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Residence Life Office
Housing & Conference Services
Senior Community Advisor (SCA)
Position Description
Reporting to the Residence Manager (RM), the Senior Community Advisor’s (SCA) purpose is to develop and maintain an environment
that is conducive to learning and personal growth, as well as to support the mission and goals of the department. As an ambassador for
the office, the SCA will develop a community support system in an assigned area that promotes personal dignity, mutual respect and
consideration for others. All SCA efforts are aligned with three Residence Life Office Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s); Community
Engagement, Personal Growth and Academic Success. Further to developing and managing a specific community, the SCA will act as a
resource, mentor and role model for the student staff team and take on additional building-wide responsibilities and leadership
opportunities.
Nature and Scope
Having already excelled as a Community Advisor (CA/SCA), the SCA must have excellent interpersonal and leadership skills and be
willing to commit their efforts to promoting good citizenship and enhancing community development, student learning, and student
success.
In addition to their CA responsibilities, SCAs will act as a mentor, role model, and active resource to fellow staff. This will occur both
formally, through the leading of small group meetings, as well as informally, through relationship building and peer advising. The SCA’s
interests and abilities will be aligned with appropriate opportunities that support community development in their assigned
building/area.
SCA’s will work both collectively and independently to coordinate all aspects of building experience programming, Residence
Ambassador program, student and staff recognition programs, participate in Housing & Conference Services Consultation Committees,
coach fellow CAs and serve as a liaison with the building/area Residence Orientation leaders.
Duties and Responsibilities
Student Success & Learning
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Increase awareness of academic resources, a commitment to succeeding academically and opportunities to interact with faculty
members outside of the classroom.
Communicate with residents regularly by facilitating community meetings, CA chats, and distributing information.
Assist students in dealing with emotional, social, and academic transitional needs.
Community Management
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Assist with move-in and move-out procedures as per the departmental guidelines.
Maintain a strong presence and a high level of visibility and accountability to the students and staff within the assigned section.
Know, observe and apply University and Residence policies and make residents aware of this through education, positive rolemodeling and by reporting all incidents in a timely manner.
Assist in identifying and managing conflict and resolving community issues that may arise throughout the year.
Meet with each room/apartment/suite in the assigned area to complete a Roommate Agreement, Academic Success Plan and
Room Condition Form in September, review during predetermined times and as necessary.
Participate in coverage shifts and responsibilities.
Remain in residence until the day after the last exam in December and in April and be on coverage for the last 3 nights of each
term.
Community Development
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Deliver engaging experiences in residence based on the Community Development Model.
If assigned to a Living Learning Community (LLC), work collaboratively with Residence Manager, Manager Student
Leadership & Learning and campus partners to implement the LLC curriculum for themed communities.
Assist with the social integration and belonging of students to their residence, campus and local community.
Assist in the development and delivery of Residence Life orientation activities.
Be familiar with and make appropriate referrals to University and community support services.
Assist with McMaster Fall Preview Days, March Open House and opportunities to showcase Residence Life
Assist with the marketing, promotion, and implementation of the Residence Life Assessment cycle.
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Administration
 Monitor McMaster E-mail and StarRez account daily for job-related information and complete all paperwork in a timely manner.
 Maintain regular communication with the RM, which includes but is not limited to meetings, reports and residence documentation.
 Assist with regular fire safety procedures and equipment checks.
 Submit experience proposals and risk management event submissions according to required timelines
 Assist with Residence Life Staff selection process
 Attend all pre-service training and Professional Development workshops each semester as scheduled.
 Participate in Housing and Conference Services Consultation Committees.
 Other duties as assigned.
In conjunction with your Residence Manager and SCAs in your specific area, you will work as a team to respond to the student and
community needs through:
Support & Development
 Meet with RM in March/April to begin identifying specific future goals for their development as student leaders over the course of
the following year.
 Work with a member of the RLMT to implement and manage the Residence Ambassador Program in their assigned building.
Responsibilities also include the coordination of system‐wide portfolios (i.e. selection, training, recognition, Fall Preview, etc).
 Coordinate the promotion, monitoring, and recognition of the positive contributions of residents in their assigned building in a
consistent manner.
 Coordinate the creation of a monthly Coverage Schedule for the building and/or area team.
 Serve as a liaison between the building Residence Orientation Advisor and Residence Life Staff to assist with relationship building
and the implementation of the buildings orientation schedule. The SCA will begin this role when they arrive in August.
 Communicate regularly and work with the Inter Residence Council (IRC) regarding information, experiences, committees and
community issues.
 Review and provide feedback experience proposals and risk management event submissions before RM approval.
 Coordinate and promote staff to develop proactive and responsive initiatives related to establishing positive community standards
in their building (i.e. policies, procedures, rights, responsibilities, etc).
 Lead CA team in supporting the Residence Facebook group and assist with other Residence Life social media accounts.
Core Competencies
 Communication Skills
 Organization Skills
 Self-Awareness
 Working with Others
 Thinking Skills
Qualifications
 Maintain a minimum sessional average of 6.0
 Full-time McMaster student status (full-time undergraduate student is defined as one who is taking courses equivalent to at least
twenty-four units between September and April, or is enrolled in a full-time Co-op/outgoing Exchange program).
 Demonstrated responsibility and leadership abilities.
 Demonstrated responsibility in advisor, resource and support capacities.
 Working knowledge and/or experience building consensus within a diverse team of students, and staff.
Other Responsibilities:
 Attend Residence Life Staff Orientation on Saturday March 21st, 2015.
 *Abstain from consuming alcohol during McMaster Welcome Week orientation training and/program beginning at 12:00 am on
Wednesday August 26th, 2015, until 10:00 pm on Sunday, September 6th, 2015.
 Promote and uphold the Residence Code of Conduct (RCC) and Student Code of Conduct (SCC).
 Recognize the significant impact of the SCA as a positive role model by maintaining an exemplary standard of conduct that serves
as an example of responsible behaviour and good citizenship to the residence community.
 Maintain a high level of confidentiality regarding residents and work related matters, and keep the RM informed in a timely
manner.
Start Date: *Tuesday August 18th, 2015*
End Date: *May 1st, 2016*
Application Deadline: Tuesday January 13th, 2015 at 9:00am
Online Application: housing.mcmaster.ca/residence_life
Contact Information: [email protected]
*Dates could change- pending University decision regarding Fall Break