Coordinator, Residence Community Life

Competition 2232

This position is a part of the Non-Academic Staff Association (NASA).

This position offers a comprehensive benefits package.

Location - This role is in-person at North Campus, Edmonton.

Working at the University of Alberta

The University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages and cultures of First Nations, Métis, Inuit and all FirstPeoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community.

The University of Alberta is a community of knowledge seekers, change makers and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to over 14,000 faculty and staff, more than 40,000 students and a growing community of 300,000 alumni worldwide.

Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross-section of people — from our students and community members, to our renowned researchers and innovators, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger and more just. Learn more.

Working for Residence Life and Education

Residence Life and Education at the University of Alberta is a leading program in Canada, dedicated to the principles of dignity, respect, safety, equity, learning and community. We provide caring, student-focused, residential environments, which assist students in being academically successful, teach students how to live respectfully with diverse groups of people, provide leadership opportunities and build a sense of community responsibility. Our residences are home to approximately 5,000 undergraduate and graduate students.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Supervisor, Residence Life - Community Life, the Coordinator, Residence Community Life is key in fostering residential learning environments that are specific to the diverse needs of the community and include the following: the provision of programs and support services to help students succeed both academically and personally; the enforcement of appropriate community standards; the development of an effective residence association and other leadership opportunities that help students attain transferable skills; ensuring that facilities are comfortable and meet residents' needs; and resolving student issues so that both personal and residence concerns are addressed, thus supporting the academic pursuit of residents.

Duties 

• Fostering residential learning environments that are specific to the diverse needs of the community and include the following: the provision of programs and support services to help students succeed both academically and personally; the enforcement of appropriate community standards; the development of an effective residence association and other leadership opportunities that help students attain transferable skills; ensuring that facilities are comfortable and meet residents' needs; and resolving student issues so that both personal and residence concerns are addressed, thus supporting the academic pursuit of residents.
• Selects, supervises, trains, and supports their designated casual and student staff. This component is critical given the entry level nature of the student staff paraprofessional role and the guidance required.
• Provides overarching HR support for student staff
• Ensures appropriate programming is happening both at the student staff level, but also from residence associations or other groups engaged in residence.
• Maintains a visible presence in the residence community, role models appropriate behaviours, and addresses any concerns or situations (e.g. noise, vandalism, fire alarms, community disruptions, etc.) that may arise.
• Provides ongoing support to various residence life training and orientation programs students and student staff
• Advises and supports the residence student associations within the community
• In coordination with the Residence Community Support Team, addresses behaviour contrary to the Residence Community Standards (e.g. noise complaints, conflicts between roommates, etc.) by listening to all perspectives and developing informal resolutions with students that repair identified harms.
• In coordination with the Residence Community Support Team, meet with students experiencing concerns (e.g. inappropriate drinking behaviours, suicidal ideation, problems integrating socially, academic risk, etc.) to help coordinate support plans with the Residence Community Support Team and appropriate campus services (e.g. Academic Success Centre, Counselling and Clinical Services, University of Alberta Protective Services, etc.) to ensure that students succeed.
• Coordinates with other Departments and University staff concerning projects and student issues in both the residence community and for the residence system at large.
• Maintains an intimate connection to student life in the residences so as to be a known presence in the community and so that student needs are understood and can be articulated to other internal and external University departments.
• Shares cross campus, after-hours emergency standby and callback duties with fellow Coordinators in residence. Acts as primary contact for emergency and crisis situations response, both during the day and after hours (e.g. assault, suicide attempts, illness, substance abuse, death, alarms, evacuations, emergency relocation, etc.).

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum requirement of an undergraduate degree; equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered.
• At least two years living and/or working in a university residence (ideally, one as a resident and one as a student staff member), in order to relate to and advise students, is required.
• Able to work in the after-hours emergency standby rotation and perform callback duties as required.
• Able to respond to emergency and crisis situations (described above) during and outside of office hours as required.
• Strong interpersonal and empathic skills, with ability to establish trusting relationships with staff members and students.
• Computer proficiency using Google Suite software.
• Ability to work with confidential information in a professional and sensitive manner.
• Excellent communication (verbal and written), interpersonal, organizational and problem-solving skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Significant intercultural competence (experience abroad, fluency in additional languages, relevant education or work experience) is preferred.
• Previous professional experience in student affairs, student services and/or a higher education environment will be considered an asset.
• Certifications in suicide intervention, health & safety, first aid training, and dispute resolution.
• Openness to receive ongoing training in student learning and development, program planning, and evaluation.
• Experience interpreting and applying policies such as the Freedom of Information and Privacy Protection.
• (FOIPP) Act and the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA).
• Knowledgeable of University policies, procedures, and resources in order to assist students and guide them to appropriate resources (e.g., Counselling and Clinical Services, filing reports with UofA Protective Services, the Sexual and Gender-based Violence Policy, etc).
• Experience in community engagement and community-building activities.
• Ability to work independently and cohesively within a multidisciplinary team environment.
• Fluency in the French language would be considered an asset.
• Experience working in multicultural environments and previous supervisory experience are assets.
• Valid Class 5 Driver’s License (non-GDL) with the ability to drive University Fleet vehicles is an asset.