Recognized as one of Canada's Greenest Employers (2020):
By Richard Yerema and Chantel Watkins, Mediacorp Canada Inc. staff editors (Jun 15, 2020)
Here are some of the reasons why University of Victoria was selected as one of Canada's Greenest Employers (2020):
- University of Victoria mobilizes employees and students to increase sustainability on campus through the Campus Sustainability Fund, which provides financial support for employees, student and faculty-inspired sustainability projects -- the university has also integrated sustainability as a key part of its curriculum in nearly every major field, from science and engineering to social sciences and law
- Working towards its goal of becoming a zero-waste campus, University of Victoria offers hundreds of recycling kiosks, an extensive composting program, water conservation initiatives, a formal move-out program for offices and students in residence (donating unwanted clothing, furniture and electronics to the campus "Free Store") and special pick-up and drop-off services for soft plastics, styrofoam, electronic waste and batteries
- University of Victoria's Campus Bike Centre offers secure bike parking for over 230 bikes, a bike kitchen, gear lockers and benches -- and is also home to the unique SPOKES (Student Promotion of Kickstands Etc. Salvaging) bike repair and loan program, managed by volunteers who refurbish donated bikes and loan them out for a nominal fee of $10 for the year
Heather Buckley, a green engineer and chemist at the University of Victoria
Highlights
| Industry | Post secondary schools, university |
| Major Canadian hiring locations | Victoria BC |
| Full-time employees in Canada | 3,072 |
| Part-time employees in Canada | 1,974 |
| Employee green team | Staff Sustainability Network (over 40 members representing 20 departments), Sustainability Advisory Committee (comprised of employees, faculty and students), Res Green Team (advocacy group for students living in residence) |
| Senior executive who oversees initiatives | Director, Campus Planning and Sustainability |
| Formal strategy/policy name | UVic Campus Plan, Sustainability Action Plan, UVic Sustainability Policy, UVic Strategic Energy Master Plan |
| Publishes sustainability report | yes |
| Green highlights | "21 Days to Green Your Routine" (sustainability challenge for employees and faculty), Green Office (GO!) program hosts fun competitions every year to engage employees on sustainability, Green Labs (energy savings initiatives for laboratories), UVic Sustainability Champions Awards (for employees and undergraduate students), "Dump and Run" project and the Free Store (programs to collect usable goods for reuse by others), Campus Sustainability Fund (support for employee, student and faculty-inspired sustainability projects), Edible Campus project (initiative to introduce food plantings across the campus), Ecology Speakers Series, Revolving Sustainability Fund (funded through savings realized, provides support for energy and water savings initiatives), Fair Trade steering committee and food services support numerous sustainability initiatives with a focus on sourcing food locally (designated Fair Trade Campus and recently introduced Beyond Fair Trade coffee), offers hundreds of graduate and undergraduate courses emphasizing sustainability across a range of disciplines (from ocean sciences to business to geography) |
| Noteworthy initiatives | campus community garden with 90 plots and includes regular gardening workshops and a new bee apiary (managed in partnership with a local beekeeper), has an ongoing native plant landscaping and invasive species removal program |
| Building footprint includes | PV solar panels, rainwater collection, green roof, geothermal heating/cooling, electric vehicle charging stations, new campus building construction must meet LEED Gold (or better) certification standards, furniture sourcing policy (from zero-waste manufacturers, sustainably sourced wood to recyclable products), water bottle filling stations (ongoing program to upgrade water fountains), green cleaning systems, heat recovery system for pool heating |
| Extended recycling | organics, styrofoam, e-waste and small appliances, batteries, furniture, soft plastics (dedicated volunteers collect and deliver to an off-campus recycler), new waste reduction video shorts to help ensure proper recycling, set zero waste to landfill as a final goal |
| Commuter amenities | campus cycling plan (new) and cycling advisory committee, campus traffic survey (hosted every two years), SPOKES (refurbishes old bikes for loan to students and employees and hosted bike repair workshop series for female and transgendered cyclists), introducing electric vehicles to fleet, car-sharing system (offers free membership for employees), parking for carpoolers, Bike to Work Week (community sponsor), walk to public transit, secure/sheltered bicycle parking, online carpool sign-up, transit subsidies |
