Student Collectives Assistant

Conestoga Students; Kitchener; On-site; Part time

Job summary

A student association in the Region of Waterloo seeks a Student Collectives Assistant to enhance student-led programming. You'll engage with underrepresented communities to gather feedback and design initiatives that foster inclusion and belonging. Ideal candidates should understand the lived experiences of equity-seeking groups, possess strong communication skills, and be enrolled in a full-time program at Conestoga College. The role requires up to 20 hours per week and offers competitive wages and valuable student support services.

Benefits

Competitive wages

Paid sick days

Culturally significant events off

Discounts at food services

Employee engagement activities

Qualifications

• Preference for understanding lived experiences of equity-seeking groups.
• Previous experience in student leadership or community engagement is an asset.
• Attention to detail and strong time-management skills.

Responsibilities

• Support development and implementation of the Student Collectives program.
• Engage with marginalized students to understand their needs.
• Assist with secondary research and environmental scans.

Skills

Understanding of equity-seeking groups

Verbal and written communication

Organizational skills

Cultural competence

Education

Full-time degree, diploma or certificate program at Conestoga College

Tools

Microsoft Forms

Google Forms

Job description

Position: Student Collectives Assistant
Location: Conestoga College – Doon Campuses (may be eligible to work at other locations as needed)
Reports to: Student Experience Coordinator
Time Requirement: Up to 20 hours per week (some evenings and weekends may be required)
Hourly Wage: $21.15

Company Overview

Conestoga Students Incorporated (“CSI”) was founded in 1973 and is the official student association representing more than 21,000 students at all Conestoga College campuses. All full‑time fee‑paying students are the owners and customers of CSI, and we are dedicated to serving the students to the best of our ability.

CSI’s mission is to enhance student satisfaction and success by providing a variety of student services at a cost justified by the results. To achieve this mission, we are working to ensure students have access to skills development.

Why Join Us? CSI is a team of enthusiastic individuals ready to assist students in their academic and professional ventures. CSI is committed to supporting its team members every step of the way through active coaching, and opportunities to develop the necessary skills for all professional fields.

CSI’s student employees also have access to: Competitive Wages, Paid Sick Days, Paid time off to observe culturally significant events, Discounts at our food services outlets, Employee engagement activities.

For more information on what we do and the services we offer, please check out our website at https://conestogastudents.com/

Position Overview

To further CSI’s mandate of enhancing student‑led programming across Conestoga campuses, the Student Collectives program provides support and resources to underrepresented and marginalized student communities. Through this program, collectives are empowered to create their own programming, events, and initiatives that foster inclusion and belonging.

The Student Collectives Assistant will play a key role in developing and shaping this program. This position will support the Student Experience team by helping design and deliver initiatives that respond to student needs, while also assisting in program evaluation and improvement. To gather insights, the Student Collectives Assistant will engage students through informal methods such as coffee chats, conversations, and collecting feedback, as well as contributing to secondary research and environmental scans.

This position reports to the Student Experience Coordinator and will contribute to building a welcoming and inclusive campus culture where the voices of diverse student communities are heard and valued.

You will learn to

• Support the development and delivery of new student‑led programming and initiatives.
• Gather student perspectives through informal feedback methods such as coffee chats and conversations.
• Contribute to secondary research and environmental scanning to inform program planning.
• Apply equity, diversity, and inclusion practices to ensure programming reflects the needs of marginalized and underrepresented student groups.
• Communicate insights and recommendations in clear, student‑centered ways to support program growth.

Duties and Responsibilities

• In collaboration with the Student Experience Coordinator, support the development and implementation of the Student Collectives program.
• Engage with underrepresented and marginalized students on campus through coffee chats, informal feedback sessions, and small‑group discussions to better understand their needs and priorities.
• Contribute to secondary research and environmental scans to help identify potential student communities for the inaugural Student Collectives.
• Assist with creating foundational guidelines, expectations, and supports for Student Collectives, informed by student feedback and best practices.
• Support the preparation of summaries and recommendations to inform program planning and decision‑making.
• Help coordinate the recruitment and onboarding process for the inaugural Student Collectives.
• Provide ongoing support to collectives by gathering user feedback and reporting on student experiences to ensure continuous program improvement.
• Contribute to presentations, updates, and reports for internal and external stakeholders as needed.

Other General Duties

• Work in accordance with corporate by‑laws, policies and procedures, particularly to the CSI Mission Statement.
• Practice professionalism and impartiality when handling sensitive personal information.
• Maintain confidentiality for business practices.
• Strict adherence to Health & Safety laws, policies, and procedures.
• Work in an organized manner where detail, accuracy, and confidentiality are critical.
• Attend meetings, training, and committees when required.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Preference will be given to those who have a deep understanding of the lived experiences of equity‑seeking groups (such as Indigenous, BIPOC, 2SLGBTQIA+, and persons with disabilities).
• Previous experience in student leadership, peer support, or community engagement is an asset.
• Experience with survey tools (e.g., Microsoft Forms, Google Forms, or other survey platforms) is an asset.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to engage diverse student populations.
• Strong organizational and time‑management skills.
• Attention to detail.
• Cultural competence: Respect and understanding for persons who come from a variety of socioeconomic, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds.

Student Eligibility

All students in this position must:

• Be in a full‑time degree, diploma or certificate program at Conestoga College.
• Maintain a full‑time course load. Part‑time studies may be allowed for students who are registered with Accessibility Services and require a reduced load.
• For Spring term positions (May to August), students must be returning to full‑time studies in the Fall term in order to be eligible.
• Have a valid Social Insurance Number.

International students must:

• Hold a valid Canadian study permit that allows on‑campus employment.
• Adhere to all requirements stated on their study permit.
• Adhere to all Canadian student visa requirements.

Working Conditions

Physical Demands: This position will spend long periods sitting and using office equipment and computers, which can cause muscle strain. Long hours will also be spent standing, walking, and lifting/carrying objects of up to 50 lbs.

Environmental Conditions: This position performs work primarily in a busy, open‑area office and is faced with frequent interruptions and meetings with others on a regular basis. Occasional travel between campuses may be required. Some work may be required after office hours and on weekends. Work may be occasionally performed outdoors as weather permits.

Sensory Demands: This position will require long periods of intense concentration in the face of frequent distractions. The incumbent must also spend long hours on the computer entering information which requires visual focus, attention to detail, and high levels of accuracy. This position will at times be subject to loud noises and bright lights.

Mental Demands: This position will be expected to manage and meet multiple competing deadlines. The incumbent must also be able to deal with a wide variety of people on various issues.

How to Apply

Application Materials: To have your application considered, you must prepare the following:

• A resume, letter, or audio/video recording that provides the following information: Why you are interested in this position; what skills and/or experiences you have that you feel would be helpful in this position; whether you are willing and able to perform work at other campuses; your schedule of availability for work shifts.

Instructions: If you are interested in this opportunity, please review the company website and apply through Bamboo HR at https://conestogac.bamboohr.com/jobs/view.php?id=16, providing all of the above Application Materials. If you are an international student, please also provide a copy of your Study Permit allowing for on‑campus employment during the upcoming academic term.

Accessibility, diversity & inclusion

Conestoga Students Inc. is committed to providing equal opportunity for employment without regard to any prohibited ground of discrimination. If you anticipate any need for accommodations for disabilities in the process of applying, interviewing, or working, please feel free to let us know at [e-mail] as soon as possible and at any time so that we are most equipped to provide a barrier‑free experience.