The Compensation Range is the span between the minimum and maximum base salary for a position. The midpoint of the range is approximately halfway between the minimum and the maximum and represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge, qualifications and experience for the position. In the normal course, employees will be hired, transferred or promoted between the minimum and midpoint of the salary range for a job.
Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.
Job End Date
May 31, 2027
This position is expected to be filled by promotion/reassignment and is included here to inform you of its vacancy at the University.
At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.
Background
The UBC Learning Exchange, established in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside (DTES) in 1999, has developed as a welcoming, informal and lively hub where UBC students and faculty, and DTES residents and organizations connect, pursue common interests and learn from each other in order to increase community and university capacity to bring about positive social change. It provides free educational programs for community members, diverse learning opportunities for students, and support for community-based research and knowledge exchange. The Learning Exchange provides a physical shared space for university and community to come together but its activities extend into the UBC campus and into the DTES community.
Commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Equity and diversity are essential to thriving universities and communities. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized for any reason listed in the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, class, and/or status as a First Nation, Métis, Inuit, or Indigenous person.
As a unit rooted in facilitating reciprocal learning, and access for equity-seeking communities, the UBC Learning Exchange strives to create an inclusive environment for learning and work. We value diverse perspectives, intercultural skills, lived experience and all forms of expertise. We are committed to continually reflecting on our practices, unlearning our biases, and reducing systemic barriers.
Job Summary
The Learning Exchange facilitates academic activities that bring together members of the DTES and the university to improve the impact of research, and to promote and facilitate experiential learning opportunities for UBC students that address community-identified interests. The unit also champions the Making Research Accessible initiative (MRAi), a multi-faceted partnership, to improve access to both academic and community-generated knowledge, while educating UBC students on related issues. Each year the unit supports dozens of community-based researchers from UBC and DTES communities; facilitates over 250 students in a range of experiential learning experiences within its programs and with partner organizations; and also provides workshops and other orientation activities that support over 1500 students to learn about the Downtown Eastside.
The Student Research and Learning Coordinator operationalizes the Learning Exchange's role in facilitating experiential student learning, research and knowledge exchange; and works with faculty, and students from a range of disciplines, including undergraduate, graduate and professional programs. The role performs three interrelated areas of work: 1) Integrates and facilitates student research and learning activities within Learning Exchange community-based programs; 2) Works with key stakeholders in the DTES and UBC communities to identify, respond to and facilitate their research, evaluation, and student engagement interests; and 3) Collaborates with the Making Research Accessible initiative steering committee and its working groups to meet its vision and priorities.
The Student Research and Learning Coordinator works closely with the Learning Exchange team, faculty and research advisors, and with support from the Director to initiate relationships with faculty to develop, implement, promote and evaluate student research and learning opportunities at the Learning Exchange and in the Downtown Eastside.
Organizational Status
Reports to the Director, Learning Exchange and according to objectives established by the unit Action Plan and the Making Research Accessible initiative steering committee. Within the Learning Exchange, works with the staff and student staff team. May supervise student staff and provide content supervision to graduate research assistants.
Work Performed Overall
· Provide input and collaborate with faculty across campus to facilitate and design student research and learning activities.
· Facilitate and support connections between community organizations/local residents and UBC faculty and student researchers on current issues facing the DTES.
· Advise student researchers on strategy, recruitment, design, data collection, implementation and ways to modify their research agenda to be more effective within the context of the DTES.
· Provide guidance to community groups undertaking student research projects. Promote promising practices of community-based and participatory research.
· Identify, create and curate resources for student researchers, community partners, and Learning Exchange staff to support promising practices.
· Advise faculty to support their curricular community-based learning experiences. Facilitate the use of existing and creation of new resources to orient, prepare and inform students in support of their learning and research.
· As a staff member of the Making Research Accessible initiative (MRAi) steering committee contribute to the operationalization of the MRAi vision and strategic goals, including supporting connections with student researchers.
· Support the Director and chair of the MRAi on the coordination and execution of its steering committee and operational team meetings and activities.
· Collaborate with campus partners to identify, develop and evaluate knowledge exchange products such as clear language summaries, infographics and podcasts.
· Promote a range of learning and research opportunities to individual and groups of students in collaboration with team members and community organizations; and advise the LE team on effective engagement and supervision of student staff.
· Liaise for scheduling and logistics in support of academic activities held at the Learning Exchange, including courses, knowledge exchange events and project presentations
Worked Performed as a member of the Learning Exchange Team:
· Maintain and improve unit structures for systematic tracking, reporting and evaluation of student research and learning experiences
· Review and develop systems and processes and make recommendations as part of regular work planning; manage project budgets and provide regular updates to the staff team
· Contribute to the development and achievement of the Learning Exchange's strategic goals,
· Collaborate with the staff team on the recruitment, hiring and supervision of student staff
· Provide regularly scheduled front-line support to community-based programs with other members of the Learning Exchange team.
· Work flexible hours, including occasional evenings and Saturdays as required
· Other related responsibilities as required
Consequence of Error/Judgement
Exercises judgement, tact and diplomacy interacting with students, staff, alumni and faculty from UBC, staff at community organizations, and individual community members. The Learning Exchange has a high profile in the community and engages program participants in situations that may be new. Staff need to minimize risk to participants and ensure the unit and the university respond with sensitivity to community issues. Understands and adheres to confidentiality requirements. Errors in judgment or the disclosure of confidential information could have public consequences, affecting the reputation of the Learning Exchange and UBC.
Supervision Received
This position functions under the direction of the Director, Learning Exchange. The incumbent works independently and is expected to take initiative, exercising judgement in work methods. Work is reviewed for achievement of university goals, and soundness of advice and judgment.
Supervision Given
As required, manages student staff and volunteers. Participates in hiring and evaluating work performance of these student staff.
Minimum Qualifications
· Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum of two years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
· Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own
· Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion
Preferred Qualifications
· Master’s degree preferred in a relevant discipline
· Demonstrated knowledge of and experience with community-based research practices, research ethics.
· Experience creatively communicating research, student learning and the exchange of knowledge with diverse, particularly non-academic audiences.
· Experience with consultative program planning, coordination and evaluation, including setting of goals and priorities.
· Experience supervising student research and evaluation projects and / or student staff.
· Demonstrated experience in facilitating experiential learning opportunities for post-secondary students at scale within a community setting similar to the DTES.
· Demonstrated experience working in a team environment and ability to work collaboratively, to communicate effectively, and to interact with empathy, understanding and respect of diverse and divergent perspectives and behaviours, including navigating difficult conversations.
· Experience in community development, community-based organizations and equity-seeking / vulnerable communities when navigating research and student engagement is an asset
· Ability to navigate ambiguity, complexity, conflict and change.
· Ability to manage a demanding workload, including determining priorities, planning ahead, anticipating and solving problems and meeting deadlines. Both goal and process-oriented, connecting long-range vision to day-to-day functions.
· Demonstrated ability to be an effective team member and lead within a team as a peer.
· Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
· Proficiency in Microsoft Office software, email, and Internet.
· Commitment to the philosophy, values and goals of the Learning Exchange and UBC's strategic plan.