| Community partnerships | Bamfield Marine Science Centre, Science Venture (Actua), City of Victoria (co-signed a Protocol of Cooperation to collaborate on sustainability, stormwater management, and climate action initiatives), Parks Canada (installed biodiversity monitoring instruments) |
Recognized as one of Canada's Best Diversity Employers (2021):
By Kristina Leung and Stephanie Leung, Mediacorp Canada Inc. staff editors (Mar 1, 2021)
Here are some of the reasons why University of Victoria was selected as one of Canada's Best Diversity Employers (2021):
- University of Victoria created the world's first Indigenous law program, holding its first intake of students in 2018 -- students will graduate with Canadian common law (JD) and Indigenous legal orders (JID) degrees, enabling them to help Indigenous peoples and Canada build enduring political and legal relationships
- University of Victoria's Centre for Athletics, Recreation and Special Abilities features improved accessibility, family change rooms with space for transgendered individuals, and space for CanAssist, an on-campus organization that helps persons with disabilities improve their quality of life
- Additionally, CanAssist works with Vikes Athletics and Recreation to create accessible, inclusive athletic and recreational programming -- events include hosting national wheelchair rugby training camps, participating in OneAbility ProMotion Week, and showcasing wheelchair basketball demos during half-time at Vikes basketball games
Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations (second left) announces a $9.1-million contribution to University of Victoria's Indigenous Law program alongside its professors
Highlights
| Industry | Post secondary schools, university |
| Major Canadian hiring locations | Victoria BC |
| Full-time employees in Canada | 3,203 |
| Senior executive who oversees diversity initiatives | Director of the Office of Equity and Human Rights |
| Formal commitment | office of equity and human rights, academic advisory committee on equity and diversity, Indigenous academic advisory council (forum for academic leaders, Indigenous faculty and academic staff, staff of the First Peoples’ House and Student Affairs, and Indigenous students to share recommendations to support Indigenous education, research and engagement at the university) |
| Recruitment initiatives | updated Guide to Faculty and Librarian Recruitment to include best strategies for equity, diversity and inclusion at all stages of the recruitment process, along with templates and checklists to support fair hiring, postings are shared with organizations who support equity seeking groups (GT Hiring Solutions, WorkBC, Inter-Cultural Association, Native Friendship Centre) |
| Retention and development programs | Indigenous employee guide published in 2019 to provide new hires with general information about working at the university, Central Accommodation Fund (for university employees with disabilities), Community Building Fund (financial assistance for faculty, student and staff projects on equity, diversity and inclusion) |
| Employee resource groups | Academic Women's Caucus (forum to discuss concerns of academic women), Faculty Disability Caucus, Minority and Indigenous Women Instructors' Network, Immigrant Employee Support Network (offers workshops on topics such as combatting stress caused by cultural and linguistic differences and understanding the expectations of Canadian employers) |
| Training and awareness | training on mental health and well-being and gender diversity, dedicated training for academic leaders on recruiting for diversity and supporting accommodation, Indigenous cultural acumen (foundational information about the colonial context, historical and current, of Indigenous people in Canada) |
| Diversity highlights | all the deans submit an annual report to the vice-president academic and provost which includes equity and diversity initiatives (the advisor meets with deans regularly to review goals and strategies for recruitment), Elders' Voices program (Elders in Residence provide guidance on Indigenous ways of knowing and being), First Peoples' House on campus (support place for Indigenous and non-Indigenous employees to learn about Coast Salish history, protocol, culture and tradition), established the first chair in transgender studies role to foster research and scholarship, the university's libraries and archives are committed to preserving the history of transgender activists and their associated documents, publications and memorabilia, Provost's Advocacy and Activism Awards (recognizes individuals who work to address systemic or institutionalized barriers), 5 Days of Action with ideas to read, watch, and do to take steps towards ending discrimination, harassment and sexualized violence on campus, "Exploring the Experience of Immigrant Employees Through Theatre" performance by applied theatre students |
The Career Directory
University of Victoria has been selected for The Career Directory, our guide to entry-level recruitment for recent college and university graduates.
