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 Senior Community Advisor will be responsible for all responsibilities related to the Community Advisor position and additional responsibilities including:
- Act as a mentor to the Community Advisors by providing guidance, support, and team development opportunities through initiatives such as 1-on-1s, team meetings, team socials, office hours, etc.
- Collaborate with the Residence Orientation Assistant (ROA) on building a relationship between both CA and ROR teams in regard to any Welcome Week related programming and events
- Provide administrative support in upholding the Residence Curriculum with tasks such as:
- Review program proposals
- Bulletin Board reconciliation
- Assessment initiatives
- Facilitate and support building and area wide programming initiatives as needed
- Participate in unit and department working groups and consultation committees
- Assist with student conduct by tracking educational sanctions and conducting follow-up conversations
Job Summary:
The Senior Community Advisors (SCAs) are student ambassadors of the Residence Life Department who provide connection, support, and mentorship to incoming first-year students and their respective area team . SCAs are a part of the Residence Life team and support students living on-campus in residence.
Accountabilities:
- Assist with the planning, coordination and implementation of events and activities.
- Aid in the coordination and training of student staff.
- Maintain a comprehensive database of event proposals and evaluations.
- 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.
- Attend all meetings and training sessions required.
- Facilitate meetings with students
- 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 experience as Residence Life Staff member at McMaster (or equivalent experience)
Assets:
- Demonstrated positive attitude and proven initiative.
- Proven ability to establish and maintain excellent rapport with team members, in order to effectively lead a team.
- Ability to juggle competing priorities and complete tasks in a timely manner.
- Ability to anticipate problems, by using forethought and reasoning, and plan appropriately for their resolution.
- Excellent communication skills: listening, written, verbal, facilitation, negotiation, and presentation.
- Good computer skills in order to stay organized and productive.
- Ability to work independently, as well as part of a team.
- Demonstrated maturity and ability to accept responsibility.
- Demonstrated organizational skills in the planning and implementation of large-scale events.
- Experience building relationships and developing consensus within a diverse team of students, student staff and professional staff.
- Proven ability to make sound decisions in stressful situations.
- Must have an open mind and be flexible when working with others.
- Demonstrated good judgement and problem-solving skills.
- Demonstrated ability to take initiative.
- Certified in First Aid and CPR-C is considered an asset.
Additional Information:
- Senior Community Advisor position is a live-on position
- Attend all mandated training days including, but not limited to:
- Residence Life Staff Orientation (RLSO)
- Online Training
- August Training
- January Revival
- Promote and uphold the Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities (CSRR) and the Residence Community Standards (RCS).
- 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
- Community Advisors will be required to purchase a meal plan
- Anticipated 8hrs / week in addition to the Community Advisor expectations
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.