First Year Experience Coordinator

University of Waterloo; Canada; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in Canada seeks an Orientation Advisor to co-organize a comprehensive Orientation program and support administrative tasks. The role requires strong volunteer management and interpersonal skills. Candidates should have a university degree and familiarity with orientation processes. This position offers a supportive work environment with a focus on diversity and equity.

Qualifications

• 1+ year of volunteer management or staff supervision experience required.
• Familiarity with Waterloo Orientation is required.
• Experience creating and facilitating training sessions.

Responsibilities

• Co-manage and guide the Warriors O-Team for new students.
• Responsible for the recruitment and retention of Orientation Team members.
• Manage the operating budget for events created by the Warriors O-Team.

Skills

Volunteer management

Analytical thinking

Interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Budget management

Attention to detail

Education

University degree in related field

Job description

At theUniversity of Waterloo we create and promote a culture where everyone can reach their full potential. As an employee you get support & opportunities that empower you to advance your career. Explore how we can bring big ideas to life together. The University is a welcoming workplace for those of all abilities interests and expertise. As part of our workforce you can do what you do best every day.

Learn more about our recruitment process.

Job Requisition ID : Time Type : Full time

Employee Group : Staff

Job Category : Student and Campus Support

Employment Type : Permanent

Department : Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association - Orientation

Hiring Range : $60384.87 - $75481.09

Posting Information : The internal posting deadline is November 20 2025 at 11 : 59pm.

Job Description : Primary Purpose

The position is designed to act in two equal capacities one as an Orientation Advisor responsible for co-organizing and implementing a comprehensive and intentional Orientation program and one as an administrative support unit for First-Year Orientation.

Key Accountabilities

Staff Volunteer and Event Management

Co-manage and guide the Warriors O-Team (a subcommittee of the larger Waterloo Orientation Team) a team of up to six student leaders hired to create and execute campus-wide programming for new students during First-Year Orientation (FYO). This team is managed in equal partnership with the Orientation Coordinator in the Student Success Office.

Responsible for the recruitment retention and leadership development of the Waterloo Orientation Team (O-Team; a committee of up to 35 student leaders) .

Responsible for the recruitment hiring and management of the Orientation Programs Assistant a student staff member responsible for supporting many administrative aspects of FYO.

Addresses any concerns related to the student leader team and the Orientation Programs Assistant including but not limited to poor performance team dynamics and accountability.

Co-manages an operating budget of approximately $120000 for the operating expenses of the events created by the Warriors O-Team. Provides detailed paperwork for the purposes of financial record-keeping.

Works collaboratively with the City of Waterloo the Student Success Office and other external partners to offer an introductory program to the services and community resources available for new students in the City of Waterloo.

Responsible for decision-making and problem-solving during the development planning and execution stages of First-Year Orientation events created by the Warriors O-Team.

Manages the content and flow of information to the Waterloo Orientation Team.

Supports the recruitment and selection process for 1000 Orientation volunteers

Manages the Off Campus Community student-run service including the recruitment and selection of part-time staff and volunteers.

Supports the development of programming for new students living on and off campus in their first year of university in collaboration with Campus Housing the Affiliated and Federated Institutions of Waterloo and WUSAs Off Campus Community.

Assessment and Strategic Planning

As a member of the Orientation Advisory Committee works collaboratively with staff from other departments across campus with the purpose of representing and working for what undergraduate students at the University of Waterloo view as important and meaningful in their Orientation experience both as first-year students and as volunteers.

Works collaboratively with all members of the Orientation Advisory Committee to create a meaningful volunteer experience for all members of the O-Team.

Participates in the development of the long-term vision and planning for Waterloo Orientations undergraduate programming components

Reviews research from campus partners and other post-secondary institutions regarding current trends and best practices in the first-year students transition implementing these best practices where possible and relevant.

Participates in the creation of content for communications materials including social media for Waterloo Orientations online communication and publications.

Administrative Support

Responsible for clearly communicating with incoming students and preparing them with the knowledge tools and resources necessary for a successful transition to university life.

Responsible for coordinating with partners on and off campus to ensure needed resources are secured for Orientation programming.

Provides support as needed for the O-Team trainings and meetings.

Content creation and management of the O-Team E-Newsletter.

Regularly monitors the information on the new student transition website to ensure it is correct and relevant.

Develops and maintains positive working relationships with campus partners from all faculties as well as several support departments across campus.

Seeks quotes for entertainment and / or resources.

Monitors the central Orientation email account and the Orientation phone extension to reply to inquiries from incoming students student volunteers parents and family members of incoming students campus partners and external vendors.

Required Qualifications

Education

University degree required in related field (e.g. Recreation & Leisure Higher Education and / or Student Services).

A combination of education and / or experience will be considered.

Experience

At least 1 year of volunteer management / previous staff supervision experience in a student leadership capacity required.

Familiarity with Waterloo Orientation is required.

Experience as a previous member of the Federation Orientation Committee / Waterloo Orientation Team is an asset.

Budget management experience is an asset.

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

Competencies will include analytical thinking volunteer management interpersonal organizational and communication skills.

Should have experience communicating to a diverse audience through various mediums and should have experience creating and facilitating training sessions.

Should demonstrate excellent attention-to-detail as the nature of the position includes managing and booking resources that are required for successful programming.

Equity Statement

The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research learning teaching and community building and is coordinated within the Office of Indigenous Relations.

The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students faculty and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity anti-racism and inclusion. As such we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized including applicants who identify as First Nations Métis and / or Inuk (Inuit) Black racialized a person with a disability women and / or 2SLGBTQ.

Positions are open to qualified candidates who are legally entitled to work in Canada.

The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application interview or workplace accommodation requests please contact Human Resources or ext. 45935.

Required Experience :

IC

Key Skills

Computer Science,user experience,User Interface,SME,CSS,Interaction Design,Windows,Android,Usability Studies,Visual Design,HTML,User Research,JavaScript,Web Services,Wireframes

Experience : years

Vacancy : 1

Monthly Salary Salary : 60384 - 75481