International Transition Coordinator Jobs

One Support Staff Full-time Appendix D Contract Replacement Position (Immediate – September 13, 2024)
(First consideration for Support Staff and Academic positions will be given to internal applicants in accordance with the respective Collective Agreements)
The International Transition Coordinator (ITC) plays a critical role in the successful transition of international students to Canada, Conestoga College, and the local community. This position facilitates all aspects of pre-semester, pre-arrival and settlement advising that supports students with initial on-boarding, orientation and ongoing services help as required.
Successful candidates will be required to conduct work within Ontario and must be available to work on campus as required. It is anticipated that this position will meet the needs of the department through a hybrid work arrangement with 3 days on-site, and 2 days remote.
Must be available to work evenings, weekends and some holidays including the winter break (excluding Christmas Day) and be able to travel and work out of multiple locations, possibly on the same day.
Responsibilities

• Facilitating appropriate college connections and referrals to support student concerns and needs (e.g., academic, health and wellness, financial, career, etc.)
• Respond to queries from potential and current students, agents, recruiters, and other interested parties (i.e., student’s Canadian relatives)
• Researching best practice models for international student transition support
• Promotion of International Office initiatives, services, and “branding” during college events
• Representing the college on relevant college and community committees
• Creating and maintaining a current database of emergency housing options that are available
• Working with student staff and volunteers to establish a strong connection to the international student community through various outreach activities such as social media, listserv messaging, videos, workshops, website, and other social media postings, etc.
• Responsible for the development and dissemination of a comprehensive portfolio of information, resources and referrals related to housing including tips on how to search for suitable accommodation, what to know about leases, landlords, rent, and landlord and tenant rights and responsibilities, how to be a good tenant, who to contact for tenant support, information, and legal help as related to housing, etc.
• Participating in the “classroom visit” program as developed by a collaborative team of college departments and requested by faculty on an as-needed basis
• Supporting international students in areas such as cultural adjustment, transitional strategies, and overall settlement (i.e., providing information and resources about housing, local transportation, government resources, available community services, “good to know” tips, etc.) that are foundational to a student’s safety, well-being, and desired academic success
• Acting as the first point of contact for international students to address their unique needs in transition through the development and implementation of tailored services
• Developing, organizing, and facilitating early welcome and on-boarding events to enhance other college initiatives
• Providing information regarding the International Student Emergency Bursary Funds program including meeting with students to explain the process and refer to Financial Aid
• Participating in college-wide, virtual student program orientations and other in-person orientation events and initiatives
• Acting as the international office contact for college homestay provider (Canada Homestay Network) and for college residence staff regarding international student applications and arrivals
• In accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and Landlord and Tenant Board procedures, providing resources, referrals, and information to students, especially those who are experiencing off-campus housing disputes and need help with landlord/tenant conflict resolution
• Ensuring international students are provided with the necessary tools, information, and resources to successfully transition to Conestoga and their new community prior to and after arrival
• Supporting soon-to-be graduates with tools, resources, and information to help them transition from Conestoga to the wider community
• Under the direction of management, liaising and collaborating with community organizations/external stakeholders as required to increase service support and resources for international students
• Monitoring online referrals from faculty and staff, reaching out to students
• Supporting other College initiatives as required, including Program Orientation, Student Success Week, Diversity Week, etc.
• Under direction of Manager, helping to build an off-campus peer-to-peer initiative that facilitates student to student connections for housing help
• Building awareness of International Office Services and supports during the academic cycle through timely communications to faculty, staff (both within the international and other college departments) and students
• According to college mandatory arrival app requirements, following up with students regarding arrival plans, information confirmation and missing requirements requests to ensure students’ readiness and approval to begin studies
• Assisting with hiring, training, and supervising of housing student peer staff or volunteers
• Developing and implementing student-centred initiatives to support international students’ transition and settlement by creating and maintaining informational resources and learning activities (e.g., transition workshops, information sessions, text resources, etc.).
• Evaluating effectiveness of initiatives against defined outcomes; developing reports and making recommendations to support continuous improvement
• Facilitating Safety Abroad Pre-Departure Workshops for all Conestoga students either studying or working abroad in placements sanctioned by their program

Qualifications

• Three years of demonstrated experience working with international students (preferably in a post-secondary setting) or other newcomers to Canada
• Leadership and student volunteer mentoring, program development, implementation and evaluation is an asset
• Three-year degree/diploma in Business, Social Sciences, International Studies, Education or a related field is required
• Ability to use Teams, Zoom and other online meeting software
• Good understanding of the rules related to advising, privacy and confidentiality
• Proficiency in/experience with business computer applications including MSWord, OneNote, PowerPoint, and Excel plus internet researching skills and basic familiarity with office procedures
• Demonstrated ability to evaluate and apply literature, research, institutional data, and theoretical frameworks to establish evidence and outcomes-based programs and services
• Excellent judgement, strong problem-solving and interpersonal communication skills to work with diverse student populations (as defined in the Human Rights Charter)
• Public speaking experience
• Strong knowledge of relevant policies and procedures such as the Residential Tenancies Act

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Conestoga College is a leader in polytechnic education. Our career-focused education, training, and applied research programs prepare students for success, support industry, and workforce needs and promote economic prosperity throughout our region and across Ontario.
We thank all applicants but only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Conestoga College is committed to workplace diversity and provides accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the hiring process. If you require accommodation, please contact Human Resources via the Contact page.