Student Advisor Jobs

This competition is restricted to internal applicants of the University of Alberta. Please indicate your internal status using the "Advertisement" drop down menu when applying.

This position is a part of the Non-Academic Staff Association (NASA).

This position offers a comprehensive benefits package which can be viewed at: Faculty & Staff Benefits .

Location

Work primarily takes place at North Campus Edmonton. This role is hybrid with a mix of remote and in-person.

Working for the University of Alberta

The University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages and cultures of First Nations, Métis, Inuit and all First Peoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community.

The University of Alberta is teeming with change makers, community builders, and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to more than 40,000 students in 200+ undergraduate and 500+ graduate programs, over 13,000 faculty and staff, 260,000 alumni worldwide and have been recognized as one of Canada’s Greenest Employers for over a decade.

Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross section of people—from our students and stakeholders, to our renowned researchers and innovators who are quite literally curing diseases, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger, and more just.

Working for the Department/Faculty

The Education Student Services (ESS) unit in the Faculty of Education is a dynamic environment where flexibility and adaptability are essential. Undergraduate Student Advisors support the Associate Dean - Undergraduate Programs and Services and report directly to the Education Student Services Manager. The Faculty of Education advises approximately 3,000 current students, and evaluates and processes admissions files resulting in approximately 1,100 newly admitted students, per academic year. Undergraduate Student Advisors play an integral part in the day to day functioning of the unit and the faculty.

Position

Student Advisors perform a wide variety of student services duties in support of the undergraduate degree programs and provide student advising to both undergraduate applicants and current students. Student Advisor positions involve specialized roles and situational leadership duties, and within each position Student Advisors participate in situational leadership.

The incumbent is required to anticipate needs and daily fluctuations in workload to meet variable demands and independently prioritize their workload to meet expectations and timelines. It is desired that the incumbent brings a richly related set of experiences for this position, including directly related delivery of service to students, working knowledge of PeopleSoft Campus Solutions and practical experience with evaluating and processing admissions and transfer credit evaluations.

With growth in the Aboriginal Teacher Education Program (ATEP) within the Faculty of Education, it is ideal if the successful candidate has knowledge or is familiar with the traditions, values, and beliefs associated with First Nations, Metis, and Inuit (FNMI) cultures.

Duties

• Ensures that appropriate support for undergraduate course registration into education courses is provided to students which includes manually registering students into restricted enrolment courses and individual study courses. Assisting students when experiencing registration difficulties.
• Ensures that policies and procedures are applied with the care in the management and accessing of student files and records in adherence with FOIP
• Liaises directly with combined degree program advisors from partner faculties and collaborative degree contacts from partner institutions regarding program and course requirements
• Has decision making responsibility for admissions falls to the Student Advisors, responsibilities include, processing transfer applications for admission, including assessing transfer credit, determining admissibility, and deciding to grant/refuse admissions
• Advises and clarifies the admission processes and Faculty’s Undergraduate programming to new staff Supports the Faculty’s Enrollment Management process through monitoring and reporting admission progress and proposing changes to admitting GPA's
• Advises continuing students about university and faculty policies and procedures to provide accurate information to assist in making academic decisions such as course selection, registration, course withdrawals, deferred exams, grades, academic standing, and convocation
• Coaches students to identify problems and possible strategies and resources; advises students on larger life issues, and refers to appropriate resources when necessary, including academic success and personal issues such as health, isolation, financial stress, career planning, etc.
• Assists Associate Dean(s) in the evaluation, approval or denial of requests for exceptions to published program requirements and documents and implements approved exceptions
• Prepares and presents information and statistics on admissions
• Assesses situations and identifies at-risk students, referring students with severe personal difficulties to the appropriate agencies and services on campus
• Collaborates with unit and university staff to promote student success, with a focus on the advising and support services available to students struggling to achieve success
• Supports the training of staff members within ESS and in Departments within the Faculty and will participate in University-level networking and meetings to keep apprised of system processes and procedures
• Evaluates applications for graduation
• Evaluates transfers courses for program fit for coursework from transfer colleges, other Canadian Universities and Foreign institutions
• Promotes undergraduate degree programs through recruitment activities (i.e. Open House) and student orientation programs (i.e. Faculty Welcome Events and Registration Events)
• Resolves student issues using interpretive judgment of university and faculty regulations in standard and non- standard situations
• Documents all student interactions and success plans, re-connects with the student when necessary to monitor success
• Contributes to the overall effective operation of the Education Student Services office and interacts in a manner that positively contributes to a cooperative office atmosphere
• Creates, reviews, updates and maintains student program forms, academic advisement modules and other electronic student records while maintaining the integrity of student records and confidential information regarding student programs
• Responds to inquiries from partner institutions and applicants regarding admission requirements, transfer credit, admission procedures, and admission decisions

Minimum Qualifications

• Excellent interpersonal and communications skills and especially strong writing and public speaking skills with an ability to communicate effectively through correspondence, email, on the telephone and in person
• Extensive experience with university administrative systems in student administration (PeopleSoft/Campus Solutions) including working knowledge and experience with the Academic Advisement module and training and working knowledge of the Undergraduate Admission System (Slate)
• Computer proficiency in a Windows environment using MS Office and Google applications Reporting and statistical analysis experience is an asset
• Electronic Document Records Management/Alfresco experience is required
• Working knowledge of the University of Alberta academic policies and procedures
• Ability to thrive in a student centered organization and to work collaboratively to accomplish organizational goals Positive attitude and commitment to work in a team environment that is focused on continual improvement and the provision of positive student service
• Ability to exercise independent judgment
• Demonstrated ability to manage challenging situations in a respectful and thoughtful manner
• An understanding of and respect for the diversities of First Nations, Metis and Inuit cultures, languages, and histories to provide a holistic support system to First Nations, Metis and Inuit learners
• Minimum Undergraduate degree, preferably in a related area
• Ability to effectively organize priorities, manage time, problem solve and demonstrated accuracy and attention to detail are essential
• Minimum two years of providing student services in a post-secondary environment, plus considerable related student advising and undergraduate admissions evaluations experience
• Understanding and possession of a strong knowledge base of issues pertinent in Indigenous communities. Demonstrated understanding of the cultural knowledge and perspective required to connect with Indigenous communities, schools and students, plus knowledge of Treaty 6 communities is an asset
• Ability to speak and communicate in any Indigenous language is considered an asset

How To Apply

Along with a resume, qualified candidates are encouraged to submit a cover letter outlining your qualifications and demonstrating your passion for student service. Applications without a resume and cover letter will not be considered.