Discovery Room Technician

We’re seeking an enthusiastic and service-oriented professional to support experiential learning in our Discovery Room, a vibrant training lab where Hospitality Management and Culinary Arts students gain practical experience in real service settings.

From demonstrating dining room operations and management techniques to supporting student learning and evaluating performance, you'll help bridge the gap between theory and practice. You’ll also contribute to the smooth daily operation of the Discovery Room—coordinating service, assisting with promotions and marketing, and collaborating with faculty, staff, and university partners to create a welcoming and professional environment.

Duties:

• Demonstrate and explain the applied, experiential laboratory sessions of the courses HOSP 161, Dining Room Operations, HOSP 251, Dining Room Management, and learning outcomes in the Culinary Arts PC1 and PC2. Assist with the instruction, supervision and evaluation of students in laboratory and fieldwork classes under the general supervision of a course professor/instructor and program chair. The majority of these primary assignments are delivered in the Discovery Room learning lab. In this role, the position will demonstrate and explain the applied, experiential laboratory sessions to both Hospitality Management and Culinary Arts students.
• Responsibilities will also include duties associated with the day-to-day operation of the Discovery Room. The Discovery Room technician ultimately reports to the Dean of the Faculty of Management. The day-to-day ongoing reporting structure for this position will consist of working with the Chairs and faculty of Culinary Arts and Tourism, Recreation and Hospitality, with some involvement with VIU's Foundations Office. This position will also participate in a joint governance committee for the Discovery Room.
• Additional duties will include activities pertaining to the marketing and promoting of the Discovery Room, duties required for the day-to-day operation of the Discovery Room, and the active hands-on demonstration of service skills in the Discovery Room. This position will interact with many and multiple university employees and interest holders. Candidates must demonstrate commitment to instructing, learning, and student success through scholarship and institutional service.
• Successful candidates will participate in a wide range of activities, including, student support; institutional, faculty and departmental committee meetings and other initiatives; and professional activities in keeping with their disciplines in and outside the institution.

Required Qualifications: 
A Master's degree in a related area from an appropriately accredited institution and recent relevant experience is preferred. Extensive professional experience may be considered in lieu of completion of a graduate degree. Preference will be given to applications demonstrating, recent post-secondary teaching experience; recent relevant applied professional experience; relevant professional memberships; and an ability to work in a team-oriented department in an institution that is primarily focused on students and teaching.

Successful candidates will be excellent communicators with a strong interest and background working in a cross cultural and learning-centered environment.

Please note: 
The hours and days of the week may vary over the time of the contract and reflect the learning schedules and demands of the students. Day and evening work is required for these courses, as students are part of the operations in the Discovery Room. The learning laboratory schedule will be dictated by the students' academic timetable and curriculum requirements; it varies by the curriculum of both the Hospitality Management program and the Culinary Arts program.

VIU is pleased to offer eligible employees a comprehensive benefit plan; ample paid holiday time; professional development opportunities and a desirable pension plan. As part of the VIU campus community, our employees work with supportive colleagues within an encouraging environment and are provided with the tools and training that promote learning and development. The perks of VIU employment are multiple, and include well-being initiatives and services, strategic discounts, and flexible work opportunities.

Note: 

• Short-listed candidates must provide original transcripts, or applicable original certifications at time of interview.
• All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.
• Vancouver Island University (VIU) is collectively committed to building and sustaining a diverse and inclusive working and learning environment for faculty, staff, and students.  In our journey towards greater diversity, we invite applications from members of equity-seeking communities including women, racialized and Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, persons of all gender identities and sexual orientations who bring value to the VIU community through their lived experiences.  We encourage members of all equity-seeking groups to self-identify within their application cover letter.  When a candidate voluntarily discloses this information in their cover letter, the information will be used only for the fulfillment of the career opportunity.  Disclosure and/or self-identification with an equity-seeking group will not lead to advantageous treatment of a candidate who is not qualified.