Guided by Like No Other, Athabasca University’s (AU) strategic plan, AU’s approach to accessible yet transformative education and research is truly distinctive. Our academic mission is to remove barriers to post-secondary education for learners, regardless of their age, location, career, or educational background.

Based in the beautiful region of Athabasca, Alberta, AU is one of four Comprehensive Academic and Research Universities (CARUs) in the province. We are a public, board-governed, open, and online university serving more than 37,000 students across Alberta, Canada, and around the world.

AU seeks to be an agile and inclusive workplace in which all team members can grow, make their highest contribution, and each make a difference to our academic vision and mission.

Led by President Dr. Alex Clark, AU is embarking on an exciting new chapter. Drawing from five decades of growth in distance and online education, we aim to grow our position as Canada’s foremost innovator in flexible, online and accessible learning. With an inclusive Senior Leadership Team dedicated to empowering every team member to contribute, learn and thrive, AU stands poised for an exciting and ambitious next stage of development.

Athabasca University's Faculty of Science and Technology is recruiting for an APO, Academic Advising and Support Services.

Faculty of Science and Technology

The Faculty of Science and Technology (FST) is committed to fostering a meaningful and inclusive learning experience through excellence in teaching and scholarly activities. Our students, whether enrolled in programs or taking individual courses in science, computing science or architecture to fulfill other areas of study, are diverse in their demographic and geographical location.

In the realization of the themes of access, opportunity, and community, we aim to change lives and communities from local to global like no other university. In an increasingly complex world, our flexible model enables learners to obtain the necessary skills for future employment while developing their ability to be resilient, think creatively, and work collaboratively as global citizens.

Our faculty is home to emerging research, innovative courses, responsive student support, recognized programs, and community outreach. Please visit our website for more information:Faculty of Science and Technology.

The Position:

The Administrative Professional Officer (APO), Academic Advising and Support Services (AASS) is responsible for the day-to-day supervision and coordination of assigned FST academic services units. The position oversees daily operations, coordinates workload and staffing coverage, supports consistent application of established advising practices and procedures across FST programs, and provides direction and support to employees.

The APO works within established university policies, academic regulations, faculty procedures and service standards to support consistent and effective advising services. The position addresses day-to-day student service and operational matters within its area of responsibility and refers matters requiring policy interpretation, exception, significant employee relations intervention, or broader management authority to the Faculty Manager.

The APO fosters a respectful, collaborative, and professional team environment, proactively managing team dynamics and supporting positive working relationships that promote staff performance and engagement.

The incumbent is responsible for maintaining the unit's administrative systems and procedures, unit communications, coordination of timely resolution of complex student and operational matters, in-depth training and performance management of advising staff, assignment of staff workload and priorities and quality assurance within FST's Academic Advising and Support Services units.

The position works collaboratively with the Faculty Manager, FST Leadership and other university units to coordinate advising activities, support the implementation of approved initiatives and identify operational issues and trends affecting the services delivery.

Qualifications:

Education & Experience:

A four-year post-secondary degree in a relevant discipline is required, along with a minimum of three years of related experience in a post-secondary environment. Experience should include progressively responsible administrative and supervisory responsibilities, preferably in student services or academic advising.

An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Skills and abilities:





- Professionalism Demonstrates high ethical standards and an honest, open, and consistent approach to working with peers, staff, and leadership. Conducts business respectfully and maintains confidentiality.
- Emotional Intelligence Demonstrates the ability to recognize and manage one's own emotions and to understand and respond appropriately to the emotions of others. Uses this awareness to communicate effectively, build respectful working relationships, and navigate challenging or sensitive situations within a diverse university community.
- Decision-making Effectively prioritizes and adapts approaches in complex, changing, or uncertain environments. Demonstrates sound judgment and discretion in resolving problems and handling sensitive or confidential matters. Implements and act upon operational decisions.
- Relationship Management Builds and maintains effective working relationships with staff, faculty, and service partners through explicit communication, collaboration, and timely issue resolution, supporting strong service delivery and a positive working environment.
- Communication Communicates clearly and effectively in written, verbal and presentation formats and practices active listening. Builds trust through demonstrated objectivity and consistency, gains commitment of staff and proactively shares information with leadership to ensure timely awareness, alignment and informed decision-making. Demonstrates strong analytical and written skills, particularly in relation to writing reports, policies, procedures, and communications to staff.
- Systems Knowledge Demonstrates strong knowledge of relevant software for student information and related systems (i.e., GRADES, Banner, Office 365, Student Relationship Management System, Mobius, MuchLearning, IBM Notes, Alfresco, etc.) is required. Strong knowledge of student project server administration and technical support.

A detailed job description can be viewed at: APO, Academic Advising and Support Services.

Contact Information:

For more information regarding this role, please contact Joelle Jackson, Faculty Manager, FST, [email protected].

