Requisition ID 2024-12447

Department

Associate Provost, Students

Employment Type

Permanent

Time Type

Full-Time

Hiring Range

$127,127 - $158,909

Job Category

Student Services

Job Location : Location

CA-ON-Waterloo

Reporting to the Associate Provost, Students the Director, Student Decision and Policy Support acts as a resource to University administration, advising on best practices, risk mitigation, and providing direction and support on cases, including complex cases that are student related. This role conceptualizes, researches, develops, and recommends policy options, including assisting with the development of new policies, procedures, and guidelines, to address emerging areas of concern. The Director, Student Decision and Policy Support uses their awareness of University and societal concerns and their expertise in policy interpretation, to ensure that University decision-makers are supported to make effective, appropriate decisions. This role acts as a central point of contact in coordinating the University’s response to the emerging needs of students requiring complex care, including both academic and non-academic needs. To accomplish this, they will convene and lead meetings of working group(s) to manage and monitor the University’s response as necessary.

Advising Decision-Makers

• With a sound knowledge of University policies and procedures, as well as administrative law and the principles of natural justice, this position provides advice and/or step-by-step guidance to University decision-makers as requested, including the Associate Provost, Students, Deans, Associate Deans, Department Chairs and Directors and other delegated University decision-makers on policy-based and quasi-judicial decisions related to student conduct.
• Consider arising issues on cases, including complex cases, jurisdictional issues, simultaneous processes, external influences, confidentiality, and the sharing of information as well as advise on procedural options with a mind to developing coordinated and consistent approaches for future cases.
• Aid decision-makers in considering the impacts of decisions across campus departments, assessing risks, organizing responses, keeping stakeholders informed of outcomes and liaising with University units to provide coordinated supports.
• Demonstrate an ability to interpret and advise on the following:
  • Policy 30 – Employment of Graduate Student Teaching Assistants
  • Policy 33 – Ethical Behaviour
  • Policy 34 – Health, Safety and Environment (particularly allegations of workplace harassment)
  • Policy 42 – Prevention of and Response to Sexual Violence and Protocol and Procedures
  • Policy 70 – Student Petitions and Grievances
  • Policy 72 – Student Appeals
• Manage student discipline decisions under Policy 71, Appendix C on behalf of the Vice-President, Academic and Provost (or delegate). Assist with the drafting of correspondence and official documents related to complex cases.
• Ensure that decision-makers have access to and utilize specialized resources on campus related to campus community concerns (i.e., sexual violence, racism, trauma-informed processes). Facilitate and encourage communication amongst departments.
• Receive feedback from University administrators on gaps in policy, and concerns related to existing policies, procedures, guidelines, and practices, making informed recommendations on paths towards improvement.
• Respond to requests from senior administration to review cases and provide status updates where appropriate.
• Report on specific concerns indicative of high risk through the chain of authority.
• Work closely with Legal & Immigration Services on issues and matters through the decision-making process.
• Recommend and assist with the development of training for decision-makers on due diligence and best practices.

Policy Planning and Renewal on Behalf of Administration for Student-Related Policies

• Assist in the development or amendment of University policies related to students, including the review of draft policies and policy revisions prepared by Policy Drafting Committees (PDCs), drawing attention to inconsistencies, areas of risk, areas that require further discussion, areas that will require operationalization, and connection to other existing policies.
• Combine environmental knowledge with contextual awareness of policy dynamics to support policy development.
• Develop and evaluate policy requirements, determining their potential impact and providing recommendations to senior management.
• Investigate areas of concern as raised by senior administration and report on findings.
• Attend meetings as required to support senior administration on policy work, receiving input from University community members and preparing senior administration to respond.
• Keep abreast of new legislation, regulations with Legal & Immigration Services.
• Provide advice to faculties and academic support units on their own policies, procedures, and practice to ensure that they are consistent with best practices across the University.
• Attend student-related committee meetings as required by the Associate Provost, Students and assist with policy-related work arising from those meetings.
• Meet with representatives of the Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association and the Graduate Student Association as required by the Associate Provost, Students.

Miscellaneous

• May be called upon to provide support to special projects as assigned by the Associate Provost, Students.

• Undergraduate degree required
• Graduate degree or other professional designation preferred
• At least 8 years' experience demonstrating knowledge of policy development, implementation and interpretation, analytical abilities to research complex issues, and the ability to evaluate and recommend policy options
• Experience in an academic setting is preferred
• Thorough knowledge of University policies and procedures
• Thorough understanding of the principles of natural justice and administrative law requirements
• Demonstrated experience with policy development
• Demonstrated ability to manage highly confidential and sensitive personal information with the utmost discretion
• Proven ability to manage large volumes of work, conflicting priorities and competing deadlines
• Must be an exceptional communicator, both orally and in writing
• Must have a clear focus on relationship management and must be particularly sensitive to relationship management when dealing with senior administration and complex casework
• Proven ability to take initiative and be both creative and flexible
• Strong organizational and time management skills, and sound judgment
• Demonstrated research, analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to consider the needs of diverse communities, building consensus on contentious/complex issues
• Ability to effectively lead and collaborate across departments, establishing priorities
• Experience in the use and application of conflict resolution mechanisms and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms
• Demonstrated awareness and understanding of equity, diversity, inclusiveness, intersectionality, racism, colonialism, ablism, marginalization and imbalance of power
• Demonstrated ability to exercise mature judgment, diplomacy and discretion

The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg, and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is co-ordinated within the Office of Indigenous Relations.

The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism and inclusion. As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as First Nations, Métis and/or Inuk (Inuit), Black, racialized, a person with a disability, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.

Positions are open to qualified candidates who are legally entitled to work in Canada.

The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application, interview, or workplace accommodation requests, please contact Human Resources at hrhelp@uwaterloo.ca or 519-888-4567, ext. 45935.

Sorry the Share function is not working properly at this moment. Please refresh the page and try again later.

Share on your newsfeed