Academic Upgrading Officer

Department: Government and Employment Programs
Campus: Barrie
Classification: Support Staff
Posting Date: March 24, 2022
Salary Range: $30.56 (start rate) - $35.42 (4-year rate)
Hours per week: 35 hours per week
Status: Contract (Appendix D)
Effective Date: April 4, 2022 to March 29, 2024

THIS IS A TEMPORARY REPLACEMENT POSITION FOR A BARGAINING UNIT EMPLOYEE. Terms and conditions of employment are as outlined in the Support Staff Collective Agreement.

Reporting to the Program Manager, the incumbent performs a wide variety of duties to ensure the successful delivery of the Academic Upgrading program. The incumbent meets with prospective students to assess eligibility and suitability (including academic level), define goals, draft a training plan and conduct day to day coaching to increase retention. The incumbent markets the program with business, government and community agencies to ensure targets are being met. Specific duties include, but are not limited to:

• Meeting with incoming and prospective students to ensure that guidelines are being followed and students are appropriate for program
• Completing all required documentation, providing information, referrals where appropriate, and assists student in planning to meet educational needs
• Responding to phone inquiries and walk-ins to perform an initial triage/assessment of suitability for the program or referral to another agency
• Monitoring record-keeping systems and student files to ensure records are properly maintained
• Monitoring the budget and advising the Manager of opportunities or constraints. Purchasing technology or equipment as per budget
• Coaching and advising learners on academic and self-management issues, makes referrals to other agencies
• Advising students on academic pathways and upgrading options
• Liaising with faculty, college staff and/or other agencies to help resolve student issues. Assessing student’s needs and directs to appropriate services e.g. counselling or disability services
• Monitoring attendance and progress, providing initial (or secondary after faculty) contact with absentee students and document results
• Supporting students by providing resources to help them meet their goals and make informed decisions
• Authorizing student transfers, extensions and leaves of absences (LOAs). Conducting exit interviews with students where appropriate
• Liaising with external community partners to ensure needs of community are being met. Communicating with community partners to promote the program(s) and to understand their needs. Attending meetings and presentations on behalf of the program, networking and building relationships in the community
• Liaising with student sponsoring agencies, such as WSIB, Vocational Pathways, Employment Services and Ontario Works, regarding issues such as student intake, progress or lack of progress, and schedule for completion of upgrading program. Represents the program in the Indigenous community and liaises with key stakeholders on student progress and issues
• Liaising with internal college departments/stakeholders, co-ordinators of post-secondary programs and apprenticeship, as well as staff at other campuses and other colleges
• Attends special events such as Preview Day, open houses, community nights, Pow Wows etc.
• For each semester, track, manage and facilitate the payment process of non-full-time teaching contracts and non-teaching activities

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Successfully completed a two-year post-secondary diploma in a related field that may include, but is not limited to human/social services
• A minimum of three years work experience in a similar position including case management of multi-barrier individuals
• Demonstrated experience tracking expenditures and monitoring budgets
• Excellent planning, organizational and problem solving skills; experience with monitoring targets for performance management an asset
• Strong computer skills in the following software applications: Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Teams) and student information systems (preferably Banner)
• Experience with MTCU databases such as EOIS-CaMS will be considered an asset
• Excellent communication and customer service skills
• Ability to work non-traditional hours including early evenings and weekends, as needed
• Ability to travel in the catchment area, including itinerant service locations
• Ability to maintain confidentiality

Georgian College supports diversity, equity and a workplace free from harassment and discrimination and is committed to an inclusive, barrier-free environment. We invite applications from all qualified candidates and actively encourage applications from members of groups with historical and/or current barriers to equity, including, but not limited to persons of Aboriginal ancestry, members of visible minorities, persons with disabilities, women and members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community. If you are contacted to participate in the interview, please advise the coordinator of any accommodations needed with respect to any materials or processes used to ensure you have access to a fair and equitable process.

Alternate formats will be provided upon request throughout the recruitment and selection process.

Georgian College has a COVID-19 vaccination procedure in place. As a condition of employment, employees are required to be vaccinated for COVID-19 to work on any campus, or a facility owned, operated or controlled by Georgian College unless they have a valid medical or religious belief/creed reason for not getting vaccinated, which reason will be considered on a case by case basis and which will be subject to the College’s accommodation processes.

Applications for this position must be received by 11:59 p.m. March 31, 2022. While we thank all applicants, only those contacted for an interview will be acknowledged.