DSAS Policy Coordinator

POLICY COORDINATOR

Summary:

DSAS is hiring the Policy Coordinator for the 2026-27 term from September 1, 2026 to April 30, 2027. DSAS is an organization that seeks to support students in navigating University policies and processes. We deal with academic and Student Code of Conduct cases, as well as those pursuant to other University policies. We participate in facilitating informal and formal resolutions. DSAS is seeking to welcome an incoming team that will work together to support a roster of hard-working advocates in handling an increasing demand for services.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Education, Policy & Outreach Committee:

· Co-chair the Education, Policy & Outreach Committee (EPOC) with the Education & Engagement Coordinator;

· Recruit advocates to participate in EPOC;

· Hold regular meetings with committee members throughout the year, coordinating availability and booking spaces as necessary;

· Construct a plan for project initiatives for the year, including:

o One policy reform (factum-based) initiative;

o Three to four pragmatic initiatives, involving things such as:

Creating new tools and resources that will help our advocates to help students;

Collecting information and data on identified issues, to help us better understand how we can help students affected by them;

Updating internal operating procedures for the Service;

o Take the lead on the policy reform initiative;

o Assign advocates to each initiative and assist them in developing a project timeline for the year;

o Support the efforts of project groups, taking the lead on initiatives when necessary and editing or revising drafts;

o Follow up with project groups regularly, aiding with barriers that arise and ensuring that projects are progressing;

Policy Resources:

· Maintain an internal record of current policies on appeals and waivers procedures within each faculty:

o Reach out to each faculty to verify that the current policies on record are up to date;

o Maintain a list of relevant contacts for each faculty, including where applications should be sent and what format they must take;

o Upload, label, and organize files onto the Service’s Waivers and Appeals Resources database;

· Create and maintain faculty-specific procedure guides to be used internally as a resource for advocates;

· Work with Education & Outreach Coordinator to adapt internal policy guides into educational pamphlets for students;

· Make efforts to engage with advocates to understand issues that materialize with students to explore opportunities to provide additional guidance or new resources;

General Executive Responsibilities:

· Take the lead on complex or last-minute cases as the need arises;

· Be prepared for a larger caseload;

· Understand that you may be expected to miss class to attend student hearings;

· Take on any cases when there are no other advocates available, including when there are notable time constraints;

· Provide support to volunteer advocates, including:

o Answering questions as they arise;

o Explaining policies, processes, and related concepts;

o Providing useful templates, sample drafts, and other resources;

o Reviewing advocate written submissions or other documents;

o Facilitate opportunities for external support for advocates (de-briefs, counseling, reverse-shadowing, etc.);

o Assist with Service training, events, and presentations, as needed;

o Other duties as required by the Service.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required:

· Current Schulich School of Law student;

· Current (or former) DSAS volunteer.

Recommended:

· Excellent organizational skills;

· Proficient in the Microsoft suite including Outlook, One Drive, Excel;

· Experience managing volunteers;

· Good client-relations skills;

· Demonstrated ability handling different types of cases (AIO, SDC, Academic Appeals, Residence, Student Code of Conduct, SVP);

· Strong communication skills, both written and verbal;

· Ability to work independently;

· Self-motivated;

· Strong commitment to DSAS mandate;

· Demonstrated commitment to anti-oppressive practices.

DSAS is hiring the Policy Coordinator for the 2026-2027 term of September 1, 2026 to April 30, 2027 at 18.60 per hour for 5 hours weekly during the Fall and Winter terms. Those looking to work during the summer are encouraged to also submit an application for the Summer Manager position.

Deadline for application: March 20, 2026, at 11:59 PM.

We thank all our applicants for taking the time to apply. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Please note that DSAS abides by the Dalhousie Student Union’s equity hiring policy. We encourage applicants to self-identify in their cover letter if they are a member of a marginalized community. As outlined under the prohibited grounds for discrimination in the Nova Scotia Human Rights Act and the Canadian Human Rights Act, marginalized communities include African Nova Scotians and other racially visible people, Indigenous people, women, LGBTQ2S+ people, and people with disabilities.