City : Hamilton

Category : Full-Time Support

Industry : Education

Employer : Mohawk College

Status: Full Time

Hours: Monday – Friday, 35 hours/week

Home Campus: Fennell (hybrid work arrangements available)

Rate of Pay: Payband I (Start Rate: $39.34 per hour)

Number of Vacancies: 2

Posting Date: May 9th, 2025

Closing Date: May 15th, 2025 at 7:00 pm EST

Preference will be given to qualified employees within the Full Time Support Staff bargaining unit, Appendix D (in the role for 6 consecutive months) and RPT employees who have passed probation at Mohawk College.

We believe the rich diversity among our students and the communities we serve should be reflected within our workforce. As educators, we believe it is important to act and show leadership in advancing the principles of reconciliation, equity, diversity, and inclusion in our community.

Reporting to the Manager, International Student Services and Engagement, the International Student Advisor provides operational support and assistance to international students. The incumbent offers advising to students regarding their education at Mohawk, including but no limited to immigration policies and processes; withdrawals and refunds; general academic program information and ensuring students have the admission requirements for if they choose to change their program of study. Their work is grounded in developmental, inclusive-culturally attuned and holistic student lifecycle advising approaches. The incumbent will also interpret and provide advice on College policies and guidelines; personal matters and support contacts available within the College including Counselling, Peer Tutoring, MSA Student lawyer, Student Success Advisors and the Health and Wellness Centre.

 The International Student Advisor proactively engages with students to identify needs, connect them with resources, and ensure a positive and successful academic and intercultural experience while they study at Mohawk.

The International Student Advisor must maintain Regulated International Student Immigration Advisor (RISIA) or Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) designation and be in good standing with the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC).

What you’ll be doing:

Provides Interpretation and Advice to Students by:

•  Responding to specific questions from International students related to their academic path, course load, co-op and placements, course exemptions, compulsory withdrawal status and program changes.
• Advising students on immigration matters that impact or support their studies, including policies, forms to complete, supporting document requirements, and how to complete applications and submissions.
• Working closely with Student Success Advisors to assist students who are out of sync to maintain a full-time course load as per study permit and post-graduation work permit guidelines.
• Interpreting internal policies such as add/drop procedures, course exemption procedures, tuition refunds, fee deferrals and withdrawal procedures, and working within these policies while providing information and direction to the student.
• Advising students on personal matters and contacts available within the College - student lawyer, peer tutoring, health and wellness, Counselling Department, Student Success Advisors, etc.
• Serving as a point of contact for students in EAP or Bridging program to assist them with inquiries about post-secondary education and potential pathways to College.
• Acting as a liaison between the International Student Services (ISS) Department and other College departments to effectively assist the students, i.e., counselling, educating students on the community service agencies available to assist them.
• Serving as the primary contact within ISS for the Student Success Advisors and the Centre for Experiential Learning.
• Providing interpretation of the various federal and provincial government policies and processes in relation to study permits, work permits, re-entry visas, authorized leaves, Social Insurance Numbers and general immigration information on studying in Ontario.
• Working with the local immigration and government offices in support of international students with unusual situations needing interpretation of government processes and the impact their decisions will have on their studies in Ontario.

Assists with Functions Provided by the International Student Services Department by:

•  Tracking and connecting with students who failed to return to complete their studies, encouraging them to finish their studies and advising on Immigration matters when appropriate. Providing comprehensive reports for College retention purposes.
• Tracking and ensuring eligibility for students who transferred into a new program mid-study and/or require a program change.
• Supporting staff in the creation of immigration support letters for those students who have not completed a direct path in their studies.  Identifying where the student was part time and why (i.e., didn’t have pre-requisite, failed a course not offered until the next year).
• Maintaining accurate and up-to-date communication and advising logs for all student interactions to ensure effective follow-up, continuity of care, and compliance with institutional and immigration requirement.
• Effectively managing student appointments, schedules, and caseloads to support timely advising, ensure continuity of care, and maintain compliance with institutional and immigration requirements.

Contributes to the Efficient Operations of International Student Services by:

•  Supporting International Awards and the Celebration of Learning by promoting to students.
• Supporting the promotion, and delivery of International Student Orientation related activities, special events, and presentations by actively encouraging student participation, assisting with preparation and delivery (as needed) and serving as an engaged representative of the department during these events.
• Contributing to creating a welcoming, inclusive, and informative experience that fosters student connection, engagement.

Other duties as assigned.

What you’ll bring to the role:

•  3 year diploma/degree in Social Services, Business Administration, International Business, Immigration Consultant, or equivalent education.
• Counselling Techniques Certificate or related studies considered an asset.
• Regulated International Student Immigration Advisor (RISIA) or Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) designation, in good standing with the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC) required.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in a college setting dealing with members of diverse ethno-religious and cultural backgrounds. Experience offering information, referral and advising services.
• Knowledge of a wide variety of community services, particularly those related to settlement, integration, education and employment.
• Fluency in one or more languages other than English is preferred, but not necessary.
• Demonstrated commitment and understanding of human rights, equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility.
• The ability to communicate and work effectively with diverse students, employees, and communities.

What we offer:

•  Defined Benefit pension plan (CAAT) with contributions matched by Mohawk College.
• 93% top up of maternity and parental leave pay for 52 weeks.
• Progressive vacation plan starting with 15 vacation days plus annual holiday closure.
• Access to Employee Family Assistance Program including counselling services, financial literacy services, nutrition advice and more.
• Comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, vision, paramedical services (massage therapy, acupuncture, naturopath, psychotherapy and psychology), short-term and long-term disability.
• Ability to take courses at a reduced rate for employees and dependents.

To find out more about working at Mohawk College, please visit https://www.mohawkcollege.ca/about-mohawk/careers-at-mohawk

We are committed to reconciliation and nurturing an inclusive, diverse, equitable, and accessible (IDEA) environment for everyone who learns and works at Mohawk College. We welcome applications from racialized persons, women, Indigenous people, persons with disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+ persons, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas.

The College is committed to fostering inclusive ad barrier-free recruitment and selection processes. If you require accommodation during any stage of the recruitment process, please contact Human Resources.

To learn more about Mohawk College’s commitments, please visit the Mohawk College strategic plan webpage: https://www.strategicplan.mohawkcollege.ca/