Technical Specialist

About Western

Since 1878, Western University has been committed to serving our communities through the pursuit of academic excellence and by providing students, faculty, and community members with life-long opportunities for intellectual, social, and cultural growth.  We seek excellent students, faculty, and staff to join us in what has become known as the "Western Experience" - an opportunity to contribute to a better world through the development of new knowledge, new abilities, new connections, and new ways to make a difference.

About Us

The School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (SGPS) at Western University provides central oversight for graduate education and postdoctoral affairs, supporting master’s programs, doctoral programs, and postdoctoral appointments across all faculties. SGPS supports academic policy, admissions, registration, funding administration, and student support, working in partnership with faculties and campus partners to promote graduate student and postdoctoral associate success. 

Own Your Future is a graduate professional development initiative within SGPS that supports master’s and doctoral students in exploring career options beyond and alongside academia. The program delivers structured workshops, resources, and programming designed to help graduate students identify their transferable skills, clarify career interests, and understand how their academic training applies to diverse employment pathways. Own Your Future plays a key role in preparing graduate students for career decision-making, professional growth, and successful transitions into a wide range of careers.

Responsibilities

The Technical Specialist will demonstrate subject matter expertise in Project Management to create an asynchronous training workshop for graduate students that will focus on how graduate education supports the development of project management skills. This workshop will train students in identifying and articulating these types of skills to potential future employers in both academic and non-academic sectors. The workshop will also provide further information and resources for any students interested in pursuing project management certification through further education, and what to expect from related careers.

Workshop structure:

The asynchronous training workshop (3-4 hours in duration when complete) will be built in Brightspace and will ideally incorporate a combination of learning elements such as:

• Slides with voiceover
• Video and/or animation
• Knowledge checks
• Interactive elements

The workshop will include the following topics:

• Project Management essential skills and applications
• Identifying transferable skills - alignment between project management skills development and graduate education
• Articulating project management skills for multiple career paths
• Becoming a certified Project Management Professional – further education, accreditation requirements, career prospects, etc

Qualifications 

• Education:
• Masters Degree in a relevant discipline
• Formal Project Management Education
• PMP designation is an asset

Experience:

• 2 years' working experience in a related academic research environment
• Instructional Design training/ experience is an asset

Skills, Abilities & Expertise:

• Experience acting as an instructor, instructional designer, or subject matter expert for project management courses or learning programs
• Proficiency with Brightspace and/or other learning management systems
• Knowledge of project management essential skills and related career paths
• Knowledge of career development concepts such as transferable skills and skills articulation
• Understanding of the components of graduate-level education (i.e. research projects, thesis/dissertation processes, etc.)

The successful candidate may work remotely, subject to operational requirements.

Why Western?

Western offers a broad and exciting variety of part-time and temporary employment opportunities with ample room for job exploration and growth.  Within our beautiful campus, you are part of a progressive work environment that promotes work/life balance including access to our state-of-the-art recreation centre.  Apply for an opportunity to be part of the Western community and contribute to its success!

Applying at Western

To ensure that your application is given full consideration, please complete all relevant sections of the application.  In addition, you can choose to supplement your application with a cover letter and current resume.

Consideration of applicants will include an assessment of previous performance, experience, and qualifications.  Applicants should have oral communication skills in English.

Western Values Diversity

The University invites applications from all qualified individuals. Western is committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcomes applications from women, members of racialized groups/visible minorities, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation, and persons of any gender identity or gender expression.

Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process.  If you require accommodations for interviews or other meetings, please contact Human Resources or phone 519-661-2194.

Please Note:

This position is an existing vacancy. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those chosen for an interview will be contacted.