Overview
At BCIT, putting people at the core of everything we do is paramount. This idea is the foundation of BCIT’s People Vision, which describes the Institute’s goals and priorities in respect to our people. In a complex and uncertain world, it’s vital our people feel valued, supported and connected. BCIT champions a culture of innovation and global progress through people’s imagination and creativity. With a competitive compensation package, great work-life balance, and career advancement opportunities, see why we’ve earned the title of one of BC’s Top Employers for over ten years running.
Position Summary
BCIT’s Student Life department is seeking a regular, full time (1.0 FTE) Associate Director, Student Life. This position develops and ensures delivery of programs and activities that enhance student success. Oversees departments and staff in day-to-day operations of activities that provide services to support the health and wellbeing of students and the greater BCIT community. As a key member of BCIT’s Student Success senior management team, responds to, supports, and resolves complex cases related to students misconduct, conflict, distress, or risky behaviour. Oversees student conduct, orientation and transition programming, Early Assist, Recreation Services and Health Promotion. Makes policy and procedural recommendations and ensures key partners, such as administrators and faculty, are knowledgeable and trained in matters that impact student success.
Responsibilities
- Ensures early intervention and corrective measures for all parties involved in incidents involving students and allegations of student misconduct (non-academic) and consults with appropriate internal resources including Counselling, Accessibility Services, Student Housing, Student Health Services, and Safety and Security.
- Provides administrative and procedural support to the Decision Review Board in conducting appeal hearings on student misconduct matters; ensures compliance with procedural fairness processes and adherence to BCIT policies. Minimises institutional risk in partnership with Safety and Security.
- Establishes procedures and processes to support students and staff towards student misconduct allegations; provides procedural guidance and advice to faculty and Associate Deans regarding sanctions appropriate for academic misconduct incidents. Ensures all official records of academic integrity violations are maintained and investigations comply with institutional policy and procedure.
- Considers Institute policy, past practices, investigation results, student records, and relevant facts when arriving at decisions or recommendations. In non-academic misconduct incidents, implements Administrative Resolutions as delegated by the Senior Director. Reviews, triages, and refers complex cases to intervention teams such as the Threat Assessment Team.
- Conducts meetings with students involved in alleged incidents to determine and monitor interim measures in accordance with BCIT policies. Seeks dispute resolution through mutually agreeable resolutions as appropriate.
- Works with the BCIT Registrar, Associate Deans, Safety and Security, Student Services Coordinators, Faculty, and others to develop protocols for academic and institutional accommodations to aid students in distress in areas such as academic, administrative, economic, family relationships, health, physical, psychological and societal.
- Acts as a senior case manager to provide assessment and response to affected students in adherence with the institute’s policy and procedure. Liaises with the BCIT Student Association to provide complementary services and events. Works with BCIT community partners to implement opportunities and activities that foster a positive student experience.
- Assesses, develops, and delivers programs and activities that aid in students’ entry and transition to BCIT. Collaborates with internal groups such as Student Association, Schools, International and Indigenous services, to ensure smooth transition of the students. Assesses and evaluates student experience post-transition and incorporates relevant feedback.
- Reviews and assesses Institute policies and procedures related to student conduct and recommends changes as appropriate. Advises on orientation activities and curriculum for incoming students, adhering to best practices in student development and success. Develops external contacts to remain current with student judicial issues, trends, and practices.
- Chairs the Behavioural Intervention Team overseeing high-risk students and refers imminent risk cases to the BCIT Threat Assessment Team. Establishes and maintains collaboration with the Student Association Advocate for information exchange and resolutions for students.
- Oversees day-to-day operations and wellness programming for Recreation Services, supervises maintenance of fitness facilities at all campuses, and manages revenue generation through facility rentals.
- Oversees Health Promotion programming. In partnership with the Associate Director, Access and Wellbeing, provides strategic direction for institution-wide health promotion initiatives, including the Student Well-Being Action Plan.
- Manages reporting staff, overseeing and participating in selection, coaching, mentoring, development, performance management and other people-management practices.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Education, Counselling, Social Work, or related discipline, plus a minimum of 7 years of progressive experience encompassing student services in a post-secondary environment. An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.
- Advanced negotiation and conflict resolution skills for adjudicating academic and non-academic matters, conflict resolution and/or mediation, and facilitation.
- Experience with working with a diverse student population; current in emerging practices in supporting equity-deserving groups.
- Advanced working knowledge of student conduct policies and relevant legislative requirements (FIPPA, Mental Health Act, Harassment and Discrimination) with proven policy-writing and administration experience.
- Excellent interpersonal, organizational, communication, facilitation, and project management skills.
- Strong cross-cultural communication skills and experience working with diverse populations.
- Excellent leadership and team-building skills with experience working with student leaders or volunteers.
- Strong working knowledge in case management to resolve complex problems and manage high-profile, sensitive, and contentious issues.
- Flexibility to be available on call after hours to occasionally respond to critical incidents related to students, as assigned.
Benefits
- Competitive pay
- Minimum of twenty-five days of vacation
- Competitive employer-paid extended health and dental plan including access to a Health Care Spending Account of up to $500 if eligible
- Defined benefit pension plan with employer contributions
- Flexible hybrid work arrangements available
- Access to most BCIT Flexible Learning courses free of charge
- Wellness and Employee Assistance programs
- Complimentary membership with free access to the Fitness Centre, Gymnasium
- Eligibility requirements apply; benefits may vary depending on the employee group and whether the position is temporary or part-time
BCIT is committed to the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion and to promoting opportunities in hiring for systemically oppressed groups. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority.
Persons with disabilities who require accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact us using our contact form. Applications must be submitted via the careers page portal. Applications submitted through the contact form will not be accepted. For more information, please visit our FAQs page and see how we hire.
The British Columbia Institute of Technology acknowledges that our campuses are located on the unceded traditional territories of the Coast Salish Nations.
Salary Range: $105,653 - $145,272, with a control point of $132,066 per annum. The compensation range represents the base salary range for the position. Salaries above the control point may be considered for extenuating circumstances and must be approved by an external governing body.