Academic Advisor, Learning Focus

**NOTE: This position is limited to NAIT internal staff only.**

Do you have a passion for supporting students with disability or protected grounds accommodations to fulfil their academic goals? We are looking for an Academic Advisor in focused on learning advising to support NAIT’s diverse group of prospective and current students.

At NAIT, we use a holistic developmental approach to advising and learning outcomes to help guide our services. The Advisor will use helping techniques and activities to help students explore their options, make educational plans and decisions, and integrate their academic, life, and personal aspirations. The Advisor will be a dedicated and motivated helping professional who has a high level of intercultural competence and is comfortable working with students from diverse backgrounds. The Advisor will develop a sound knowledge of relevant NAIT internal resources and policies, as well as a strong understanding of disability and protected ground accommodations, including government resources and policies.

All Advisors in Transition Services are Academic Advisors first. This means helping students with decision-making, planning to meet admissions and program requirements, and meeting life aspirations. Additionally, Academic Advisors have focus areas like Career Advising: helping students explore career aspirations and learn to prepare tools for job search and Learning Advising: helping students identify barriers to learning, including but not limited to disability, and accessing appropriate supports. This position we are recruiting to is specific to Learning Advising.

This position requires considerable contact with students through one-on-one sessions, group settings, or workshops. Advisors are expected to possess or be willing to develop comprehensive knowledge about academic programs, funding options, internal and external agencies, policies, procedures, and student support services within the scope of their responsibilities. Advisors independently and thoroughly interpret student needs and provide individualized, student-centered service, as well as create and facilitate outcomes-based group workshops. Advisors actively contribute to the continuing development of the advising function.

**Key Responsibilities**:

- Facilitate outcome-based advising sessions and workshops.
- Help students develop accommodation plans, make recommendations, and navigate related policies and procedures.
- Help students (prospective, current, alumni) create an action plan through discussion and/or activities related to session outcomes.
- Provide feedback to students regarding their approach to achieving session outcomes.
- Assist students in navigating electronic and other resources to increase self-agency.
- Actively contribute to the development of advising practices and business processes.
- Collaborate with programs and services at NAIT to facilitate positive student experiences.
- Maintain timely and accurate student records.
- Provide appropriate referrals (internal or external).

**Skills & Abilities**:

- Knowledge of student-centered learning theories.
- Communication, interpersonal, problem-solving, and conflict resolutions skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively.
- Ability to handle inquiries with respect, confidence, and tact.

**Qualifications**:

- Bachelor’s Degree
- 3-5 years of related advising experience; PADRA membership preferred or must be willing to gain membership.

**Remuneration**: $2,171.84 - $2,880.72 biweekly, plus a comprehensive benefits package. (Classification - Student Advisor II).
- This position is covered by the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE) Collective Agreement._

**Please submit a resume and Cover Letter to be considered for this opportunity.**

**About NAIT**

At NAIT, people matter.

We’re proud to have been named one of Alberta’s Top Employers for 12 consecutive years. Developing an engaging, supportive and rewarding work culture is something we take seriously. We know that people are our biggest asset - they are what makes NAIT a great place to work.

**What we offer**

We’ve created a benefits package that focuses on health and wellness, professional and personal growth, recognition and work-life balance.

NAIT is a flexible workplace and depending on the nature of your role, you may request flexible work arrangements with respect to where and when you work, including being on-campus full-time, working off-site, or a combination of the two.

Employees also have access to excellent vacation time, paid time off between Christmas and New Year's, a strong recognition program, learning opportunities, 2 annual all-staff professional development days and so much more.

**Health and safety**

NAIT continues to encourage everyone coming to our campuses to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and to get their booster shots as soon as they are eligible. Vaccination against COVID-19 remains the best way to prevent severe illness and death