Residence Life Area Coordinator

McMaster University; Hamilton; On-site; CAD 50,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An established educational institution is seeking a dynamic Residence Life Area Coordinator to foster a safe and engaging living environment for students. This role involves supervising student staff, implementing community standards, and promoting academic success. As part of a growing team, you will lead initiatives that enhance student life and well-being, while collaborating with various campus services. Ideal candidates will possess strong communication and interpersonal skills, along with a passion for community development. Join a vibrant team dedicated to enriching the university experience for all students.

Qualifications

• Minimum two years supervisory experience in a residence environment.
• Experience building teams within a diverse student community.

Responsibilities

• Supervise 14-23 student staff and conduct performance evaluations.
• Assist residents in developing community behavioral standards.
• Develop educational programs and manage hall budgets.

Skills

Communication Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Judgment and Decision-Making

Education

University Undergraduate Degree

Job description

Housing and Conference Services (HCS) directly supports the University’s goal of advancing human and societal wellbeing and McMaster’s overriding vision of ‘educating for capability.’ We provide a distinctive living and learning experience for 3600 students focused on key educational priorities including community development, personal growth and wellness, academic excellence, and inclusion.

HCS concurrently drives a positive McMaster experience for guests, alumni, staff, faculty, and student by providing accommodation and event coordination, which meet the highest standards of service excellence. HCS is a proud and significant ancillary contributor to the financial health of the University and the core academic and research mission of McMaster.

HCS is currently in a time of significant expansion as capacity is expanding by 66% over the next several years. Moving from 3600 to 6000 bed spaces across 15 buildings. This expansion will diversify the housing operation dramatically, from a traditional focus on the housing needs of first year undergraduate students, to the introduction of upper year, graduate, and family housing, in addition to a constantly diversifying internal and external client base.

The annual budget for HCS is currently (pre-expansion) approximately $31 million and we employ 100+ full-time and 250 part-time staff. HCS reports directly to both the divisions of Student Affairs and Administration. HCS reports directly to both the divisions of Student Affairs, as well as Operations & Finance.

Job Description:

Reporting to the Manager, Residence Life, this live-in position is responsible for leading the development of a safe and welcoming community in residence and supervising and administrating all residence life programs and activities in an assigned area housing 500 - 750 students. The Residence Life Area Coordinator(s) are members of a fourteen-member Residence Life Management Team who oversee all day-to-day as well as annual functions for residence students, student staff and volunteers. The Residence Life Area Coordinator(s) under the guidance of the Manager, Residence Life administer the Student Code of Rights and Responsibilities and work closely with colleagues from the Student Support and Case Management Office in the administration and implementation of the code within residence. This position also works collaboratively with all other operational units within Housing & Conference Services in the areas of student staff selection, participation in consultation committees, room assignments, facility-related matters and will liaise with McMaster Security Services and other campus student service units, as required. The Residence Life Area Coordinator provides leadership in promoting an atmosphere that supports academic achievement and fosters responsible decision-making.

Accountabilities:

1. Supervision:

Directly supervises 14-23 student staff (Community Advisors). Conducts regular formal and informal performance evaluations and recommends disciplinary action/dismissal of student leaders to the Residence Life Management Team.

Assists in the recruitment, selection and training of 136 student staff.

Facilitates the creation of and manages a student staff coverage schedule for their assigned area.

Facilitates team building, individual and team goal setting through regular, individual and team meetings with student staff. Provides guidance and direction to student staff regarding implementation of Welcome Week programming and the residence life curriculum and educational priorities.

Works cooperatively with the Residence Life Management Team to develop and deliver effective pre and in-service training programs for student staff.

2. Advising/Counseling:

Assists residents and student leaders to develop appropriate community behavioural standards within the parameters of the Student Code of Rights and Responsibilities.

Ensure residents and student leaders are aware and understand the impact of university standards and policies related to their success in the residence system and at McMaster: Student Code of Rights and Responsibilities, Alcohol Policy, Risk Management Policy, etc.

Exercises considerable judgement in choosing/taking appropriate role to deal effectively with personal or residence issues through mediation, alternate dispute resolution, conflict resolution, disciplinary action, referral to campus student services, emergency medical care, etc.

3. Community Development:

Works to ensure the development and delivery of educational programs, including Welcome Week Orientation activities and the Residence Curriculum by student staff and leaders.

Serves as a resource and provides support/guidance to members of the First Year Council through regular meetings, reports and participation in event planning.

Ensures that student staff and council members work collaboratively to promote community development, collegiality and involvement opportunities.

Works collaboratively with other Residence Life Area Coordinators to evaluate programming initiatives and make recommendations for building positive communities.

Reviews and authorizes Risk Management/Event Planning Forms, and oversees alcohol policy adherence for their assigned area.

Participates in a 24-hour/7 day per week on-call schedule, which assists students in crisis and provides for follow-up, as required.

Contributes to departmental and university committees mandated to improve student success at McMaster.

4. Administration:

Assesses needs, develops realistic budget forecasts and directs funding priority projects under the supervision of the Manager, Residence Life.

Monitors hall program budgets and manages administrative procedures for staff.

Collects and maintains accurate and confidential records of student profiles, move-in/ move-out lists, room assignments, withdrawals, disciplinary action, etc.

Acts as the primary contact in their assigned area for Residence Facilities Team by assisting with regular hall inspections, receiving and reviewing all damage reports with team and student leaders, and monitoring general state of hall(s)/level of damages.

5. Student Conduct:

Works cooperatively with the Student Conduct and Case Management Office to develop and maintain appropriate community behavioural standards, and provide fair and consistent due process to students within the parameters of the Student Code of Rights and Responsibilities.

Assumes appropriate judicial role in accordance with the Student Code of Rights and Responsibilities.

Collects and maintains accurate records, and ensures confidentiality of all discipline-related matters in their assigned area: investigation notes, Incident Reports, probation contracts, etc.

Qualifications and Education:

• Educational experience requires a minimum of a university undergraduate degree.
• Demonstrated supervisory skills in a residence environment for a minimum of two years.
• Working knowledge and/or experience building team within a large and diverse community of students, student staff and professional staff.

Knowledge/Skills:

• Communication skills (listening, written and verbal), to effect positive student-staff relations, facilitation and negotiating skills, and presentation skills.
• Interpersonal skills to effectively supervise student staff, provide necessary coaching and training, develop teamwork, provide constructive feedback, set clear expectations, monitor performance and recognize accomplishments.
• Excellent judgement and decision-making skills to allow the assessment of needs, available resources and capabilities to resolve problems.

To apply for this job, please submit your application online.