Job Description

Student Development Specialist - Equity Programs

Tracking Code: req432

Faculty/Department: Office of Student Life

Number of Positions: 1

Appointment Type: Full-Time Continuing

Hours of Work: 35 hours per week

Salary Range: Level 9 - Starting Salary, Step 1 $70,765

Posting Date: November 21, 2022

Closing Date: December 5, 2022

Job Summary:

The Student Development Specialist leads the development and coordination of programs and initiatives that foster and enhance student engagement relating to equity programs across the university.

Nature of work:

Reporting to the Manager, Student Engagement and Equity, the Student Leadership Specialist is accountable for program development, coordination and the ongoing assessment of strategic initiatives relating to equity, diversity and inclusion, that support the successful transition of students into the university and that foster and enhance student leadership, professional skills development and peer support at Ontario Tech University.

The Student Development Specialist works in close collaboration with students, student groups, faculty and staff across the university to develop programs that support student engagement. This includes a student leadership and professional skills development program, peer mentor programs, and orientation and transition programs.

Responsibilities/accountabilities:

1. Program Coordination
Supports the design and development of equity programs and initiatives that foster and enhance leadership and professional skills development and is responsible for the implementation of these programs across the university. This includes:

• Collaborating with campus partners (students, faculty and staff) in the development of programs and sessions.
• Co-ordinating logistical operations related to departmental programs, workshops and events (i.e. booking workshop facilitators and speakers, space, catering, audio-visual, parking etc.).

• Facilitating and assessing workshops

• Recruiting, selecting, training, supervising and developing performance plans and assessments for student staff and volunteers.

• Tracking student participation in programs and overseeing the management of student data.

• Assisting the Manager with the submission and maintenance of records related to unit budgets.

2. Content Development
Leads in the development of outcomes based educational programs relating to equity, diversity and inclusion that are designed to support the university's transition, retention and engagement strategies (i.e. orientation, leadership, mentoring). This includes:

• Leading the planning, development, and revision of evidence-based educational programs and initiatives in support of the university's Integrated Academic Research plan and following best practices and identified student needs.

• Developing learning and developmental outcomes and goals for each new program and reviewing learning outcomes for existing programs.

• Utilizing universal instructional design principles, online platforms and appropriate technologies to ensure accessible programming standards are maintained.

3. Research
Researches best practices and adult learning principles to deliver high quality learning outcome driven experiences to undergraduate students, incoming undergraduate students and parents or supporters of incoming undergraduate students. This includes:

• Conducting research and consulting with key collaborators for program development purposes.

• Keeping abreast of current developments and emerging trends in student affairs through active participation in conferences and workshops, professional organizations and research/literatures.

4. Assessment
Formulates programmatic and activity-based learning outcomes and metrics to measure student learning and development and to demonstrate program effectiveness and success by:

• Working with colleagues and campus partners to articulate program outcomes for specific projects and developing plans to assess progress toward those outcomes.

• Engaging students, faculty, and student affairs professionals in collaborative assessment, both informal and formal.

• Assisting with evaluating and reporting on initiatives to determine whether efforts are meeting student needs and generating the desired outcomes, to identify unmet needs, and to inform evidence-based decisions on future programming.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated ability to apply and evaluate literature, research, institutional data and theoretical frameworks to establish evidence and outcomes-based programs and services;

• Ability to effectively advise, delegate, lead, motivate, supervise and coach student staff and volunteers;

• Ability to develop collaborative working relationship with internal and external stakeholders;
• Integrity and the ability to maintain confidential information;

• Ability to monitor financial resources including planning and allocating program budgets;

• Demonstrated facilitation skills;

• Ability to communicate with diverse communities and promote inclusion;

• Ability to work independently and in a collaborative team environment;

• Demonstrated initiative, organizational and time management skills;
• Strong judgement, flexibility and adaptability;

• Excellent computer skills including: Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and internet applications

• Proficiency in the use of social media platforms for research, networking and communications; and

• Ability to travel to and work out of 2 locations.

Required Education:

• Completion of a University Program of Four Academic Years required.

• An equivalent combination of education and related experience may be considered.

• Verification of Academic credentials may be required

Required Experience:

• 3 to 5 years of experience with equity, diversity and inclusion program delivery with an emphasis on project and program development and design in a post-secondary environment.

• Knowledge of learning pedagogy and formal training and/or education in the following areas: adult education, curriculum development, student development, leadership development; and assessment in student affairs.

How to Apply:

Interested candidates should submit in electronic format a covering letter and their resume. Applications will be accepted until December 5, 2022 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 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.

Prior to May 1, 2022, the university required all students, faculty, staff and visitors (including contractors) to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 as defined by our This directive was paused, effective May 1, 2022, but may be reinstated at any point in the future depending on public health guidelines and the recommendations of experts. All employees of the university will be expected to comply with the requirements of this directive.

The university recognizes faculty and staff may require accommodations. We are committed to an accommodation process in which individualized needs (e.g. for medical and religious/creed grounds) are appropriately addressed under the Ontario Human Rights Code. A is available. If you require accommodation, please contact , Health and Disability Management Specialist. For more information about the universities policies for accommodating employees with disabilities please review the university's

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.

Job Location: Oshawa, Ontario, Canada

Expected Start Date: 1/3/2023

Expected End Date: