Work with GRADventure

GRADventure positions

Below you will find positions that we have recently recruited/hired for, or ones that we are actively recruiting.  Thanks for your interest in being part of GSPA. 

Note: Keep an eye on the graduate student e-news for future opportunities!

Graduate Professional Development Support Specialist (Applications are now closed)

Department: Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs, with financial support from the Graduate Studies Endowment Fund

Position for: May 1, 2024 to August 31, 2024 (4 months, with the possibility of an extension)

Pay rate: Doctoral RA rate for 10 hours/week (currently $8,707.78/term, plus 4% vacation pay)

PRIMARY PURPOSE

The Graduate Professional Development Support Specialist will support the GSPA-led Professional Skills Foundations program for University of Waterloo graduate students. The specialist is responsible for working with graduate students on their professional development goals, providing ongoing advice, feedback, and encouragement. They will propose, develop and maintain professional development resources for graduate students, as well as assist with organizing and facilitating other programming and initiatives for graduate students, as needed.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Program Support and Communications

• Work with other GSPA staff to improve the Professional Skills Foundations program (Note: More tasks in the spring 2024 term will focus on this compared to other terms)
• Support graduate students in completing requirements of the Professional Skills Foundations Program
• Collaborate with the Centre for Career Development to organize and facilitate the Professional Skills Foundations Introductory Workshop (Note: Synchronous introductory workshops are typically only offered in the fall and winter terms, but may be required in the spring term depending on demand)
• Support students in creating and implementing an Individual Development Plan, including providing feedback and advice based on individual student needs and goals
• Regularly communicate with students to review and support their progress through the program
• Develop mailing lists and e-mail templates for engaging with program participants
• Respond to inquiries regarding professional development goals and program requirements
• Update program materials and resources, including developing recommendations for professional development workshops and activities
• Manage and monitor program LEARN community (includes monitoring discussion boards, posting announcements, etc.)

Administration and record keeping

• Track program registration
• Manage LEARN community enrollment
• Track student progress through the Professional Skills Foundations program
• Review and approve submitted workshop and activity tracking documents
• Send confirmation emails and completion letters to participants as program requirements are completed
• Distribute introductory workshop and program evaluation forms
• Analyze feedback from evaluation forms

Supporting other projects as needed

• Support program promotion and recruitment of program participants
• Develop additional program materials/resources as needed
• Assess and update evaluation tools/surveys as needed
• Assist with other events or programming for graduate students as needed

The Graduate Professional Development Support Specialist reports to the Graduate and Postdoctoral Programming Specialist but may also work with other GSPA team members as required.  

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

All applicants must:

• Be an active Waterloo doctoral student for the duration of the appointment, with a minimum of two terms into their current program of study
• Be available to work on campus, as required (Note: This role for the spring 2024 term can be fully remote)
• Follow the guidelines for graduate student employment

Successful applicants will possess:

• Experience with student mentorship and providing effective feedback to students
• Familiarity with University of Waterloo resources and services (esp. related to professional development)
• Awareness of professional development opportunities (e.g. workshops) both on-campus and off-campus
• Experience teaching and facilitating lessons or workshops for students
• Experience assessing and developing resources for students
• Familiarity with the LEARN platform
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Successful experience working independently and within a team environment
• Excellent organizational skills, including experience meeting multiple and concurrent deadlines
• Proven experience with accuracy and attention to detail

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

To apply for this position, please e-mail Ashley Ryan (alryan@uwaterloo.ca) with the subject line “Application: Graduate Professional Development Support Specialist.” Attach the following documents in a single pdf document with a unique file name (e.g. LastName_FirstName.pdf). The application deadline is Sunday, April 21, 2024. Interviews for selected candidates will take place on April 25 and 26.

1. A cover letter outlining why you are interested in this position and what skills and experience you bring to it.
2. A one or two page résumé (not an academic CV) that highlights your qualifications and experience related to this position.