Job Description

Date:

May 23, 2025

Location:

Waterloo, CA

Company:

Wilfrid Laurier University

Department:

Student and Ancillary Services

Job Type:

Limited Term

Full-time/Part-time:

Full Time (>=1249 hrs/year)

Campus:

Waterloo

Reports to:

Residence Manager, Student Learning

Employee Group:

WLUSA

Application Deadline:

June 4, 2025

Requisition ID:

9447





Wilfrid Laurier University is a leading multi-campus university that excels at educating with purpose. Through its exceptional employees, students, researchers, leaders, and educators, Laurier has built a reputation as a world-class institution known for its rich student experience, academic excellence, and global impact. With a commitment to Indigenization and commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, Laurier's thriving community has a place for everyone.



Laurier has more than 19,000 students and 2,100 faculty and staff across campuses in Waterloo and Brantford, as well locations in Kitchener and Milton. The university is committed to providing an inclusive workplace, a flexible work policy and employing a workforce that is reflective of local and national demographics. Our locations are situated on the traditional territories of the Neutral, Anishnawbe, and Haudenosaunee peoples. We recognize the unique heritages of Indigenous peoples and support their intentions to preserve and express their distinctive Indigenous cultures, histories, and knowledge through academic programming and co-curricular activities. Laurier's Centre for Indigegogy is one example of how Laurier honours Indigenous knowledge.

Position Summary

The Residence Education unit in the Department of Residence includes the Associate Director of Residence Education, the Residence Manager of Student Learning, the Residence Coordinator of Experiential Learning, the Residence Coordinator of Academic Initiatives, and over fifty student staff. The Residence Education unit is responsible for the overall coordination of initiatives that promote student learning and academic success for thirty-five hundred students living in residence buildings on our Brantford and Waterloo campuses. Each staff member in the Department of Residence's four functional units (Administration, Facilities, Residence Life, and Residence Education) are dedicated to the growth of residence and first year commuter students, aiming to enhance existing co-curricular learning opportunities as well as create new ones that promote holistic educational experiences.





The Residence Coordinator, Experiential Learning is responsible for the development and supervision of the First Year Leadership Program (FYLP), community-based leadership education workshops in residence, and residence-wide experiential learning opportunities that connect students to the broader community and support the educational mandate of Wilfrid Laurier University. In addition, the Residence Coordinator, Experiential Learning aids in student and para-professional staff recruitment, hiring and training across the Department of Residence.





The Residence Coordinator, Experiential Learning should possess:


The ability to work in a collaborative team environment with the other coordinators, para-professional staff, student staff, first year student leaders and the Laurier residence community The desire to remain current and apply student development, leadership, followership, team-based, and instructional theories in order to better guide and direct student development The ability to act as a liaison with campus partners, stakeholders and the Laurier community The desire to support the "co-curricular development of the whole student" as stated in Laurier's values, vision, mission and guiding principles.




This position has a university-wide mandate and is situated on Laurier's Waterloo Campus. The incumbent provides subject matter expertise to all campuses, requiring regular interpersonal interactions and collaboration with departments at the Waterloo Campus and Brantford Campus, and with external partners. Special attention is given to ensure equitable service delivery across all locations.

Accountabilities

First Year Leadership Program (FYLP)

Develop and coordinate the FYLP budget ($150,000 annually) intended to enhance residence-wide competency-based leadership development programming for first year students Promote the Laurier FYLP to external parties to the Department of Residence, including but not limited to; conferences, recruitment fairs, campus partners, local organizations, etc. Chair weekly staff meetings and coordinate regular one-on-ones to facilitate information distribution, staff development and program development Coordinate the marketing and promotion of the FYLP, working collaboratively with the Department of Residence staff to ensure accuracy and detail are effectively communicated to current and future residents

