University of Alberta Looking for Learner Advocacy, Wellbeing, & Engagement Coordinator at Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Full Time

This position is a part of the Non-Academic Staff Association (NASA).

This position has a term length of 3 years and offers a comprehensive benefits package which can be viewed on our Benefits Overview page .

Location – Work primarily takes place at North Campus Edmonton.

Working for the University of Alberta

The University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages and cultures of First Nations, Métis, Inuit and all First Peoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community.

The University of Alberta is teeming with change makers, community builders, and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to more than 40,000 students in 200+ undergraduate and 500+ graduate programs, over 13,000 faculty and staff, 260,000 alumni worldwide and have been recognized as one of Canada’s Greenest Employers for over a decade.

Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross section of people—from our students and stakeholders, to our renowned researchers and innovators who are quite literally curing diseases, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger, and more just.

Working for the School of Dentistry

The School of Dentistry has been at the University of Alberta since 1917 and is part of the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry and the College of Health Sciences. The school serves an integral role in educating a part of the healthcare workforce in Alberta and beyond. The school offers undergraduate programs in Dentistry, Dental Hygiene and Dental Assisting. We offer graduate programs in Dentistry, Dental Hygiene, Oral Biology, Oral Medicine, Orthodontics and Periodontology.

There are 24 Faculty, 42 Academic Teaching Staff (ATS), and over 200 Excluded Academic staff, that are supported by the Student & Academic Services unit. Our Mission: Improving the health of the people of Alberta and beyond through leadership in oral/maxillofacial health care, education, research/scholarship and providing service that is responsive to social need.

Position

Reporting to the Manager, Curriculum and Programs, this position will play a key role in supporting the learner experience within the School of Dentistry. The Learner Advocacy, Wellbeing and Engagement Coordinator (LAWEC) is responsible for responding to and triaging learner-related situations that have the potential to adversely impact learner success and experience. Under the direction of the Associate Chair, Student Affairs, the incumbent will coordinate the response to learners in varying degrees of distress which may impact their academic and personal pursuits. This position will directly support the Associate Chair, Student Affairs and faculty program-specific advisors in their roles. The LAWEC delivers events and programming for incoming and continuing SoD learners to create meaningful experiences as they transition in and through their programs. Working collaboratively with academic programs and Student Academic Services the incumbent is responsible for leading orientation planning and activities for incoming learners and continuing learners. They will also organize additional learner engagement events and activities throughout the year in collaboration with the various programs (e.g. Day of Dentistry, White Coat ceremony, Pinning Ceremony, graduation activities). In all facets of this role, this position endeavors to integrate and advance the University’s commitments to equity, diversity, and inclusivity.

Duties

• Serve as a central point of contact for learners seeking information on available well-being resources both on and off-campus.
• Ensure learners are provided with basic information about why they have been referred and the processes they will encounter.
• Collaborate with University Health Services, counseling centers, and other relevant departments to ensure a holistic approach to learner well-being.
• Maintain up-to-date relevant resources (database, website, etc.) and provide timely referrals based on individual learner needs.
• Act as the first point of contact for information regarding student loans, financial aid and support.
• Assist Associate Chair, Student Affairs in policy review and/or development.
• Coordinate and oversee a diverse range of events and activities supporting SoD programs and to enhance learner life.
• Collaborate with student organizations, faculty, and external partners to organize events.
• Responsible for creating detailed event plan, and oversight of all aspects of coordinating the event including but not limited to communications, marketing, volunteers, AV, Food Services, event registrations, website, space, other logistics, and scheduling.
• Ensure events align with the School’s mission and cater to the interests and needs of a diverse learner body.
• Responsible for reviewing and supporting student group events/activities, ensuring appropriate protocols are put in place which support the mission of the School.
• Help student groups navigate rules and regulations relevant to their events/activities.
• Support emergent student life initiatives by reviewing best practices and supporting the development of programming.
• Support the development and distribution of SoD learner newsletter.
• Provide administrative support for learner affairs committee work, initiatives, and programming.
• Provide administrative support for the SoD’s domestic learner program initiatives, including SHINE and Access 4 All programs.
• Provide administrative support for the School’s international initiatives.

Qualifications

• A University degree is required.
• 2+ years of experience in events management, marketing, communications, or related field; experience in student services preferred.
• Experience working with diverse populations including but not limited to LGBTQ2S+, Indigenous learners, learners with disabilities and International learners.
• Experience maintaining and fostering relationships with a range of stakeholders.
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, time management, problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
• Ability to synthesize and conceptualize complex situations and use appropriate professional judgment.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the various areas within the University community, its policies and procedures (GFC, Code of Student Behaviour, UAPPOL, FOIPP, etc.).
• Understanding of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIPP) as it relates to interaction with students, parents, faculty and staff ? Strong understanding of student services and Helping Individuals At Risk Policy and Procedures.
• Superior writing, speaking, and communication skills.
• High degree of tact, diplomacy, discretion, and understanding of confidentiality.
• Ability to meet multiple deadlines and balance numerous projects while maintaining a perspective on long-term goals.
• Strong customer service skills.
• High attention to detail and analysis skills.

At the University of Alberta, we are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible hiring process for all candidates. If you require accommodations to participate in the interview process, please let us know at the time of booking your interview and we will make every effort to accommodate your needs.