Academic and Career Advisor

Job Summary
Academic & Career Advisors work on a centralized team that serve all students at UBC Okanagan. The Advisors are either generalists, or are assigned to a specific faculty as a specialist advisor. Advisors are responsible for delivering and evaluating student services to support student learning based on the specific and unique student needs. Through relationship building beginning in the student’s first year, the Advisor works closely with students throughout their degree to encourage success and retention.

This position is responsible for not only providing academic support, but also student engagement programming to enhance academic and career outcomes. Advisors will work with students in all faculties to provide general advising and they must also be knowledgeable enough to have a broad knowledge of Vancouver campus programs.

Organizational Status

This position works independently and with initiative under the general supervision of the Manager, Academic & Career Advising. This position provides consultation to Associate Deans, and may work with Deans, Directors, Unit Heads, Senate Committees, Managers, and other faculty and staff. Advisors interact routinely with students in all Faculties at UBC Okanagan.

Work Performed

Academic & Career Advising:

• Assists students in determining their academic, personal and professional goals and identifying appropriate academic courses and programs that support attaining those goals.
• Advise students on work integrated learning and skill building opportunities that enhance their career readiness
• Discuss job search strategies, provide labour market information, and student career outcomes information to current students and alumni
• Assists students with course selection to ensure they meet degree requirements, program prerequisites, and career goals.
• Interpret and advise on University policies and procedures.
• Aiding both faculty and students with issues related to academic progression (full and blocked classes, waivers, transfer credit, academic concessions, late withdrawals and additions), and other issues as they arise.
• Annually evaluates student performance to ensure students are meeting requirements and, as needed, adjudicate student records for graduation eligibility.
• Develops and maintains a knowledge base of worldwide educational systems in order to advise students participating in exchange programs or considering taking courses outside of UBC's Okanagan campus and advising students coming from other global educational systems.
• Evaluates and approves student requests to study outside UBC's Okanagan campus.
• Evaluates requests for academic concession and provides appropriate advice, action and follow-up.
• Identifies students in crisis, either personal or academic, and provides support as well as advice on academic options and personal support services on campus.
• Acts as liaison between students and faculty/departments to facilitate appropriate resolution of disputes.
• Advises students on developing career plans and provides referrals to other appropriate campus units for further exploration.

Faculty Specialist:

• If assigned as a faculty specialist, the Advisor participates fully in academic and career advising specific to their designated faculty and works consultatively with the Associate Dean(s) and faculty members
• Provides advice and guidance to faculty committees regarding the development of new courses, how courses might fit academic requirements and how new courses apply to degrees.
• Provides input into curriculum redesign and advises on experiential learning and practicum opportunities within the community for students.
• Assists departmental advisors and faculty members in interpreting and applying University and faculty specific policy, procedures and regulations.
• Evaluates programs and makes recommendations for improvements in degree design and progression.
• Evaluates and makes strategic recommendations for areas of improvement and growth in student advising services.
• Develops and promotes best practices specific to a faculty and their programs.
• Provides advice regarding advising policies and procedures, ensures campus wide consistency with other faculties and programs.
• Evaluates the usage and functioning of technologies in student advising, retention, and student development.
• Collaborates on projects within the faculty and across campus.
• Researches and implements initiatives with other faculty units and community leaders.
• Works in partnership with the Communications teams in the faculty and AVPS portfolio to develop accurate and easily understood website content and resources for students.

Student Success and Retention:

• Attend academic and career-related programming and events on and off campus
• Proactively engages new to UBC students through strategic and aligned communication approaches
• Conducts research, makes recommendations, and implements transition and retention projects for undergraduate and graduate students.
• Organizes and/or participates in advising, orientation and campus…