Program Advisor - Science

• Develops education plans for students from culturally diverse backgrounds by connecting academic standing to education and/or career goals, while assessing academic and work history, factoring in life situations, multicultural context, and financial resources.
• Provides mandatory advising of International and Probationary Students with responsibility for final course approval.
• Provides advice and support for developing processes related to steps of application, registration, and time-tabling.
• Identifies at-risk students, either academically or personally; develops action plans, provides appropriate retention strategies, and advocates on behalf of students.
• Researches, verifies, and applies detailed knowledge of educational programs, services, and transfer agreements established by TRU and other post-secondary institutions for incoming and transfer students.
• Provides advice and support to the university's recruitment, conversion, and retention activities.
• Develops, promotes, and presents orientations and workshops, both in person and through web-based technology.
• Establishes and maintains liaison and referral services with educational institutions, professional and community organizations, and other TRU departments.
• Responds to a variety of internal requests from faculty and administration for consultation regarding new programs, courses, and institutional policies.
• Participates on institutional committees.
• Travels off-campus to conduct individual advising in support of TRU recruitment and applicant conversion.
• Supports transfer credit assessments for new students by consulting subject matter experts to assess course content; communicates with the Transfer Credit team; guides students through transfer credit and program applicability.
• Performs graduation audits to facilitate timely program completion with the Faculty of Science at TRU.
• Maintains the Faculty of Science transfer credit database and serves as the contact with the TRU transfer credit team.
• Stays in steady contact with TRU World and International Student Advisors; maintains accurate and updated knowledge of study permits for international students and projected enrolment and student numbers.
• Approves and prepares letters of permission for program students to take non-TRU courses.
• Provides training to other staff, as needed, about course and program advising and/or systems management.

REPORTS TO: Manager, Academic Planning and Review

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION:

• Four-year Undergraduate University degree; content knowledge in a scientific field is highly desirable.

EXPERIENCE:

• Three (3) years' related work experience within a post-secondary institution or related educational environment, including one year of Educational Planning; defined as working on an individual basis with a student/client in assessing previous education, skills, and cultural background, in order to identify future goals, aspirations, and needs, while being accountable for the development of an individualized educational strategy for that student/client.

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE OR ABILITIES RELATED TO THE JOB:

• Ability to communicate effectively to a culturally diverse audience, both verbally and in writing, including strong interviewing, listening, and interpreting skills; ability to prepare and deliver oral presentations.
• Ability to use standard computer software packages and platforms (Excel, Student Systems such as Banner, etc.).
• Effective research, analytical, problem-solving, and planning skills.
• Ability to work independently and effectively as part of a team.
• Ability to plan, organize, and prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines, maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to work well under pressure and to manage a complex, high-volume caseload of students.
• Ability to apply knowledge of TRU policies and procedures to solve issues.
• Possession of current class 5 driver’s license.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Sitting at desk and computer for periods of time.
• Regular student contact.
• General office conditions.
• Some off-campus travel.
• Rated under the Gender-Neutral Job Evaluation Plan.

The salary for the above position is determined by the Collective Agreement with the Canadian Union of Public Employees, Local 4879, as it presently exists.