The Canadian Centre for Professional Legal Education (CPLED) is a non–profit organization that provides the training needed before being called to the Bars of British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Nova Scotia. Law societies in the participating provinces require students to article and complete CPLED’s Practice Readiness Education Program (PREP) before becoming a lawyer.

CPLED is dedicated to helping students hone their practical skills and assess how well they can apply their legal knowledge and skills in everyday situations. PREP helps ensure that new lawyers are well-equipped to meet the demands of the workplace. CPLED maintains a high standard of programs and services for students to ensure a strong transition into the legal profession.

The primary role of the Student Affairs Advisor is to act as a first point of contact and provide high level support services to CPLED students and other stakeholders in the areas of accommodations/accessibility, academic integrity/professional integrity, and appeals, in accordance with CPLED’s practices and policies. CPLED is interested in applicants who have experience in any of these three areas.

Success in this position requires excellent communication, time management, analytical, and sound judgement skills, as well as ability to manage confidential and sensitive information.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: 

General

• Have a working knowledge of CPLED’s policies. Interpret and apply internal and external policies, procedures, and regulations to inform decisions or recommendations.
  • Maintain records with the utmost attention to privacy, confidentiality, and security of sensitive information and documentation. Records should be organized, centrally accessible, and current. Update CPLED’s databases.
• Apply full cycle case management strategies to balance competing priorities on multiple active files.
• Maintain and update process materials such as standard operating procedures, standard replies, and letter templates using approved language.
• Support and respond to general inquiries in multiple shared mailboxes and escalations as required, applying sound judgement.
• Provide administrative support and backup coverage for other staff as required.
• Maintain professional working relationships with department staff, managers, and stakeholders.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to ensure CPLED is adhering to best practices. Review current practices and processes to ensure continuous improvement.
• Prepare scheduled and ad hoc reports as required.
• Complete special projects as required.
• Remain interested in and capable of growing to meet additional changes and challenges that may be added to the position over time.
• Complete other tasks as assigned.

Accommodation/Accessibility

• Act as a primary contact for accommodation process participants, answering questions, providing updates, and communicating outcomes.
• Provide advice and support to internal and external stakeholders regarding the accommodation process.
• Thoroughly review and assess requests for accommodation, escalating as necessary. Identify and gather additional information and documentation required to facilitate the accommodation process.
• Develop and implement appropriate and individualized accommodation according to established procedures and guidelines.
• Receive, approve, and coordinate student extension requests according to established procedures and guidelines, escalating as necessary.
• Apply good judgment to draft detailed responses to students. Draft accommodation decisions using existing templates, clearly communicating the reasons for decision.
• Develop and maintain an understanding of accessibility processes and trends.

Academic/Professional Integrity

• Act as a primary contact for academic/professional integrity review process participants, answering questions, providing updates, and communicating outcomes.
• Provide advice and support to internal and external stakeholders regarding the academic/professional integrity review process.
• Thoroughly review and investigate incidents of potential academic or professional misconduct, escalating as necessary. Identify and gather additional information and documentation required to facilitate the academic/professional integrity process.
• Apply good judgment to draft detailed responses to students. Draft academic/professional integrity decisions using existing templates, clearly communicating the reasons for decision.
• Based on existing guidelines, identify relevant documentation for inclusion in academic/professional integrity disclosure packages. Prepare and issue the disclosure packages with academic/professional integrity decisions.
• Develop and maintain an understanding of academic integrity processes and trends.

Appeals

• Act as a primary contact for appeal process participants, answering questions, providing updates, and communicating outcomes.
• Provide advice to internal and external stakeholders regarding the administrative requirements of CPLED’s adjudicative processes.
• Thoroughly review and investigate appeal submissions, escalating as necessary. Identify and gather additional information and documentation required to facilitate the appeal process.
• Consult and provide information to the decision maker. Using existing templates, draft detailed appeal decisions on behalf of the decision maker which clearly communicate the reasons for decision.
• Based on existing guidelines, identify relevant documentation for inclusion in appeal disclosure packages. Prepare and issue the disclosure packages with appeal decisions.
• Support external legal counsel as required.
• Organize training, onboarding, and offboarding for Appeal Committee members and Chairs. Update and maintain training materials and intranet site.
• Canvass scheduling availability for Appeal Committee members, discuss proposed panel compositions with Chairs, and communicate appointments to Committee members.
• Develop and maintain an understanding of adjudicative processes and trends.

QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Undergraduate degree in a relevant field (including but not limited to education, social work, human resources, or social science).
• 3-5 years of experience in a relevant field. An equivalent combination of education and related experience will be considered.
• Prior accessibility experience (working with students or employees) and familiarity with human rights and accommodation requirements is an asset.
• Prior experience with academic or professional integrity investigations is an asset.
• Prior complaint, appeals, or issues management experience is an asset.
• Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills with the ability to interpret complex issues and recommend solutions.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including persuasive writing skills. Ability to read, understand, and interpret policies and legislation.
• A high degree of professionalism, diplomacy, and facilitation skills and a strong ability to develop and sustain relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Excellent attention to detail, time and case management, and organizational skills. Ability to demonstrate initiative, flexibility, and to prioritize work independently.