students with a particular focus on First Nation, Métis, and Inuit students. Additional responsibilities for this position include: the creation and dissemination of print and electronic information related to all programs, assists in the development and use of information technology as it relates to student advising and Indigenous Programs and Services, development and implementation of recruiting and retention activities that support student success; participates in the administration of the office.

Requirements

• Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline.
• Minimum of four to five 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

Nice To Haves

• Graduate degree in a related discipline preferred.
• Minimum of four to five years of related experience or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Three to five years’ experience in post-secondary advising or counselling and administration or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience working with First Nation, Métis, and Inuit students an asset.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills creative, diplomatic, inter-culturally sensitive, patient, tactful, etc..
• Demonstrated oral and written communication, time management and organizational skills.
• Ability to make thoughtful, informed, and thorough decisions
• Ability to analyze problems, identify key information and issues, and effectively resolve.
• Ability to work effectively with minimal supervision and within a team environment.
• Ability to handle stress within a multi-faceted work environment.
• Ability to travel outside UBC.
• Ability to effectively use MS Office at an intermediate level.
• Knowledge of SIS/SISC an asset.

Responsibilities

• Evaluates and makes strategic recommendations for areas of potential improvement and growth in Indigenous Programs and Services and develops programs and policies to suit.
• Conducts research and prepares briefs, data and reports related to Indigenous Programs and Services and the development and application of information technologies.
• Maintains current knowledge of student advising standards and best practices by attending and presenting at conferences and workshops and maintaining membership in student advising organizations.
• 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 and to advise students coming from other global educational systems.
• Collaborates on student development projects with other campus units.
• Researches and implements liaison initiatives between other faculties and campus units.
• Evaluates programs and recommends improvements.
• Evaluates and recommends promotion and continuation requirements.
• Directs students to develop a holistic view of academic and career plans in order to balance academic, professional, social and personal demands.
• Assesses and interprets student's academic and personal goals and identifying appropriate programs.
• Provides advice on University degree and certificate program requirements and admission criteria, alternate and/or additional educational options.
• Assists students with course selection to ensure they meet degree requirements and selected program prerequisites.
• Investigates and resolves complex student program issues.
• Evaluates and approves student requests to study outside UBC.
• Interprets and advises on University policies and procedures and regulations.
• Evaluates student requests for academic concession and providing appropriate advice, action and follow-up.
• Identifies students in crisis, either personal or academic, and advises on available academic options and personal support services on campus.
• Advises and educates students about development of career plans and providing referrals to other appropriate campus units for further exploration.
• Advises undergraduate students about all Faculties at the University including Science, Management, Health and Exercise Sciences, Graduate Studies, Nursing, etc. in support of university-wide recruitment and retention strategies.
• Adjudicates student records to determine graduation eligibility and degree standing.
• Evaluates domestic and international transcripts and course outlines to determine appropriate transfer credit and year level.
• Evaluates applications and assists with the declarations of majors and minors.
• Investigates and evaluates discrepancies in student records.
• Authorizes changes where appropriate.
• Contributes, interprets and applies University admission policies.
• Develops, writes, edits and oversees the design, publication and distribution of advising materials (print and electronic).
• Consults and collaborates on the design, development, and editing of other promotional materials.
• Plans and prepares multimedia materials for publicity initiatives to promote academic programs at recruitment and orientation events.
• Evaluates promotional planning strategy on a regular basis.
• Participates in advising and orientation events for other campus units.
• Participates in education/career fairs, welcome sessions and participating in on-campus recruitment initiatives.
• Participates in outreach events for prospective students, high school counselors, college counselors and parents as requested.
• Designs, develops, and implements web technologies pertinent to the communication, outreach, and success of students in all programs.
• Reports on applied information technologies pertaining to Aboriginal Student Advising to evaluate the usage, functioning and communication success of technologies in student advising, recruitment, retention, and development.
• Participates in the recruitment, hiring and training of professional advisors and other staff as needed.
• Participates in development of operating policy to improve efficiency.
• Works collaboratively with units across the Okanagan campus in supporting the UBC Indigenous Strategic Plan and UBC Okanagan’s declaration of truth and reconciliation commitments to recruit, retain, and promote the academic success of First Nation, Métis, and Inuit students.
• Participates in the ongoing development of University wide student information systems and services, and contributing to the ongoing development of UBC's vision as it pertains to advising services.
• Acts as liaison between students and faculty/departments to facilitate appropriate resolutions of disputes between faculty and students.
• Performs other tasks related to the support and development of student advising and the operation of the Indigenous Programs and Services unit.

Benefits

• 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.
• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level