Outreach and Enrichment Specialist

University of Waterloo•Waterloo, ON

2d•CA$67,689 - CA$84,611•Onsite

About The Position

This role works in the Marketing & Undergraduate Recruitment (M&UR) unit of the Registrar’s Office (RO). The Outreach and Enrichment Specialist (OES) is responsible for the development and delivery of programs aimed at elementary and secondary audiences that fulfill the outreach mandate as outlined by the Ontario Postsecondary Access and Inclusion Program (OPAIP) and aligns with the university commitment to fostering inclusivity, a sense of belonging and a culture of involvement. The OES will also collaborate with staff in campus units with similar objectives to facilitate a diverse offering of outreach opportunities, ensuring a collaborative, coordinated approach to Waterloo’s outreach initiatives.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree, preferably from UWaterloo or equivalent education and experience.
Demonstrated outstanding written and oral communication skills, with proven excellence in public/promotional speaking and delivery of presentations
Demonstrated experience planning and hosting events for 50+ attendees
Understanding of basic principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism
Ability to build consensus, foster teamwork among a variety of stakeholders, and lead integrated project teams
Strong organizational and problem-solving skills coupled with the ability to handle multiple tasks, meet deadlines and excel in a fast-paced environment characterized by changing priorities.
Demonstrated ability to thrive in and contribute to an integrated and collaborative team environment and to apply a positive team approach to working with colleagues
Proven degree of maturity, confidence, and competence sufficient to provide effective, credible representation of uWaterloo at high school and educational events and on interuniversity committees
Excellent written and oral communication skills
Demonstrated ability to think on the spot, improvise, solve problems, and make effective decisions independently
Ability to speak credibly about all aspects of academic and university life, including undergraduate recruitment and admissions, Canadian and international education systems, transition issues, academic programs, co-op system of study, financing, residence, student life and success, and success after graduation
Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel
Working knowledge of PowerPoint, Keynote or other presentation software.
A Vulnerable Sector Check is required
A valid Driver’s Abstract and a valid G driver’s license is required

Nice To Haves

Bachelor of Education preferred
Background in teaching, undergraduate recruitment

Responsibilities

Identifying key audiences and their influencers in support of OPAIP outreach mandate
Develop a framework for identifying institutions and individuals whom the OPAIP mandate aims to support
Using that framework and building on work with existing partners, collate lists of primary target schools and partner organizations for outreach
Partner with student success teams, boards, and guidance counselors to identify students facing barriers and compile target schools with lower scores as identified through third-party rankings and assessment. Identify and cultivate understanding of the unique barriers to post-secondary education faced by targeted individuals and groups
Develop innovative ways to engage students to allow for longer term relationships with the University or other post-secondary institutions to encourage engagement and awareness with younger demographics
Organize and deliver programming for elementary, secondary, and post-secondary school age audiences on-campus and across Ontario
Deliver curriculum-aligned, value-added teaching sessions to students in Ontario classrooms and conduct workshops in a format aligned with existing best practices
Handle logistics of programs and events including space booking, staffing, hospitality, materials, scheduling, and programming
Develop content and schedule for on-campus events for high school students who face barriers to PSE, including appropriate programming (e.g., tours of research labs, presentations by staff/faculty on- and off-campus, guest speakers, and hands-on activities)
Advertise and promote events and programs through the website, printed media, social media and other means
Communicate with campus stakeholders on event logistics (e.g., room booking, technology, parking)
Set up and oversee event attendee communications and registration
Create comprehensive risk management and safety plans for all programming to provide a safe environment for program participants
Maintain program/event budgets and cost tracking within existing departmental budget infrastructure
Monitor and report on initiative challenges and successes
Document programs and events (text and photos) and report on outcomes for future improvement
Collaborate with colleagues in Marketing and Undergraduate Recruitment to leverage and utilize existing CRM for tracking and reporting purposes
Develop and use tools to assess success of program activities. Assessment will be used to create annual reports as required by the Ministry.
Create annual report and track metrics to provide annual updates to campus and Ministry stakeholders
Support the preparation of and delivery of reports for outreach and recruitment colleagues, university leadership, and other interest groups
Disseminate audience insights and outreach best practices with other on-campus stakeholders
Identify initiative successes and challenges, and share recommendations on how to improve approaches moving forward
Document insights gained into target audiences (including both students and their supporters) from research and experience
Share inventory of barriers to education for individuals and groups with historically low PSE achievement rates, along with corresponding resources (both institutional and external) that may support improved access