Student Support Assistant

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Posting End Date

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.

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This position is for $21.00/hour, 30 hours/week, and on-campus.

At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career. 

Job Summary

The Sociocultural and academic programs at the University of British Columbia, English Language Institute (ELI) have long been a significant component of the institution’s inclusive learning approach to teach English as an additional language to an international student body. They immerse students in extracurricular activities and a Canadian experience aligned to their classroom experiences, and UBC’s vision of advancing a sustainable and just society, through facilitating meaningful language and intercultural exchanges which help them gain insights into local and global cultures.

Central to the program are Student Support Assistants (SSAs) who act as local ambassadors; foster community and belonging; and promote cultural exchange through planning, organizing, and executing various activities and workshops for ELI students both on and off campus. SSAs play a central role at the ELI by offering diverse perspectives and supporting cultural knowledge building throughout their interactions with students, assisting with tasks related to the administration of programming, and taking a lead role in the development of ELI's new social media vision.

Work Performed

SSAs must have strong interpersonal and organizational skills and have a team-focused mindset. Self-awareness, cultural sensitivity and a willingness to connect with others are central to the SSA role.

Tasks and responsibilities include:

• Contributing to student and institutional wellness and English language development through facilitating cross-cultural interactions and English language experiences outside of the classroom
• Exercises good judgement, works sensitively with individual circumstances and communicates accurately and empathetically with a highly diverse population. Works effectively and respectfully with non-native speakers of English
• Lead the development of social media content assets by identifying and capturing engaging student and instructor stories, profiles, and experiences within the ELI community
• Build relationships with students, instructors, and staff to gather content and create a diverse bank of assets for future marketing and communications initiatives
• Work independently to plan, coordinate, and execute content-gathering activities, ensuring the creation of authentic and engaging materials that showcase the ELI student experience
• Adhere to UBC's social media, privacy, communications, and brand guidelines while developing, managing, and organizing digital content assets
• Updates program, administrative and instructional resources and displays
• Assists staff with supporting program delivery
• Planning, supporting and delivering activities (examples include: forest exploration, engaging with community charity runs or walks), thematic workshops (examples include: Environmental Awareness, AI: Tools and Applications), and events (examples include: language exchanges) for English language learners
• Providing orientations and information sessions for incoming students to facilitate the creation of a psychologically and emotionally safe, growth-oriented space
• Other duties as required

Qualifications

This position is funded by Canada Summer Jobs and has specific hiring qualifications.

To be considered, the candidate must:

1.  Be between 15 and 30 years old at the start of their summer job

2.  Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person to whom refugee protection has been conferred under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act for the duration of the job and

3.  Be legally entitled to work in Canada in accordance with relevant provincial or territorial legislation and regulations

4.  This includes having a valid Social Insurance Number at the start of their summer job

Please confirm in your Cover Letter that you are eligible for the Canada Summer Jobs criteria.