POSITION TITLE: Senior Learning Skills Peer
UNIT & DEPARTMENT: Learning Skills Services, Student Success
ELIGIBILITY: Students must be work/study eligible and must complete the online Student Financial Profile.
NUMBER OF POSITIONS: 1
EMPLOYMENT TERM: SU Term 2023 (May to August) & FW 2023-2024 (Sept-April)
HOURS OF WORK: Summer: 30-34 hours/week, Fall/Winter: 12-15 hours/week
RATE OF PAY: $18.00 per hour
LOCATION: The position is intended to work on-campus at the Keele campus during designated business hours (8:30am – 4:30pm). Opportunities for hybrid (some on-campus and some remote) work may become available, but is not guaranteed, and will be discussed with the successful candidate.
BECOMING YU:
The Work Study Student program provides on-campus job opportunities for eligible York University undergraduate students. Work Study Student employees are provided opportunities to contribute to support roles while developing valuable, relevant skills and work experience for the workplace. These roles offer a learning and development opportunity for Work Study Student employees to receive experiential on-the-job training, guidance and mentorship. Under the guidance of permanent staff members, Work Study Student employees will provide support to their relevant department/faculty in clerical, administrative and technical capacities. As part of your Work-Study/LEAP experience, you will participate in Becoming YU, a program designed to support students in:
- creating meaningful goals and objectives;
- recognizing the value of their personal, academic and professional experiences;
- identifying their competencies and skills; and
- articulating their skills and experiences with confidence. Becoming YU includes regular meetings with your student employment supervisor/coach for reflecting on your progress and getting valuable feedback.
JOB DESCRIPTION:
Learning Skills Services (LSS) serves all York students by fostering the academic and organizational skills necessary for academic success across all disciplines. Through group and individual services, LSS promotes independent learning by working with students to develop university-level learning skills and strategies, enhanced self-awareness about themselves as learners, and improved academic confidence and success. Learning Skills Services supports the mandate of York University by contributing to successful transitions to university, retention, engagement, and student academic and personal success.
Under the direction of the Learning Skills Specialists, the Senior Learning Skills Peer promotes and delivers various Learning Skills Services across campus and provides support in promoting, executing, and evaluating Learning Skills Services. The Senior Learning Skills Peer supports program planning, peer training, and provides leadership to their teammates. This position reports directly to the Learning Skills Specialists and works in cooperation with the Learning Skills Peer Team, Scott Library and Learning Commons partners, and other departments and student groups on campus.
Specific Duties and Responsibilities:
Planning & Development
- Assist in the training and development of other Learning Skills Peers through peer training week, team meetings, and check-ins. The Senior Learning Skills Peer works alongside the Learning Skills Specialists to develop and deliver training for the peer team.
- Assist in the development and maintenance of policies and procedures for Learning Skills Services.
- Research evidence-based content for training and programming, in tandem with external resources and off-campus partners.
- Contribute to the Learning Skills social media presence (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter) and website content.
Leadership, Delegation & Collaboration
- Chair weekly or bi-weekly Learning Skills Team meetings; create a meeting plan for the year, develop meeting agendas, and facilitate meetings.
- Provide the Learning Skills Peers with ongoing coaching and support based on feedback from supervisor.
- Create and maintain an accessible, safe, inclusive, and fun environment for the Learning Skills Peer team and students accessing our services.
- Represent Learning Skills Services at various outreach events across the University.
- Collaborate with the Learning Commons and other campus groups to deliver services and develop partnerships.
- Attend all training sessions and meetings, unless in direct conflict with a class.
- Assist with peer team scheduling, program evaluation, and data management.
- Provide recommendations to supervisor on service areas, programming and recommend adjustments in service delivery model through informal and formal assessment.
- Meet regularly and communicate effectively with supervisors.
Service Delivery
- Facilitate group workshops (online and in-person) on Learning Skills topics (content provided) such as time management, reading & note-taking, starting off strong, exam preparation, learning and study strategies, critical thinking, presentation skills, etc.
- Provide peer-to-peer consultation on Learning Skills strategies.
- Staff the Learning Commons Welcome Desk; provide excellent customer service and triage student needs to the appropriate referral.
- Various administrative duties as assigned, including record keeping, data entry, and responding to student inquiries (phone/email).
- Complete other duties as assigned.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Education and Experience
- Current undergraduate York student (we encourage applicants from diverse programs of study) who has successfully completed at least 2 years of university.
- High academic standing and experience-based knowledge of effective study strategies and learning skills.
- Previous relevant experience in a peer leader role; preferably at York University. Previous experience as a Learning Skills Peer is an asset.
- Previous experience delivering presentations and/or facilitating in a group environment.
- Preference will be given to candidates available to hold the position for both Summer 2023 and Fall 2023 – Winter 2024.
Skills and Qualifications
- Ability to work supportively with students using a coaching model in a confidential and professional manner.
- Demonstrated commitment to peer academic support and awareness of the academic support needs of students.
- Knowledge of campus and community resources, including academic, social, safety, health, cultural and others and able to refer students as appropriate.
- Demonstrated leadership ability.
- Knowledge of York’s services and resources for students.
- Strong presentation and facilitation skills.
- Excellent oral and written communications skills.
- Ability to connect with others across differences of culture, experience, identity etc.
- Strong organizational and time management skills and good attention to detail.
- Ability and willingness to work both independently and as part of a team.
- Eagerness to learn and take initiative.
- Proficient with MS Office such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
- Professional, punctual, and reliable.
- Able to maintain confidentiality and keep accurate and detailed records.
- Students who are a good fit for this position are dynamic, approachable, knowledgeable, and open to learning about themselves and others. They will show high levels of emotional intelligence combined with excellent adaptability and organizational skills.
MANDATORY TRAINING DATES:
- End of April/Early May 2023, Date TBA: Peer Leadership Training
- May: Summer Peer Leader Training
- August 28 – September 1, 2023: Mandatory Peer Training Week
- Winter 2024 Annual Peer Leadership Summit
- Monthly PLT Professional Development training workshops
*Dates subject to change; additional training may be added.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS AND ASSIGNMENTS FOR APPLICATION:
- Resume
- Cover letter that answers the following questions:
- What do you understand about the role of the Senior Learning Skills Peer and why did you apply for this specific position?
- Why do you think you are the best candidate for this position?
- How would you describe your leadership style?
* We strongly encourage all applicants to take advantage of the free services offered through the YorkU Career Education & Development Centre for resume, cover letter, and interview support.
APPLICATION CLOSING DATE: Monday, March 6th, 9:00am
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.
- This role is pending work-study funding approval.
York University requires all employees to comply with provisions regarding masking, vaccination, and daily health screening as outlined on the Better Together web site. At the time of the writing of this positions, York strongly encourages masking, vaccination and daily health screening using YU Screen. These provisions, guidelines and any requirements are subject to change from time to time in accordance with Public Health directives. For further details, please visit: www.yorku.ca/bettertogether.
The University welcomes applications from all qualified individuals, including, but not limited to women, persons with disabilities, visible minorities (racialized), Indigenous Peoples and persons of any gender identity and sexual orientation. York University is committed to a positive, supportive and inclusive environment.
York University offers accommodation for applicants with disabilities in its recruitment processes. If you are contacted by York University regarding a job opportunity or testing, please advise if you require accommodation.