Graduate & Research Program Assistant

Department: OVC-Integrated College Services
Position covered by the Collective Agreement with USW Local 4120

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General Purpose

Reporting to the Manager, Graduate and Research Programs, the Graduate and Research Program Assistant (GRPA) provides administrative support for graduate and research programs across 4 departments within the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) with a focus on service excellence.

The GRPA will be responsible for co-leading the in-program student portfolio, with the integrated team flexibility to provide support across other portfolios as needed.

Duties and Responsibilities

The primary responsibilities of the in-program student portfolio are:

• Advising on stages of the graduate student lifecycle from orientation/new student onboarding to program completion;
• Proactive identification and tracking of key deadlines and data for operational activities;
• Providing administrative support for committees and award, scholarship, and research competitions.

Specific tasks for this position include (but are not limited to):

• Serving as a resource for current students and offering support over email and via drop-in visits or appointments;
• Supporting students and faculty with advisory committee formation or revision, degree program planning, and program completion (graduation) requirements;
• Ensuring students are compliant with administrative processes related to registration, satisfactory academic progress, and scholarships and awards;
• Maintaining accurate and up-to-date graduate student records using a database;
• Collaborating closely with the portfolio co-lead to ensure seamless task coverage.

Requirements

• Two (2) years of community college in an office administration or business program (Undergraduate degree preferred) and a minimum of one (1) year previous experience in a service environment with multiple clients.
• Experience in a post-secondary academic environment, particularly graduate studies, would be a strong asset.
• The successful candidate will demonstrate excellent:
  • Interpersonal and client service skills
  • Verbal and written communication skills
  • Organizational and time management skills
  • Problem solving and critical thinking skills
  • History of demonstrating initiative and leadership.

• Advanced knowledge of MS Office (Outlook, Excel, Teams, and Access).
• Preference will be given to candidates with experience using SharePoint and University of Guelph systems such as Colleague and GryphForms.
  

In accordance with Policy 520, this position is eligible for a flexible work arrangement, with up to 2 days telework, once the incumbent has successfully completed their probationary period.

Employee Type: Regular
Position Number: 10206001
Classification: USW, Local 4120 Salary: Band 4
USW Local 4120 Wage Grid

At the University of Guelph, fostering a culture of inclusion is an institutional imperative. The University invites and encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in employment, who may contribute to further diversification of our Institution.

Posting Date: 04/15/2025
Closing Date: 04/22/2025