VilrtechInternational Student Advisor (Limited Term)
Location: Oshawa, Ontario, Canada
Appointment Type: Limited Duration (21 Months)
Work Schedule: 35 Hours per Week
Salary: $89,288 per year (Level 8 – Step 1)
Application Deadline: March 26, 2026
Expected Start Date: January 28, 2026
Expected End Date: July 15, 2026
The Importance of This Role
International students play a vital role in the academic, cultural, and social life of Canadian universities. Their success depends not only on strong academic programs, but also on comprehensive support systems that address transition challenges, immigration requirements, cultural adjustment, and personal development.
The International Student Advisor (Limited Term) position at Ontario Tech University is a critical professional role designed to ensure international students are supported holistically—from their first arrival through to successful integration, retention, and completion of their studies.
From a recruiter’s perspective, this position is ideal for professionals who are passionate about student advocacy, intercultural engagement, and structured program development within a post-secondary environment. It combines direct student advising with program coordination, immigration support, research, and institutional collaboration, making it both impactful and professionally rewarding.
Position Overview
The International Student Advisor works within the Registrar’s Office and plays a central role in promoting the academic, personal, and professional development of international students at Ontario Tech. This is a limited-term appointment lasting 21 months, with a structured schedule of 35 hours per week.
The role supports institutional priorities outlined in:
- Ontario Tech’s Internationalization Strategy
- Student Experience and Student Life Centre strategies
- The University’s broader Strategic Plan
The advisor is responsible for designing, delivering, coordinating, and evaluating programs and services that help international students transition successfully to university life in Canada and remain engaged throughout their academic journey.
Core Area 1: Student Development and Direct Support
A significant portion of this role focuses on direct student support and advocacy.
The International Student Advisor acts as a strong advocate for international students, identifying unmet needs and working with campus partners to improve services and supports. This includes recognizing systemic challenges and ensuring student voices are represented in institutional discussions.
Key responsibilities include supporting students who experience:
- Academic transition challenges
- Cultural adjustment difficulties
- Personal or social concerns
- Housing or accommodation issues
- General adaptation to life and study in Canada
The advisor provides guidance, referrals, and appropriate interventions while maintaining ethical, student-centered practices.
In addition, this role oversees the recruitment, training, and supervision of:
- Co-op students
- Volunteers
- The World University Service of Canada (WUSC) student group
These groups play a key role in peer support, leadership development, and community building among international students.
The advisor also serves as Staff Advisor to the WUSC Student Group, supporting the Student Refugee Program (SRP) and ensuring sponsored students receive tailored academic and settlement support.
To ensure consistency and quality, the advisor develops and maintains standard operating procedures that evolve in response to changing student needs, policies, and regulations.
Core Area 2: Program Development, Coordination, and Evaluation
Beyond individual advising, this role is highly program-driven.
The International Student Advisor conducts ongoing research to understand the needs, experiences, and engagement levels of international, exchange, and new immigrant students. This includes collaborating with students, faculty, and staff to evaluate existing services and identify gaps.
The advisor is responsible for:
- Designing and delivering educational programs and workshops
- Coordinating orientation and transition initiatives
- Developing peer mentoring and leadership programs
- Supporting community-building and engagement events
Programs are developed using professional standards and results-based frameworks, ensuring they are measurable, relevant, and aligned with institutional goals.
Evaluation is a critical component of the role. The advisor analyzes participation data, student feedback, and outcomes to determine which initiatives are effective. Findings are documented and used to inform future programming decisions, ensuring continuous improvement.
In addition, the advisor develops and delivers training sessions for staff and faculty to improve understanding of:
- The international student experience
- Intercultural communication
- Inclusive and culturally responsive practices
Core Area 3: Communication and Digital Engagement
Clear, accessible communication is essential for international student success, and this role plays a major part in shaping how information is shared.
The International Student Advisor curates and maintains web content specifically for current international students. This includes ensuring information is accurate, accessible, and relevant to diverse student populations.
The advisor works closely with campus partners to review and improve international-student-related content across Ontario Tech websites, making recommendations based on student feedback and emerging needs.
Key communication responsibilities include:
- Creating and managing the international student newsletter
- Contributing content for websites, social media, and posters
- Supporting consistent messaging from the International Office
This aspect of the role requires strong writing skills and an understanding of how international students access and process information.
Core Area 4: Immigration Advising and Regulatory Support
Immigration support is one of the most specialized and sensitive components of this position.
The International Student Advisor develops and delivers accurate, up-to-date information on immigration-related topics for both students and staff. This includes:
- Study permits and extensions
- Work eligibility and conditions
- Post-graduation options
- Compliance with immigration responsibilities
The advisor monitors regulatory changes and communicates updates promptly, ensuring students understand how policy shifts affect their status.
Individual advising appointments are conducted to review student immigration documents, explain responsibilities, and help students remain compliant with Canadian immigration regulations.
The role also involves keeping campus partners informed of regulatory updates and their institutional implications.
Because of these responsibilities, the position requires active registration and good standing with the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC) as either:
- a Regulated International Student Immigration Consultant (RISIC), or
- a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC)
Core Area 5: Support for International Office Projects
In addition to regular duties, the advisor contributes to ad hoc internationalization projects as needed.
These may include:
- Supporting specialized grant applications
- Assisting with surveys and research initiatives
- Developing communications for the campus community
- Updating International Office web and social media content
This flexibility allows the advisor to contribute strategically to evolving institutional priorities.
Required Skills and Competencies
From a recruiter’s perspective, success in this role requires a combination of technical knowledge, interpersonal strength, and organizational skill.
Key competencies include:
- Ability to provide ethical, student-centered advising
- Strong research, analytical, and writing skills
- Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building abilities
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and online tools
- Strong presentation and facilitation skills
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively
- Strong time management, organization, and initiative
- Sound judgment, adaptability, and cultural sensitivity
Education and Professional Credentials
The minimum education requirement is a four-year bachelor’s degree, with preference given to candidates holding professional or graduate degrees in:
- Education
- Student Development
- Higher Education
- Educational Leadership
An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
Verification of academic credentials may be required as part of the hiring process.
Required Experience
Candidates should bring 3 to 5 years of relevant experience, ideally within a post-secondary setting.
Preferred experience includes:
- Supporting or advising international students
- Program development and coordination
- Program evaluation and assessment
- Working with students from diverse cultural backgrounds
- Intercultural communication training or applied experience
Experience in counseling, student services, or international education environments is highly valued.
Knowledge and Awareness
Strong candidates will demonstrate:
- Knowledge of group dynamics and facilitation techniques
- Understanding of student development theories as they relate to international students
- Ability to translate theory into practical student-support programming
Employment Conditions and Equity Commitment
This position is part of the OPSEU bargaining unit and governed by the applicable collective agreement, as well as university policies where applicable.
Ontario Tech University is deeply committed to equity, diversity, inclusion, Indigenization, and decolonization. Applications are welcomed from all qualified candidates, with encouragement for individuals from underrepresented communities.
Priority consideration is given to candidates eligible to work in Canada.
The university also provides accommodations throughout the recruitment process and ensures confidentiality at every stage.
Final Perspective
From a hiring standpoint, the International Student Advisor (Limited Term) role at Ontario Tech University is an excellent opportunity for professionals who want to make a direct, meaningful impact on student lives while working within a structured, policy-driven university environment.
It offers a balanced mix of advising, program leadership, immigration expertise, and institutional collaboration—making it a strong career-building role for those committed to international education and student success.
For candidates with the right credentials, experience, and passion for supporting diverse student populations, this position represents both professional growth and purposeful work.
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