Program Assistant - Frosh Support Specialist

McGill University; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 80,000; Part time

Job summary

A prominent university is looking for a Frosh Support Specialist open only to McGill students returning in Fall 2026. The role involves enhancing the experience of new students during orientation, supporting student societies, and training development. Key responsibilities include project planning, stakeholder engagement, and organizing Frosh events. Ideal candidates should have prior experience with student organizations and possess strong communication skills. Pay is $17.00 per hour for part-time hours.

Qualifications

• Current McGill student returning in Fall 2026 (required).
• Experience working in higher education (preferred).
• Knowledge of English and French (Fluent and Advanced levels).

Responsibilities

• Update and follow up on Frosh project planning and timeline.
• Foster relationships for training delivery.
• Assist in organizing Frosh events and logistics.

Skills

Experience in and with student organizations

Program delivery to varied audiences

Excellent oral and written communication skills

Education

High School Diploma

Job description

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OPEN TO MCGILL STUDENTS ONLY

Hiring Unit

Campus Life & Engagement (CL&E) supports all McGill students by connecting them to resources and creating meaningful opportunities for involvement. They guide students in navigating the McGill student experience through orientation and transition programming and by providing student life opportunities across campus for students to develop their interests and skills.

Position Summary

Open to McGill Students returning to campus in Fall 2026, the Frosh Support Specialist, working in close collaboration with the Frosh Development Specialist, acts as a liaison and organizer to advance the goals of creating an inclusive, safe, and sustainable Frosh experience for new students. These goals are part of a larger effort to enhance the new student experience and to facilitate their transition and integration at McGill University. The incumbent assists student societies in their respective operations as well as in their collaborative efforts with the University administration for an effective and safe Frosh. This position’s portfolio has a special focus on the development of training in collaboration with University stakeholders that prioritize knowledge of consent, harm reduction, and anti‑oppression amongst all parties involved in Frosh, as well as on the logistics of training and Frosh program delivery.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

• Updating and following up on Frosh project planning, timeline, and tasks
• Assessing the ongoing needs of stakeholders and determining priorities in the development of Frosh support and training
• Fostering relationships with university stakeholders for the planning and delivery of training
• Collaborating with university stakeholders, staff, students, and project stakeholders on the preparation, planning, coordination and evaluation of various trainings for both Frosh staff, Frosh leaders, and Froshies in tight collaboration with the Training Review Committee, and helping to ensure smooth delivery of training
• Facilitating the logistical support (e.g., room booking), and coordination, including frosh registration work processes, in collaboration with faculty and non‑faculty Froshes
• Assisting the Frosh Development Specialist in following up on signature of agreement(s) with student societies in a timely manner
• Collaborating with student societies and other stakeholders to ensure timely communication of Frosh events to incoming students
• Organizing a debriefing by mid‑September 2025 with organizers of faculty and non‑faculty Frosh events
• Attending monthly Orientation Planning Group meetings to provide updates on Frosh planning to members.
• Attending monthly Frosh Planning Group meetings with university stakeholders including CL&E and Office of Dean of Students and ensuring that any issues pertaining to delivering a safe and inclusive Frosh are brought to the Group’s attention.
• Attending regular Internal Organization Committee (IOC) meetings with representatives from student societies
• Assisting the Frosh Development Specialist in ensuring the confidential handling of student data and removal of said data from registration platform after Frosh
• Preparing a short report due by the end of this contract focussing on key data points (Frosh registration; staff, coordinator, and leader numbers), lessons learned, recommendations and suggested modifications to tools, approaches and timeline
• Other emergent duties, as required

Other Qualifying Skills and/or Abilities

• Current student of McGill University and returning to study at McGill in Fall 2026 (required)
• Experience working in and with student organizations, especially student government
• Experience designing and delivering programs to a variety of audiences using various mediums, including online and in‑person
• Experience working in higher education (particularly in student life), as student staff or full‑time staff
• Knowledge of French and English: McGill University is an English‑language university where day‑to‑day duties may require English communication both verbally and in writing. The level of English required for this position has been assessed at a level 4 – Fluent (spoken) and 3 – Advanced (written) on a scale of 0‑4

Education and Experience

The candidate for this position possesses the following:

• Experience planning and coordinating Orientation/Frosh events, as well as other events
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain meaningful partnerships with multiple stakeholders
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a team in an environment of high volume and potentially competing priorities
• Experience in developing and delivery of training materials would be an asset.
• Demonstrated understanding of a student‑centered, developmental, multi‑culturally sensitive approach
• Demonstrated ability to collect and analyze data and prepare written reports for various audiences in a variety of formats
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Good judgment, self‑motivation, and flexibility
• Familiarity with online/web‑based content management systems
• Ability to adapt to new and emerging technologies

Employment Learning Outcomes

As a Program Assistant, you will have the opportunity to learn and/or develop skills in the following areas:

• Knowledge of the first‑year transition requirements
• Project management and event planning skills
• Student Development
• Build strong working relationships with project collaborators
• Systems Thinking
• Peer Programs & Peer Support
• Student affairs/student life

Number of hours per week: 10 hrs/week from Feb 1 – April 30, 2026; 33.75 hrs/week from May – August 2026; 10 hrs/week from September 1 to 30, 2026.

Anticipated Started Date: February 1, 2026

Posting Information: Please submit your cover letter (mandatory, explaining why you are a suitable candidate), C.V., and work study approval letter (if applicable)

Deadline to apply: December 24, 2025

Minimum Education and Experience: High School Diploma 2 Years Related Experience

Hourly Salary: (AMUSE C) $17.00

Estimated Number of Work Hours per Week: 10 (Part time)

Position Start Date: 2025-12-01

Position End Date: 2026-09-30

This position is covered by the AMUSE collective agreement.

McGill University hires on the basis of merit and is strongly committed to equity and diversity within its community. We welcome applications from racialized persons/visible minorities, women, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, as well as from all qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities. McGill implements an employment equity program and encourages members of designated groups to self-identify. Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application process may contact, in confidence, [e-mail].