Educational Assistant

About Bow Valley College

Bow Valley College is Calgary’s college with local impact and global reach, serving more than 15,000 students. We launch our students by preparing them for in-demand jobs through high-quality, future-oriented education. We advance our graduates into careers in healthcare, technology, business, entertainment arts, social services, and more, contributing to our economy and community. We evolve our students through work-integrated learning, upskilling, and reskilling.

Proud to be named one of Canada’s Top 50 research colleges, our applied research focuses on health and educational technology, and social innovation. Home to the Digital Entertainment Nexus, Calgary’s first esports arena, and the Bears varsity team, Bow Valley College is celebrating 60 years of student success. Learn more about the opportunities we create at bowvalleycollege.ca.

Position Summary

The School of Community Studies is seeking a student-centered and collaborative Educational Assistant (EA) who is passionate about supporting adult learners and creating exceptional educational experiences. Reporting to the Associate Dean, the Educational Assistant works closely with students and instructors to provide academic, classroom, and operational support across a variety of programs and courses.

This role plays an important part in fostering an inclusive, engaging, and supportive learning environment for students studying in-person, virtually, or across multiple locations. The successful candidate will help students navigate their learning journey, provide classroom and technical support, and work collaboratively with instructors and support teams to promote student success and achievement.

The ideal candidate is adaptable, organized, and committed to supporting learners from diverse cultural, educational, and language backgrounds. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys meaningful student interaction, collaborative teamwork, and contributing to a positive and dynamic post-secondary environment.

What You'll Be Doing:

Support Instruction and Student Learning

The Educational Assistant plays a key role in supporting both students and instructors to create a positive, engaging, and inclusive learning environment. Working closely with instructional teams, the EA assists with classroom and course management activities in both in-person and virtual settings, helping to ensure students remain actively engaged in the learning process regardless of delivery mode or location.

This role provides direct educational support to students who may require assistance working through course materials, navigating technology, or building confidence in their academic skills. The Educational Assistant also collaborates with instructors to facilitate classroom and breakout room activities, support student participation, and help ensure student growth and achievement remain appropriate to the language level, subject area, and program requirements. Ongoing communication with instructors regarding student progress, needs, and classroom dynamics is an important part of the role, as is modeling positive academic attitudes and behaviors that contribute to student success.

Provide Student Resources and Academic Support

The Educational Assistant acts as an accessible and supportive resource for students by helping connect them with the tools, services, and supports they need to succeed academically and personally. In collaboration with instructors, the EA assists in identifying, adapting, and creating learning resources that accommodate diverse educational backgrounds, learning styles, and support needs.

The role also works closely with Student Success and other support teams to help coordinate referrals and academic accommodations, including Individual Accommodation Plans (IAPs). By fostering a welcoming and supportive environment, the Educational Assistant helps students feel confident accessing resources both within the college and the broader community.

Support Operational Requirements

The Educational Assistant contributes to the effective day-to-day operations of the School by supporting examination processes and assisting with team coordination activities. This includes invigilating exams in accordance with established procedures, responding to student questions during examinations, managing examination materials, and documenting or escalating irregularities as required.

The role also supports students during examinations by supervising learners outside examination rooms when necessary and ensuring exam protocols are consistently followed. In addition, the Educational Assistant collaborates with fellow EAs and leadership teams to support New Student Orientation activities and assist with the development of term-based work coverage schedules that support operational needs across programs.

Contribute to Team and Organizational Effectiveness

As an active member of the School of Community Studies team, the Educational Assistant demonstrates professionalism, accountability, and a commitment to continuous improvement. The role requires strong organizational and time-management skills to effectively balance priorities, meet deadlines, and maintain accurate documentation and task tracking.

The Educational Assistant stays current with reference materials, student support resources, and institutional processes to better support learners and instructional teams. Participation in college, department, and team meetings is expected, along with a collaborative approach to supporting colleagues and contributing to a positive and student-focused learning environment.

What Sets You Apart

You are a compassionate, adaptable, and student-centered professional who is passionate about supporting adult learners in a post-secondary environment. You bring strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills, along with the ability to build positive relationships with students, instructors, and support teams.

You are comfortable working with diverse populations, you demonstrate patience, cultural awareness, and a commitment to inclusive learning experiences for students with varying educational backgrounds, language proficiency levels, and accommodation needs.

You thrive in collaborative environments while also working independently with confidence and accountability. Your ability to listen actively, solve problems, and adapt your approach allows you to support student learning effectively in both in-person and virtual settings. You are committed to fostering student confidence, critical thinking, and academic success while contributing positively to a team-oriented and student-focused environment.

Qualifications:

Minimum

Post-secondary certificate in a directly related field such as Educational Assistant and/or Adult Learning

Minimum two years of experience working with adult students

Applicable experience related to the position

Fluent in spoken and written English

Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team environment

Strong organizational, presentation, and time-management skills

Ability to interact in a friendly, patient, and respectful manner with students from diverse cultural backgrounds, ages, gender identities, English language proficiency levels, and accommodation needs

Preferred

Undergraduate degree such as a Bachelor of Education or another related discipline

Experience supporting adult learners across a range of academic and language proficiency levels, including English language learners and students with interrupted formal education

Experience working with culturally diverse populations, Indigenous communities, and/or community-based program delivery

Strong understanding of diverse learning styles and student support needs, including the ability to adapt communication and instructional approaches to support comprehension and engagement

Demonstrated ability to coach, encourage, and empower students through active listening, problem-solving, critical thinking support, and constructive feedback

Education or training in cross-cultural communication and inclusive learning practices

Closing Date: May 22, 2026

This opening is a continuous (faculty) position. Please note all successful candidates will be required to provide copies of government issued identification and proof of educational qualifications upon hire and may be required to provide an enhanced police information check. If your education was received internationally, we will require you to provide an international education assessment through IQAS, WES, or one of the other nationally designated organizations upon hire.

This position is open to all college employees with the appropriate education and experience. The successful applicant should live in or near Okotoks with the ability to travel within the college’s regional boundary.

Diversity and Inclusion Commitment

Bow Valley College is strongly committed to fostering diversity and inclusion within our community. We welcome applications from qualified candidates who would contribute to the further diversification of our employees including, but not limited to, visible minorities, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities and persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity.