Student Advisor / Field Placement Officer

About Durham College:

Durham College (DC) is leading the way as a post-secondary institution, offering an innovative and transformative student experience and hands-on learning opportunities. With this focus top of mind for our students and our employees, DC is proud to be one of the fastest-growing colleges in the province and annually ranked as one of the GTA’s Top 100 employers.
The college offers a wide range of market-driven programs across multiple disciplines, including culinary management, farming and horticulture, business, IT, construction and trades, science and technology, health care, engineering, social and community services, justice, media, art and design.
With a focus on experiential learning, DC graduates are known for having the skills and knowledge employers need. More than 104,000 alumni represent the college, both locally and around the world.Serving the Durham Region and Northumberland County communities for over 50 years, with campuses in Oshawa and Whitby, the college offers over 12,500 full-time post-secondary and apprenticeship students access to more than 145 full-time post-secondary programs – including four honours bachelor degrees and nine apprenticeship programs. Led by over 1,860 full- and part-time staff, DC has an estimated annual economic impact of more than $913 million on Durham Region.

Full-time Support Staff Position Opportunity: Temporary Employee Replacement (Appendix D, see page 109 of collective agreement) January 2024 – February 2025
Payband: J

Starting Rate: $41.12 Four-year rate: $47.67
Department: Faculty of Health Sciences
Hours: 35 hours per week (1) one hour lunch; Mon – Fri (8:30 am – 4:30 pm)
Reporting To: Associate Dean
Campus Location: Oshawa

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

This position supports student success by providing academic and program guidance for current, potential, and at-risk students, referring students to appropriate college resources, and recommending alternate learning strategies, as well as having the responsibility for the placement of students enrolled in programs within the Faculty Health Sciences.

Provides Placement Support by:

• Liaising with agencies to secure and arrange placements for students enrolled in (Faculty of Health Sciences).
• Maintain current partnerships and develop new partnerships with various community services agencies to support student placement needs.
• Resolving placement issues i.e. student transportation, inappropriate or lack of placement opportunities.
• Coordinating class Field Placement seminars for each program.
• Monitoring compliance with various agency and college policies, (i.e. immunization, Public Health Act, documentation, contractual agreements, WSIB, and HSPnet) as related to placement.
• Assigning students to placement in collaboration with the assigned faculty and/or program coordinator.
• Monitoring the placement experience/outcomes and make recommendations for continuous improvement.
• Liaises with Risk Management to review Affiliation Agreements and track agreements

Provides Academic Guidance by:

• Supporting students by developing academic plans and meeting with non-standard students
• Referring students to college resources, e.g., study skills workshops, health and wellness, peer tutoring
• Providing information for students transferring to other programs
• With student consent, meeting with parents/external agencies to explain student’s academic status, academic policy, student rights and responsibilities, academic options.
• Using transaction sheets to thoroughly document all student interaction – maintaining records of information provided to students, date(s) and means of contact, i.e. email, voicemail, appointmentas well recommended referrals, strategies, academic options.
• Advocating for students in student success related matters, for example, with the dean/associate dean in exceptional matters or with the professor and/or program team.
• Informing students regarding the application and interpretation of college policies
• Ensuring timely and accurate information is provided upon request and communicated in an efficient, professional, and customer focused manner
• Assisting in verifying and updating some portions of student records
• Informing students of academic choices, such as part-time versus full-time options and communicates processes with both Registration and Admission related inquiries
• Informing Continuing Education students of post-secondary equivalent courses

Provides Administrative Services by:

• Registering students using Banner
• Confirming student eligibility for Field Placement
• Assisting with the review of graduation status, as required
• Processing advanced standing applications and return to full time studies applications, if applicable
• Running reports for review and action by the Associate Dean.
• Creating, maintaining and expanding a database of placement agencies to support the needs of the programs.
• Sending out student communication regarding upcoming deadlines.
• Assisting with Program Guides (for example, requirements for promotion, health documentation) and Placement Manuals (for example, Public Health requirements).
• Assisting with special projects such as collecting and summarizing data.
• Providing office support.

Participates in school related events/meetings by:

Assisting with student recruiting by participating in events such as: Open House, Focus on Durham, Student Orientation, and Student Services Events

Attending divisional, program, and other school meetings, as appropriate

Attending regular group meetings and inviting various college representatives to discuss policies/procedures/practices to ensure currency.
Other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. A minimum of a two-year diploma with a strong emphasis on human relations and interpersonal communications skills.

2. A minimum of three-years of work experience in an academic office environment with a focus on student interaction and service.

3. Proven networking skills along with extensive working knowledge of Faculty of Social and Community Services programs, and related policies and placement needs is essential.

4. Must be proficient in Excel and have excellent general computing skills.

5. Must have the ability to multi-task and be circumspect with confidential information.

6. Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with team members and independently.

7. Understanding the importance of student services available for supporting student diversity.

8. Knowledge of Banner (SIS), Cognos, DC Connect, Banner web reports, MS Office.

Durham College invites applications from all qualified individuals. Durham is committed to fostering workplace diversity, and, provides accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout our hiring process. If you require this information in alternate format; require communication supports; an accommodation in applying for a posting and/or if you are selected for an interview, please contact our Human Resources (HR) department and an HR assistant will work with you to meet your needs.

Durham College requires copies of educational credentials as confirmation of completion as a part of the recruitment process. Confirmation of educational credentials may include, a copy of the credential/degree, official Canadian transcripts or an official evaluation of international credentials which determines Canadian equivalency.

Payband: J

Starting Rate: $41.12 Four-year rate: $47.67

Hours: 35 hours per week (1) one hour lunch; Mon – Fri (8:30 am – 4:30 pm)