POSITION TITLE: Career Peer Lead
UNIT & DEPARTMENT: Career Education & Development
ELIGIBILITY: Must be Work/Study Eligible and must complete the Online Student Financial Profile
NUMBER OF POSITIONS: 1
RATE OF PAY: $16.00 per hour
EMPLOYMENT TERM: Summer Term 2021 (May 10 to August 31); FW 2021-2022 (Sept-April)
HOURS OF WORK: Summer term = 35 hours per week. Fall/Winter term = 10-15 hours per week
BECOMINGYU:
As part of your work study experience, you will be asked to participate in Becoming YU – a new program designed to support students in creating meaningful goals and objectives, recognize the value of your experiences, identify the leadership and career competencies you gain through these experiences and confidently articulate your skills and experiences, whether it’s for a future job or further education opportunity. Throughout your work/study experience you will have the opportunity to meet regularly with your coach to set goals and objectives, report and reflect on your progress and get valuable feedback.
JOB DESCRIPTION:
York University's Career Education & Development Centre supports students in developing the skills and strategies they need to be successful in their individual job searches and broader career goals. We provide career exploration and job search support to York's current students from all faculties and departments, in all levels of study, and for up to two years after graduation.
Under the direction of the Career Educators, the Career Peer Lead will offer expertise gained through previous experience as a peer leader (or in a similar role) to support the Career Education & Development Centre’s programs and services by providing informed and responsive outreach and support to York students and recent graduates, by supporting the Career Educators in the development and implementation of the Career Peer Educator program and training a team of Career Peer Educators.
Summer Duties:
- Providing logistical and communication support to the Career Educators; support overall program operations and development
- Assisting the Career Educators with recruitment, coordination, and training; including the development of a training program and manual
- Using a peer coaching approach to support students and recent grads with their career questions within the Career Lounge
- Identifying student needs and assist students in locating accurate career and job search information
- Making informed referrals to programs and services within and outside the Career Education & Development Centre
- Representing the Career Education & Development Centre at special events, on social media (e.g., blog entries), and other venues as opportunities arise (e.g., speaking to audiences); promote Career Education & Development Centre’s services and act as an ambassador of the Career Education & Development Centre
- Working collaboratively with team leads from peer programs across the Student Success Centre
- Collecting and amalgamating attendance records, evaluations, etc. for statistical purposes
- Performing administrative duties as assigned (e.g., scheduling, record keeping, statistical analysis, email correspondence)
- Participating in preparatory and in-service training offered by the Career Education & Development Centre, the BecomingYU program, as well as ongoing team meetings and supervision
- Engage in project work to support Career Education & Development Centre’s services (e.g., research, reports, resource development)
- Performing other duties as assigned
Fall/Winter Duties:
Peer Leadership:
- Provide ongoing support, guidance and mentorship to the team of Career Peer Educators in all their duties
- Provide logistical and communication support to the Career Educators; support overall program operations and development
- Assist the Career Educators with recruitment, coordination and training, including the development of a training program and manual
- Chair team meetings, including setting agendas, co-chairing meetings, facilitating training sessions, taking and distributing meeting minutes
- Work collaboratively with team leads from peer programs across the Student Success Centre
- Play a coaching role within the BecomingYU program for the Career Peer Educators
Peer Support & Coaching:
- Identify student needs and assist students in locating accurate career and job search information
- Make informed referrals to programs and services within and outside the Career Education & Development Centre
- Using a peer coaching approach, support students and recent grads with their career questions in one-to-one, group, and tabling settings (Career Lounge, Red Zone, Learning Commons, special events, and other venues as needed)
Peer Outreach & Education:
- Represent the Career Education & Development Centre at various campus events; be proactive at events by engaging passers-by; promote Career Education & Development Centre’s services and act as an ambassador of the Career Education & Development Centre
- Assist at Career Education & Development Centre’s events as needed (e.g., Career Fair)
- Develop content for the Career Education & Development Centre’s website and social media (e.g., Twitter, Facebook)
- Engage in project work to support Career Education & Development Centre’s services and personal/professional goals (e.g., research, reports, resource development, etc.)