Campus Councils and House Councils

Recruit, hire, develop, support, and direct approximately 32 senior undergraduate student staff (Council Advisors) who coordinate the residence and off-campus first year student program's (LOCUS) Campus Councils and House Councils Coordinate the recruitment, selection, training, and functional supervision of approximately 350 first year student leaders involved in residence councils Frequently and accurately communicate with numerous departmental and campus partners including the Diversity & Equity Office, Co-op & Career Centre, Department of Athletics & Recreation, Sustainability, Centre for Community Service Learning, the Students' Union, and the Centre for Student Success is required Guide and support the development of individual Campus Council and House Council leadership curriculum planning to meet the needs of first year students in each residence and LOCUS community Guide and support the development of council learning experiences to meet the needs of residence and off-campus first year students Work closely and collaboratively with executive leadership, campus partners, and faculty on leadership curriculum development and to identify new opportunities for additional Councils Chair weekly staff meetings and coordinate regular one-on-ones to facilitate information distribution, staff development and program development Research trends, issues and best practices in student leadership development and assessment; conducting regular reviews of programs and making improvements in relevant areas based on results generated from ongoing assessment and review processes, adjust the focus and scope of councils to meet the needs of the residence community. This may include creating or re-purposing a council

Leadership Certificate Curriculum

Develop/modify the First Year Leadership Certificate education plan and associated lesson plans based on prominent literature in higher education and assessment data collected at Laurier. The First Year Leadership Certificate will address five areas of development for our residence community including: Self Awareness, Community Integration & Participation, Life Skills, Academic Curiosity and Success, and Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Indigeneity. Recruit, hire, train, support, and direct approximately 15 senior undergraduate student staff who facilitate the Leadership Certificate curriculum for the residence and off-campus first year community Maintain the marketing, registration, and certifying processes associated with the First Year Leadership Certificate Develop and deliver the First Year Leadership Certificate training modules for first year students in residence and LOCUS Consult with residents, student leaders, professional staff and faculty to identify shifting developmental needs of the first-year population and refine the Leadership Certificate to respond to changing needs and trends Refine residence's leadership curriculum to align with the changing needs and trends of all 3500 residence students in order to support the retention and success of students at Laurier Coordinate Residence Education's efforts to integrate students' curricular and co-curricular experience

Community & Campus Leadership Initiatives

Actively seek out and develop new initiatives with campus and community partners (faculty, staff and students) in response to developmental needs of residence population. Examples: Curricular design of leadership competency framework, curriculum for Leadership Certificate, Hawk Weekend, Career Services workshops, and student/campus partner networking events, etc. Provide leadership education to residence student groups, adopting an experiential learning pedagogy that places value on self-discovery and self-authorship. Examples include: community/team challenge workshops, skill development workshops, and reflective exercises that lead to developmental breakthroughs Act as the principal Department of Residence representative on campus-wide leadership education opportunities being developed and delivered for undergraduate students that support the co-curricular success of students. Examples include: Laurier Leadership Summit, workshops coordinated by partners including the Career Centre, Alumni Relations, and by Laurier's faculties Coordinate leadership education opportunities for first year students beyond the Laurier campus with a focus on experiential learning pedagogy accompanied by educationally meaningful exercises to help find meaning (e.g. pre and post-reflection). Examples include: local provincial, national, and international service learning Support academic advising in residence in partnership with the Residence Coordinator, Academic Initiatives, along with Laurier faculty and Transition & Learning Services Principal researcher, contact, and coordinator for all student staff leadership education opportunities beyond the Laurier campus. Examples include: Residence Life Conference, Canadian Conference on Student Leadership, and opportunities available through professional associations (OACUHO, ACUHO-I, CACUSS, ACPA, NASPA) Develop and refine a leadership education competency framework in consultation with campus and faculty partners which will be utilized in the development of student leadership across the first-year cohort to support co-curricular development Facilitate residence wide leadership and academic programming that supports the co-curricular mission of the university and helps facilitate increased retention rates among first-year students

Staff Hiring, Training & Development

Serve as the principal contact for Laurier's residence community to coordinate experiential training and development opportunities for Laurier's residence community following a curricular approach Develop and deliver leadership education training content for all first-year students and student staff in residence that support experiential learning in residence Coordinate ongoing training and development for all student leaders in the Council Advisor position Co-coordinate ongoing training and development alongside Residence Education and Residence Life professionals for all Residence Dons and Residence Education Advisors Support the training and development of professional staff in the Department of Residence

