Learning Consultant, Science Support Programs

Position Summary This position has a university-wide mandate and is primarily based at the Waterloo campus, with travel to the Brantford campus required one day per week. The incumbent provides subject matter expertise, requiring regular interaction and collaboration with faculty, staff, and students at all of Laurier’s campuses. Special attention is given to ensure equitable service delivery across all locations.  The Learning Consultant, Science Support Programs will work with the Manager, Co-Curricular Learning Support to design, implement and maintain academic support programs for science students. The incumbent will act as a resource primarily for students enrolled in 100-level chemistry and computer science courses but will also provide academic support for a variety of STEM courses from a wide range of academic departments, both at the undergraduate and graduate level. Support is required to assist in the academic success and persistence of students registered in various science and social science programs. The Learning Consultant will be involved in the creation of assessment tools to identify specific areas of concern, the development of programming and resources, and in designing and conducting workshops to strengthen prerequisite skills and aid in the transition to university level expectations. They will also coordinate a tutoring/mentoring program for at-risk students. The position may also be involved in special projects, including in conjunction with other units within Student Success and Retention, related to the evolving development of its programming. Accountabilities Science Learning Support Consultant The incumbent will be the first point of contact for inquiries regarding learning support for science and quantitative courses, and will provide oversight to science-based learning support programs at each campus in a variety of in-person and virtual formats. Provides content support to students individually and in small groups, in particular covering topics from foundational science and chemistry; Conducts one-on-one consultation appointments to assess student learning strategies and to develop appropriate individualized learning plans; Supports students in the development of academic and professional work habits, including skill development in problem solving, time management, and effective strategies for learning science content; Designs and conducts workshops to strengthen student knowledge of key foundational skills from the high school science curriculum; Develops resources and conducts workshops to refresh and strengthen prerequisite knowledge of introductory course content required for senior undergraduate and graduate courses; Prepares pre-exam review material for 100-level science courses, in consultation with teaching faculty; Schedules and provides oversight to peer support sessions, such as drop-in help sessions, homework sessions, and facilitated study groups; Develops and coordinates the implementation of a peer mentoring program for at-risk students in 100-level chemistry courses, and monitors student progress throughout the term. Program Development and Faculty Collaboration Consults with faculty to identify courses that would benefit from additional learning supports to bridge gaps in student knowledge and skills; Researches and provides recommendations for contextualized learning support programs and resources designed to integrate within a course to improve student success and persistence; Collaborates with colleagues and faculty to design and implement approved co-curricular and extra-curricular learning support programs and resources; Interviews and makes hiring recommendations to build a team of 10 to 15 student employees; Assists in the training, development, and evaluation of student employees; Considers class and exam schedules, student learning objectives, and availability and resources to schedule support sessions and student employee shifts; Ensures consistency in the program delivery of learning support services across campuses; Builds and maintains a positive and collaborative working relationship with student staff, professional colleagues, and faculty. Additional Responsibilities – Data Collection, Reports, Research, Assessment Maintains accurate attendance records for all programming; Analyzes participation rates and effectiveness of programming, and creates relevant reports; Maintains a broad knowledge of initiatives and best practices for enhancing student success in both Canadian and international post-secondary environments; Attends conferences and professional development programs when opportunities exist; Annually reviews and updates knowledge of student trends and advancements in student success and retention; Evaluates texts, software, and other online sources to produce relevant resources for student use; Liaises with other university units to remain current on academic policies, resources, and student services available, to make informed referrals when appropriate; Participates in outreach opportunities to promote both co-curricular learning support programs, as well as other Student Success programs, resources, and retention efforts; Contributes to special projects related to the evolving development of the co-curricular learning support unit. Qualifications A Master’s degree in Chemistry or related field and a Bachelor of Education degree, OR a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry or related field and a Master’s of Education; A minimum of 3-4 years of work-related experience, which must include practical experience in the field of post-secondary education; Knowledge of the secondary level mathematics and science curriculum, as well as associated introductory level university course concepts and applications related to chemistry, calculus, and statistics; Knowledge of common challenges experienced by students in the transition to post-secondary; A deep understanding of metacognition, learning development theories, and learning strategies; Experience researching trends related to transition, retention, and student success; Pedagogical skill in optimizing the operation and educational value of formal science support programs, and in developing diagnostic and assessment tools; Experience developing interactive learning materials and workshops for in-person and online delivery; Experience assisting students in applying learning strategies and problem solving skills to course content; Knowledge of foundational concepts in computer coding and programming structures is an asset; Experience coordinating logistics involving multiple inputs and resources; Experience hiring, training, and supervising student employees; Experience with course management systems (preferably D2L) and MS Office; Demonstrated research skills to gather complex information from a variety of sources, including the ability to apply statistical analysis to data; Excellent communication, presentation, and technical writing skills; Excellent organizational, time management, and prioritization skills; Sensitivity to issues of equity, diversity, inclusion, and access in a post-secondary environment; Demonstrated team skills with an ability to work independently; Ability to manage crucial conversations with developed conflict management skills; Mental health training is an asset. Hours of Work This is a Full-time, limited term opportunity with an anticipated contract length of 2 years. The normal hours of work are 8:30am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday. Flexibility in hours may be required, including evening and/or weekend work due to periods of high volume. When possible, the manager will adjust hours to ensure no more than 35 hours are worked in a week. This role offers limited flexibility regarding flexible work arrangements. Please see Policy 8.14 (Flexible Work Policy) for more information. All arrangement must be approved by the direct manager. On occasion, this schedule may need to be adjusted to meet operational requirements. As per Article 12.7.6, prior approval from a manager is required to return to a previous position after a Limited-Term Position. Compensation Level: G Rate of Pay: $52.17 - $55.14 per hour with an annual step progression on anniversary date up to $59.63 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  Should you be interested in learning more about this opportunity, please visit 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. Please note, when pre-screening questions are used as part of the application process, AI is utilized to score responses. All other aspects of the hiring process are reviewed by our Talent Acquisition team.