Department of Human Resources
OPSEU Job Description
Job Title:
Job Number:
NOC:
Band:
Department:
Supervisor Title:
Departmental Coordinator
A-139
1221
8
Psychology
Chair
Last Reviewed:
August 14, 2002
Job Purpose
Reporting to the Chair of the Psychology Department, assumes responsibility for all academic
advising and enrollment management for both Peterborough and Oshawa; provides enrollment
and course demand information to assist Chair in long-range planning. Works closely with Chair
in planning, developing and implementing an expanded program in Oshawa, including enhanced
student and faculty support programs.
Key Activities
1. Is responsible for all Psychology academic advising in Peterborough and oversees
advising by faculty in Oshawa (across both locations approximately 1000 majors and
joint-majors). Reviews student records and provides advice about Psychology and
university requirements; provides advice regarding graduate school (preparatory course
selection, application process); liaises with Senior Tutors, Trent @ Durham staff and
student services; develops and edits student handbook. Handles all Departmental
academic queries.
2. Is responsible for determining acceptance into courses and onto waitlists (note: most
Psychology courses have enrollment limits and in many courses requests for placement
exceed available space by as much as 50%); maintains database of waiver requests,
waitlists and availability of space in classes; maintains up-to-date postings (bulletin
boards, website) of waitlists and waitlist changes; liaises with Registrar’s Office and
other programs (e.g., Nursing, Education) on enrollment issues; under supervision of
Chair evaluates transfer credits and prerequisite waiver requests. Maintains database
of course offerings and enrollments and prepares long-range forecasts of course
demand for use by the Chair in program planning.
3. Is responsible for planning, organizing and developing department website, with
particular emphasis on ensuring timely postings of importance to students (e.g.,
waitlists, timetable changes, course outlines, guidelines and department policies). Is
responsible for maintaining, updating and changes to Registrar (colleague) with
Psychology waitlist student data.
Job Number: A-139
Page 1 of 4
Last updated: August 22, 2002
4. Works closely with the Chair on building the program in Oshawa, including preparation
of course demand and enrollment forecasts, and liaising with Trent @ Durham faculty,
staff and students. Prepares and maintains department policy manuals for use by
faculty, part-time instructors and staff; manages the use of optical scanner to be
replacement for scantron machine used for multiple choice tests – develop course
evaluation forms, train others on creation of forms, and oversee use of scanner.
Analytical Reasoning
Indicate degree of complexity or difficulty of thinking and reasoning required by the job. Provide a
relevant work example that is typical of roles and responsibilities of the job (i.e. not an occasional duty).
Decision Making
Indicate the degree of freedom to exercise initiative or act independently in making day- to-day decisions.
Provide a relevant work example that is typical of roles and responsibilities of the job (i.e. not an
occasional duty).
Impact
Indicate the impact or consequence to the department or University of typical actions or decisions taken by
the job incumbent. Provide a relevant work example that is typical of roles and responsibilities of the job
(i.e. not an occasional duty).
Education
Master’s Degree.
Experience Required
1. Three years of administrative experience, with preference given to experience in academic
environments.
2. Computer applications (including word processing, spreadsheets, databases and Internet) as
these relate to the academic environment.
3. Excellent interpersonal and diplomatic skills; excellent communication skills, both oral and
written.
4. Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality.
5. Demonstrated self-directed and independent problem-solving and work experience.
6. Experience with undergraduate students would be an asset.
Responsibility for the Work of Others
Indicate whether the incumbent is directly or indirectly responsible for the work of others. Provide the title
of the position(s) as well as an example of how the incumbent is responsible for the work of others on a
daily basis. Specifically, indicate whether the position has responsibility for hiring and supervision of
student workers.
Job Number: A-139
Page 2 of 4
Last updated: August 22, 2002
Direct Responsibility
N/A
Indirect Responsibility
N/A
Communication
Internal:
 Undergraduate Students - including transfer, TIP, LOP, UOIT as well as students planning
to further academic career via graduate students
 Office of the Registrar - work closely in all areas of registration, pre-registration, course
limits, course prerequisites and curriculum changes
 JBC - Peterborough and Oshawa/UOIT Psychology course enrolment and enrolment
issues managed by co-ordinator.
 Senior Tutors - Ongoing collaboration in the interest of student’s success.
 Faculty - Consultation on various student issues, academic records, assessment.
 Various Departments - Advise regarding procedures and information published/made
available. Use Colleague knowledge and experience to evaluate and provide input on
various software interfaces and tools
External:
 Prospective students and parents - acts as a resource in recruitment efforts.
 Educational Community - Liaise with High School Guidance Counselors, other
Universities.
Motor/ Sensory Skills
Motor Skills:
 Fine Motor Skills - Data entry via keyboard, mouse, scanner, digitizer
 Dexterity - precision in manipulating electronic mark reader equipment
Sensory Skills:
 Hearing - Responding to student and faculty queries
 Sight - Reading various reporting data, i.e. Colleague generated reports as well as faxed,
email and CRT display
Effort
Mental:
 Multiple competing demands, deadlines - Registrar’s deadline
 Sustained concentration - Compiling data, determining waitlist eligibility and individual
priority/standing. Student queue - ups at various academic deadlines, frequent
interruptions.
Job Number: A-139
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Last updated: August 22, 2002

Long periods of visual attention and sustained concentration - Input and verify accuracy
and completeness of various academic data, compiling information from various media
into database with frequent interrupts.
Physical:
Working Conditions
Physical:
Psychological:
 Complaints - From students with regard to waitlist standing, course offerings,
prerequisite requirements.
 Multiple competing demands - Strict academic deadlines difficult to meet in large
departments, nature of the work results in unavoidable busy periods.
 Interruptions - Student support and academic advising required by students, often in
crisis, who may phone, drop in or wait to be seen without appointment, interrupting
planned schedule.
 Confidentiality - Working with sensitive academic information, which may involve
personal or health issues requiring sensitivity and tact.
Job Description Approved by Human Resources (as per Article 17.1):
Name (print):
Signature:
Date:
Signatures - indicating that the job description has been read and understood:
Incumbent
Name (print):
Signature:
Date:
Immediate Supervisor:
Name (print):
Signature:
Date:
Department Head/ Dean:
Name (print):
Signature:
Date:
Job Number: A-139
Page 4 of 4
Last updated: August 22, 2002