Reception and Student Support Office Student Support Assistant

Transcription

1 School of Education and Professional Development Reception and Student Support Office Student Support Assistant March 2016 Ref: R2346

2 Dear Applicant Thank you for your interest in this post and in the University. The School of Education and Professional Development is seeking an experienced, enthusiastic Student Support Assistant to provide, along with other duties, a reception service for the School, assisting with the co-ordination of the School s assessment hand-in procedures and attendance monitoring. We are seeking a multi-skilled and competent individual who possesses the relevant skills and personal qualities to undertake the range of clerical duties and the ability to work in an exacting and interesting environment within Reception and Student Support Office. The successful applicant must be computer literate and proficient in the use of Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and have an aptitude for specialised databases. They must have good interpersonal skills; be able to work as part of a team and work on their own initiative. They will need to be able to work well under pressure (at times) and use their initiative effectively, whilst maintaining a high standard of efficiency and accuracy and be able to meet deadlines. The post will be an opportunity to strengthen experience at this level. It affords an excellent career development opportunity. I hope the information in this booklet proves useful and gives you sufficient guidance to pursue your application. Further information is also available on our website If you would like to have an informal discussion about the post please do not hesitate to contact Mrs D Holdsworth on or d.holdsworth@hud.ac.uk I look forward to receiving your application. Yours sincerely Professor Pete Sanderson Dean of Education and Professional Development p.j.sanderson@hud.ac.uk

3 1. The Role Introduction Based in the Student Support and Course Administration Office, Lockside Building, this post is concerned, along with other duties, with the provision of a reception service for the School. The post holder will also be expected to assist in the provision of other Student Support Office procedures. This post reports to the Student Support Manager. Main tasks of the job Duties: To deal with personal callers to our reception desk, answer their enquiries, identify where they need to be and to give directions. Take phone calls on our main reception phone number, dealing with all calls courteously, answering queries, taking messages and passing callers onto others as necessary. To respond to the School s generic address enquiries, following consultation if necessary with colleagues and other support services, in a timely manner. The co-ordination of the School s assessment hand-in procedures to identify the most efficient and effective ways to manage the hand in of student work and to arrange the return of marked work in line with University regulations. A number of approaches will need to be utilised depending on the size and type of assessment. To assist with attendance monitoring within the School particularly the co-ordination of spot checks. The recording of staff sickness and holiday entitlement be maintained, updated and monitored effectively. To ensure that internal communications (Plasma Screen Display, promotional posters etc) within the School are kept up to date and are varied in their content. Distribution of internal and external mail. Monitoring and confirming one-off room bookings within the School using the University s timetabling computer application (Scientia). Assisting with Open Days, meeting prospective students, answering queries and following up enquiries after the event. To work effectively with the other staff in the Student Support Office to offer a seamless, efficient, effective and helpful service to all customer groups, including students, staff and external organisations. To assist the School Services Manager and the Deputy School Services Manager as necessary. This work will also require the use of other University computer systems, which may include ASIS (Applicant and Student Information System) and the University s Attendance Monitoring systems. (Training will be provided as required). To liaise with other University departments in order to effectively deal with enquiries. The successful candidate will often be in contact with other University departments, such as estates, registry and others.

4 Other duties: Some annual projects require all the support staff to work together. This may include helping with Open Days, Specialist Conference, enrolment and award ceremonies. The successful candidate should be prepared to undertake any other duty pertinent to the grade of the post that might be requested at any time. Training will be given wherever necessary.

5 2. The Person The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate the following attributes: ability and motivation to play a role in developing and improving the School s reception and student support office multi-skilled and competent with a robust character with reception experience use of computer based systems ability to manage change in a proactive and positive manner possess excellent communication skills able to work as part of a team able to work well under pressure (at times) use their initiative effectively ability to maintain a high standard of efficiency and accuracy able to meet deadlines and have a professional attitude at all times.