Administration

Supervise one Residence Education Student Coordinator and approximately 45 student staff based on the needs of the Residence Education unit Create and maintain curricular and co-curricular resources for the residence community Assist in supporting the Department of Residence's website, e-mail account, social media feeds and promotional material Maintain student staff personnel records and student leadership development files with attention to detail and confidentiality Respond to internal and external requests in a timely manner Oversee all expenditures related to the FYLP and community-based leadership education opportunities, training of staff and the development of students, the development and dissemination of promotional material, etc. Monitor annual expenditures relative to budget allocation Keep supervisor informed of professional and program successes, challenges, and concerns through regular written reports (as necessary) and one-on-one meetings

Departmental Projects

Assessment

Aid in the development and coordination of assessment efforts for residence programs Assist in the development and evaluation of student learning outcomes for Residence Education's efforts Direct FYLP Council and Leadership Certificate assessment efforts to inform program developments and engage in data informed decision making Collect and collate student leader and program participant feedback, and use to inform future FYLP developments

Portfolio Work

Engage as an active member of two portfolios across the department of residence, where portfolio work encompasses specific areas of project work required for effective Department of Residence operation. These portfolios include: Assessment, Hiring & Performance Management, Student Staff Training & Development, Socials & Recognition, Marketing Promotions and Communications, etc.

Multi-campus support

Work as a team member with Residence Education unit staff on the Brantford and Waterloo campuses to develop learning experiences that have a multi-campus impact Have a physical presence on Laurier's Brantford campus two full days each month Support the creation and implementation of experiential learning and leadership education initiatives for Laurier's Brantford and Waterloo residence communities to support student growth

Reporting Relationships

This Position Reports to the Residence Manager, Student Learning





This role oversees one para-professional staff member and approximately 45 student staff.

Qualifications

An undergraduate degree with a minimum of two years of para-professional and/or professional experience in a residential environment at the post-secondary level Demonstrated success in organizing large scale programs and events Knowledge and demonstrated application of student development, leadership, followership, team-based, and instructional theories Proven ability to apply a Curricular approach to student learning and development Demonstrated ability to establish and nurture partnerships with colleagues across divisions in a post-secondary context Proven ability to develop and deliver presentations, workshops, guided reflection and training modules Demonstrated ability to design assessment tools and interpret data to inform service enhancements Demonstrated creativity, initiative and an ability to complete independent and team tasks Experience coaching/mentoring students and/or staff; handling confidential information, monitoring budgets effectively; and developing/teaching training sessions and workshops Agree to regularly work weekday evenings and weekends for programs and events

Hours of Work

The normal hours of work are 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday. Flexibility in hours will be required, including evening and/or weekend work due to student meetings, training, programs, and events. When possible, the manager will adjust the work schedule so that no more than 35 hours are worked in a week.

Compensation

================

Level:

F

Rate of Pay:

$45.34 to $47.94 per hour with an annual step progression on anniversary date up to $51.82 per hour



Wilfrid Laurier University endeavors to fill positions with qualified candidates who have a combination of education, experience, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position while demonstrating Laurier's Employee Success Factors.




Equity, diversity and creating a culture of inclusion are part of Laurier's core values and central to the Laurier Strategy. Laurier is committed to increasing the diversity of faculty and staff and welcomes applications from candidates who identify as Indigenous, racialized, having disabilities, and from persons of any minority sexual and gender identities. Indigenous candidates who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programing at Laurier are welcomed to contact the Office of Indigenous Initiatives. Candidates from other equity deserving groups who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programing at Laurier are welcomed to contact Equity & Accessibility. We have strived to make our application process accessible, however if you require any assistance applying for a position or would like this job posting in an alternative format, please contact Human Resources. Contact information can be found at careers.wlu.ca/content/How-to-apply/




Should you be interested in learning more about this opportunity, please visit www.wlu.ca/careers for additional information and the online application system.

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