Academic Advisor; Leave Replacement

Position: Academic Advisor (Leave Replacement)
Job Summary
Academic Advisors in Engineering Academic Services (EAS) are responsible for developing, providing, evaluating, and assessing academic services, programs, and projects in order to support the academic success, personal and professional development, and retention of Bachelor of Applied Science (BASc) students. Academic Advisors in EAS lead projects and initiatives related to academic processes, special population groups, retention activities, and other initiatives to support more than 5,000 undergraduate students in meeting their academic goals.

Engineering Academic Services is responsible for providing academic advising for first-year students through to progression into their second year of studies. The unit also has oversight for academic processes for students at all year levels such as academic concession, Second Year Placement, graduation adjudication, and sessional evaluation. The BASc program at the UBC Vancouver campus offers 14 programs, each with its own set of complex and unique degree requirements requiring EAS Advisors to maintain knowledge of a wide array of program offerings and requirements.

Additionally, the Faculty of Applied Science spans both the Vancouver and Okanagan campuses, requiring advisors to have cross-campus knowledge and the ability to collaborate with colleagues on both campuses and support students who move between the two campuses. Students may progress into the Faculty from UBC’s Vantage College Engineering stream, necessitating Academic Advisors to have an understanding of the College and its curriculum.

In addition to providing high quality and student-centered academic advising services, this position has a substantial focus on developing, leading, and assessing projects related to academic services such as the Sessional Evaluation process, Graduation Adjudication, and entry into Minors and the BA/BASc dual degree.

Organizational Status
Reports to the Associate Director, Academic Services as part of the Engineering Academic Services team. Incumbent works independently, with initiative, and considerable autonomy. This position works closely and collaboratively with colleagues within the Faculty of Applied Science and across campus, including faculty members, Program Advisors, Enrolment Services, Centre for Accessibility, International Student Advising, other Faculty Advising Offices, the First Nations House of Learning, and the Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Office (SVPRO).

Work Performed

Academic Advising is a developmental process that supports students in clarifying their goals and the development of educational plans to realize these goals. It takes a holistic approach to the student experience and utilizes the support and expertise of the University to support students in decision making around their educational experience. In their work, an EAS Academic Advisor:

• Assesses and interprets student’s academic and personal goals and academic performance to provide guidance and advisory services to support students in the development of holistic academic plans

• Develops, assesses, and delivers programming such as Orientations, interventions and outreach for students at risk of academic failure, special population advising, and peer programs

• Using relevant research and data, evaluates programs and services as a means to make and implement changes to service offerings and processes

• Investigates complex student issues and works to facilitate appropriate resolution, including queries received from faculty members and campus colleagues. Investigates, evaluates, and resolves discrepancies in student records. Authorizes changes when appropriate

• Develops in-depth knowledge of UBC and Faculty policies and procedures and applies them to individual student circumstances, determining when an exception to policy may be warranted

• Develops and maintains knowledge of academic advising standards and best practices to support undergraduate students. When relevant, attends and presents at conferences and workshops, and maintains membership in academic advising organizations

• Conducts research and prepares briefs, data, and reports related to advising services

• Leads…