C A R L E T O N U N I V E R S I T Y POSITION DESCRIPTION OFFICER USE ONLY. 2. Position No:

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1 C A R L E T O N U N I V E R S I T Y POSITION DESCRIPTION PART A Employee Name: Title of Immediate Supervisor: Manager, Office of the Vice-Provost and Associate Vice-President (Academic) Position Title: Program Assessment Coordinator Department: Office of the Vice-Provost and Associate Vice- President (Academic) OFFICER USE ONLY 1.Title: 2. Position No: Level: Evaluated by: Date: 5. Approved by: Date: PART B Position Summary: Reporting to the Manager, Office of the Vice-Provost and Associate Vice-President (Academic), the Program Assessment Coordinator works with faculty to develop program-level learning outcomes assessment processes. A primary focus is providing support to academic units, program development teams, and program review teams to promote and facilitate an institutional strategy and culture of program learning outcomes assessment at Carleton University. In fulfilling his/her duties, the incumbent maintains effective relationships and collaborates closely with Deans, Associate Deans, academic units, faculty, students, and other administrative departments on campus. The Program Assessment Coordinator also prepares resources, communications, and delivers workshops and facilitates other events on program learning outcomes assessment. The responsibilities of the Program Assessment Coordinator include: A. Working with faculty on designing, refining, implementing and monitoring assessment processes for assessing student learning outcomes for academic programs; B. Developing training materials and facilitating learning outcomes and assessment workshops and events for faculty, staff and students. C. Leading and supporting strategic initiatives in support of program-level learning outcomes assessment processes. PART C Primary Duties Performed: 1. Program Learning Outcomes Development and Assessment (50%)

2 a. Working with faculty on designing, refining, implementing and monitoring assessment processes for assessing program-level student learning outcomes for academic programs including: i. designing program-level learning outcomes; ii. mapping program-level learning outcomes to the provincial degree level expectations, curriculum, courses, and major course assignments; iii. identifying assessment strategies and instruments appropriate for assessing program-level student learning outcomes; iv. developing program-level learning outcomes assessment plans; v. advising academic departments on the use of assessment information for program improvement; and vi. monitoring assessment plans for each academic program to assess student learning outcomes; 2. Training and Development (25%) a. Developing training materials and facilitating program-level learning outcomes development and assessment sessions for faculty, staff, and students; b. Developing and maintaining electronic resources, including a Learning Outcomes Assessment Handbook, to support knowledge mobilization. 3. Strategic Initiatives (25%) a. Leading strategic initiatives in support of a pan-university program-level learning outcomes and assessment strategy, including working collaboratively with senior executives, faculty, staff, and students to develop and implement initiatives in support of that strategy, such as awards, research incentives, student surveys, etc. b. Leading initiatives to foster student involvement and engagement in learning outcomes assessment processes; c. Advising on budgeting models that support program-level student learning outcomes assessment and quality assurance. PART D Specification: (to be completed by the supervisor in conjunction with the employee.) 1. KNOWLEDGE: a) Minimum amount of formal education required A master s degree in an appropriate discipline/field (e.g. educational psychology, assessment, evaluation, statistics). b) Minimum amount of relevant work experience required Five years of related work experience in the area of program evaluation and outcomes assessment, preferably in a post-secondary setting. c) Minimum amount and type of continuing study required: Must remain current on university policies and procedures related to academic programs; must remain current on provincial, international, and institutional processes and requirements for program-level

