Position Summary
Temporary Full-Time Appendix D Support Staff, replacement contract position (three-month contract with the possibility of extension)
The Student Success Advisor (SSA) takes a holistic approach to providing academic and student success advice to students experiencing difficulties in their program of study or barriers to success at the College. This includes a relational process of helping students in a variety of formats. The incumbent focuses on assisting the students to identify and understand difficulties, formulate goals, and co-create a plan of action. The SSA is responsible for providing academic advising to students for a defined portfolio of programs or campuses through a wide range of Conestoga initiatives that support student success and retention.
Successful candidates will be required to conduct work within Ontario and must be available to work on campus as required. It is anticipated that this position will meet the needs of the department through a hybrid work arrangement, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with two days remote and three days on-site at the Doon campus located at 299 Doon Valley Dr, Kitchener, ON N2G 4M4. Travel between campuses and off-site for events may be required.
Responsibilities
- Explains core advising principles to students, such as privacy and confidentiality, boundaries, and autonomy
- Provides regular advising services for students who often have complex and time-sensitive academic concerns (e.g. policy, procedures, expectations, etc.) with an emphasis on helping to interpret expectations, providing context, and navigating complex systems
- Assists students with standard academic and college procedures and helps them recognize when no further college pathways are available
- Creates and develops a recommended academic plan (or “special timetable”) for students who are off schedule (e.g. failed courses, switched programs, advanced standing, etc.), have academic challenges, or are anticipating negative outcomes
- Facilitates clarification between students and faculty when there are unclear expectations, communication issues, challenging in-class group dynamics, or other academic difficulties
- Acts as a resource and advocate to the college community in identifying and understanding the needs of students, the intersection with academic policy, and the support required for student persistence and retention
- Ensures advising approaches adapt to barriers related to diverse lived experiences and identities
- Implements and follows-up on student retention and success tasks, which may include monitoring student progress, including those on academic probation
- When non-academic challenges are identified, the SSA introduces the role and function of other support services, recognizes the need for urgent support, and makes referrals to those services as appropriate
- Identifies and appropriately receives and refers students who present with mental health concerns, thoughts of suicide, or systemic bias and facilitates connections with appropriate services
- Acts as a first point of contact for students in building essential skills commonly needed to succeed (e.g. group work, studying, notetaking, communication with faculty, social connection, resilience, coping, time management skills, organizational skills, etc.)
- Facilitates group advising, orientation presentations, workshops, and information booths for students about the role and function of an SSA
- Supports students with the completion of digital forms; tracks, approves, and manages forms as a part of the broader academic support team
- Acts as a point of contact for admission procedures, e.g. clarifications, alternate offers, credit transfer and turnaround documents, and pathway options
- Provides information about policy interpretation and application, including credit substitutions and pathway options
- Remains current with relevant legislation, policies, and best practices (e.g. accessibility, privacy, mandatory reporting, etc.) supported by the Manager and Director
- Contributes to service quality evaluation initiatives, including the accurate and timely collection of data and summarizing activities and issues presented by students
Qualifications
- Three-year diploma or degree in Social Sciences, Social Work, or a related field of study is required
- Three years of recent experience providing academic or career advising, or helping people set and work towards individual goals is required, preferably in a post-secondary setting
- Demonstrated listening, coaching, communication, and facilitation skills
- Excellent ability to put knowledge into practice in the areas of adult learning, development, and advising professional standards
- Ability to work collaboratively within a team environment
- Strong organizational ability with close attention to detail
- Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills
- Ability to adapt advising approach to serve students with barriers related to diverse lived experiences and identities
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Conestoga College is a leader in polytechnic education. Our career-focused education, training, and applied research programs prepare students for success, support industry, and workforce needs and promote economic prosperity throughout our region and across Ontario.
We thank all applicants but only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Conestoga College is committed to workplace diversity and provides accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the hiring process. If you require accommodation, please contact Human Resources via the Contact page.
