Academic Advisor

Term: 1 Year

The position is responsible for academic advisement of students in the Faculty of Science, with a particular focus on programs/students that are the responsibility of the Science Undergraduate Office (SUO). This position serves as a resource for and supports officers and members of the Faculty of Science in areas of policy and practice.

Responsibilities

Student Advising

• Maintains in-depth and current knowledge of the areas of expertise that are relevant to the position, including, but not limited to:
• Science undergraduate curriculum and academic requirements for all programs;
• Science admissions regulations and practices, including transfer credit regulations pertaining to a wide variety of academic institutions;
• The University policies and Faculty regulations of particular relevance to student issues; and
• The sources of support and help that are available to students, both within and outside the University.
• Provides academic advising on course/program selection and changes, degree requirements, course selection, and all academic issues for a designated group of students.
• Monitors the academic progress of their group of students through the use of data extracts and provides outreach/academic counselling to students in academic trouble.
• Co-ordinates the academic progression and advisement for their group of students. This responsibility includes assessing students’ academic standing and completion of course requirements; communicating with the Manager, Academic Advising regarding problem cases; and generating appropriate comments for the Office of the Registrar.
• Retains signing authority for the approval of academic program changes, course changes, and Applications to Graduate.
• Provides assistance to students with Letter of Permission requests including the assessment of course equivalency and overall approval of such requests.
• Aids students in the preparation of petitions.
• Determines if interested students are eligible to participate in international exchange programs.
• Maintains appropriate contact and communication with those offices and entities elsewhere in the Faculty, in the University, and in the outer community that are particularly relevant to the areas of their own responsibilities.
• Applies a continually evolving understanding of both the breadth and boundaries of their authority in relation to their duties.

Support to the Manager, Academic Advising

• Informs the Manager regularly and frequently of activities and developments within their jurisdiction.
• Consults regularly and frequently with the Manager on matters pertaining to the curricular, engagement, and retention functions of the SUO and on matters of a sensitive nature.
• Participates in regular meetings of the SUO team to discuss consistent application of regulations and procedures and advance seamless support to students in the Faculty of Science.
• Prepares written reports on a variety of matters within their jurisdiction either on their own initiative or at the request of the Manager or Associate Dean(s).
• Provides administrative or other support for SUO initiatives.
• Advises and responds to inquiries of students interested in enrolling in any Science program/plan

Meetings

• Attends meeting of the Science Undergraduate Studies Committee.
• Attends meetings of appropriate committees and/or working groups, and participates in events, in the Faculty and/or University.

Recruitment, Engagement, and Student Life

• Participates in the block enrolment and course selection process for newly admitted students.
• Participates in the Faculty’s transition and retention programs for undergraduate students.
• Attends Universities Fair, Fall Open House, March Break Open House, and other venues/events when necessary, acting as part of the Science recruitment team.

Qualifications

• University degree, a Bachelor of Science degree preferred; equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.
• Minimum of three years in area(s) of undergraduate student activity in an academic advising setting
• Experience providing sound academic advice and interpreting academic policy
• Knowledge of the Faculty of Science undergraduate curriculum, academic requirements, and admissions.
• Competencies include communication (oral and written), interpersonal, report-writing, organizational, research, and analytical skills.
• Familiarity with the needs and concerns of students and commitment to student engagement and success.
• Proven ability to manage a large volume of work, conflicting priorities, and deadlines.
• Uses diplomacy, tact, good judgment when interacting with students, staff, and faculty.
• Proficient with MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint; Quest, Waterloo Inquiry; WCMS, ASIS/OAT, DMS, SharePoint.

Vaccination Requirement Statement

All employees and students of the University of Waterloo are required to provide proof of being fully vaccinated or have an approved accommodation, in order to come to campus. You can provide proof of vaccination or apply for an accommodation on our Campus Check-in website. For more information, please refer to the University of Waterloo website: Vaccination Requirement.

Equity Statement

The University of Waterloo is committed to implementing the Calls to Action framed by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. We acknowledge that we live and work on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. The University of Waterloo is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River.

The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism and inclusion. As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as First Nations, Métis and/or Inuit/Inuk, Black, racialized, a person with a disability, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application, interview, or workplace accommodation requests, please contact Human Resources at [email protected] or 519-888-4567, ext. 45935.