3 learning outcomes assessment; must remain current on the province-wide quality assurance framework, guidelines and regulations, as well as related best practices. Knowledge of current university software applications, systems and databases and office software is required and must remain current. This is accomplished through regular participation in professional workshops, membership in professional associations, and seminars, together with the study of texts, journals and other materials relating to program-level learning outcomes assessment processes. Elaborate on (a) and (b) justifying the amount of each specified above by detailing what the incumbent has to know and what skills are required of the incumbent in the performance of the duties. Demonstrated knowledge of principles and practices of program assessment and evaluation; Experience in outcomes assessment and related activities within a higher education setting; Experience using qualitative and quantitative research methodologies; Awareness of challenges in fostering an institution-wide culture and commitment to assessment; Proven ability to coordinate and track multi-faceted, continuous processes; Ability to determine precise nature of information requests and to formulate a solution ; Ability to recommend and apply creative solutions to problems and issues; Strong comprehension and critical thinking to understand and advise on complex issues; Ability to monitor and track a multi-faceted and continuous process to meet timelines; Advanced communication skills written, verbal, comprehension; Strong organization skills and attention to detail; Strong capacity to problem solve, recognize need and develop plans for change; Exceptional level of judgment, initiative and reliability; Capacity to work under pressure and meet timelines; Superior interpersonal skills; Ability to work in a diverse, collegial, and consultative team environment; Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, demonstrate initiative and set priorities; Develop a solid understanding of the university environment. 2. COMPLEXITY OF DUTIES: The incumbent works within complex and rapidly evolving guidelines, regulations and policies, both provincially and internal to the university. The incumbent is responsible for interpreting these guidelines, regulations and policies, and for ensuring their appropriate application and execution within the University. This involves making recommendations to the Manager/Vice-Provost and Associate Vice- President (Academic) on such matters, communicating advice to academic units on the interpretation of guidelines, regulations and policies, and ensuring that academic units follow such advice. The incumbent must demonstrate effective problem-solving skills as the application of regulations and policies may not be seamless in working with other units and within departmental mandates. In addition, the incumbent must have the ability to influence individuals more senior to him/her in order to ensure compliance with regulations and policies. The incumbent must in addition demonstrate the capacity to prioritize and multitask to ensure both quality content and timely distribution of documents to stakeholders. The incumbent must be cognizant and manage the confidential nature of the work with tact, discretion and integrity. The incumbent must demonstrate good judgment in making recommendations to senior management regarding budgetary matters, and the completion of submissions to the Province.

4 3. ACCOUNTABILITY: The incumbent plays a key role in developing, promoting, and advancing a program-level learning outcomes and assessment culture at Carleton University. The incumbent liaises with the Provost and Vice-President (Academic), Faculty Deans, academic units, students, and other internal stakeholders. Errors in judgment with respect to conveying information appropriately and correctly may have wide-ranging effects resulting in loss of credibility, reputation and competitiveness for the University. Such errors will in addition result in lost time, ineffective meetings, and missing of important deadlines which could in turn result in loss of goodwill and complaints. Given the confidential and sensitive nature of the work of the office, the incumbent must maintain a high degree of confidentiality, and judgment must be used when dealing with enquiries from within the university as well as from external organizations and clients. Errors in judgment involving administrative and interpersonal relations can lead to embarrassment and result in complaints to the Office of the Vice- Provost and Associate Vice-President (Academic) as well as to the university as a whole. 4. NATURE AND LEVEL OF CONTACT: a) Purpose of contact: To give, obtain and exchange information requiring discussion, explanation and elaboration in response to queries or to ensure the recipient is fully advised as to the context of the information provided. To persuade and obtain the assistance of others more senior to him/her in the completion of tasks or in the compilation of information where such would not normally be forthcoming. To liaise with all levels of staff and faculty for purpose of providing advice, guidance as to the procedures, policies and guidelines for program-level learning outcomes and assessment. Within the university, contact is with senior academic administrators (Provost, Vice-Provost, Deans, and Associate Deans), as well as with academic units (Chairs and Directors, faculty members and staff). The incumbent must have the ability to function as a team member, to facilitate open communication within the office, and to help ensure that the office runs in an effective and efficient manner. b) Level (check one) - regular and continuous only and as specified in (a) and (b): Other employees in same work unit or office The above plus students; faculty in the same work unit; or employees from other departments or offices at a similar job level to the incumbent. The above plus the general public, faculty and staff at a more senior level from other departments or staff at equivalent levels outside the university. _X_ All the above plus senior university executives and senior officials from government, private industry, other universities, etc. 5. SUPERVISION/MANAGEMENT CONTROL EXERCISED: (a) Describe the type of supervisory/management control exercised. Indicate responsibility for overall direction of a section/department/unit either independently or through subordinate supervisors if applicable:

5 The incumbent is responsible for fulfilling their duties with a minimum of supervision. The position does not require the supervision of staff. (b) Indicate the level of employees directly (not through subordinates) supervised: Not Applicable i primarily support ii primarily specialized technical, administrative or journeyman trades iii primarily supervisors of (ii), or managers of section consisting of (i) employees iv primarily management level (c) Indicate number directly supervised: _X_ Signed by: Date: (Employee) Approved by: Date: (Immediate Supervisor) Approved by: Date: (Vice-Provost and Associate Vice-President (Academic))