Director and Educational Lead Service-Course Support Unit in the Engineering Student Success Centre

The Faculty of Engineering is seeking a forward thinking, organized, and ambitious leader to fill the role of Director, and Educational Lead (DEL) Service-Course Support Unit (SCSU) of the Engineering Student Success Centre (ESSC).   

We are looking for a confident strategic thinker who seeks to understand their clients and has the courage to build and deliver results.  As with many employers, we are working in a time where change is happening everywhere and need someone who has experience leading through change, who can understand and facilitate stakeholders' needs and grow an effective high trust culture. 

Within this high profile centre, reporting to the Associate Dean, Programs and Planning, the DEL is responsible for the strategic direction and management of the Engineering Student Success Centre, including curriculum design, teaching, mentorship, administration, and communications.   The DEL ensures that day-to-day operations of the SCSU are carried out, develops and leads implementation of SCSU long range and strategic goals, and works with course leads and program Associate Chairs and Directors in the Faculty of Science for services courses. The DEL works with the Engineering Student Society PASS (Peer Assisted Study Sessions) to further expand the breadth of student support, and leads a team including an assistant, teaching assistants (GTAs), two dozen undergraduate students, and senior mentors.

Major Areas of Responsibility:

• Development and implementation of an annual operational plan for the SCSU
• Development, scheduling and delivery of a variety of in-person workshops, course reviews, and so forth
• Developing online resources
• Ensuring effective one-on-one or small group learning strategies
• Developing protocols for recruiting and monitoring workshop instructors (GTA or other)
• Supervising engineering GTA
• Training engineering GTA to deliver workshops and one-on-one or small group support and to support PASS volunteers
• Advertising and promoting all SCSU offerings
• Writing and revising content for the SCSU for social media and website in consultation with Office of the Dean Communication Team
• Developing assessment/program evaluation protocols and tools for the SCSU, and authoring assessment/program evaluation reports and recommendations
• Teaching core common undergraduate courses
• Supporting faculty member mentorship programs as part of the faculty’s improving student outcome strategy

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Minimum PhD and five years university teaching experience
• Supervisory experience
• Well-developed understanding of the postsecondary environment and ability to relate well to students, faculty and staff in a wide variety of programs
• Strong background knowledge, and expertise in one, of Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry
• Experience working with diverse needs learners
• Curriculum development experience
• Microsoft Office proficiency and eClass/ Moodle experience
• Knowledge of current trends in universal design, accessibility, e-learning, and instructional design principles and best practices
• Able to design and implement strategic and operational plans
• Comprehensive knowledge of University and community resources
• Comprehensive knowledge of University policies and procedures (finance and accounting, human resources, Code of Student Behaviour, HIAR, FOIPP, University Calendar, NASA and AASUA agreements, UAPPOL, health and safety, and risk management)
• Able to develop a unit budget and generate or secure revenue
• Able to manage assessment/ program evaluation/ quality improvement projects
• Knowledge of the principles of practice in adult learning and advising
• Able to make complex decisions under pressure in a fast-paced environment, balancing competing deadlines and priorities
• Superior organizational, analytical and solution seeking skills
• Able to develop and maintain strategic partnerships
• Able to work with highly sensitive and confidential information
• Able to evaluate research and resources to determine potential for application
• Able to manage projects (both large and small within a set time frame) and personnel
• Research project management experience including data collection and analyses

The Faculty of Engineering is one of the top five engineering schools in Canada, serving 4,400 undergraduate (BSc) students and 1,500 graduate (MEng, MSc, and PhD) students. Our students are eligible for $1.5 million in scholarships every year. Our students receive an exceptional engineering education that prepares them for rewarding careers. Our alumni are known not only for their academic achievements but also for their professional conduct and commitment to the betterment of society.  Our Faculty is also a vibrant research community that is at the forefront of discovery, and consistently attracts significant support, securing approximately $65 million in external research funding annually.  The ESSC, an innovative one-of-a-kind state-of-the-art centre, is accessible to approximately 2,000 current University of Alberta Faculty of Engineering undergraduate students, provides workshops/presentations and individual or group appointments.  

In exchange, you will have the opportunity for professional growth at one of the world’s top universities, the chance to work in a world-renowned, innovative and dynamic department, and the ability to build your professional network with meaningful relationships within the U of A community. 

If you are an authentic leader with the right attitude, the Faculty of Engineering is looking for you. Along with your Cover Letter, please submit the following:  Curriculum Vitae, List of Publications, Statement of Teaching (Teaching Philosophy, Courses Taught and ratings, Teaching Professional Development, Teaching Areas), Statement of Past Research and References.  

This is a five-year term contract in accordance with the Academic Teaching Staff (ATS) agreement. Annual salary commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Thank you for your interest in the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Alberta.

In your application, please refer to Polytechnicpositions.com