Career Services & Co-op Orillia Full-time Permanent

Overview

The Advisor, Co-op & Career Education provides student-centred co-op and career advising for an assigned portfolio of programs and faculties, helping Lakehead students and graduates clarify their career goals, build employment readiness, and pursue meaningful employment.

Working closely with Deans, Program Chairs, faculty and internal and external partners, the Advisor supports all stages of the co-op student experience, maintains accurate records and interprets academic policies. The role develops and delivers career education initiatives, tools and resources, serves as a key contact for students, faculty advisors and employers, and collaborates with employer-facing colleagues to strengthen industry relationships. Through this work, the Advisor supports high-quality work-integrated learning experiences and positive graduate employment outcomes.

Conditions of Employment: The successful candidate may be required to complete and satisfactorily pass a police record check as a condition of employment. Any such requirement will be based on the nature of the position and conducted in accordance with applicable privacy, human rights, and employment legislation.

Responsibilities

Career Education and Student Advising

- Design and deliver career exploration events, workshops and resources that help students and graduates clarify career goals and develop employment readiness.
- Provide individual co-op and career advising on job search strategies, resumes, cover letters, interview preparation, labour market trends and workplace expectations.
- Develop and deliver educational/informational resources, workshops and course content, including setting and grading assignments, and ensuring quality curriculum.
- Guide and advise students in assigned co-operative education programs and ensure they participate and benefit in all aspects of experience ( preparation, work experience, assessment and reflection).
- Monitor student progress, provide strengths-based support and coordinate responses to complex academic or employment concerns. Collaborate with appropriate University services to support international students and students facing accessibility barriers.

Co-op Program Administration and Coordination

- Coordinate all stages of the co-op student lifecycle for an assigned portfolio of programs, advise on eligibility and interpret academic policies and procedures.
- Collaborate with faculty, Enrolment Services, Finance and other partners to coordinate registration, fees, enrolment, grades and credits, ensuring accurate and timely records.
- Develop and improve program procedures, recommend policy updates and train staff and faculty on their responsibilities in supporting co-op students.
- Promote co-op participation through presentations, events and communications, and collaborate with faculty to uphold academic integrity and ensure work opportunities align with learning outcomes.

Employer and Partner Relationships

- Collaborate with employer relations colleagues to onboard employer partners, strengthen industry relationships and develop co-op employment opportunities.
- Guide employers on recruitment practices and co-op partnership responsibilities,



and support marketing and business development initiatives to expand employer participation.
- Coordinate site visits, surveys and evaluations to assess the safety and quality of work experiences. Gather employer feedback and recommend improvements to student preparation and program delivery.
- Represent Lakehead University at community events and contribute to partnerships that support workforce development, talent retention and the University’s strategic goals.

Records, Reporting and Continuous Improvement

- Administer the co-op module within the departmental CRM, support integration with the student information system, maintain functional workflows and train faculty and staff users.
- Maintain accurate and confidential student and employer records, including work terms, preparatory course completion, job postings and advising case notes.
- Prepare reports and analysis on student participation, progression, employer relationships and hiring trends to support program planning and decision-making.
- Stay informed about labour market trends, employment standards, immigration and travel requirements, and co-op education practices to inform advising and program improvements.

Other Responsibilities

- Support additional departmental projects and perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

- A post-secondary degree in education, adult education, higher education and leadership, human resources or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and industry experience.
- At least three years of experience in career development, employment counselling, adult education, post-secondary student affairs or a directly related environment.
- Career Development Practitioner (CDP) certification, a TATA certificate, a master’s degree in Curriculum Development or another relevant adult education or career development designation would be an asset.
- Experience designing curriculum, facilitating learning and adapting delivery to different audiences and environments, including using educational platforms such as D2L.
- Experience handling confidential information and using relationship management databases such as Orbis, Slate, Salesforce or Colleague.
- Experience supervising student employees.

Knowledge and Technical Skills

- Advanced knowledge of career development theory and practice, student advising, leadership in higher education, and work-integrated learning principles and best practices.
- Familiarity with co-operative education accreditation processes and CEWIL professional standards.
- Knowledge of labour market trends, applicable employment legislation and standards, industry requirements, and agencies and regulatory bodies relevant to co-op programs.
- Understanding of IRCC regulations concerning international students working in Canada.




- Understanding of equity issues in work-integrated learning and practices that support equity-deserving and underrepresented students.
- Knowledge of Lakehead University’s academic policies, regulations and programs.
- Knowledge of risk management, conflict resolution, start-up business practices, and resources and funding opportunities for employers seeking to attract early talent.
- Strong computer skills, including proficiency with office and presentation software, database management, data analysis and report preparation.
- Marketing, communications and social media skills to support student and employer outreach.

Communication and Professional Skills

- Excellent facilitation, presentation and communication skills, with the ability to connect academic programs and learning outcomes to career opportunities.
- Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with diverse internal and external partners.
- A student-centred, solutions-oriented approach to service, supported by active listening and empathy.
- Excellent organizational, project coordination and time management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines under pressure.
- Strong attention to detail and the ability to maintain accuracy and consistency when interpreting policies, implementing procedures and resolving complex student cases.
- Sound judgment, with the ability to consider the longer-term impact of decisions.
- Diplomacy, tact and conflict resolution skills, including the ability to navigate difficult conversations.
- Ability to work outside regular business hours as required.

AI may or may not be used for the screening purposes of this role.

Lakehead University is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and welcomes applications from all qualified individuals including women, racialized persons, Indigenous people, persons with disabilities, and other equity-seeking groups. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority. This is in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements.

Lakehead University has a goal to recruit and retain a diverse workforce as measured by increasing representation of underrepresented groups among applicants, candidates, and hires. Experience working with Indigenous or racialized communities, and/or members of other equity-deserving groups, is a strong asset. A lived experience or worked experience of any of these issues is preferred.

We appreciate your interest; Lakehead University is committed to supporting an accessible setting. Applicants requiring accommodation during the interview process should contact the Office of Human Resources at (807) 343-8010 ext. 8334 or [email protected] to make appropriate arrangements.

Benefits Information Why Lakehead University? Application Deadline: Wednesday, October 28, 2026 - 11:59pm Salary: $65,452.52 - $81,815.35 (Band 6) Contact Information: [email protected] Reference Number: SCHII-26-70

Application Deadline: Wednesday, October 28, 2026 - 11:59pm Salary: $65,452.52 - $81,815.35 (Band 6) Yes, eligible for benefits Contact Information: [email protected] Reference Number: SCHII-26-70

📌 Advisor, Co-op & Career Education (Orillia)
🏢 Lakehead University
📍 Orillia