Specialist - Research and Curricula, Admissions

Department Office of the Registrar - Admissions Hourly rate $30.79 to $42.21 Hours per week 35 Grade 9 Posted date Closing date May 8, 2025 Position Type Full Time - Operating Funded Description This position is a part of the Non-Academic Staff Association (NASA). This position has an end date of March 20, 2026. Location - This role is hybrid with a mix of remote and in-person. Work primarily takes place at North Campus, Edmonton. Working at the University of Alberta The University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages and cultures of First Nations, Métis, Inuit and all First Peoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community. The University of Alberta is a community of knowledge seekers, change makers and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to over 14,000 faculty and staff, more than 40,000 students and a growing community of 300,000 alumni worldwide. Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross-section of people — from our students and community members, to our renowned researchers and innovators, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger and more just. Learn more. Working for Admissions The Admissions Unit is part of the Office of the Registrar, and is responsible for undergraduate admissions for domestic and international applicants in collaboration with faculties across campus. Each year, over 40,000 applicants apply to undergraduate programs at the University of Alberta, making this unit a key contributor to the university's enrolment success. The Admissions Specialist plays a vital role in the admissions process, providing expert policy and procedural guidance to the other members of the Admissions team and other units within the Registrar’s Office, Student Service Center and faculties. This position ensures that the admissions team remains informed on policy changes, curriculum updates and evolving admissions procedures while supporting the unit's research, quality assurance and training efforts. Position Reporting to the Manager, Admissions, the Admissions Specialist is a subject matter expert in undergraduate admissions processes, policies, domestic and international education systems. The Admissions Specialist works as part of a team of Specialists to support policy development, training, quality assurance of undergraduate admissions processes. The Admissions Specialist supports training initiatives, ensuring that team members stay up to date with changes and procedural updates. The position also plays a key role in policy development, governance processes and business analysis to support ongoing operational improvements in the admissions unit. Additionally, this role collaborates with faculties, Student Service Center and other university stakeholders to enhance the applicant experience and maintain consistency in admissions processing. This position will support the building and maintenance of positive stakeholder relations with colleges, faculties, departments and external bodies for information sharing and development of best practices in admissions. Duties Research

• Researches domestic and international curricula, ensuring admission policies remain current and aligned with best practices.
• Benchmarks admissions processes against other post-secondary institutions and recommends policy and procedural improvements.
• Works with the Admissions Leadership Team to ensure policy updates are reflected in training materials and unit processes.
• Collects and analyzes data on admissions trends, working with faculties and departments to enhance efficiency and ensure consistent and equitable application of policies.
• Develops proposals for admission policy changes requiring governance approval, working under the direction of the Assistant Registrar, Admissions.
• Researches new or evolving foreign and domestic education systems to make recommendations for policy and procedural adjustments.

Policy, Procedures and Unit Training

• Provides expert guidance and training to admissions staff, faculties and other university units on interpreting and applying admissions policies.
• Serves as an admissions policy expert for internal stakeholders, including faculties, Student Service Center and Office of the Registrar’s.
• Develops and maintains comprehensive resource materials for admissions staff.
• Works with the Admissions Leadership Team to develop and maintain training programs and manuals.
• Provides feedback to the Admissions Leadership Team on staff performance, recurring issues and training needs.
• Assists in developing and implementing new processes and procedures, ensuring documentation is kept current.

Quality Assurance

• Works with the Assistant Registrar, Admissions and Manager, Admissions to monitor the quality, accuracy and timeliness of admissions work.
• Recommends improvements to quality management processes and ensures adherence to established policies.
• Identifies recurring quality assurance issues and proposes solutions to improve processing efficiency.
• Monitors staff progress and training needs, ensuring that performance expectations are met.
• Collaborates with the Admissions Leadership Team to enhance training processes and update materials as needed.

Communication and Collaboration

• Supports the Assistant Registrar, Admissions in developing progressive and equitable admissions policies.
• Assists with faculty admission requirement changes, coordinating with other stakeholders to update admission systems and resources.
• Ensures that policy changes are communicated effectively to Admissions staff, Student Service Center and other stakeholders.
• Researches admission-related issues, consults with faculties and other units and makes recommendations to leadership.
• Represents the Admissions unit on working groups and committees, fostering collaboration with faculties.
• Identifies opportunities for process improvements to enhance efficiencies in the systems we work in.
• Provides expert guidance to all the faculties on admissions policies, external credential assessments and procedural best practices.
• Participates in strategic planning discussions, offering insights on system developments and service enhancements.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as Education, Business Administration, or Public Policy.
• 3+ years of experience in undergraduate admissions, student services, or a related field.
• In-depth knowledge of domestic and international curricula, including credential assessment.
• Experience in policy development, procedural implementation and training delivery.
• Strong analytical skills with experience in data collection, research and quality assurance processes.
• Proficiency in student information systems (e.g. Campus Solutions, PeopleSoft, Slate).
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to collaborate across multiple units.
• Experience in mentorship, training, or quality assurance within an admissions setting.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in higher education governance and policy development.
• Training in process improvement methodologies, business analysis, or organizational change management.
• Familiarity with transfer credit assessment and articulation agreements.
• Experience working in a unionized environment.

At the University of Alberta, we are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible hiring process for all candidates. If you require accommodations to participate in the interview process, please let us know at the time of booking your interview and we will make every effort to accommodate your needs. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those individuals selected for an interview will be contacted. All University employees have a responsibility to foster a workplace that prioritizes safety in all its forms—physical, cultural, and psychological. This is achieved by promoting a safe environment, adhering to all safety laws, policies and procedures, completing all required safety training, identifying hazards and implementing controls, reporting incidents, and contributing to a culture of inclusivity and respect, while endeavoring to ensure that all colleagues feel valued and safe to express their thoughts, perspectives and concerns. The University of Alberta is committed to creating a university community where everyone feels valued, barriers to success are removed, and thriving connections are fostered. We welcome applications from all qualified persons. We encourage women, First Nations, Métis and Inuit persons, members of visible minority groups, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity and expression, and all those who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas and the University to apply. L’Université de l’Alberta s’engage à créer une communauté universitaire où chaque personne se sent valorisée, où les obstacles à la réussite sont éliminés et où des connexions enrichissantes peuvent se développer. Nous accueillons les demandes de toutes les personnes qualifiées. Nous encourageons les femmes; Premières nations, Métis et Inuits; membres des groupes minoritaires visibles; personnes handicapées; personnes ayant une orientation sexuelle ou une identité et une expression sexospécifique; et tous ceux qui peuvent contribuer à la diversification des idées et à l'université à postuler.
Note: This opportunity will be available until midnight May 8, 2025, Edmonton, Alberta local time.