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Housing & Conference Services

Living At McMaster

Off-Campus Community Assistant

For any questions, please contact applyrls@mcmaster.ca

 

This job is posted in the Resident Housing Portal under the “Employment” tab. Click the appropriate application type.

Position Description

The goal of Housing and Conference Services is to provide an intellectual and social residence community conducive to the pursuit of academic study, personal development, and that meets the changing needs of a diverse student population.

Residence Life supports student success by encouraging growth, educating character and enhancing the university experience.

McMaster Leadership Core Competencies

  • Investing in Relationships
  • Driving Results
  • Communication and Collaboration
  • Taking a Strategic Approach
  • Developing People
  • Championing Change and Innovation

Residence Life Educational Priorities

  • Community Engagement
  • Personal Growth
  • Inclusive Communities
  • Health and Wellbeing

Job Summary

Act as an ambassador to support off-campus first year students in building connections and integration into the McMaster Community.

The Off-Campus Community Assistant (OCCA) will be responsible for:

  • Maintain a high level of confidentiality regarding students and work-related matters
  • Maintain a strong presence and high level of visibility and engagement with students and staff
  • Deliver and support engaging experiences with students, at both the community and building-wide level, based on the Residence Life Staff Handbook and Residence Curriculum
  • Uphold the Student Code of Rights & Responsibilities and other department and University policies

Accountabilities

  • Assist in the development and delivery of Residence Life events and activities for students.
  • Act as an ambassador by providing support and promoting a positive environment for off-campus first year students.
  • Update and maintain a variety of correspondences, documents and related information.
  • Refer students to appropriate departmental and community support services.
  • Liaise with a variety of internal stakeholders relating to student services.
  • Participate in meetings and provide information related to off-campus first year students.
  • Adhere to Social Media Guidelines and Expectations through building Facebook Groups
  • Seek out assistance and escalate issues when necessary based on established departmental guidelines.

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.
  • Previous Community Advisor or OCCA experience (minimum 4 months) is 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 management skills in the planning and implementation large-scale events.
  • Working knowledge and/or experience building consensus within a diverse team of students, student staff and professional staff.

Additional Information

  • The Off-Campus Community Assistant 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 Off-Campus Community Advisor m ay not hold another Welcome Week position.
  • Abstain from consuming substances and alcohol during McMaster Welcome Week Orientation Training and Welcome Week *Dates To Be Confirmed*
  • Attend all required training sessions including:
    • Residence Life Staff Orientation – Saturday 4th 2020
    • August Training Program – August 2020 (TBD)
    • January Revival Training – January 2021 (TBD
  • This is a live off-campus position