Bounce Back Facilitator JOB DESCRIPTION
Mandatory Pre-service Training:
Period of Regular Employment:
Dates TBD
November 4, 2012 – December 2, 2012
January 7, 2013 – April 5, 2013
Compensation: $12/hour
Employment Options:
Number of positions:
7.5 hours/week for a maximum of 160 hours
32
Preamble
The Student Experience Office at Carleton University provides students with transition support and engaging programming opportunities that complement the academic experience and foster a sense of belonging and community.
The Bounce Back program provides support to students who have recently completed their first semester and who have been identified as being academically at-risk because they achieved a semester average of less than 60%. This program seeks to help these students make significant strides in improving their academic achievement, thereby securing their continuation at the
University and ensuring their future success.
The role of the Bounce Back Facilitator is to act as a mentor for first year students who opt-in to the program. The Facilitators will assist program participants to identify the sources of previous personal difficulties; set goals; facilitate access to campus resources, services and programs; and build confidence in their strengths and abilities to achieve success at university.
Qualifications
 Strong academic standing with thirdyear standing or above
 Significant experience in leadership
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Understanding of the first year experience
Demonstrated initiative, self roles that have emphasized helping relationships
 Excellent skills in active listening, communication and supportprovision
 Knowledge of campus resources
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 motivation and enthusiasm
Self-reflective, patient and empathetic
Understanding of, and sensitivity toward, diversity-related issues
Strong problem solving skills
Team-oriented
Experience working with sensitive and confidential information
Responsibilities
1) Conduct one-on-one meetings with program participants who opt-in to the program:
 Build a positive rapport.
 Explore stressors and coping mechanisms employed over the course of the first semester.
 Assess study skills that require improvement.
 Identify strategies for change.
 Engage participants in a planning process for attending workshops and services that are available on campus and that help to build skills and new understanding.
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2) Conduct one-on-one meetings with program participants who opt-in to the program:
 Build a positive rapport.
 Explore stressors and coping mechanisms employed over the course of the first semester.
 Assess study skills that require improvement.
 Identify strategies for change.
 Engage participants in a planning process for attending workshops and services that are available on campus and that help to build skills and new understanding.
3) Follow-up with program participants, providing ongoing support:
 Meet with students on their own terms (appropriate times and locations should be comfortable for them) – check in at least once per week.
 Review progress towards goals.
 Engage in problem solving when/if difficulties arise.
 Attend some workshops with program participants.
4) At all times, maintain a strong helping/coaching relationship:
 Affirm and/or validate experiences.
 Cultivate the self-confidence of Bounce Back participants.
 Recognize and help to identify vague or unspoken difficulties (e.g. mental health issues).
 Promote self-reflection.
 Assist students in developing more community connections.
 Promote positive developments towards academic success.
 Assist with diffusing highly stressful experiences.
5) Administrative duties:
 Complete ongoing documentation of job-related activities, as well as an evaluative report at the end of the semester.
 Ensure that the program coordinator is kept apprised of any potential problems, ongoing concerns and general activities.
 Work collaboratively with other members of the Bounce Back team.
 Attend weekly meetings as coordinated by the Senior Facilitator and monthly team meetings.
6) Support the Bounce Back Facilitator team:
 Act as a resource to team members with regards to problem solving.
 Assist the program coordinator in assessing successes and challenges encountered by program participants and staff members.
 Assist with logistical and administrative duties of the Bounce Back program.
7) General duties:
 Uphold the mission of the Bounce Back program and its sponsoring departments.
 Liaise with and remain informed about the activities of stakeholders that might affect program participants.
 Operate within the limits of training and expertise using a peer-to-peer helping model.
 Attend pre-service and ongoing training opportunities, and continuously seek to improve skills and knowledge pertaining to the position.
 Support the ongoing development and improvements to the Bounce Back program.
 Other duties as assigned by the incumbents’ supervisor(s)
Note that this position requires that the incumbents take an active role in keeping participants engaged to provide ongoing support and follow-up. It is an expectation that individuals holding this position have significant flexibility in their weekly schedules to work during times when they are
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likely to engage these students. The work associated with this position will require availability during some evenings and weekends, as well as some daytime hours.
The process for selection is competitive and academic performance may be considered. By applying for this position you give permission for staff of the Student Experience Office to check your grades. A cumulative average of 70% or higher is required for this position. Any students falling below this average who would like to provide additional information to the committee regarding special circumstances affecting their academic performance are welcome to submit a letter with their application, outlining the reasons why their average is not indicative of their capabilities.
This is a Student Staff position and the incumbents must be registered students at Carleton
University for the duration of the employment period. Please include both a cover letter and resume as your application. You must submit a separate application for each position in the Student
Experience Office that you are interested in. Recruitment for this position will occur in August -
September 2011. Successful candidates will be invited to a Group Interview Process in mid-
October.
Forward Applications via email by FRIDAY September 28, 2012 to: yvonne_langen@carleton.ca
Please direct questions or inquiries to:
Yvonne Langen, First Generation Students Coordinator 613-520-2600 ext. 1312 OR yvonne_langen@carleton.ca
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