Career Advisor

at  Douglas College

WORK ARRANGEMENTS

This regular, full-time (35 hours per week) position is available starting October 28, 2024. Regular hours of work are Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm. Shift days and times may change depending on the Department’s need. Occasional evening and/or weekend work may be required. The position is located at the New Westminster campus; however, successful candidate may be required to work at other Douglas College sites and attend off campus events. Douglas College is committed to supporting a healthy work/life balance for employees.
NOTE: Additional auxiliary coverage will also be offered on a temporary basis starting November 7, 2024.

THE ROLE

Reporting to the Manager, Business Development, the Career Advisor is responsible for developing and delivering career skills curriculum and Work Integrated Learning (WIL) programs to Douglas College students and graduates. The Career Advisor contributes to the College Strategic Plan by providing the guidance, knowledge and training that supports students of all abilities to access opportunities and navigate the world of work during and after their academic careers.
Through a foundational assessment of the students’ employment-readiness, the Career Advisor guides students through customized professional development, career choice and opportunity acquisition. This role is instrumental in providing access to opportunities to learn outside the classroom; training students in skills that lead to work experiences that are inspiring, relevant and enable students to achieve their career goals.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Designs and delivers career-related curriculum
• Develops new and updates existing curriculum to deliver current, relevant and accessible content to prepare students for their current and future career goals.
• Creates customized learning plans for students in WIL programs to expedite career-readiness and program participation.
• Remains current in the following through regular research, literature scans and professional development:
• career skills best practices including job search, job posting deconstruction, application documents, online brand management, digital portfolio, video and fact-to-face interviewing, and issues of accessibility, privacy, disclosure, and universal design;
• HR recruitment practices, applicant tracking systems (ATS), subject matter expertise requirements and career skills expectations among employers.
• market information, tech and business trends and advises students on the implications these have on students’ career plans.
• Manages a large number students per semester through WIL and professional development programs; advising, training, and communicating with students to address individual needs
• Advises students throughout career planning and supports the identification and articulation of strengths and transferable skills in supportive manner with awareness of different cultural perspectives.
• Delivers pre-employment career skills training on job sourcing and networking, occupational research & career pathing, personal brand, and communication skills. Assesses career-readiness and educates students to higher states of preparedness through workshops and 1-on-1 coaching.
• Trains students in 26+ different areas of career skills and professional development including but not limited to application document creation, business communications, online personal brand, interview techniques, compensation negotiation, workplace expectations, portfolio development, safety and human rights.
• Maintains relationships with employers nurturing their engagement with the College and encouraging hosting of WIL programs, Co-operative Education, Internships, and industry projects
• Manages student cohorts (120+ students per semester) through WIL programs, diplomatically maintaining employer relationships regardless of student performance or non-compliance with program terms and conditions.
• Facilitates the Work Term placement and Internship application process for WIL programs ensuring students and employers connect and opportunities are accessed by students.
• Maintains relationships with Faculty Advisors connected to programs, alerting them to student progress while in WIL placements when necessary.
• Researches and recommends to the Director of Business Development appropriate employer targets for student work terms and employment opportunities based on current labor market trends.
• Liaises with Douglas College Business Association (DCBA), Douglas Students’ Union (DSU) and student clubs, attending student events and forums to promote Career Centre programs.
• Collaborates with Deans, Associate Deans, Chairs and Program Coordinators to promote Career Centre programs and to raise awareness and participation by students in career programs and events.
• Performs a variety of administrative functions in support of Career Center operations
• Reviews applications to ensure students meet eligibility criteria and qualify for a Co-operative Education Work Term, Business Internship, or employment opportunities.
• Develops accreditation proposals for new programs for the Co-operative Education accreditation body CEWIL (Co-operative Education Work-Integrated Learning Canada) as requested and completes required documentation for CEWIL to maintain re-accreditation of existing programs.
• Reports coop student participation numbers to the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills every semester.
• Liaises with Douglas College International’s visa experts to ensure students have required documentation to undertake WIL programs without jeopardizing their status as students in Canada.
• Liaises with Faculties and Enrollment Services to ensure students can drop classes and register for Co-operative Education or Internships as needed.
• Collaborates with faculty on the integration of career-readiness training to facilitate introduction of experiential elements into their courses and programs in support of the College’s Strategic Plan.
• Prepares program reports for the Director, Business Development for analysis of program results and planning of future resource requirements.
• Ensures student grades and all co-op courses are entered into Banner and made available for registration each term.
• Enters program revisions in the Curriculum Navigator platform to maintain accurate Course Guidelines and to update the College Programs area on the Douglas College website.
• Maintains accurate and confidential records of student profiles, grade, GPA, and coaching notes.
• Responsible for the selection, orientation, training, scheduling, providing daily direction, evaluation, and time sheet sign-off for student assistants, practicum students or Co-op students working in the Career Center as required.
• Performs other related duties as required
• Serves on relevant College committees as requested.
• Serves on professional association boards, representing the College as required.
• Collaborates within the Business Development team and with other Faculties and departments, to conceptualize and deliver student and alumni events.

TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THIS ROLE YOU WILL NEED

• A Bachelor’s degree from a recognized public post-secondary institution with a minimum of three years’ related work experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience. A Career Development Practitioners’ Certificate would be an asset.
• Demonstrated ability in advising on career skills and professional development in a career center and/or employment support environment.
• Demonstrated skills in classroom management, student engagement and training.
• Ability to adapt career skills training content to meet the needs of student, grads and experienced alumni at various stages of their professional lives.
• Experience in program curriculum development (e.g. learning objectives, lesson plans, presentations, speaking notes) in career management skills and professional development especially in the post-secondary environment.
• Demonstrated ability in marketing or public relations, including social media.
• Knowledge of Canadian workplace practices, job search strategies, applicant tracking systems and labor market trends.
• Knowledge of post-secondary programs and how these prepare students for later careers.
• Excellent interpersonal, team building and cross-cultural communication skills demonstrating professionalism and respect for confidentiality.
• Well-developed planning, coordinating and organizational skills and ability to work in a busy environment.
• Ability to thrive in an environment where flexibility, initiative and accountability are required.
• Demonstrated ability to develop, establish, and maintain excellent working relationships with employers, students, administrators, faculty, and staff.
• Demonstrated sound judgement to diplomatically address student and employer concerns that could potentially impact the College’s reputation.
• Strong communications skills to facilitate outreach to the business community and regional organizations to initiate and nurture relationships with employers and other stakeholders.
• Ability to problem-solve, resolve conflict and manage challenging situations while working independently with minimal supervision.
• Excellent communication skills including written & verbal, presentation and public speaking.
• A working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, MS 365).
• A working knowledge of database management systems such as Banner and Orbis would be an asset.
• Supervisory experience would be an asset.
  Note: This position involves local travel, eg. attendance at professional association meetings, Chamber of Commerce luncheons, etc. Some evening work may also be required.

We offer the opportunity to do what you do best in an inclusive, collaborative and collegial environment. At Douglas, our goal is to ensure our people are valued and supported by promoting a healthy work-life balance, professional growth, and development, as well as a safe and respectful workplace.

• Transit-accessible campuses
• Hybrid work arrangements for eligible positions
• Competitive salaries
• Excellent Health and Dental Benefits for eligible positions
• Defined-Benefit Pension Plan for eligible positions
• Professional Development funding
• Access to our Fitness Centres and Classe