Number of Positions: 1
Position Title: Academic Skills Coordinator
Appointment Type: Limited Term
Hours of work: 35 hours per week
Salary Range: Level 7 – Starting Salary, Step 1 $53,767
Posting Date: April 23, 2021
Closing Date: May 7, 2021
Job Summary:
The Academic Skills Coordinator promotes the academic, personal and professional development of students at Ontario Tech University.
Nature of work:
Reporting to the Manager, Student Learning, this position is accountable for the development, facilitation, coordination, promotion, and ongoing assessment of programs and instruction designed to enhance learning and study skills among students to promote overall student persistence and success.
Responsibilities/accountabilities:
1. Program Development and Assessment
Leads in the ongoing research, development, delivery and coordination of academic transition and retention programs for students that are grounded in theory and research, and designed to address the unique learning and development needs of the identified populations. This includes:
Leading the planning, development, and revision of evidence-based academic transition and retention programming for students including summer academic preparatory programs, academic skills workshops, in-class workshops, and other student success initiatives.
Developing and fostering relationships to co-deliver discipline-specific academic skills development programming.
Utilizing universal instructional design principles, online platforms and appropriate technologies to ensure accessible programming standards are maintained.
Assessing and reporting on initiatives to determine whether efforts are meeting the students’ needs and generating the desired outcomes to make evidence-based decisions on future programming.
Building and maintaining relationships with key constituents as well as strategic partners in the Office of Graduate Studies, academic faculties, and Student Societies.
2. Learning Skills Advising
Provides advice and assistance to support Ontario Tech students in the development of learning skills and self-management strategies by:
Advising students to support the identification of their academic strengths and areas of development, and in the creation of individualized programs to develop student’s learning skills including metacognitive strategies, self-regulated learning, and holistic well-being.
Engaging at-risk students in positive and proactive ways to support retention and student success, and referring students where appropriate.
Developing, delivering and co-delivering small group instruction in learning skills, time management, reading, notetaking, and metacognitive strategies for workshops and retention and transition programming.
Researching best practices and new evidence-based techniques in the learning sciences and educational research.
3. Mentorship and Coaching
Provides direction and mentorship to students hired as Peer Success Facilitators and University Works students by:
Recruiting, selecting and hiring upper level students to serve as Peer Success Facilitators and University Works students
Providing ongoing training of Peer Success Facilitators in adult learning theory, active learning strategies, metacognitive skills, and assessment, both online and in-person.
Supervising the work of part-time student staff through regular communication, meetings, goal setting, job shadowing and observational assessments.
Sharing expertise and best practices to support Peer Success Facilitators with pedagogical approaches, learning strategies, and learning assessment.
Coaching Peer Success Facilitators to help them understand the importance of rapport building, active listening, constructive feedback, and other key mentoring skills required in their work.
Communicating on a regular basis the progress, outcomes, and direction of the program and the individual successes of students and peer leaders participating in the program.
Motivating part-time student staff through constructive feedback, monthly check-in meetings, and recognition of achievements.
Promptly addressing performance issues with appropriate measures and discretion.
4. Resource Development and Program Support
Contributes to the development of a comprehensive repository of university-level study skills online resources to ensure students’ access to timely, appropriate and effective study skills support. In addition, supports the Student Learning Centre and project teams in the organization and assessment of events and programs. This includes:
Developing videos and online resources for students to promote resilience and persistence.
Developing and producing in collaboration with Student Life staff, the Faculties and the Library, multimedia presentations, online learning activities, tutorials, videos and assessment tools to support student development and success.
Developing self-study materials to promote the development of effective study strategies for nool.ca, including multi-media presentations, online learning activities, tutorials and videos.
Maintaining records and data to be used in service evaluation.
Tracking and reporting of SLC student engagement by utilizing the reporting tools and student event calendar features on Orbis.
Reporting on issues and concerns arising from the use of Orbis and facilitating their resolution in collaboration with the Planning and Communications Office.
Providing representation at university and Student Life events to promote SLC programs and services.
Carries out and participates in special projects and other tasks as assigned.
Required Skills
Demonstrated ability to apply and evaluate literature, research, institutional data and theoretical frameworks to establish evidence and outcomes-based programs
Demonstrated understanding of student development in higher education, student learning theories and their impact on first- and second-year students
Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, faculty and staff
Excellent facilitation, listening, writing, presentation, and interpersonal skills
Experience working with diverse post-secondary student populations
Ability to work independently and in a collaborative team environment
Demonstrated initiative, organizational and time management skills
Strong judgement, flexibility and adaptability
Integrity and the ability to maintain confidential information
Excellent computer skills including: Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and internet applications and proficiency in the use of social media platforms for research, networking and communications, and educational technology (i.e. polling, clickers, classroom platforms, etc.)
Ability to travel to and work out of 2 locations.
The successful incumbent must be willing to work evenings and occasional weekends to attend or oversee Student Life events and programs.
Education
Bachelor’s degree required with preference given to candidates with a professional or graduate degree in education or related field.
- Verification of Academic credentials may be required
Required Experience
1-3 years of experience developing academic programs and supports for students, preferably in a university setting
Experience leading, planning and facilitating groups; and advising individual students and student groups
How to Apply:
Interested candidates should submit in electronic format a covering letter and their resume. Applications will be accepted until May 7, 2021 or until a suitable candidate is found. We appreciate all applications received; however, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
This position falls within the bargaining unit represented by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) and will be subject to the terms and conditions of the collective agreement between the university and the OPSEU. To the extent that policies are not included in the collective agreement, employment will also be governed by the university’s policies which may also be found on our website https://ontariotechu.ca and which may be amended from time-to-time.
Ontario Tech University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates, while especially encouraging applications from women, members of visible minorities, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and persons of any sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens, permanent residents and Indigenous Peoples in Canada will be given priority.
Ontario Tech University respects people’s different needs and therefore will take all reasonable steps to ensure accommodation for applicants where appropriate. The University is also committed to ensuring that confidentiality is maintained throughout all aspects of the recruitment cycle.
If you require an accommodation to participate in the recruitment process, please notify the hiring manager or Julie Day, Health and Disability Management Specialist. For more information about the universities policies for accommodating employees with disabilities please review the university’s Accessibility Policy
The university acknowledges the lands and people of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation which is covered under the Williams Treaties. We are situated on the Traditional Territory of the Mississaugas, a branch of the greater Anishinaabeg Nation which includes Algonquin, Ojibway, Odawa and Pottawatomi.
Apply Now
To help us with our recruitment effort, please indicate your email/cover letter where (vacanciesincanada.ca) you saw this job posting.