Undergrad Student Advisor, School of Architecture, Planning & Landscape

University of Calgary; Calgary; Hybrid; CAD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Calgary is seeking a Full-time Regular Undergrad Student Advisor to support students in academic decision-making and program requirements. This role involves advising, processing applications, and collaborating with various university departments to enhance student experiences. A hybrid work environment is offered, allowing for flexible work arrangements.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of experience within student affairs or program advising required.
• Ability to work independently to tight timelines.
• Knowledge of university policies and procedures is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Advise students on degree requirements and university policies.
• Support students in making informed decisions regarding their academic paths.
• Process degree audits and maintain comprehensive knowledge of admission criteria.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Critical thinking

Resourcefulness

Education

Post-secondary credential (degree, certificate, diploma)

Tools

MS Office Suite

Job description

Description

The Dean's Office within the School of Architecture, Planning & Landscape is currently seeking a Full-time Regular Undergrad Student Advisor.

The position reports to the Manager, Faculty Operations, Administration and Facilities and will advise current and prospective students on university policies, programs, degree requirements, procedures, and related matters, offering them support in making their academic decisions, and refer them to other available supports on campus as appropriate.

The University of Calgary offers a hybrid work environment that allows work from home two days per week if approved by your manager. The normal hours of work for this position are Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Some work may require travel to and from the CBDL (City Building Design Lab) our downtown location, located on the C-Train line.

Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):

Advising

• Advise current/prospective students in both a one-on-one and group setting regarding degree requirements (including admissions) and university policies and procedures.
• Support students to make informed decisions, setting short- and long-term goals, and fulfilling the requirements of their degree choice.
• Provide advice and assistance to students on all aspects of their academic experience, including progression and requirement matters for their chosen degree.
• Resolve student program conflicts as they arise.
• Identify students with GPA or progress problems, advises students, and recommends appropriate courses of action by the department (e.g., academic probation, dismissal).
• Maintain comprehensive knowledge of admission criteria and degree program requirements for all School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape undergraduate programs as well as the selection criteria of high demand and quota programs.
• Supports and promotes the student experiential and engagement opportunities in the School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape and across campus.
• Foster and maintains cooperative and trusting relationships with the Admissions Office, Enrolment Services, and other student affairs and service offices across campus in order to provide seamless and efficient student support processes.
• Process degree audits, credit evaluations and graduation applications using academic software.
• Attend recruitment and conversion events such as Open House, YOU@UCalgary and new student orientation; provides accurate and timely advice to prospective and current students regarding admission requirements, including Change of Programs admissions.
• Correspond with current/prospective students regarding academic questions.
• Process transfer credit for admitted students to ensure that it has been correctly awarded for the degree program selected.
• Coordinates the review of requests for exceptions to departmental and university requirements from students.
• Maintain records and files to ensure that information is as up to date as possible, recognizing that this information must be kept accurate and current for use by others.

Other

• Adhere to all university policy and regulatory requirements, including FOIP legislation.
• Liaise with Enrolment Services, Admissions, and other units as appropriate.
• Provide occasional support to graduate advising, including coverage during staff absences or during periods of increased workload.
• Provide administrative and operational support to the Undergraduate Program Specialist and undergraduate team, including tasks such as course scheduling, processing student paperwork, assisting with admissions and applications, preparing standard documents, supporting undergraduate events (including setup, logistics, and day-of assistance), and contributing to student workshops and advising-related activities.
• Contribute to the improvement of advising-related policies and procedures by providing input on existing processes and supporting their ongoing refinement.

Qualifications / Requirements:

• A post-secondary credential (degree, certificate, diploma) is required or equivalent experience.
• Minimum 3 years of experience within student affairs or program advising required.
• Experience working in a dynamic team with proven personal effectiveness and productivity is required.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, professional, written and oral communications kills, including the ability to convey complex information to ensure it is understood.
• Proven organizational skills, multitasking and high attention to detail required.
• Ability to think critically and creatively under pressure while exercising good judgement and discretion required.
• Demonstrated ability to be resourceful, creative, innovative, and flexible required.
• The ability to work independently to tight timelines, maintain confidentiality and deal effectively with overlapping and changing deadlines is required.
• Advanced Computer skills including MS Office Suite (including Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Excel) required.
• In-depth knowledge of academic calendar including the ability to interpret policies, procedures and regulations would be an asset.
• Previous experience with Banner or PeopleSoft (Student Administration) is considered an asset.
• Experience with web content management systems will be considered an asset.
• Ability to learn and adapt to new programs/systems as a skill is required in this position.
• Knowledge of university policies and procedures associated with the portfolio supported is an asset.
• Knowledge of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and the Student Misconduct and Academic Appeals Policy would be an asset.
• Ability to build relationships to accomplish goals with diverse groups within & outside of SAPL is essential.

Application Deadline: May 21, 2025

We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.

This position is part of the AUPE bargaining unit, and falls under the Specialist/Advisor Job Family, Phase 2.

For a listing of all management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our Management and Staff Careers website.

About the University of Calgary

UCalgary is Canada's entrepreneurial university, located in Canada's most enterprising city. It is a top research university and one of the highest-ranked universities of its age. Founded in 1966, its 36,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. It is Canada's leader in the creation of start-ups. Start something today at the University of Calgary. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.

The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.

As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Institutional Commitments ([e-mail]) and requests for accommodations can be sent to Human Resources ([e-mail]).

Do you have most but not all the qualifications? Research show that women, racialized and visible minorities, and persons with disabilities are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At UCalgary we are committed to achieving equitable, diverse, inclusive and accessible employment practices and workplaces and encourage you to apply if you believe you are right for this role.

We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.