Department: Dean of Students Office - Waterloo

Job Type: Limited Term

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

Campus: Waterloo

Reports to: Manager, Accomodation Support Services

Employee Group: WLUSA

Application Deadline: January 14, 2024

Requisition ID: 7103

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 19,000 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. Our locations are situated on the traditional territories of the Neutral, Anishnawbe, and Haudenosaunee peoples. We recognize the unique heritages of Indigenous peoples and support their intentions to preserve and express their distinctive Indigenous cultures, histories, and knowledge through academic programming and co-curricular activities. Laurier’s Centre for Indigegogy is one example of how Laurier honours Indigenous knowledge.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Manager, Accommodation Support Services, the Learning Strategist is responsible for the delivery of programs, services and individual strategies that support and enhance the educational experience of students with accommodation requirements.

The Learning Strategist will offer a range of services to support students registered with Accessible Learning including individualized sessions with students and in small groups, teaching educational strategies and offering training in areas such as organization, memory, comprehension, critical thinking, exam preparation and coping skills with the goal of helping the student develop to his/her full learning potential. The incumbent will participate with the Accommodation Consultant(s) in case conferencing around individual student needs in an effort to target appropriate strategies.

The incumbent will work with Accessible Learning staff to create and facilitate educational workshops for students on specific development topics designed to underscore strategies for success within an academic environment.

Accountabilities

This position is responsible for the following:

• Working individually and in small groups with identified students to develop meta-cognitive skills in study, organization, exam preparation, memory, note taking, time management skills and other areas as required;
• Reviewing supporting documentation to assist with LS plan development;
• Identifying coping strategies to support the personal growth and development of students;
• Collaborating with consultants and assistive technologist as required to develop learning strategies to address specific disability related barriers defined on the student’s accommodation plan;
• Report writing that identifies support trends and gaps analysis;
• Maintaining case records documenting student progress and development;
• Creates and facilitates workshops in conjunction with Accessible Learning staff, on identified development topics for students registered with Accessible Learning;
• Participates in staff meetings, strategic planning and development opportunities;

Qualifications

• Post secondary degree in Education, Social Work, Psychology or related field;
• Learning Strategy Certification from Cambrian College or related certification;
• Demonstrated experience in facilitating study skills and learning strategy support in a post secondary environment, 1:1 or small group format;
• Minimum of three (3) to four (4) years experience in offering learning strategy support (individual and small group) to students with disabilities;
• Demonstrated proficiency with delivery of educational strategies and methodology to create and implement programs and workshops to students with disabilities;
• Demonstrated excellence in communication, customer service and problem solving skills;
• Demonstrated understanding of disability issues, impact on the academic environment and day to day functioning;
• Demonstrated awareness of the needs and issues of students within a post secondary environment; including knowledge of relevant policy and legislation (e.g., Human Rights Code, AODA and Accessible Education for Students with Disabilities);
• Demonstrated ability to maintain organization and seamless work-flow in an environment with continuous interruptions;
• Excellent interpersonal, presentation, and writing skills;
• Experience with use of technology and applicable software including a working knowledge of specialized software designed for students with accommodation needs;
• Effective team skills with an ability to work independently.

This position is eligible for educational equivalencies.

Hours of Work

This is a full-time, limited-term position with an end date of June 28, 2024. Regular hours of work are 8:30am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday. Flexibility 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: E

Rate of pay: $39.89 - $45.59 per hour

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.