Counsellor

Overview of Role

The Counsellor position has primary responsibility for providing confidential and private educational, financial and personal counselling to students. The Counsellor is also responsible to provide leadership related to the student evaluation process and student exit interview process.

Responsibilities

The Counsellor position is responsible to:

• Provide support to the academic staff
• Serve as liaison between students and instructors
• Conduct the academic portion of staff training and assist instructors with preparation for student arrival
• Promote services to students and staff in person, with information brochures, in student handbook and on the web
• Visit classes regularly and provide feedback (on instruction) to the institutional staff
• Conduct relevant instructional staff meetings/workshops and provide assistance and advice to instructors
• Report unresolved academic concerns
• Conduct academic and staff training as directed
• Read and review training (course outlines) materials before programs begin; undertake research on student persistence and students-at-risk and present to faculty and Student Success Team
• Undertake exit interviews with students (i.e., students who withdraw)
• Provide individual academic, behavioural and social support to students as needed
• Assist instructors with student issues such as discipline
• Create, maintain and enforce an environment of mutual respect among staff and students
• Request withdrawal reports by academic area, analyse and make recommendations to the Academic Dean (relative to staff training)
• Keep student files confidential
• Enforce Academic Rules and Regulations fairly and consistently according to the policies outlined
• Assist instructors with coordination of field trips and with scheduling of special academic events
• Maintain professional relationships with all staff members and students
• Develop and manage the student evaluation process
• Promote a customer service focus
• Participate in teamwork as required

Qualifications

Education

• Master’s Degree in Education, Psychology, Business and/or Bachelor’s Degree in a related area.

Skills and Experience

• Minimum of five (5) years’ experience in counselling and student advisement
• Leadership experience and enthusiasm for diversity of students and staff is required
• Adult education experience is an asset
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Computer skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SIS, e-mail)