Teaching and Student Support Specialist

While this position welcomes applications from individuals external to the University, current Academic Teaching Staff are first notified of available positions and will receive first consideration in accordance with the terms of Schedule D of the Academic Collective Agreement  prior to considering external candidates.  Please indicate your internal status using the “Advertisement” drop down menu when applying.

Location – North campus

Department summary

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. 

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 faculty, and the ability to build your professional network with meaningful relationships within the U of A community.

Position summary

The Teaching and Student Support Specialist (TSSS) is responsible for the day-to-day delivery and administration of ENGG 100, a non-technical orientation course for all 1000+ first-year engineering students registered in the faculty. Reporting to the Associate Dean Undergraduate Program, the TSSS is the first point of contact with guest speakers and students, and serves as an empathic, non-threatening, and supportive face for the Faculty of Engineering.

The position is responsible for teaching or assisting with the sessions for ENGG100, ENGG400 and any teaching assistants (TAs), and will work to support students both in the courses and in their first term of Engineering. The TSSS will also be involved in the delivery of the Bridge2ENGG program leading up to the start of the term.

Incumbents will teach in the undergraduate degree programs and contribute to Faculty and community service.

Duties

Teaching of University Credit Courses – Percentage of FTE 85%

• Delivering/Instructing ENGG 100 which includes 4 sections and reaching a total of > 1000 students.
• Responsible for hiring TA and student support for ENGG100, developing material, launching e-class, and overseeing Alumni volunteer mentors.
• Identifies and communicates with struggling first-year students, providing direct support where possible/appropriate and recommending Faculty and University support services as needed; may also receive requests/recommendations from other Engineering staff and faculty to support struggling students.
• Coordinates alumni and student volunteer mentors for ENGG 100, including communication, volunteer support, and ongoing training.
• Leads and delivers the Bridge2ENGG summer program.
• Working with the lead instructor for ENGG 400, responsible for coordinating this class which is offered in the Fall (1 section, > 100 students) and in the Winter (2 sections, > 400 students in each section).  This position is responsible for hosting all the guest speaker sessions.
• Basic course administration responsibilities for ENGG 400 including scheduling and communication with guest speakers, the preparation of learning materials including recorded lecture and announcement videos, uploading material to the eClass system, gathering educational resources, preparing and receiving assignments, and grade administration/preparation.
• Supports the delivery of in-person and online seminars for ENGG 400, including preparing speakers, advising on best-practices for content delivery, troubleshooting, and technical support.

Teaching-Related Activities – Percentage of FTE 5%

• Play a key role in identifying at-risk students and provide guidance.
• Other duties normally required by ATS.

 Service Contributions – Percentage of FTE 10%

• Participates in the development of curriculum and design of courses.
• Participate in program continual improvement and accreditation processes, including collecting required additional accreditation data during accreditation visits and regular review of program learning outcomes.
• Participates in the governance of the Faculty through committee membership.
• Disseminates knowledge to the general public by making available their expertise and knowledge of the discipline.

Qualification

Academic and/or Professional Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree (in education preferred) and a graduate degree required.

Skills and Competencies

• University teaching in the Faculty of Engineering at undergraduate level required, including instruction in ENGG100, ENGG400.
• Experience in student support and coaching/advising; familiarity with on-campus resources.
• Ability to employ varied teaching strategies.
• Ability to design or select and administer effective assessments.
• Training in supportive listening and suicide prevention, experience in student engagement and support an asset.
• Experience and knowledge of diversity and inclusion concerns in STEM is an asset.
• Experience with eClass or other learning management systems (LMS) an asset.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to adapt communication style and to collaborate with colleagues.
• Critical thinking and organizational ability.
• Facilitation, negotiation and problem-solving skills and an ability to handle challenging student situations.
• Technically proficient in the computer environment and a working knowledge of various applications to deliver teaching materials.

Salary will be commensurate with experience in accordance with the Academic Teaching Staff (ATS) agreement .

Along with your resume, please submit a cover letter that outlines why you believe you are the right person for this position. Also, in your cover letter, please provide a detailed answer to the following question:  “How will you contribute to a culture of trust, effectiveness and execution in the Faculty of Engineering?” Applications received without a cover letter will not be considered. Applications received with a cover letter that does not specifically address these important items will also not be considered.

At the University of Alberta, we are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible hiring process for all candidates. If you require accommodations to participate in the interview process, please let us know at the time of booking your interview and we will make every effort to accommodate your needs. 

Note: Online applications are accepted until midnight Mountain Standard Time of the closing date.