Work at AU

A university like no other for people like no other

Athabasca University (AU) has widened access and increased opportunity to higher education for over 50 years for everyone by providing access to high-quality university education and professional development for students by removing physical, digital and systemic barriers to learning and success.

An open and online university, AU is a unique hybrid workplace with more than 1300 staff working across five faculties and six portfolios. From AU’s home on the Indigenous lands of Treaty 6, Treaty 8 and Metis Northern Alberta, we are Alberta’s only rurally-situated university with:

- Over 37,000 students across five faculties—with 33,000 undergraduates and 4,000 graduate students
- 900 courses over 70 programs—with choices from micro-credential and baccalaureate to masters and doctoral levels
- Some of the country’s most well established and largest accredited academic and professional programs in business, registered nurse and nurse practitioner programs, science, and humanities & social sciences
- 560,000 alumni across 101 countries

As Alberta and Canada’s premier and largest online university, AU’s commitment to widening access and participation has been consolidated under its current Like No Other Strategic Plan, which focuses on fostering a better and more equitable world via teaching, research, and impact in place and digital space.

Under the Like No Other plan, AU seeks to be a trust- and team-oriented workplace focused on quality and innovation in which everyone is respected authentically and is and feels welcome.

Putting our learners at the centre, AU seeks to reduce barriers to access, build opportunities for growth, and foster community and connection while integrating equity, diversity and inclusion, Indigenous conciliation, and transformative systems across our activities and impacts.

AU’s centre for Indigenous peoples and communities, Nukskahtowin (or “Meeting Place”),



is a welcoming place for all people and ideas to come together. Since 2001, the main goal has been to recognize and develop traditional Indigenous knowledge and to support, protect, and keep Indigenous knowledge, education, and oral traditions strong. After the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, we renewed our commitment to all forms of Indigeneity at AU.

Acting from values, AU is committed in our systems and practices to working together to create a respectful, safe, and healthy environment in which to work and learn. The university, staff and students share the responsibility of creating and fostering a safe, healthy, and respectful working and learning environment.

AU seeks to be and build a welcoming community and connection in place and digital space. Throughout the year, AU has a range of in-person, hybrid, and online activities that span working, team meetings, retreats, and staff celebrations. AU’s campus in Athabasca has been modernized over the past years to create an attractive and inclusive workplace for all people and teams with capacity for small to large gatherings and hybrid events, as well as portfolio, faculty, and organization-wide professional development, retreats, and celebrations. With onsite library, laboratory and makerspace facilities for staff and students, AU seeks to build culture and community throughout the year through a program of staff professional development and recreational activities.

Considerations in applying

A hybrid workplace, AU encourages applications from all eligible candidates—women, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation, persons of any gender identity and expression, and members of equity-deserving groups are encouraged to apply.

AU is committed to fostering an inclusive, accessible workplace and learning environment that supports students and staff with disabilities, aiming to remove social, physical, and technological barriers. We welcome and encourage applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. We are committed to creating an accessible and inclusive workplace for all candidates. If you require accommodation at any stage of the recruitment process, please contact [email protected].

AU recognizes that life circumstances such as illness, disability, family and community responsibilities (e.g., maternity leave, parental leave, leaves due to illness) are expected to have an impact on any candidate’s record of achievement. These impacts should be taken into consideration during the hiring process.

Athabasca First

Wherever possible, AU seeks to attract and hire qualified team members to reside in the Athabasca region of Alberta, Canada. We will offer relocation assistance for the right candidate should you decide to relocate to Athabasca. As a resident of the town or county of Athabasca, you can choose to work on and from our beautiful campus in Athabasca.

To discover the Town and Region of Athabasca, go to: Visit Athabasca.

What AU Offers

Benefits and Pension eligibility differs based on employee group and may include:

- Defined Benefits Pension Plan
- Alberta Health Care
- Extended Health Care
- Life Insurance, Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance
- Disability Coverage
- Vacation
- Office Closure between Christmas and New Year's Day
- Discretionary Benefit Fund
- AU Course Allowance
- A Variety of Leaves (e.g., Maternity/Parental/Adoption, Compassionate Care, etc.)
- Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP)

An offer of employment is conditional upon verification of educational credentials. All educational credentials must be recognized in Canada.

E-Transcripts shared directly from your Post-Secondary Institution via email are acceptable.

WES https://www.wes.org/ca/ may be used to verify international educational credentials. Processing time for verification of international qualifications may take up to one month; please plan accordingly.

While all eligible applicants are encouraged to apply, Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents will be given priority. Where applicants have equal skills, abilities, and experience, candidates residing within or willing to relocate to the County of Athabasca will be given preference. Successful applicants must reside in Alberta, Canada. Working outside of Canada is not supported by AU. You are legally not permitted to work for AU if you are living outside of Canada.

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