Academic Counsellor and Assistant Degree Coordinator at Kingston Economic Development Corporation, ON

QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY WILL ONLY ACCEPT RESUMES VIA THEIR WEBSITE.Kingston is Hiring cannot accept applications for Queen’s University, please do not apply on Kingstonishiring.com.Click Here for Queen's Human Resources Application Instructions.POSITION SUMMARYQUEEN’S UNIVERSITY â€" GENERAL STAFFPOSITION TITLE: ACADEMIC COUNSELLOR AND ASSISTANT DEGREE COORDINATORDEPARTMENT: Faculty of Arts and SciencePOSITION NUMBER: 00102085GRADE: 7EFFECTIVE DATE: 2015 February 13JOB SUMMARY:Reporting to the Director, Student Services Division, the Academic Counsellor and Assistant Degree Coordinator is responsible for providing academic advising for undergraduate students on all Faculty programs, regulations and policies, and participates as a member of the advising team of the Student Services Division of the Faculty of Arts and ScienceThe Academic Counsellor and Assistant Degree Coordinator assists the Degree Coordinator with the production of the Faculty degree lists twice yearly, manages the process of issuing letters of permission and providing transfer credit information to students and departmentsKEY RESPONSIBILITIES: Academic AdvisingAdvises undergraduate students on academic program planning, course selection, degree requirements, Faculty regulations, policies and procedures, and often personal circumstances that impact on the students’ ability to achieve their academic objectivesRefers students to appropriate University units for assistance (Health, Counselling and Disability Services, Career Services, The Learning Commons, individual departments, etc.).Provides academic advice to prospective first-year Arts and Science students and their parents during the application period, in preparation for entrance to university and throughout the academic yearThis may involve attending annual recruitment events such as the Ontario Universities’ Fair, Fall Preview, March Break Open House and the SOAR program.Explains academic regulations and procedures related to Letters of Permission, program/plan selection and change, academic progression, return to studies, academic appeals, exams and grades, requirements for graduation and other academic matters.Provides personal support during the academic year, from an academic perspective, to Arts and Science students facing difficult situations.Provides advice to upper-year transfer students, Dual and Second Degree Program students regarding appropriate course registration and eligibility to graduate.Recommends policies to the Advising Services Manager to enhance and improve academic advising services.Acts as an advocate or intermediary to address problems between individual students and instructors or University administration.Ensures that student problems and complaints regarding courses, services, procedures, University and Faculty regulations are investigated and brought to a fair and equitable solution.Acts on behalf of non-traditional students to bring related issues to University administrators.Degree List ProductionAssists with the production of the Faculty degree lists for Spring and Fall ConvocationsAssesses individual student records to determine degree eligibility and eligibility for Degree with Distinction for all general, honours, dual and second degree programs and certificates.Compares the accuracy of the Academic Advisement Reports (AAR’s) to the published degree requirementsAdvises the Curriculum Coordinator of discrepancies requiring adjustments to the AAR to ensure that the reports reflect individual student requirements.Issues letters and emails advising potential graduates of their eligibility statusResponds to student inquiries related to the application to graduate and their eligibility.Advises individual students on degree eligibility with regard to Faculty academic regulations and departmental requirements.Letters of Permission and Transfer CreditManages the process for issuing Letters of Permission (LOP’s) to individual students who take courses at other post-secondary institutions for credit toward their Queen’s degree program.Guides and supports the work of the Curriculum Assistant in processing LOP applications from students, communicating with the relevant Departments to determine course equivalencies and approving the courses completed for transfer credit to Queen’sThis includes providing students with detailed information from the academic regulations concerning their eligibility for an LOP, the transfer of credits, and grading systems at host universities.Provides back-up for the Curriculum Assistant as required.Recommends changes to the relevant academic regulations as required to clarify the process and improve communication to the students.Maintains the integrity of the records in the LOP database.Enters transfer credit rules and student transfer credit information into the PeopleSoft student systemWorks with the Office of the University Registrar to develop the use of the automated transfer credit evaluation functionality.Liaises with Undergraduate Admission to produce regular updates of transfer credit equivalencies to the ONTransfer provincial database.REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: University degree with training and experience in interviewing and advising (or an equivalent combination of education and experience in a post-secondary setting).Thorough knowledge of Faculty academic programs/Plans, regulations, policies and procedures; familiarity with the Arts and Science regulations relating to graduation requirements and taking courses at another post-secondary institution is an asset.An extensive understanding of the various student services available at the University.Understanding of the issues and concerns facing undergraduate students and an appreciation for the value of a liberal arts and science education.SPECIAL SKILLS:Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to explain regulations and complex procedures to students and Faculty Office staff, to answer concerns accurately and with empathy and to work with departmental Undergraduate Chairs on matters related to degree eligibility and transfer credit assessment.Ability to listen, observe, evaluate and respond in a helpful and appropriate manner while being non-judgmental and maintaining strict confidentiality.Ability to deal considerately with anxious and upset students and/or parents.Accuracy and attention to detail in performing degree assessments, calculations, preparing and proofing the degree lists.Strong writing skills to prepare correspondence and explain academic regulations and procedures.Sound judgment to make consistent and fair recommendations in often complex situations.Administrative skills, including a broad range of knowledge and aptitude for computer-based information systems and internet-based tools; familiarity with word-processing, spreadsheet and database applications; facility with PeopleSoft is an asset.Ability to participate effectively as part of a team.Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines at peak work periods; willingness to work overtime as required to ensure that the degree lists are complete for Senate approval.Ability to master new technological developments and computer programs as they are implemented.Excellent time-management and organizational skills; the ability to set goals and to work within tight timeframes to meet deadlines.DECISION MAKING: Diagnoses student problems, determining the urgency of student needs, and judging when to refer a student to appropriate university support services for crisis or personal counselling, health concerns, career questions, departmental advice or financial assistance.Judges which inquiries to refer to the Associate Deans (Studies) or their Assistant, which to refer to other staff and which to handle to completion.Interprets Faculty regulations, policies and procedures, to determine students’ eligibility for progression, letters of permission or degree qualifications, and to determine criteria for student appeals.Makes judgments about who should receive confidential information (e.gparents, instructors, other students).Assesses degree eligibility, including checking for total units, Plan units, transfer credits, exclusions and outstanding letters of permission or other grades.Determines remaining requirements for individual degree programs.Determines the best course of action for students with exceptional circumstances and special requests.Interprets regulations to determine a student’s eligibility to study at another university.Determines the appropriate Department for course equivalency assessments and the relevant information to provide to facilitate the assessment.Decides whether course equivalency information is appropriate and what data is required for entry into PeopleSoft and upload to ONTransfer.RESEARCH ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS: 1Is this position technical in nature in a teaching or research lab or lab-related area? NO2Does this position support a research project? NOIf yes, indicate name of the project:3Does this position report directly to a Principal Investigator (PI)? NOIf yes, indicate name of the PI:MANAGEMENT POSITIONS ONLY: For the positions that are direct reports, answer the following questions:1You have the right to hire or you make the effective recommendation to do so NO2You have the right to dismiss/discharge or you make the effective recommendation to do so NO3You are responsible for handling disciplinary matters including issuing written warnings NO4You are responsible for conducting performance appraisals NO Options: Apply for this job onlineRefer a friend to this job



Academic Counsellor and Assistant Degree Coordinator at Kingston Economic Development Corporation, ON