Pathways Lab Coordinator

Duties:

Reporting to the Dean of the Faculty of Academic and Career Preparation (FACP), the Pathways Lab Coordinator (PLC) serves as a member of the Pathways team within FACP and the larger Vancouver Island University community. Pathways is an externally funded program that helps individuals who are missing prerequisites for direct admission to post-secondary programs to upgrade their skills and transition into university programs. There are multiple streams of Pathways, encompassing a variety of academic, health and trades focused programs.

The PLC, in collaboration with FACP and receiving programs' faculty, will be responsible for the development and facilitation of targeted, inquiry-based activities and simulation-style labs that can be incorporated into existing Adult Basic Education (ABE) Math and Science classes. Activities and labs should also be usable as situation-based language practice for English and English Language Learning (ELL) classes. These activities and labs should support students entering specific post-secondary programs in STEM and Health fields with applications relevant to receiving programs.

The PLC will support FACP faculty in delivery of activities and labs, including classroom demonstrations or field experiences as needed, at Cowichan and Nanaimo campuses. They will work to develop collaborative and collegial relationships with all laboratory users and stakeholders in Cowichan. They will work in collaboration with the ACP Chairs at all campuses, the subject-specific faculty, and the Pathways to Post Secondary Coordinator on Pathways program implementation. This will include maintaining regular in-person and remote availability via office hours, phone, e-mail contact, and regularly scheduled check-in meetings. The ability to travel regularly to support activities and labs at Nanaimo and Cowichan campuses is essential. Occasional travel to communities off-campus may be required. The incumbent must be comfortable facilitating interactions both face-to-face and online, using technology like MS Teams. Use of MS Outlook, MS Office software, and file storage and management using FACP shared drives or One Drive is required.

The PLC will ensure individuals with learning differences, diverse cultural and varied educational backgrounds are welcomed and supported in their Pathways program activities and lab experiences. The incumbent will have a strong knowledge of adult education practices and a willingness to mentor team members on program implementation collaboratively. The PLC will connect community members with other relevant Pathways and ACP team members to support program development and student success.

For complete job details, please see the job description.

Required Qualifications:

• Master's Degree in relevant field, from an appropriately accredited institution.
• Demonstrated knowledge of VIU programs.
• Experience working in a lab setting.
• WHIMS training.
• Experience in program coordination.
• Proven knowledge of and experience with ABE and/or ELL programs and courses.
• Proven experience building respectful reciprocal relationships with departments, other employees, and community partners.
• Demonstrated ability to develop innovative programming from the ground up.
• Proven experience developing and delivering inquiry-based activities or labs.
• Ability to plan, assess and evaluate programs.
• Ability to provide leadership and guidance to students.
• Ability to work collaboratively with administrative support staff to achieve program goals.
• Demonstrated high level of oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent planning and organizational skills.
• Proven interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to take initiative.
• Computer proficiency is required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working in a post-secondary setting.
• In-depth understanding of equity, reconciliation, diversity, and inclusion issues with particular appreciation of the issues faced by people who identify as women; minority sexual orientation or gender identity; Indigenous people; and racialized people.
• Experience working with newcomer populations and their supporting organizations.

VIU is pleased to offer eligible employees a comprehensive benefit plan; ample paid holiday time; professional development opportunities and a desirable pension plan. As part of the VIU campus community, our employees work with supportive colleagues within an encouraging environment and are provided with the tools and training that promote learning and development. The perks of VIU employment are multiple, and include well-being initiatives and services, strategic discounts, and flexible work opportunities.

Note: 

• Short-listed candidates must provide original transcripts, or applicable original certifications at time of interview.
• All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.
• Vancouver Island University (VIU) is collectively committed to building and sustaining a diverse and inclusive working and learning environment for faculty, staff, and students.  In our journey towards greater diversity, we invite applications from members of equity-seeking communities including women, racialized and Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, persons of all gender identities and sexual orientations who bring value to the VIU community through their lived experiences.  We encourage members of all equity-seeking groups to self-identify within their application cover letter.  When a candidate voluntarily discloses this information in their cover letter, the information will be used only for the fulfillment of the career opportunity.  Disclosure and/or self-identification with an equity-seeking group will not lead to advantageous treatment of a candidate who is not qualified.

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