Department: Dean of Students Office - Brantford 

Job Type: Continuing

Full-time/Part-time: Full Time (>=1249 hrs/year) 

Campus: Brantford 

Reports to: Manager, Student Care Support (Brantford campus)

Employee Group: PAG 

Application Deadline: October 27, 2024

Requisition ID: 8682 

Wilfrid Laurier University is a leading multi-campus university that excels at educating with purpose. Through its exceptional employees, students, researchers, leaders, and educators, Laurier has built a reputation as a world-class institution known for its rich student experience, academic excellence, and global impact. With a commitment to Indigenization and commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, Laurier’s thriving community has a place for everyone.

Laurier has more than 21,000 students and 2,100 faculty and staff across campuses in Waterloo and Brantford, as well locations in Kitchener and Milton. The university is committed to providing an inclusive workplace, a flexible work policy and employing a workforce that is reflective of local and national demographics. Laurier's Waterloo, Kitchener, and Brantford campuses are located on the shared traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishnaabe, and Haudenosaunee peoples. This land is part of the Dish with One Spoon Treaty between the Haudenosaunee and Anishnaabe peoples and symbolizes the agreement to share, protect our resources, and not to engage in conflict.  Laurier's Milton campus is located on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit, and part of the Nanfan Treaty of 1701 between the British Crown and the Haudenosaunee Confederacy.

Position Summary 

Reporting to the Manager, Student Care and Support (Brantford campus), the Student Support and Administrative Officer (SSAO) is a member of the Dean of Students team and provides comprehensive delivery of programming and services related to student support, crisis management, special projects, and administrative tasks within the Dean of Students Office (Brantford & Milton). 

This position provides student care and non-clinical case management for students requiring elevated and coordinated support, creates departmental informational material for students, supports department events, and provides supplementary support for other Dean of Students department areas as needed.

The SSAO is also responsible for the coordination, communication, and execution of special projects and initiatives within the Dean of Students portfolio. This includes coordination of the Laurier Care and Support Team, support for students in distress (at-risk students, students experiencing self-harm, suicidality, and risk to others), strategic initiatives, and special projects. This position creates and is responsible for the department’s communications, maintains content on department websites, and manages the Dean of Students Office inbox. 

This position creates and is responsible for the department’s communications including writing and coordinating Request for Proposals (RFPs), researching, writing, and reviewing policies, procedures, and standards within the oversight of the department, maintaining content on department websites, and managing the Dean of Students Office inbox.

This role consults on high-risk situations, managing both personal and institutional risks. The SSAO will meet with and support students in crisis (students with suicidal thoughts, plans of self-harm, and/or who are at risk to the broader community) and must act accordingly to ensure the safety of the student. The incumbent provides subject matter expertise in de-escalation (written and verbal), supporting students in crisis (for example, an active physical threat on campus therefore Is responsible for the security response and triaging with Special Constables, the Dean of Students, and Facilities), troubleshooting database management, internal referrals, triaging clients in need (parents and students), and training opportunities to maintain safety standards in supporting people in crisis. 

This position has a university-wide mandate and is based at the Brantford Campus. The incumbent provides subject matter expertise to all campuses, requiring regular interpersonal interactions and collaboration with departments at the Waterloo Campus, the Brantford Campus, the Milton Campus and external partners. Special attention is given to ensure equitable service delivery across all locations.

Accountabilities 

Direct Student Support

• First point of contact for students in distress (Brantford and Milton Campus) wishing to see the Dean of Students or Manager, and responds and de-escalates according to urgency, department processes/procedures, and available staff resources. (This can include supporting a student escaping an unsafe living situation, unexpected homelessness, immediate food insecurity, imminent risk of harm to self)

• Triage student referrals, inquiries, and Care Reports from faculty and staff according to Dean of Students office and Care and Support Team practice (e.g. risk assessment according to NABITA Risk Rubric) to determine intervention i.e. outreach, referral to Care and Support Team, referral to campus partners, etc.

• Meet with and support, advise, and refer students who are having personal, academic, financial, behavioural, or other difficulties

• Provide advice and coordinated support to students experiencing disruption to study both pre- and post-disruption, including coordinated support for leave of absence requests

• Co-create action plans with students that encourage student agency to minimize and/or resolve problems and disruptions

• Administer emergency funding to students who have short-term emergency financial need due to unforeseen life circumstances

• Maintain student confidentiality, including verbal, electronic, and written communication, and documentation outside of imminent risk

• Make appropriate referrals to the Care and Support Team where needed

• Consult with campus partners for elevated and coordinated support (e.g. associate deans, and directors of Student Wellness Centre, Accessible Learning, Laurier International, Special Constable Service, etc.)

