Academic Counsellor

Classification & Regular Hours

Hours per Week: 35

Salary Grade: 14

About Western

Western University delivers an academic experience second to none. Western challenges the best and brightest faculty, staff and students to commit to the highest global standards. Our research excellence expands knowledge and drives discovery with real-world application. Western attracts individuals with a broad worldview, seeking to study, influence and lead in the international community. Since 1878, The Western Experience has combined academic excellence with life-long opportunities for intellectual, social and cultural growth in order to better serve our communities.

About Us

The Undergraduate Services Office steers the undergraduate academic program in Engineering. Students, faculty and staff are provided support in all academic matters, including: academic counselling for students; scholastic offenses and requests for relief; academic record keeping and adjudication; revisions to the Western Engineering sections of the Academic Calendar; timetable scheduling; recruitment; and, facilitating awards ceremonies.

Responsibilities

The Academic Counsellor provides counselling services regarding all academic concerns to students in the Faculty of Engineering. In doing so, the Academic Counsellor will provide sound and consistent guidance to students via email, zoom, telephone and in-person one-on-one sessions, and offer referrals to relevant university services when necessary. The Academic Counsellor will also assist students to achieve their degree objectives by providing academic advice, support for program planning and course selection, and by adjudicating students for admission, progression and graduation. In addition, the Academic Counsellor will interpret and accurately administer University and Faculty regulations, waiving such regulations if warranted, will contribute to the development of academic programs in the Faculty of Engineering, and ensure programs are accurately represented in University publications.

Qualifications

Education:

• Undergraduate Degree; Major in Psychology, Social Work or relevant discipline
• Mental Health First Aid and Safe Talk training are preferred

Experience:

• 3 years’ counselling experience in an academic environment

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Knowledge of and ability to manage social media platforms, communication and engagement strategies for student populations
• Knowledge of courses, programs and policies related to the Faculty of Engineering preferred
• Ability to act on new information and effectively contribute in a changing environment
• Ability to collaborate across internal and external boundaries to meet common objectives, improve outcomes and support work beyond one’s own unit
• Verbal communication skills to translate information into easily understood terms, summarize information, and provide a rationale for action
• Ability to apply critical thinking to evaluate information and make appropriate decisions or recommendations
• Capacity to understand and respect cultural and gender issues and apply this to daily work
• Ability to understand customer needs and expectations and provide excellent customer service to directly and indirectly satisfy expectations
• Detail-oriented with an ability to function and process information with high levels of accuracy
• Discretion, tact and maturity to deal with highly confidential subjects or issues with a familiarity with best practices for handling sensitive and confidential information
• Ability to work within a flexible schedule to accommodate the University’s events and activities
• Interviewing skills to counsel students and address problems, questions or concerns
• Intermediate computer skills in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, Publisher, Access) with the ability to learn and use new software programs
• Interpersonal skills to liaise with prospective and current students, staff, faculty and other members of the Western community
• Proven ability and natural inclination to develop relationships by interacting with people in a professional, respectful and diplomatic manner

Western Values Diversity

The University invites applications from all qualified individuals. Western is committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcomes applications from women, members of racialized groups/visible minorities, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation, and persons of any gender identity or gender expression.

Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. If you require accommodations for interviews or other meetings, please contact Human Resources at [email protected] or phone 519-661-2194.

Please Note:
We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those chosen for an interview will be acknowledged.