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Housing & Conference Services

Living At McMaster

Returning Community Advisor Job Description

This position is open to current and past Community Advisors.

This application will require you to submit a copy of your resume and cover letter.

For any questions, please contact applyrls@mcmaster.ca

 

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

As an ambassador of the Residence Life Office, the CA will develop a community support system in an assigned area that promotes personal dignity, mutual respect, and consideration for others.

Accountabilities

  • Deliver interactive activities to participants.
  • 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 required.
  • 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 residences and work-related matters.
  • Manage conflict and resolve community issues by following training and department guidelines.
  • Promote staff engagement by coordinating initiatives that establish positive community standards in their building (i.e. team socials, staff development activities at meetings, etc.).
  • Assist with Residence Life and Housing & Conference Services initiatives and events
  • Be familiar with and implement the Sexual Violence Response Protocol.
  • Adhere to Social Media Guidelines and Expectations through building Facebook Groups

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 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 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
  • 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
  • Remain in residence until the day after the last exam in December and in April and be on coverage for two of the last three nights of each term.