University of Victoria employees cheer on the Vikes
Highlights for New Grads
| Industry | Post secondary schools, university |
| Full-time employees in Canada | 2,500 to 5,000 |
| Major Canadian hiring locations | Victoria BC |
| Student opportunities | paid internships, summer jobs, co-op opportunities |
| Training | subsidies for professional accreditation, online training, in-house training, mentoring, in-house career planning services, leadership training |
| Tuition subsidies (related to job) | yes |
| Typical new grad positions | Administrative Assistant, Project Coordinator, Programmer, Information Technology, Database Administrator, Communications Coordinator |
| Starting salary | $35K to $40K |
| Work benefits | health benefits for new employees, flexible work hours, telecommuting, transit subsidies, employees receive paid time off to volunteer |
| Vacation allowance | new employees receive 3 weeks of paid vacation after their first year on the job |
Academic fields recruited
-
Bachelor of Arts
- Archeology
- Architecture - Design/History
- Architecture - Landscape
- Business
- Criminology
- Economics
- English
- French
- Geography
- Graphic / Fine Arts
- History
- Human Resources
- Industrial Relations
- Journalism
- Languages (Other)
- Museum Studies
- Music
- Philosophy
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Public Relations / Communications
- Recreation Studies
- Social Work
- Sociology
- Urban Geography / Planning
-
Bachelor of Commerce / Business Administration
- Accounting
- Finance
- Hotel / Food Services
- Human Resources
- Information Systems
- Marketing
- Public Administration
-
Bachelor of Education
- Adult
- Counselling
- Early Childhood
- Intermediate Senior (7-12)
- Junior Intermediate (4-10)
- Junior Primary (0-6)
- Physical & Health
- Special Needs
-
Bachelor of Engineering
- Aerospace
- Agriculture
- Architectural / Building / Construction
- Automation / Robotics
- Biomedical Electronics
- Biotechnology
- Chemical
- Civil
- Computer Engineering
- Electrical
- Engineering Physics
- Environmental
- Food Processing
- Forestry
- Geological
- Industrial Chemistry
- Industrial Design
- Industrial Engineering
- Instrumentation
- Marine
- Materials Science
- Mechanical
- Metallurgy
- Microelectronics
- Mining
- Nuclear
- Petroleum / Fuels
- Pollution Treatment
- Power / Hydro
- Production / Manufacturing
- Pulp & Paper
- Surveying / Geomatics
- Telecommunications
- Transportation
- Water Resources
- Welding
-
Bachelor of Laws
- Copyright / Patent
- Corporate
- Environmental
- Labour
- Real Estate
-
Bachelor of Science
- Actuarial / Statistics
- Agriculture / Horticulture
- Animal Sciences / Medicine
- Anthropology
- Astronomy
- Audiology
- Biochemistry
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
- Dentistry
- Ecology
- Environmental
- Epidemiology
- Forestry
- Geography
- Geology
- Gerontology
- Health Sciences
- Immunology
- Information Studies / Library Science
- Kinesiology
- Materials Science
- Mathematics
- Metallurgy
- Meteorology / Climatology
- Microbiology
- Nursing
- Nutrition
- Occupational Therapy
- Oceanography
- Optometry / Ophthalmology
- Pharmacy
- Physical Therapy
- Physics
- Psychology
- Speech Pathology
- Textiles
- Zoology
-
Community College Diploma
- Accounting
- Advertising
- Agriculture / Horticulture
- Aircraft Maintenance
- Animal Health
- Animation / Computer Animation
- Architecture Technician
- Audio/Video Technician
- Autocad
- Automotive Mechanic
- Business
- Carpentry
- Child Care / Education
- Chiropody / Podiatry
- Communications / Public Relations
- Computer Science
- Cooking / Chef Training
- Dietitian / Nutrition
- Drama / Performing Arts
- Electronics Technician
- Engineering Technician
- Facility Management
- Fashion Arts / Design
- Financial Planning
- Forestry
- Funeral Services
- Graphic Arts / Design
- Health Care Aide (HCA)
- Health Sciences (Other)
- Heavy Equipment
- Hospitality
- Human Resources
- HVAC Systems
- Information Technology
- Insurance
- Journalism
- Laboratory Technician
- Legal Assistant / Law Clerk
- Marine Engineering
- Marketing / Sales
- Massage Therapy
- Music
- Nuclear Medicine
- Nursing (RN)
- Nursing (RNA / RPN)
- Office Administration
- Orthotics / Prosthetics
- Other Trades
- Pharmacy Technician
- Photography
- Plumbing
- Pulp & Paper
- Purchasing / Logistics
- Radiation Therapy
- Radiology
- Real Estate Sales
- Recreation Studies
- Rehabilitation / Physical Therapy
- Respiratory Therapy
- Secretarial
- Security / Enforcement
- Social Worker / DSW
- Surveying / Geomatics
- Tool & Die / Machinist / Millwright
- Travel and Tourism
- TV/Radio Arts / Broadcast
- Ultrasound Technician
- Upholstery
- Urban Planning
- Welding
-
Doctorate (Arts)
- Economics
- English
- French
- Geography
- History
- Languages (Other)
- Music
- Philosophy
- Psychology
- Social Work
- Sociology
- Urban Geography / Planning
-
Doctorate (Education)
- Administration
- Teaching
-
Doctorate (Eng.)
