Department of Human Resources
OPSEU Job Description
Job Title:
Job Number:
NOC:
Band:
Department:
Supervisor Title:
Placement Coordinator
A-283
1223
9
Science (housed in Forensics Department)
Chairs (Forensics & Biology)
Last Reviewed:
October 16, 2014
Job Purpose
The Placement Coordinator acts as a liaison to coordinate unpaid placements and internships
that provide Forensic Science and Biology students with appropriate learning experiences. The
Placement Coordinator focuses on but is not limited to FRSC 3020, 4020D, 4890Y and BIOL
4400Y, 4450Y and 4460H. She/he is responsible for professional communication and problem
solving to maintain positive working relationships with a variety of contacts inside and outside
the university. The Placement Coordinator reviews and advises students on specific placement
requirements and restrictions. She/he is also available to review and advise other science
departments on development and operation of new placement, internship or co-op initiatives.
Key Activities
Placement and Internship Support;
The Placement Coordinator coordinates Forensic Science and Biology placements and
internships in a variety of discipline-related settings across the province, country and
internationally.
1. Develops policies and procedures for the placement and internship process
acknowledging health, safety and academic requirements.
2. Develops forms and student/agency information regarding the placement and
internship process and requirements.
3. Supports students in seeking and securing untapped opportunities to provide access to
a greater range of placement settings.
4. Prepares, distributes, receives and tracks assessment forms associated with placements
and internships.
5. Develops and maintains database of all placement and internship sites and contact
persons.
6. Coordinates and advises on all agreements related to placements and internships as
well as student insurance.
7. Consults with university legal counsel and risk management as needed.
Job Number: A-283
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Last updated: September 2014
8. Ensures accurate record keeping of placement and internship requirements for
graduation purposes.
9. Maintains all records associated with placements and internships.
10. Promotes positive relationship with placement and internship agencies.
Student Support and Planning;
The Placement Coordinator operates from a solid understanding of placement and internship
health, safety and academic requirements. She/he also has a sound progressive knowledge of
career development and management.
1. Initiates student placement or internship goals and agency contacts.
2. Receives and reviews student placement or internship interests and discusses goals and
objectives with students keeping geographical, practical and realistic availability in mind.
3. Acts as a resource person for situations when students require assessment and followup remedial activities following an extended absence from placement or internship.
4. Counsels students about placement or internship opportunities that match their interest
and career goals; assists students with making informed choices about their placement
or internship requests.
5. Provides guidance to students seeking non-traditional placements internships or that
require special or unique student requirements.
6. Keeps track of placement or internship start dates, end dates and assignment due dates.
7. Liaises with Risk Management, Student Health Services, Career Services, Academic Skills,
and Student Accessibility Services, Registrar’s Office, Dean’s Office and respective
departments to discuss placement health, safety, policies and protocols.
8. Initiates follow up in the event of a student injury while on placement or internship.
Updates reports and forms as needed.
Communication;
Provides single point-of-contact for students, agency hosts and faculty regarding placements
and internships.
1. Provides agencies with updated information re: course syllabi, course objectives,
relevant forms and assessments.
2. Attends placement and internship meetings as required.
3. Notifies students and faculty of non-academic placement and internship requirements
in relation to letters of agreement, confidentiality forms, certification of health and
immunization, criminal records checks, vulnerable sector checks, additional agencyspecific requirements, orientation and international placement restrictions and
responsibilities.
4. Provides placement and internship input university-wide as required.
Operations and Administration;
1. Guides the administration of placement and internship paperwork.
2. Maintains an up-to-date inventory of placement and internship sites and contact
people.
3. Streamlines processes and improves coordination and communication of the placement
and internship processes.
4. Designs, updates and maintains forms for placements and internships.
Job Number: A-283
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5. Participates in departmental and university meetings as required.
6. Other related duties as assignment.
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
Honours University Degree (4 year) in a related discipline; Masters Degree preferred.
Experience Required
-
At least 5 years of current-related experience including managing and coordinating
placements/internships, networking, and community-relations.
Strong organizational and problem solving skills with attention to detail.
Initiative, tact, diplomacy and personal relation skills required.
Project management and teamwork skills with a high level of self-directedness.
Demonstrated presentation skills.
Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
Ability to work with community partners in a collaborative manner.
Basic computer skills.
Ability to preserve and maintain confidentiality.
Ability to interpret learning experience needs of students with possible career avenues.
Ability to work well under pressure.
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.
Direct Responsibility
N/A
Job Number: A-283
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Last updated: September 2014
Indirect Responsibility
N/A
Communication
Indicate the title(s) of individuals internal and external to the University that the incumbent communicates
with on a regular basis. Provide a brief description of the purpose for communicating with these
individuals.
Internal
External
Motor/ Sensory Skills
Indicate the level of proficiency or precision in motor or sensory skills required by the job. Examples
include but are not limited to: small/large movement to operate machinery; coordinated movement;
equilibrium to maintain balance; dexterity to grasp, move, assemble objects or operate equipment;
hearing, sight, touch, smell, taste. Provide a brief description of tasks performed that require
motor/sensory skills.
Effort
Indicate the physical and/or mental demands of the position in the ordinary course of performing the role.
Examples include but are not limited to: lifting, moving, carrying, pushing/pulling, reaching, kneeling,
remaining motionless, sustained concentration or focus. Provide a brief description of the tasks
performed that are physically and/or mentally demanding.
Mental
Physical
Working Conditions
Indicate any physical and psychological conditions of the position that make the job unpleasant,
disagreeable and/or hazardous to health and well-being. Describe the nature, frequency and duration of
exposure.
Physical
Psychological
Job Description Approved by Human Resources (as per Article 17.1):
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Job Number: A-283
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Last updated: September 2014
Signatures - indicating that the job description has been read and understood:
Incumbent
Name (print):
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Immediate Supervisor:
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Signature:
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Department Head/ Dean:
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Date:
Job Number: A-283
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Last updated: September 2014