Job Responsibilities
Administration of contracts (includes writing contract, sending,
receiving back and inputting data) for all faculty members in
the Faculty. 40% of my time
Processing payroll paperwork for all casual employees and full-
time and part-time faculty, as well as visiting lecturers and
guest performers and visiting artists, etc. 40%
Office planning - Planning office spaces and office moves as
well as future furniture needs for individuals. Planning
renovations of new spaces as needed. 10%
Miscellaneous 10% - misc administrative tasks
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Job Requirements
The University of Lethbridge prides itself on small class sizes,
except for more popular classes which may have around 100
students in them. For many classes over 50 students,
instructors use the services of a marker to ensure a timely
return of papers and exams. Professors in the Faculty of Fine
Arts enjoy an open door policy whereby very few profs would
occupy their office with the door closed. As well, most
professors have ample office hours available for students.
Workload is typical, I believe, with a five-course load
presenting lots of work and dedication, but not unmanageable.
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Uppers
The best part of my job is helping students obtain work in the University and
assisting them with their needs in that respect. The other thing that makes it
vibrant, is being in the midst of a very active art community. There is no end
to the varied art works that appear on the walls nearby. There is a busy visiting
artist program where working artists and architects from across Canada and
sometimes the States will visit, present, and conduct studio visits for senior
students. There is also a noon-hour series of musical events, drama productions,
gallery shows, new media productions. Many of these are free of charge for
employees and you can't beat that. Always something new and exciting to attend.
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Downers
I enjoy my job but probably the biggest downer is the deadline
driven environment my work is surrounded by. I have monthly and
bi-monthly deadlines and sometimes the workload is quite great
and that can get a little stressful.
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Lifestyle
The work hours are pretty routiine (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with 1 hour for
lunch). But if I accrue overtime, I can take it as compensating time and half
later or save it to be paid out. I do very little business travel but my
employer is quite open to my attending courses or workshops during work hours. If
out of town, the costs are covered. Being in a Faculty of Fine Arts, it seems
there is always a social event to attend if you want. (opening night receptions,
closing night bashes, etc.) We have a semi-casual dress code with a dress-down on
Fridays code (but this was originated along with a donation to United Way). You
can have $$$ deducted from you monthly paycheque to a charitable cause and this
qualifies you to wear jeans on Fridays. Diversity in Fine Arts is wide, as well
as the entire University as we are undergoing a strategic plan at present to not
only maintain, but increase our diversity in terms of faculty as well as students.
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Compensation
The compensation for admini staff at the U of L is very
competitive in the local market. We don't get bonuses but we
have great benefits and days off. For example, the Univesity
closes at Christmas time and employees enjoy a paid break of 8-
12 days (depending on the day the 25th falls) which is outside
of the regular vacation. I now enjoy 4 weeks vacation plus this
Christmas break. Can't complain about that. Soon it will be 5
weeks +. The benefits are great from health care, life
insurance, etc. to payroll deductions for things like savings
bonds, computer purchases, to a tuition benefit of 100% for
employees.
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Advice to Jobseekers
The more education you have, the better your chance for
advancement. For example, with a degree of almost any kind, you
could advance into an advising capacity which would be a very
good position. An academic advisor is considered faculty and as
such enjoys pretty good compensation and benefits.
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