Roles, Responsibilities, and Relations
Every successful DFS situation, whether it involves employment or a placement, requires four key people/positions. They are:
Your Responsibilities as a DFS Student
Placement with a sponsoring agency provides you with a unique opportunity to complete academic course work while participating in the workforce. Continued commitment to your DFS placement is necessary. You are expected to act in a manner that reflects positively on the supporting agency, Lethbridge College, and yourself.
Here is what is expected of you.
Before commencing your DFS Placement:
Once in your DFS Placement :
In terms of your courses:
Complete, to the best of your ability, all course specific learning outcomes and assignments by prescribed diary dates.
In addition to the specific course learning outcomes, you must demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Agency Contact and the DFS Instructor the standards of behaviour and performance required of the justice professionals.
Note: Although you may not be earning a salary, you should behave as if you are an employee. At any time, due to operational or security reasons or at the discretion of the agency contact, you may be removed from the duties or activities being performed.
Responsibilities of the DFS Coordinator
The DFS Coordinator is responsible for the coordination and direction of the Directed Field Studies (DFS). He or she will guide you in the selection of an appropriate placement and role, and help you identify learning opportunities within placement agencies. The Coordinator will, in general, serve as a liaison between the College, the student, and the Agency. The maintenance of positive relationships between the College, the student and the Agency is critical. Specific responsibilities follow.
Responsibilities with Respect to Students
Responsibilities Relating to DFS Instructors
Responsibilities of your DFS Instructors
Each DFS course you take will have an instructor assigned, as with any other course. Specific responsibilities of your instructors are:
Responsibilities of Your Agency Contact
Your work supervisor is normally your DFS Agency Contact. Typical responsibilities are:
- you, the student
- the DFS coordinator
- your instructors
- your agency contact
Your Responsibilities as a DFS Student
Placement with a sponsoring agency provides you with a unique opportunity to complete academic course work while participating in the workforce. Continued commitment to your DFS placement is necessary. You are expected to act in a manner that reflects positively on the supporting agency, Lethbridge College, and yourself.
Here is what is expected of you.
Before commencing your DFS Placement:
- You must have successfully completed JUS3 388 Orientation to DFS.
- During the course, you will have developed an academic plan that will influence what type of placement you should seek. You will work with the DFS coordinator to ensure your courses and your placement are aligned so as to ensure success in your 4th year of study.
- Depending on whether you wish to do your placement at a place where you are already employed, have a contact who can provide a placement, or you need help finding or contacting a potential placement, you may have to prepare for and participate in an interview with the agency.
- A contract that describes the relationship between the college and the DFS agency will have to be in place. Do not proceed to placement unless you are sure this contract is in place. Your DFS coordinator will help you with this.
Once in your DFS Placement :
- Work full-time or near full-time (80% of full-time minimum)
- Attend all scheduled shifts as prescribed by the agency
- Comply with agency policies and procedures as if you are a full-time employee
- Become familiar with the placement's policies and procedures
- Observe and participate in activities as assigned by the agency contact
- Consult with the agency contact if there is a problem and, if unresolved, consult with the DFS Coordinator
- Accept ongoing supervision and direction by the agency contact and DFS instructors
- It is important that you keep your Agency Contact informed and aware of your progress and of any concerns you may have
- Keep your DFS Coordinator and your instructors advised of any changes to your work situation and/or your DFS Plan
In terms of your courses:
Complete, to the best of your ability, all course specific learning outcomes and assignments by prescribed diary dates.
In addition to the specific course learning outcomes, you must demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Agency Contact and the DFS Instructor the standards of behaviour and performance required of the justice professionals.
Note: Although you may not be earning a salary, you should behave as if you are an employee. At any time, due to operational or security reasons or at the discretion of the agency contact, you may be removed from the duties or activities being performed.
Responsibilities of the DFS Coordinator
The DFS Coordinator is responsible for the coordination and direction of the Directed Field Studies (DFS). He or she will guide you in the selection of an appropriate placement and role, and help you identify learning opportunities within placement agencies. The Coordinator will, in general, serve as a liaison between the College, the student, and the Agency. The maintenance of positive relationships between the College, the student and the Agency is critical. Specific responsibilities follow.
Responsibilities with Respect to Students
- Advise and assist students in selecting suitable placements
- Screen placements in terms of suitability of experience
- Ensure that all appropriate documentation is completed
- Monitor student work and address issues once the placement is under way
- Identify appropriate agencies for DFS placements
- Orient agencies and agency supervisors to DFS
- Provide information to the placement unit to ensure formal agreements are established
- Monitor the placement situation to ensure that outcomes can be met and student issues can be resolved
Responsibilities Relating to DFS Instructors
- Inform instructors of DFS expectations and protocols
- Regularly interact with DFS instructors to ensure consistency
- Address student concerns
Responsibilities of your DFS Instructors
Each DFS course you take will have an instructor assigned, as with any other course. Specific responsibilities of your instructors are:
- Inform students of course related expectations and requirements
- In consultation with the DFS Coordinator, direct students when course and placement concerns arise
- Evaluate student skills and abilities through the course and submit assignments and final grades in a timely manner
Responsibilities of Your Agency Contact
Your work supervisor is normally your DFS Agency Contact. Typical responsibilities are:
- Orient and train students as necessary
- Monitor on the job performance and provide feedback to the student and to the college and DFS Coordinator when necessary
- Act as a liaison between students and other members of the agency in which students are employed or placed
- Assist students with any agency-related problems or issues and report significant issues to the DFS Coordinator in Justice Studies