• Provide referrals to support services within the University as well as community agencies

• Assist with the collection of formal documentation (e.g. medical documentation, obituaries, etc.) to inform faculty notifications and academic petition processes

• Serve as a conduit between parents and other stakeholders, and the Dean of Students, by making initial contact, seeking information, and representing office and institution in a professional, caring, and kind manner

Care and Support Team Responsibilities

• Consult with the Care and Support Team and enter and track this information in the documentation system

• Schedule weekly and emergency BIT meetings, create agenda of students of concern for meetings, provide the necessary documentation, update forms/files during meetings and create and manage action list related to student support and intervention

• Create documentation, policy, and communication related to Care and Support Team outcomes, including but not limited to required meetings, well-being checks initiated by Special Constable Service, and campus-wide training for faculty and staff

• Communicate directly with students to provide outreach, support and service information, and direct referrals

• Provide wholistic case management as directed by the Care and Support Team, track students with conditions for return, and act as a conduit to appropriate stakeholders if follow up is required (e.g. threat assessment processes, Special Constable Service, etc.)

• Serve as a point of contact and liaison for faculty, staff, administrators, students, and family members to express behavioral or safety concerns regarding high risk and complex student issues

• Coordinate special arrangements as directed by BIT, including arranging for proctored exams for students with restricted access to campus, or facilitating special academic arrangements for completing coursework, etc.

• Ensure compliance with privacy legislation, and maintain accurate and timely documentation within Advocate database

Communications, Projects, & Administrative Support

• Provide front line reception in the Dean of Students office. Greet visitors and answer general department email. 

• Create a welcoming professional office environment.

• Answer general inquires and makes referrals to specific service areas.

• Provide confidential office support for the Dean of Students: scheduling assistance, meeting support, preparation and preliminary review of expenses claims and invoices, photo-copying, room booking

• Informational material preparation: documents describing services for students, update web pages, informational emails.

• Provide communications support for Student Affairs and the wider university community through the the DOS Email inbox.

• Assistance with planning and facilitation of department events and programs, for example department meetings, Learners from Care program events, Growing Your Strengths workshop facilitation, Freestore pop-ups– including providing presentations to small groups and greeting visitors.

• Develop accurate and up-to-date website content for the department’s internet presence

• Lead special projects to further the priorities of the Dean of Students Office and the university related to student success, student support, and student safety

Institutional & Community Relationship Management

• Applies critical analysis to identify and creates opportunities for the Dean of Students to engage with key groups, maintaining a strong connection with the Laurier community. Through the initiation and coordination of focus groups, designing working groups, and evaluating current relationships’ strengths.

• Proactively engages campus partners to identify and share Dean of Students activities that require collaboration and support.

• Responsible for supervising student volunteers and student staff in Dean of Students office programming or events

• Maintains connections with community agencies and services to advance student support on campus (Sexual Assault Centres of Brant, Here 24/7, etc.)

Qualifications 

• Masters degree in student affairs, education, public health, or a related field

• 2 years related work experience in postsecondary education or closely related setting

• Knowledge of current practices, trends, and issues related to student development, students support, and case coordination

• Demonstrated experience building and fostering relationships with students, colleagues, and campus partners

• Ability to foster student self-agency through use of motivational interview skills, and awareness of self-efficacy and growth mindset techniques

• Ability to think critically and solve problems, as well as handle a dynamic case load of students

• Experience working as part of case coordination team and experience navigating complex student situations

• Excellent interpersonal communication skills, sensitivity, and responsiveness.

• Proven ability and comfort in the quick assessment of individual’s emotional needs, including the level of urgency, and ability to respond to students in distress/at risk.

• Effective organization, time management, and problem-solving skills in a busy office.

• Proven ability to deal with high-pressure situations with tact and diplomacy.

• Ability to work independently and to apply solution-oriented, trauma-informed care, and critical thinking skills to complex situations.

• Excellent word-processing and data-entry skills using appropriate computer software including Excel, Word, Canva, OneDrive, Sharepoint.

• SafeTalk, Mental Health First Aid, ASIST, Case Management certifications preferred

Hours of Work 

This is a full-time, continuing position. Regular hours of work are 8:30am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday. Flexibility in hours may be required due to periods of high volume. When possible, the manager will adjust hours so that no more than 35 hours are worked in a week. 

Compensation 

Level: F

Rate of Pay: $45.34 to $47.94 per hour with an annual step progression on anniversary date up to $51.82 per hour. 

Considerations for new hire step placements include, qualifications and length/depth of required experience, relevant market rates for similar jobs, internal equity, and estimated learning curve in starting the job.

Wilfrid Laurier University endeavors to fill positions with qualified candidates who have a combination of education, experience, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position while demonstrating Laurier's Employee Success Factors.

Equity, diversity and creating a culture of inclusion are part of Laurier’s core values and central to the Laurier Strategy. Laurier is committed to increasing the diversity of faculty and staff and welcomes applications from candidates who identify as Indigenous, racialized, having disabilities, and from persons of any minority sexual and gender identities. Indigenous candidates who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programing at Laurier are welcomed to contact the Office of Indigenous Initiatives. Candidates from other equity deserving groups who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programing at Laurier are welcomed to contact Equity & Accessibility. We have strived to make our application process accessible, however if you require any assistance applying for a position or would like this job posting in an alternative format, please contact Human Resources. Contact information can be found at careers.wlu.ca/content/How-to-apply/

Should you be interested in learning more about this opportunity, please visit www.wlu.ca/careers for additional information and the online application system. All applications must be submitted online. Please note, a resume and cover letter will be required in electronic form.