Maccess - Assistant Director

McMasters Student Union; Hamilton; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 100,000; Part time

Job summary

A student-oriented organization in Hamilton is seeking a Maccess Assistant Director to coordinate its volunteer team and support programming for students facing challenges related to disability and mental health. Candidates should be current McMaster undergraduate students, with mental health support credentials considered an asset. This role offers 6-8 hours of work per week, fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment for all participants.

Qualifications

• Current McMaster Undergraduate student.
• Current MSU member.
• Mental health support credentials are an asset.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate MSU Maccess’s volunteer team.
• Assist in hiring and training volunteers.
• Create a welcoming environment for Service users.

Skills

Mental health support credentials

Communication skills

Team leadership

Education

Undergraduate student at McMaster

Tools

Microsoft Office 365

Job description

As per MSU employment policies - "Only MSU members in good standing shall be eligible for part-time employment with McMaster Student Union." This includes, but is not limited to- "All undergraduate students at McMaster University enrolled in 18 units or more during an academic session.." To find more information and exceptions, please see our Part-Time Staff policy or our Bylaw 2 - MSU Membership.

Please note this job closes on Tuesday, November 18 at 11:59pm.

Contract term: Current - April 30

Maccess Assistant Director shall be responsible for the coordination of MSU Maccess’s volunteer team in the execution of one of the MSU’s Peer-Support Service’s programs. The Maccess Assistant Director, alongside the Maccess Director, shall serve as a pillar for student aid throughout the McMaster community that focuses on disability, chronic illness, mental illness, accessibility, or other experiences which fall under the broader Disability Justice framework—and any relevant resources for MSU students—through the creation and delivery of programming, events, and campaigns. The Maccess Assistant Director will assist the Maccess Director in the hiring of all executive and volunteer members, as well as the coordination, training, and recognition of all volunteers within the Service. The Maccess Assistant Director shall strive to create a welcoming, inclusive, and safe(r) environment for Service users/community members and volunteers within an Anti-Racist and Anti-Oppressive Framework. The Maccess Assistant Director’s primary responsibilities shall involve regular reflection and intervention in addressing the internal growth needs of the Service.

Requirements & Expectations

Qualifications

• Current McMaster Undergraduate student
• Current MSU member
• Mental health support credentials [e.g., SafeTalk, Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST), Mental Health First Aid, Wellness Recovery Action Planning (WRAP), Peer Support Accreditation, etc.] are an asset.

Effort

Physical Effort

• Movement of event and/or session supplies may result in the need for lifting or pushing by the Maccess Director, Maccess Assistant Director, executives, or volunteers.

Mental Effort

• High degree of communication requirements may cause mental fatigue.
• Moderate-to-high level of mental effort required to address sensitive and confidential subject matters in a professional manner.

Working Conditions

Job Pressure

• Duties to challenge dominant and/or oppressive views may result in high social pressures.
• Serial nature of events and fluctuations in time commitment demands throughout the term of employment may lead to high variability in stress levels.
• Often deeply personal connection to the community of Service users/community members may result in internalized occupational dissatisfaction.
• Service mandate and goals typically involve moderate-to-high-stakes consequences when left unmet.
• Expectations of maintaining a level-head in emergency situations may result in mental fatigue.

Work Environment

• High demand of team inquiries may require unique communication standards and/or practices to establish a clear work-life separation with peer personnel.
• Colleagues often exude a high degree of passion surrounding their work.
• MSU Maccess's space is held inside of the McMaster University Student Centre (MUSC)

Training & Experience

Required

• Awareness and understanding of topics associated with the Service (e.g., intersectionality, critical disability theory, dis-/ableism, in-/accessibility, human rights, mentalism/saneism, disability history, human rights, intersecting oppression, invisible privilege, etc.).
• Awareness and understanding of the scope of the Service within the MSU, McMaster, and Greater Hamilton community.

Preferred

• Experience as a(n) teacher/trainer/educator in any capacity.
• Experience as a manager/supervisor/team leader.
• Experience acting as a member of a recruitment team and/or hiring board/committee.
• Experience as an event and/or conference planner/organizer/administrator.
• Experience as a volunteer/employee with MSU Services.
• Experience in dealing with sensitive subject matters that require anonymity and/or confidentiality.

Provided

• Microsoft Office 365 use and navigation.
• Recognizing, and responding to disclosures of, sexual and gender-based violence.
• Accessibility and disability inclusion.
• Anti-racism/anti-oppressive practices.
• Responding to disclosures of drug use and sexual activity with appropriate harm-reduction strategies.
• Peer-support best practices.
• Space and group facilitation best practices.
• 2STLGBQIA+ inclusivity.
• Eating disorder awareness and responding to disclosures of disordered eating.
• Hiring practices.
• Social media and marketing.

Materials & Equipment

Workstation

• Service drop-in space.
• Private office and one-on-one support space.
• Personal computer.
• Full Microsoft Office 365 access.
• Meridian Telephone system with voicemail, where appropriate.
• Limited free printer/photocopier access.

Please download the job description to see a full listing of the duties & responsibilities: Job Description - Maccess Assistant Director - created 20-20

Reports to: Maccess Director

Hours: 6-8 hours per week

Rate: C2