Job Description

Academic Advisor (Prince Albert Campus)

Primary Purpose: The Academic Advisor plays a critical role in the drive to improve the academic success, retention and persistence rates, graduation rates, and overall quality of student experience in the College of Arts and Science in the Prince Albert campus of the University of Saskatchewan, as well as students in the Saskatoon campus. In pursuit of these aims, the Academic Advisor provides academic advising and coaching, mentoring, and administrative support for current and prospective College of Arts and Science students in person in the Prince Albert campus and remotely in the Saskatoon main campus. The successful candidate will implement, uphold, and maintain College and University policies and procedures.

Nature of Work: The Academic Advisor will work in person full-time in the Prince Albert Campus and will also be expected to offer remote advising to students in the Saskatoon campus. While advising and coaching students, the Academic Advisor will evaluate undergraduate students\' academic records, explore academic options and alternatives, coach students to develop strategies for academic success and monitor student progress.

The Academic Advisor reports to the Director of Undergraduate Student Advising (DUSA) through the Manager of Undergraduate Academic Advising and the Manager of Academic Policies and Outreach in the College of Arts and Science. The Academic Advisor may be asked to provide the director and managers with guidance, expert counsel and analysis on issues and programs that have a direct impact on the unit or undergraduate student success based on defined processes and established procedures. The Academic Advisor is a member of the Undergraduate Student Office (UGSO) and contributes to the wider work of the UGSO, which includes graduation checks, transfer credit assessments, reviews of academic appeals, and promotion and recruitment activities. As a member of the UGSO, the Academic Advisor also supports the Learning Communities, the College of Arts and Science Recruitment team, the University of Saskatchewan Transition Entrance Program (USTEP), and the Indigenous Student Achievement Pathways (ISAP).

The Academic Advisor will be expected to support and work closely with the staff and leadership team of the Prince Albert campus to provide holistic student support to students in the campus. The Academic Advisor may also be asked to provide guidance, expert counsel, and analysis of issues to the Vice-Dean Academic Affairs, as well as the Campus Lead for Prince Albert Campus. At the discretion of the Director of Undergraduate Student Advising (DUSA), the Academic Advisor may also be asked to undertake an outreach and advocacy role for students through partnerships and consultation with external agencies and organizations, including Indigenous organizations, stakeholders, and secondary schools.

This is a high-volume position and requires the ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced team environment while balancing competing deadlines and multiple tasks. The Academic Advisor has daily contact with students, staff, and many other on-campus and off-campus service providers. They demonstrate effective decision-making and sound judgment while following established procedures and guidelines. The Academic Advisor must work effectively in a team environment, giving and receiving advice and support in a timely, open, and forthcoming manner. Given the complex nature of the institutional processes and programs involved, the impact of error is significant for both the unit and the students involved. The work environment is complex, diverse, and subject to shifting priorities, frequent interruptions, and ongoing change.

Accountabilities

• Provides one-on-one and group advising to undergraduate students in person in the Prince Albert campus and remotely in the Saskatoon campus;
• Interprets and communicates degree regulations and requirements, and academic policies of the College of Arts and Science;
• Assists students with admissions, course selection, major selection, prerequisite checking, course registration and withdrawal, and funding information;
• Provides support to students as they transition into the U of S learning environment;
• Helps students to develop a plan of action for academic success and degree completion;
• Participates on the Academic Regulations Committee in the review and assessment of student academic appeals;
• Assists students in identifying and addressing barriers that hinder their academic success;
• Helps students to identify and understand their aspirations and aptitudes as they connect their degree to their career goals;
• Works closely with other student support specialists in the Prince Albert campus and at the Saskatoon campus of the University of Saskatchewan;
• Provides strategic referrals to students who require additional support from other on-campus and off-campus support specialists;
• Participates in the development of best practices for holistic advising as a value-added resource for student success;
• Participates in the recruitment and retention of students in the College of Arts and Science;
• Provides the Director and managers with expert counsel on issues that impact the unit and/or student success;
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications: We are committed to employment equity and diversity and are proud to support career opportunities for Indigenous staff. Applicants from Indigenous communities are especially encouraged for this role with preference of employment to Indigenous candidates.

Education: An undergraduate degree in an Arts & Science discipline. A degree in a human service area (education, counselling, social work) would be an asset. As the University seeks to develop STEM pathways, a degree in the areas of science, technology, engineering, or mathematics would also be considered an asset.

Experience: A minimum of two years of experience working with undergraduate students in a service-related role within an adult education setting. Preference will be given to applicants who have a minimum of two years of experience in an academic advising or counselling role. Knowledge and awareness of current University support services are essential.

Skills

• Strong interpersonal communication skills, both written and verbal;
• Intercultural competency;
• Ability to exercise good judgment in solving problems, managing conflict, and setting priorities;
• Demonstrated commitment to enhancing student success and persistence with a positive attitude toward service delivery;
• Highly motivated with the ability to work collaboratively with a team;
• Strong relationship-building skills;
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines in a fast-paced, high volume environment;
• Ability to interpret and understand complex policies and procedures;
• Ability to manage data and track outcomes;
• Effective organizational skills;
• General knowledge of marketing and recruitment principles;
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access, Outlook and PowerPoint);
• Proficient use of technology as a service delivery mechanism;

Inquiries regarding this position can be directed to Banjo Olaleye at

Department: Undergraduate Student Office
Status: Permanent
Employment Group: ASPA
Full Time Equivalent (FTE): 1.0
Salary: The salary range, based on 1.0 FTE, is $49,301.00 - 77,033.00 per annum. The starting salary will be commensurate with education and experience.
Salary Family (if applicable): Specialist Professional
Salary Phase/Band: Phase 1
Posted Date: 6/21/2023
Closing Date: 6/29/2023 at 6:00 pm CST
Number of Openings: 1
Work Location: May be eligible for hybrid work under the terms of USask\'s Alternative Workspace Guidelines

The successful applicant will be required to provide the following current verification(s) where \'Yes\' is indicated below. Further information is available at:

Criminal Record Check: Not Applicable
Driver\'s License and Abstract Check: Not Applicable
Education/Credential Verification: Not Applicable
Vulnerable Sector Check: Not Applicable The University is committed to employment equity, diversity, and inclusion, and are proud to support career opportunities for Indigenous peoples to reflect the community we serve. We are dedicated to recruiting individuals who will enrich our work and learning environments. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority. We are committed to providing accommodations to those with a disability or medical necessity. If you require an accommodation to participate in the recruitment process, please notify us and we will work together on the accommodation request. We continue to grow our partnerships with Indigenous communities across the province, nationally, and internationally and value the unique perspective that Indigenous employees provide to strengthen these relationships. Verification of Indigenous Membership/Citizenship at the University of Saskatchewan is led and determined by the and Standing Committee in accordance with the processes developed to enact the policy. Successful candidates that assert Indigenous membership/citizenship will be asked to complete the verification process of Indigenous membership/citizenship with documentation. The University of Saskatchewan\'s main campus is situated on Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the M\xc3\xa9tis. We pay our respects to the First Nations and M\xc3\xa9tis ancestors of this place and reaffirm our relationship with one another. Together, we are uplifting Indigenization to a place of prominence at the University of Saskatchewan.

University of Saskatchewan