Student Affairs Advisor

Competition 1372

This competition is open to all applicants however; internal candidates and applicants who were former employees of the University of Alberta in the past 18 months will be given priority consideration before external candidates. Please log in to verify your internal candidate status.

This position is a part of the Non-Academic Staff Association (NASA).

This position offers a comprehensive benefits package which can be viewed at: Faculty & Staff Benefits.

Location - Work primarily takes place at North Campus, Edmonton. This role is in-person.

Working at the University of Alberta

The University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages and cultures of First Nations, Métis, Inuit and all FirstPeoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community.

The University of Alberta is a community of knowledge seekers, change makers and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to over 14,000 faculty and staff, more than 40,000 students and a growing community of 300,000 alumni worldwide.

Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross-section of people — from our students and community members, to our renowned researchers and innovators, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger and more just. Learn more.

Working for the Office of the Dean of Students

The Office of the Dean of Students supports all students — undergraduate and graduate — in the pursuit of academic and personal success. The Dean of Students collaborates with faculties, offices, and services across all campuses to deliver effective programming and provides leadership on university policies and initiatives.

The Office of the Dean of Students coordinates many services that strive to create diverse and inclusive support in all stages of the student experience, including: academic resources, career and professional development, health & wellness services, and community resources.

Position 

The Student Affairs Advisor is a member of the Student Affairs Team within the Office of the Dean of Students. Both the team and portfolio are committed to maintaining a positive work environment in which members feel supported and can thrive. Reporting to the Manager, Student Affairs, the incumbent works closely with another Student Affairs Advisor to oversee the administrative frameworks related to student group risk management.

Student groups play a key role in enhancing student engagement on campus and the university recognizes that participation in the activities of student groups is a beneficial aspect of the student experience. With over 450 registered student groups and approximately 2500 events hosted annually, the Student Affairs Advisors work in a fast-paced environment. Since student groups are diverse in nature and have varying relationships with campus partners, the Student Affairs Advisors work closely with numerous campus partners, including, but not limited to, the Student Union's Student Group Services, Office of the Registrar (Examinations & Timetabling), Campus & Community Recreation, Facilities & Operations, Office of Risk Management & Insurance, University of Alberta Protective Services, Office of Emergency Management, University of Alberta International, the Interfaith Chaplains' Association, faculties, and Residence Services.

The Student Affairs Advisor help ensure administrative processes that cross multiple offices are coordinated and align with institutional policies, procedures and mandates. The Student Affairs Advisor also support the work of various committees or initiatives within the Office of the Dean of Students, some of which will be driven by emergency issues. These may include, but are not limited to, those related to equity, diversity and inclusivity; health, wellness and/or safety; student support and restorative practices; and orientation and transition.

Duties 

• Manages the event approval process within a framework of multiple university policies (e.g. student groups, space management, trademarks, student conduct, etc.) and in alignment with other administrative processes managed by campus partners. The creativity and/or uniqueness of student group events cannot be fully captured in or guided by policy; thus, the SA Advisor thinks critically and uses judgement regarding the need to consult with stakeholders or escalate to their supervisor.
• Reviews and evaluates applications for student group events including those involving high-risk components (e.g. travel, alcohol, physical activity, minors, controversial speakers, demonstrations), that are complex or may require sensitivity in communication with students and stakeholders.
• Manages a high-volume and fast-paced workload, making independent decisions regarding prioritization with consideration for the needs of student groups and campus stakeholders, equity, procedural fairness, emerging issues, volatility of issues, and the impact of an event on the larger campus community.
• Provides risk management education and training for student groups as well as general advising for student groups.
• Liaises with and leads initiatives among campus stakeholders, which sometimes have competing needs, such as Student Group Services, Office of the Registrar (Examinations & Timetabling), Campus & Community Recreation, Risk Management & Insurance, University of Alberta Protective Services, University of Alberta International, Faculties, Residence Services, etc. to facilitate a coordinated approach to engaging with and supporting safe activities of student groups.
• Creates and maintains spreadsheets and other information to manage administrative processes and collect statistics on student group activity.

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum undergraduate degree with 2-3 years experience working in a post-secondary environment. Equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered.
• Knowledge and understanding of the student life cycle, student service landscape, university administration, governance, and UAPPOL.
• Ability to make decisions and manage administrative processes informed by policy frameworks that may be interpreted differently have gaps, conflict, etc..
• Demonstrated experience and proven ability to work respectfully and effectively with diverse students, including First Nations, Metis, and Inuit students, international students, 2SLGBTQIA+ students, and others who may be marginalized due to race, ethnicity, family status, religious belief, etc.
• Event risk management knowledge and/or experience.
• Excellent organizational, multi-tasking, and time management skills.
• Excellent critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills and ability to respond to diverse issues in a fast-paced environment.
• High degree of initiative and commitment to providing excellent student service.
• Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain positive, professional, collaborative working relationships with both internal/external stakeholders, as well as to work independently.
• Experience with Google Suite, and Microsoft Office, especially Excel, and the ability to master specialized software programs to facilitate a positive student and staff user experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of University of Alberta policies and procedures, especially the Student Groups Procedure, Code of Student of Behaviour, Student Conduct Policy, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Policy, Discrimination, Harassment and Duty to Accommodate Policy, Space Management Policy, Off-Campus Activity and Travel Policy, the Helping Individuals at Risk Policy, and the institution's Statement on Freedom of Expression.
• Knowledge of Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and Regulations.
• Ability to assess and manage the competing needs of multiple stakeholders and achieve outcomes through others.