Academic Advisor

** Organizational Status
** Academic Advisors report to the Associate Directors. Incumbent works independently, with initiative and considerable autonomy under the general supervision of the Associate Director, and/or Director. The position contributes directly to the development of policy and priorities of the unit. Advisors interact regularly and consult with Arts Academic Advising personnel, faculty and university members, departmental advisors, student (peer) advisors, Work Study/Work Learn students, and student service personnel elsewhere on campus.

Advisors hire and supervise the work of support staff, student (peer) advisors and Work Study/Work Learn students and assists in the hiring and training other advisors. Wide latitude of decision-making is required.

** Work Performed
*** Assess students' academic records and histories in order to help students identify academic specializations in line with their personal and career goals. To do this, advisors must be able to probe students' interests as many will be undecided in these goals.
* Inform students about the requirements for admissions to majors and for degree-completion. Advisors teach students to manage complex information, including how to use the tools available for ongoing degree planning. They evaluate students' use of these tools; they investigate and resolve any discrepancies or technical difficulties.
* Coach students regarding post-graduation options (careers, post-graduate studies). Depending on their assessment of the student's self-awareness and knowledge, advisors provide information, refer appropriately, and encourage students to take action. Advisors must maintain knowledge of career advising, graduate studies, and professional programs to do this.
* Investigate and resolve inquiries from other campus units i.e., Admissions, Enrolment Services, Access and Diversity, Counselling Services and other UBC Faculties and University units.
* Interpret and apply University and Faculty policy in relation to individual student programs. They can propose exceptions to policy for individuals. Advisors have wide latitude of decision-making regarding exceptions.
* Identify when current University and Faculty policy or program guidelines fail to address current realities for students or cause problems beyond individual exceptions. Follow office guidelines to liaise with the Dean's Office, departments and other student service professionals to resolve these complex program-planning issues extending beyond individual student programs. Implement changes which result. Evaluate academic and non- academic policies, make recommendations for change, may include developing alternative policy.
* Anticipate student needs, respond to student requests, offer subject-matter expertise and professional advice, providing recommendations extending beyond a student's presenting request. Make referrals where appropriate.
* Adjudicate requests for Academic Concession. Advisors evaluate documentation, liaise with instructors, medical professionals, and other student service professionals to determine appropriateness of concession. Advisors determine type of concession based on assessment of student's ability to complete coursework.
* Once a student is identified as at-risk, the advisor intervenes by connecting that student with resources and supports as appropriate, including engaging the University's Early Alert system.
* Contribute to, interpret and apply University and Faculty of Arts admission policies related to undergraduate programs and adjudicate internal transfer, readmission and continuation appeals via membership on the Arts Advisory Committee on Appeals
* Advise students who are being required to withdraw or are seeking re-admission to the University. Adjudicate/decide appeals to be allowed to continue or return to studies as part of a committee.
* Interpret and apply Faculty policy to adjudicate student requests to study outside of UBC, graduation requirements, and continuation requirements
* Evaluate transfer credit, determine remaining program requirements. Advisors may authorize changes to transfer credit.
* Admit current students to the Faculty of Arts Commerce minor.
* Evaluate personal profiles of international applicants for admission to the Faculty of Arts.
* Advisors support the recruitment and yield of students to meet the Faculty and University's mandates and enrolment targets. They develop relationships with counsellors, parents, and prospective students through presentations at local, national, and international University events and through email correspondence.
* Advisors are integral to the retention of students. They identify current student concerns and assess them for their effect on the Faculty's and University's mandate to recruit and retain the best students. They design, implement, and evaluate programs meant to address these concerns. These programs may include workshops, technical resources, and outreach programs. They may also include initiating…