Administration & Training:
- Track service usage and metrics; input data and perform administrative tasks as assigned
- Collect and amalgamate attendance records, evaluations, etc. for statistical purposes
- Performing administrative duties as assigned (e.g., scheduling, record keeping, statistical analysis, email correspondence)
- Participate in preparatory and in-service training offered by the Career Education & Development Centre, the BecomingYU program, as well as ongoing team meetings and supervision
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Proven interest in student success and supporting fellow students
- Previous experience working on the Career Peer Educator team, or in a similar role in a post-secondary environment an asset
- Interest in and experience building training workshops and programs an asset
- Excellent facilitation and public speaking skills
- Manages time effectively, is organized, and flexible to change
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Practical experience coaching and/or advising others; ability to build rapport and apply active listening skills
- Experience making effective referrals; ability to exercise sound judgment in dispensing information and recognize when to go to/refer to professional staff at the Career Education & Development Centre
- Demonstrated commitment to the team - shows initiative, gives feedback, asks questions, and has a positive attitude
- Demonstrated strong work ethic; is punctual, reliable, and professional
- Strong knowledge of the Career Education & Development Centre's services, activities and website; and York University's programs and services (e.g., support services, leadership and involvement opportunities)
- Understanding of job search strategies, resumé writing and social media presence; preferably gained by participating in Career Education & Development Centre’s programs and services
- Ability to build positive working relationships with others; ability to problem solve and work past potential communication barriers while demonstrating friendliness, patience, and approachability
- Ability to customize communication style/content while showing empathy, and exercising tact, diplomacy, and sensitivity
- Embraces the diversity of the York University community; actively promotes and facilities inclusiveness
- Adherence to the ethical standards of the Career Education & Development Centre; maintains student confidentiality, and demonstrates integrity
- Demonstrated commitment to continuous learning; actively seeks out and contributes to learning opportunities for self and team members
- Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn), and online job search sites
WHAT STUDENTS WILL GAIN FROM THIS POSITION:
- Experience leading and mentoring: Guiding, influencing, directing and mobilizing others towards learning new knowledge and skills, accomplishing a goal, improving performance, or completing a task
- Delegating tasks among the team: Identifying others’ strengths and interests and entrusting them with tasks or responsibilities that are the best fit for them
- Demonstrating diligence and a strong work ethic: Showing diligence and discipline in carrying out or putting into effect a plan, decision, or course of action to meet a deadline, complete a task, realize a goal or fulfil expectations
- Exercising judgment and decision-making: Decisively considering the pros and cons of potential courses of action to choose the one that most effectively addresses the needs of the situation or the parties involved
- Interpreting and applying specific theories and frameworks: Being knowledgeable and/or skilled in the interpretation and application of theories and/or frameworks specific to career development and job theory
- Communication: Communicating verbally; active listening; exercising tact & diplomacy; customizing communication style and content
Feedback, Ongoing Support and Reflection:
- The Career Peer Lead will assist in leading weekly team meetings with the Career Peer Educators. These meetings will provide space to discuss challenges, engage in reflection, and participate in ongoing training
- The Career Peer Lead will participate in BecomingYU check-in meetings with their supervisor/coach each term. In addition, the supervisor/coach provides feedback during regularly scheduled meetings as challenges and successes arise
Networking and Mentorship Opportunities:
- Opportunity to work alongside professional staff in the Career Education & Development Centre
- Opportunity to meet and work with student volunteers, staff and external partners
- Opportunity to learn about the Career Education & Development Centre and other York activities and events
- Opportunity to learn about events, workshops and services offered by the Career Education & Development Centre
Personal and Professional Development and Workplace Competencies:
- Skills development in the areas of leadership, peer support, and coaching
- Experience engaging in community outreach
- The ability to work cooperatively with others in the accomplishment of joint tasks and common objectives
- Increased knowledge of career and campus information resources and services
MANDATORY TRAINING DATES:
- Peer Leader Training (End of April/Beginning of May, Date TBA)
- Ongoing monthly Peer Leader Training: Professional Development
- SafeTalk Training to be completed within first two months of role
- Joint Training for Fall/Winter Peers- Week of August 30 – Sept 3rd
- Spark: Winter Leadership Summit (January/February)
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:
- Please attach a targeted resumé and cover letter
- Prior to applying, interested applicants are encouraged to take advantage of the resumé, cover letter, and interview preparation resources at the Career Education & Development Centre
APPLICATION CLOSING DATE: Monday, May 30, 2021 at 4:30 pm. Applications submitted after this date will not be considered for review.
PLEASE NOTE:
- Only those applicants considered for an interview will be contacted
- All applicants must submit their application using a @my.yorku.ca or if unpermitted, a @yorku.ca e-mail domain