- Aerospace
- Biotechnology
- Chemical
- Civil
- Computer Engineering
- Electrical
- Engineering Physics
- Environmental
- Geological
- Industrial Engineering
- Materials Science
- Mechanical
- Production / Manufacturing
- Telecommunications
-
Doctorate (Science)
- Actuarial / Statistics
- Animal Sciences / Veterinary Medicine
- Audiology
- Biochemistry
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
- Environmental
- Epidemiology
- Geology
- Gerontology
- Health Sciences
- Immunology
- Materials Science
- Mathematics
- Medical Doctor
- Metallurgy
- Meteorology / Climatology
- Microbiology
- Nursing
- Nutrition
- Occupational Therapy / Kinesiology
- Pharmacy
- Physical Therapy
- Physics
- Psychology
- Speech Pathology
-
Master of Architecture
- Architecture
- Architecture - Landscape
-
Master of Arts
- Archeology
- Criminology
- Economics
- English
- French
- Geography
- Graphic / Fine Arts
- History
- Human Resources
- Industrial Relations
- Journalism
- Languages (Other)
- Museum Studies
- Music
- Philosophy
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Public Relations
- Recreation Studies
- Social Work
- Sociology
- Urban Geography / Planning
-
Master of Business Administration
- Accounting
- Finance
- Human Resources
- Information Systems
- Marketing
- Public Administration
-
Master of Education
- Administration
- Counselling
- Teaching
-
Master of Engineering
- Aerospace
- Agriculture
- Architectural / Building / Construction
- Automation / Robotics
- Biomedical Electronics
- Biotechnology
- Chemical
- Civil
- Computer Engineering
- Electrical
- Engineering Physics
- Environmental
- Food Processing
- Forestry
- Geological
- Industrial Chemistry
- Industrial Design
- Industrial Engineering
- Instrumentation
- Marine
- Materials Science
- Mechanical
- Metallurgy
- Microelectronics
- Mining
- Nuclear
- Petroleum / Fuels
- Pollution Treatment
- Power / Hydro
- Production / Manufacturing
- Pulp & Paper
- Surveying / Geomatics
- Telecommunications
- Transportation
- Water Resources
- Welding
-
Master of Science
- Actuarial / Statistics
- Agriculture / Horticulture
- Animal Sciences / Medicine
- Anthropology
- Astronomy
- Audiology
- Biochemistry
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
- Dentistry
- Ecology
- Environmental
- Epidemiology
- Forestry
- Genetics
- Geography
- Geology
- Gerontology
- Health Sciences
- Immunology
- Information Studies / Library Science
- Kinesiology
- Materials Science
- Mathematics
- Metallurgy
- Meteorology / Climatology
- Microbiology
- Nursing / Health Administration
- Nutrition
- Occupational Therapy
- Oceanography
- Pharmacy
- Physical Therapy
- Physics
- Psychology
- Speech Pathology
- Zoology
-
Professional Accreditation
- Accounting (CA)
- Accounting (CGA)
- Accounting (CMA)
- Certified Nutrition Manager (CSNM)
- Cisco Certifications
- Financial Planning (CFP, FMA)
- Financial Securities (CSC)
- Human Resources (CHRP, CEBS)
- Insurance (RIBO, OTL, CIP)
- Interior Design (NCIDQ)
- Investment Planning (CFA, CIM)
- Land Surveyor
- Logistics (CITT, CIFFA)
- Microsoft Certifications
- Novell Certifications
- Other Business / Technical/ Industry Certifications
- Professional Engineer
- Purchasing Management (PMAC, CPP)
- Quality Assurance (TQM)
-
Secondary Education
- High School Diploma