Associate Director, University Counsellor

Associate Director, University Counsellor
Upper Canada College
Employment Terms: F/T, Permanent
Start Date:  August  2024

With a commitment to equity and fairness, students learn that what makes us different as individuals makes us stronger as a community. A rigorous academic program is supported by accomplished faculty, exceptional co-curricular programming, and state-of-the-art facilities. The UCC experience is underpinned by five core values: learning, pluralism, service, community, and wellbeing.  Among its strategic goals is UCC’s ambition to become more diverse and inclusive. This is supported by a recog­nition that no learning community is whole without the inclusion and amplification of multiple voices; UCC is committed to fostering belonging, striving for jus­­tice and peace among all people, and addressing systemic and structural forms of oppression.

Position Overview:

Provides academic guidance to support student academic achievement and post-secondary admissions counselling . A life-long learner  who is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion, passionate and aspirational when it comes to student success, and up-to-date on emerging and evolving programs, admission processes, scholarships and financial aid support. Actively involved members of the UCC community – coming to know each individual student very well, and advising and engaging students early, regularly and appropriately while collaborating with parents and guardians on strategies and planning.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide guidance to students to enhance and support academic achievement at the school/college:
• Advise students regarding educational/academic issues, such as course and program selection, class registration and scheduling, school adjustment, study habits, career planning, etc;
• Support the CFL and students in managing/overcoming personal, social and behavioural problems impacting their academic and social life;
• Confer with parents/guardians, teachers, administrators and other professionals to discuss student issues, determine approaches to resolving problems, and to determine priorities for resource needs for students;
• Facilitate collaboration between faculty and student support services to optimize support for students;
• Provide post-secondary admissions counselling and application support;
• Counsel graduating students and parents on post-secondary admission requirements and the application process;
• Assist students with the preparation of post-secondary applications and scholarship applications, including program and school selection;
• Provide one-on-one counselling to address specific individual concerns and questions;
• Maintain strong communication links with post-secondary admissions officers to obtain current information regarding admission requirements, programs, policies and changes;
• Keeps abreast of major developments in post-secondary education and admission policies and procedures in North America and abroad;
• Encourage and support partnerships with a national and global network of post-secondary institutions;
• Contribute to the development of the UCO Team with articles and other information regarding pos-secondary admissions, programs and scholarships;
• Consult students for feedback on information and support provided;
• Deliver group counselling sessions to students for course selection and post-secondary planning;
• Provide counsellor evaluations in support of applications to US colleges and universities and for major scholarship programs;
• Provide support to colleagues in the writing of letters of recommendation.

Administration:

• Maintain accurate and complete student records in accordance with legislation, regulations and policies;
• Prepare and review letters of recommendation for graduates, for admissions and scholarships;
• Provide reports to school leadership regarding student applications and acceptances;
• Represent the school/college at various functions; 
• As needed, assists with the overall function of the UC Office.

Knowledge, Competencies and Experience:

• University graduation in education and counselling/guidance, with a valid teaching licence;
• At least five years of relevant teaching and counselling experience;
• Extensive experience with Canadian, US, and UK university admission policies and practices is highly desirable;
• Prior experience with both the IB diploma and the OSSD is an asset;
• Strong understanding of students’ developmental needs; 
• Knowledge of the admissions requirements, programs, and learning environments of post-secondary institutions, in order to recommend good matches for students of the school/college;
• Knowledge of scholarship, bursary and other financial support opportunities for students, and the corresponding application requirements and processes;
• Knowledge of emerging trends and issues  related to post-secondary education and career selection;
• Knowledge of the theories and principles of behavioural and academic counselling;
• Ability to identify and assess issues impacting student academic and social success at the school/college;
• Ability to assess individual and group student issues and their potential impact on success in a post-secondary setting;
• Exceptionally strong skills in problem-solving, organization, time management, and attention to detail;
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build relationships;
• Exemplary oral and written communication skills;
• Exceptional team player with strong collaboration skills
• Ability to engage students in open discussions about concerns and issues, and find collaborative solutions.

What we Offer: 

• Opportunities for professional development to support life-long learning of skills and knowledge;
• Floating holidays that recognizes our employees diverse religious and cultural practices; offers three paid floating holidays per year instead of three statutory public holidays of their choosing.  
• Excellent mental health, medical and dental benefit plans (including Health Care and Lifestyle Spending Accounts, Employee Assistance programme and onsite wellbeing programming;
• Paid volunteer time off to become involved in your communities, lending  voluntary support to programs; 
• Ongoing community events and employee social events throughout the academic year;
• Fabulous collaborative team members and colleagues;
• Generous pension / retirement plan and paid time off plans: vacation / holidays, personal emergency leave, personal leave, parental leave top-up and flexible self-funded leaves;
• Free on campus parking;
• Opportunity for casual dress days.

UCC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity, encouraging applications from all qualified individuals and welcoming applications from women, visible minorities, Aboriginal peoples, persons with disabilities, and LGBTQ persons. UCC embraces pluralism – celebrating differences, cherishing similarities, and giving voice to multiple perspectives. If you are contacted regarding a UCC opportunity, please advise if you require any accommodations.

Please apply online by creating a “Management/Professional” profile account by January 4, 2023. We thank all candidates in advance; however, we will contact only those selected for an interview.  

To learn more about us please visit our site at www.ucc.on.ca.

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