6 2. The Person The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate the following attributes: Attributes Essential Desirable Evidenced Qualifications A first degree Educated to A level or equivalent ECDL IT qualification or similar Application form Application form Experience Substantial experience of administration in a busy office environment Experience of reception duties Experienced in paper based and computer filing systems Experience of basic office practices e.g. copying, filing, typing Experience of using specialised databases e.g. finance, timetabling, customer information Substantial experience of secretarial or clerical work Experience of working in higher education Experience of using a computerised timetabling system Application form/interview Special Knowledge/Ability Computer literate, extensive knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel Customer Care able to communicate with a wide range of people at all levels Computer skills in Microsoft PowerPoint and Access Personal Qualities Able to work as part of a team Accuracy Thoroughness Excellent customer care Demonstrate initiative

7 3. Our Offer We offer a generous remuneration and benefits package: Starting salary grade 4 ( 18,829 upwards) A Career Average Revalued Earnings (CARE) Pension Scheme (Local Government Pension Scheme) 30 days annual leave plus statutory holidays Significant opportunities for professional development A friendly and supportive work environment A range of voluntary benefits 4. How to Apply Applicants are asked to complete an application form. Attention is drawn to the person requirements listed above and applicants are asked to provide evidence of their match to these criteria in some detail in their supporting statements. This information will be used to shortlist candidates. The timetable is as follows: Advert closes: 18 April 2016 Interviews: 19 May 2016

8 5. School of Education and Professional Development The School of Education and Professional Development offers an excellent working environment. You will be working with enthusiastic, highly experienced professionals committed to increasing understanding of education, learning and youth work through high quality research. We aim to offer our students an excellent experience and to develop them to be superb professionals, critical thinkers and action researchers. Staff consistently rate working in the School very highly in the Quality of Working Life Survey. We expect high standards from ourselves and take considerable pride in our work. Our courses are consistently ranked in the top ten nationally in the NSS. Education at Huddersfield was ranked second (to Cambridge) nationally in 2011, 12, 13 and 14 in the Education Guardian s University Guide Subject League Tables. The School offers a wide range of courses across education and youth and community work. We prepare students to work with all ages and levels, from early years through to adult education. As well as initial training for professionals in early years and for teachers, lecturers, trainers and youth workers, we offer extensive opportunities for continuing professional development. The School is located in two adjacent buildings, the Lockside and Canalside East buildings, which are converted mills that run alongside the Huddersfield Canal. They are well equipped and maintained, and provide an attractive and welcoming environment for students and staff. Academic Departments: The School employs approximately 60 permanent academic staff, academic staff; working within two departments: about 30 part-time Department for Education and Community Studies The department runs a large undergraduate programme, linked through a common framework, with specialisms in Childhood Studies, Early Years, Religion and Education, Youth and Community Work, TESOL and Education and HRD. It offers a range of Masters Programmes and has a thriving and oversubscribed doctoral programme with over 100 students. It offers professional accreditation to students in its Early Years and Youth and Community Programmes It has been very successful in developing excellent international partnerships. We teach a BA in China in partnership with Guangdong Normal Polytechnic University and have students from across the world on our undergraduate, Masters and doctoral programmes. Department of Initial Teacher Education: The department offers programmes in Primary Education, at undergraduate and postgraduate level, and a Secondary PGCE. Its primary ITT was graded outstanding by Ofsted and its secondary and lifelong learning ITT is graded good, with a number of outstanding areas. The department offers one of the largest programmes for teacher education for the lifelong learning sector in the country and is one of just ten centres designated as a Centre for Excellence for Teacher Training in the post-compulsory sector. It runs full-time and part-time courses in Lifelong Learning at the University and through an Education and Training Consortium.

9 Support Services The School employs approximately 32 administrative staff within three dedicated offices: Course administrative support This office is responsible for the administration of all courses within the School and the student record including attaching students to modules and inputting and processing results. Student placements for our students are organised within this office. Planning, Finance and Marketing Office The finances of the School are administered through this office including preparing the budget and staff and student expenses. Staff in this office are involved in the marketing of all our courses including open days and all the School s publicity material. School Reception and Student Support Office As well as providing a reception service for the School this office provides support to the Dean of the School and also technical support to all staff and students. The School s timetable is prepared within this office along with student attendance monitoring and recording and the handing in of work from the students.

