Communication and Counselling Skills

University of Guelph; Guelph; On-site; CAD 28,000 - 50,000; Part time

Job summary

The University of Guelph invites applications for Teaching Assistants, Graduates Service Assistants and Sessional Lecturers in the Family Relations and Applied Nutrition unit for Winter 2027. Roles involve seminars, labs, grading, and student consultation, with in-person classes and required availability through the undergraduate final exam period.

Applicants must be enrolled in a master's or doctoral program in FRHD or related field, with strong interpersonal and communication skills.

Qualifications

• Must be currently enrolled in a master's or doctoral degree program in Family Relations and Human Development or related field.
• Interpersonal and/or communication skills.
• Substantive knowledge of course content demonstrated by undergraduate or graduate coursework, research area, or other professional development.
• Practical or applied experience related to course content.

Responsibilities

• Orientation-Training
• Office Hours
• Preparation
• Student Consultation
• Conducting Labs/Seminars
• Meetings
• Invigilating Exams
• Grading
• Other Duties (specify below)

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Education

Masters or Doctoral degree program in Family Relations and Human Development or related field

Job description

for Teaching Assistants, Graduates Service Assistants & Sessional Lecturers

TA402312- Winter 2027-FRHD*3400 Communication and Counselling Skills

Teaching Assistant Work Assignment

Type of Work Assignment and Bargaining Unit:

GTA, Unit 1

Academic Unit:

Family Relations and Applied Nutrition

Semester(s) of Assignment(s):

Winter 2027

This Work Assignment(s) may be assigned to fulfill the terms and conditions of a guaranteed Job Security Period:

Some

Course Number:

FRHD*3400

Course Name:

Communication and Counselling Skills

Course Format:

In-Person

Course Description:

See Course Calendar

Other Course Description or Assignment Information:

The focus of this course is on the development of students' communication and counselling skills. It is designed to provide students with foundational interviewing and counselling skills that would be relevant to a variety of careers in the human services. THE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE WORK ASSIGNMENT ARE NOTED BELOW, HOWEVER, IN ADDITION BE AWARE OF THE FOLLOWING DETAILS/TASKS: (1) This course has weekly seminars led by GTAs - please check WebAdvisor to ensure all days and times of this course's seminars do not conflict with your own class schedule. (2) Grade final exam essay component within a span of 3 to 4 days following final exam.

175

Level of Appointment for GTA, GSA-1 UTA(s)

The following is an estimate of number and levels of available appointments at the time of posting. This may change (increase or decrease) at the time of assignment contingent on departmental needs.

This Posting includes Multiple Work Assignments:

Yes

Number of Available 0.25 (35 hour) Work Assignments:

0

Number of Available 0.5 (70 hour) Work Assignments:

2

Number of Available 0.75 (105 hour) Work Assignments:

1

Number of Available Full 1.0 (140 hour) Work Assignments:

0

Total Number (Load) of Assignment(s) Available:

3

Duties and Responsibilities

• Orientation-Training
• Office Hours
• Preparation
• Student Consultation
• Conducting Labs/Seminars
• Meetings
• Invigilating Exams
• Grading
• Other Duties (specify below)

Other Duties Described: Accurate and consistent grading of written work to be completed within 2 weeks, with constructive feedback as needed.Prompt and professional communication with instructor and students.Respond to student queries as required.Monitor online discussion board according to schedule determined by course instructor.Lead and moderate discussions on course content.Completion of Making Education Accessible, Accessible Service Provision and Environmental Health & Safety on-line courses (if not previously completed).Invigilation of final examination in this course.Availability throughout the entirety of the work assignment, including the undergraduate final exam period.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Must be currently enrolled in a masters or doctoral degree program in Family Relations and Human Development or a closely related field.
• Interpersonal and/or communication skills.
• Substantive knowledge of course content demonstrated by undergraduate or graduate coursework, research area, or other professional development.
• Practical or applied experience related to course content.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong time management and organizational skills.
• Experience grading (including online grading).
• Providing timely and accurate evaluation of student assignments aligning with marking rubric/scheme.
• Assessing and providing constructive feedback on oral and/or written work.
• Online experience (e.g., facilitation of discussions online, CourseLink moderation).
• Comfort leading seminar discussions related to topics covered in the course.
• Demonstrated understanding of issues such as: human rights, equity, anti-oppressive practices, mental health support, etc.

Days Required and Wages

Days and Times Required:

(1) Attendance at the seminars you are assigned to facilitate - please check WebAdvisor for the days and times of all the seminars associated with this course to ensure there are no conflicts with your own schedule. (2) Availability throughout the duration of the work assignment as noted below under Period of the Work Assignment. This includes being available for the entirety of the undergraduate final exam period.

Period of the Work Assignment (Start Date and End Date):

January 7, 2027 to May 7, 2027

Wage Rate (per hour, per semester, per Full-load 1.0 Work Assignment):

Other Posting Information

Posting Email Contact:

Hiring Contact Information:

Department of Family Relations and Applied [e-mail]

At the University of Guelph, fostering a culture of inclusion is an institutional imperative. The University invites and encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in employment, who may contribute to further diversification of our Institution. For more information, the Office of Diversity and Human Rights (DHR) is a welcoming, safe and confidential one-stop shop for information, training and support on issues relating to diversity and human rights on our campus.

All applicants must be eligible to work in Canada specifically at the University of Guelph before applying for an academic work assignment. All successful applicants must perform their work in Ontario and must be able to attend on-campus in-person meetings as required.

Teaching Assistant work assignments are unionized with CUPE 3913 and their terms and conditions of work are covered by the Unit 1 Collective Agreement between the University and CUPE 3913 (email contact: [e-mail]).

The use of AI to perform job responsibilities must be directed by or approved beforehand in writing by the supervisor or course instructor.