Academic Skills and Writing Specialist

COVID 19 On-Campus Requirements

Prior to May 1 2022 the University required all students faculty staff and visitors (including contractors) to declare their COVID-19 vaccination status and provide proof that they were fully vaccinated or had an approved accommodation to engage in in-person University activities. These requirements were suspended effective May 1 2022 but the University may reinstate them at any point.

About Queens University

Queens University is the Canadian research intensive university with a transformative student learning experience. Here the employment experience is as diverse as it is interesting. We have opportunities in multiple areas of globally recognized research faculty administration engineering & construction athletics & recreation power generation corporate shared services and many more.

We are committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcome applications from individuals from equity seeking groups such as women racialized/visible minorities Indigenous/Aboriginal peoples persons with a disability persons who identify in the LGBTQ community and others who reflect the diversity of Canadian society.

Come work with us!

Job Summary

A Brief Overview

Student Academic Success Services (SASS) provides academic skills support to undergraduate and graduate students at all stages of program completion and levels of ability including specialized programming for multilingual first-year and students at Queens. SASS offers 1:1 appointments online in-person and asynchronously as well as workshops and supports across Queens campuses. SASS assists students in developing their skills in critical thinking reading learning studying writing and self-management. Reporting to the SASS Manager 1:1 Programs the Academic Skills and Writing Specialist (ASWS) works collaboratively with the SASS and Queens Student Accessibility Services (QSAS) teams and across the Division of Student Affairs to support a variety of programs and services and develop resources aimed at facilitating student academic particular this position has expertise in and responsibility for supporting students with ADHD Autism and other disabilities affecting their academic success.

This position provides academic skills advising and writing consultation services to undergraduate and graduate students that assist them in enhancing learning writing and self-management and foster academic confidence and success at university. This position designs develops delivers and evaluates programs workshops training and services for students and other stakeholders. This position advises students on a variety of self-awareness and coping skill exercises and techniques. This position also supports students presenting with academic challenges and/or cognitive challenges related to learning disabilities attention deficits traumatic brain injury or illness that have a direct bearing on their academic functioning.

Job Description

What you will do

• Delivers individual and/or group academic skills strategies advising and writing consultations to undergraduate and graduate students that assist them in enhancing learning writing and self-management and foster academic confidence and success at university.


• Designs develops delivers and evaluates programs workshops training and services for students and other stakeholders.


• Advises students on a variety of self-awareness and coping skill exercises and techniques.


• Provides support to students presenting with academic challenges and/or cognitive challenges related to learning disabilities attention deficits traumatic brain injury or illness that have a direct bearing on their academic functioning.


• Builds partnerships and collaborates with departments across the university and with community partners to promote and implement programs and initiatives that support student success.


• Conducts consultations with other advisors to ensure knowledge and support services are aligned with best practices.


• Develops resources to support students academic skill development.


• Evaluates and researches comparators and best practices in student development and experiential learning.


• Chairs and/or participates on committees.


• Other duties as required in support of the department and/or unit.

• Masters Degree or addition requires a professional designation certification or other qualification or on-going learning to remain ahead of changes in technology or emerging fields.
• in adult education preferred. and


• in disability studies preferred.

• More than 3 years and up to and including 5 years of experience.
• Experience working at a post-secondary education institution considered an asset.


• Experience advising students considered an asset.


• Experience developing and implementing group support programs for post-secondary students with Autism ADHD and learning disabilities considered an asset.


• Experience providing 1:1 learning strategies support to students with Autism ADHD and learning disabilities considered an asset.

• Satisfactory Criminal Records Check required.


• Vulnerable Sector Screening required.

• Knowledge of concepts and principles in a specialist field that is typically acquired through a combination of advanced professional or academic qualifications and/or substantial work experience.


• Provide effective consultation and advice on non-straightforward and/or complex issues.


• Interaction with others requires interpersonal skills and the ability to understand and influence.


• Adapt messages to meet the different needs of different audiences.


• Builds relationships trust and credibility.


• Prioritize and distribute work to deliver objectives on time and to the highest standard.


• Identify in advance when the intended results may not be achieved and develops a plan to address the gaps.


• Actively participate in project team meetings and develop individual and unit project plans.


• Lead procedural or technological change within a unit.


• Identify opportunities to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of work processes.


• Seek information and input to fully understand the cause of problems.


• Appropriately assesses risks before making a decision.


• Contribute to the creation and evaluation of possible solutions.


• Take action to remove obstacles and address problems before they impact performance and results.


• Apply equity diversity accessibility inclusion and Indigenization considerations to decision making and planning.


• Promote a work environment that is free from sexual violence harassment and discrimination and the ability to show empathy for those who have experienced trauma.

Employment Equity and Accessibility Statement

The University invites applications from all qualified individuals. Queens is strongly committed to employment equity diversity and inclusion in the workplace and encourages applications from Black racialized persons Indigenous people women persons with disabilities and 2SLGBTQI accordance with Canadian Immigration requirements priority will be given to those who are legally eligible to work in Canada.

The University provides support in its recruitment processes to all applicants who require accommodation due to a protected ground under the Ontario Human Rights Code including those with disabilities. Candidates requiring accommodation during the recruitment process are asked to contact Human Resources at .