10 School of Education and Professional Development, University of Huddersfield Professional Services staff structure School Services Manager Jacqui Mellor ASIS and Course Administration Manager Julie Gledhill Deputy School Services Manager Jane Reddington Placement & Data Manager Allison Gurney Research Development Manager Alison Stott Finance and Resources Manager Andrew Harvey Course Administrative Support Geraldine Allport Anita Crowe Penny Dalton Janine Downs Tracy Joynt Anne-Marie McCullagh Caroline Swift Lindsay Thurlow Tracy Wood Student Support Office Laura Brown Sue Cooper Vicky Hawker Debbie Holdsworth Vacancy Declan Stewart Science technician Placements/Data Placement Co-ordinator - vacant Catherine Thornton Kate Papworth Data and Placements Administrator - vacant Leanne Hemphill DBS Assistant - vacant Research Admin Carolyn Newton Finance and Marketing Alix Gamble Anne Poulain Alison Shaw Annette Rhodes (University Marketing) Learning Technology Advisor Jebar Ahmed Executive Assistant to the Dean and Senior Managers Sarah Leah

11 6. The University R2346

12 The University s vision is, To be an inspiring, innovative university of international renown. The University s achievements were recognised by the award of the Times Higher Education University of the Year for This follows hot on the heels of its success at the awards last year where it collected the Entrepreneurial University of the Year award. The University of the Year is awarded to an institution that has demonstrated exceptional performance in the past academic year providing evidence of particular bold, imaginative and innovative initiatives that have advanced the institution s reputation. Just some of those initiatives are: A commitment to our students with nationwide top 10 ratings for student satisfaction and graduate employability as well as a top 10 rating for financial security. The opening of the 3M Buckley Innovation Centre, a collaboration with conglomerate 3M to foster business partnerships leading to new research, technology transfer and entrepreneurial ideas. The award of a Queen s Award for Enterprise International Trade as well as a top 10 position in the 2012 International Student Barometer. A commitment to excellence in teaching Huddersfield is the only University in the UK where 100 per cent of academic staff are fellows of the Higher Education Academy which provides professional recognition of their teaching abilities. These factors, combined with a continued commitment to being a university that is at the heart of its home town and a strong commitment to be a great employer makes the University an interesting and rewarding place to work. As an Athena SWAN Bronze organisation, the University has a solid foundation for eliminating gender bias and developing an inclusive culture that values all staff. For more information, please visit: The University s staff are involved in scholarship, research and reach-out activities. We want to attract and retain the best staff, provide opportunities for them to remain professionally engaged and up-to-date. We were one of the first universities in the country to achieve institutional recognition under the Investors in People Award in 1999 and we have maintained this standard ever since. We are committed to the development and support of our staff. In the Quality of Working Life Survey, looking at the satisfaction and well-being of our staff, the University of Huddersfield has higher scores across all six factors than the Higher Education benchmark, showing lower levels of stress and greater satisfaction with working conditions than the benchmark data. Our striking town centre campus straddles the refurbished Huddersfield Narrow Canal and offers extensive views of the wooded Pennine foothills. The campus combines both new and historic buildings, and since million has been invested in new facilities and buildings for our students. The University has won Civic Trust Awards for the imaginative refurbishment of historic mill buildings for the teaching of Computing, Engineering and Architecture. However, we are also very proud of our contemporary architecture. Our 17 million Business School building opened in 2010 and a 22.5 million Student Central Building which opened in January 2014 providing new sports, leisure, learning and catering facilities.

13 7. Huddersfield The University is located close to the centre of the thriving West Yorkshire town of Huddersfield. Huddersfield has an extensive range of new retail and social developments with many new shops, cafes, bars and restaurants. Near to areas of outstanding natural beauty publicised in TV programmes such as Last of the Summer Wine and Where the Heart Is we are also in easy reach of Leeds and Manchester. Both are just 45 minutes by road and with quicker access via the regular cross Pennine rail service. Huddersfield is surrounded by a number of attractive villages in the Holme and Colne valleys and within easy reach of the Yorkshire Dales, the Peak District and the major urban centres of Leeds and Manchester. The cost of housing compares very favourably with other regions in Britain and the choice of where to live is outstanding. The town is well known for its musical traditions, including the world famous Huddersfield Choral Society and the internationally renowned Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival. The Lawrence Batley Theatre and a large sports stadium host various cultural and sporting events respectively.