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Housing & Conference Services

Living At McMaster

Community Advisor Job Description

Application Deadlines
New applicants: 11:59 p.m., Jan. 5, 2026.

For any questions, please contact applyrls@mcmaster.ca.

This job is posted on the the Residence Portal (StarRez). Use your McMaster credentials to log in, and click on the Employment tab.

Housing Portal

Housing & Conference Services’ mission is to provide distinctive and progressive student and client experiences which enable our community’s health and well-being, and the pursuit of academic and personal goals in a safe, comfortable, inclusive environment which advances learning and service excellence. Residence Life supports student success by encouraging growth, educating character and enhancing the university experience.

Housing & Conference Services and the Student Success Centre work together year-round to offer incoming first-year students with peer and professional supports in their transition to university. Together, we support student success by encouraging growth, educating character and enhancing the university experience.

First-Year Experience

Housing & Conference Services and the Student Success Centre directly support the first-year student experience from the time they accept their offer to McMaster University until the end of their first year. Both programs are driven by three (3) Learning Goals in the First-Year Curriculum that play a key role in making sure every first-year student feels connected and supported:

  • Student Success
  • Community Impact
  • Personal Well-Being

For more information on the First-Year Experience, please visit https://studentsuccess.mcmaster.ca/first-year-experience/.

The Community Advisor will be responsible for:

  • Supporting residence students that live within their community, building and the residence wide system.
  • Respond to calls while on coverage, uphold the Student Code of Rights & Responsibilities, the Residence Community Standards (RCS), Residence Agreement, and other relevant policies.
  • Report directly to the Residence Life Area Coordinator (RLAC) while also taking direction from other members of the Residence Life Management Team (RLMT)
  • Uphold a community that promotes a safe space for all students’ well-being.

Deliver and support engaging experiences in residence, based on the residence and first-year  curriculum.

Job Summary:

Community Advisors (CAs) are student ambassadors of the Residence Life Department who provide connection, support, and mentorship to incoming first-year students. CAs are a part of the Residence Life team and support students living on-campus in residence.

Accountabilities:

  • Deliver interactive and engaging activities to participants both an in-person environment.
  • Ensure the physical, mental, and social safety of all participants. Report issues to Supervisor.
  • Update and maintain a variety of correspondences, documents and related information.
  • Liaise with a variety of internal stakeholders relating to student services.
  • Conduct rounds of residence buildings throughout coverage shifts.
  • Attend all meetings and training sessions as
  • Seek out assistance and escalate issues when necessary based on established departmental guidelines.
  • Assist students in dealing with translational needs and with the social integration and belonging of residence students.
  • Maintain a strong presence and a high level of visibility and accountability to students and staff within the assigned section.
  • Maintain a high level of confidentiality regarding resident and work-related matters.
  • Manage conflict and resolve community issues by following training and departmental
  • Assist with Residence Life and Housing & Conference Services initiatives and events.
  • Adhere to Social Media Guidelines and Expectations.
  • Actively monitor student compliance with residence health and safety protocols. Report to Supervisor.

Qualifications:

Education

  • Full-time student status (full-time undergraduate student is defined as one who is taking courses equivalent to at least 18 units between September and April or is enrolled in a full-time Co-op/outgoing Exchange program) and a minimum sessional (September-December) GPA of 6.0 must be achieved.

Experience:

  • Previous orientation experience at McMaster (or equivalent experience) considered an asset.

Assets:

  • Excellent communication skills: listening, written, verbal, facilitation, negotiation, and presentation.
  • Strong interpersonal skills to effectively support the students within the residence community.
  • Computer skills – proficiency with Microsoft Office (including Word, Excel and PowerPoint)
  • Demonstrated good judgment and problem-solving skills.
  • Ability to work independently as well as part of a larger team.
  • Demonstrated leadership skills.
  • Demonstrated skills in planning and implementing engagement opportunities for individuals and groups.
  • Working knowledge and/or experience building consensus within a diverse team of students, student staff and professional staff.

Additional Information:

  • The Community Advisor position needs to come before any/all other student leadership roles and must be the only role that is held during Welcome Week (i.e. Faculty Rep, Maroons Rep, ROR, etc.). Given the demands of the position during August and Welcome Week, the Community Advisor may not hold another Welcome Week position.
  • Abstain from consuming substances (unless prescribed) and alcohol during any job responsibilities.
  • Participate in all mandated training days including, but not limited to:
    • Residence Life Staff Orientation (RLSO)
    • Online Training
    • August Training
    • January Revival
  • Remain in residence until the day after the last exam in December 2026 and in April 2027; and be on coverage for two of the last three nights of each term.
  • Community Advisors will be required to move into residence in August and January (before the return of other students living in residence) unless otherwise communicated by the Residence Life Management Team
  • This is a live on position (cost of living is part of the renumeration package), but Community Advisors will be required to purchase a meal plan

How To Apply

To apply for this job please visit the Housing Portal. Please login and access the application questions under the “Employment” tab. If you have any questions, please email applyrls@mcmaster.ca for support.

Please note that applications received through Mosaic will not be accepted — please follow the above instructions found under “How to Apply” to complete your application.