June 25, 2025
RESIDENCE LIFE ADVISOR (BAND LEVEL 8)
(RESIDENCE LIFE OFFICER)
Student Residences and Ancillary Operations
(Two Year Contractual Position)
This competition may be used to fill identical positions in this unit within three (3) months of the closing date
The University will consider applications from qualified permanent staff who may be interested in a secondment, subject to departmental approval
BACKGROUND
The Residence Life Office is responsible for educational and social aspects of life in Memorial University's St. John's residences and for providing support and guidance to the residence student population. Home to approximately 1,700 students, Paton College, Macpherson College and Burton's Pond Apartments are more than just convenient place for our students to live; they are dynamic and diverse communities wherein our students are given the opportunity to thrive and develop inside and outside of the classroom. Paton College was rebuilt and renovated in 2015 and offers a home primarily to students who are in their first year of studies or away from home for the first time. Paton College also offers Living Learning Communities: areas within residence where students with similar interests or academic programs live together on the same floor or area. Opened in 2014, Macpherson College has two wings, each home to approximately 250 students, commonly balanced between both first-year and returning independent students in their second year and beyond. Rooms are suite-style with private bedrooms and semi-private washrooms. Burton's Pond offers apartment-style living to senior students, graduate students, and families within an independent living community. These communities are supported by Student Residences and Ancillary Operations (SRAO) full-time staff, over 10 part-time staff, and over 50 student staff.
DUTIES
The Residence Life Advisors (RLAs) are live-in, full-time employees reporting to the Supervisor of the Residence Life Office. The RLAs act as the first point of contact in the Residence Life Office for front-line issue management for students living in residence with diverse backgrounds, interests, and needs. This position provides advice, guidance, and support, and serves as a resource for residents and the Residence Life staff. RLAs also serve as leaders for staff during times of crisis. Duties include oversight and collaboration with staff; meeting with students to identify and address student issues and needs; mediating and helping resolve conflict; researching, designing, and implementing campus-wide Residence Life activities and programming; developing and implementing Living-Learning Communities in collaboration with faculties; implementing and measuring goals in line with Memorial's Strategic Plan; ensuring compliance with rules, reviewing incident reports, and providing follow-up; chairing staff meetings; recruiting, interviewing, and hiring Resident Assistants, Resident Coordinators, MUCEP or ISWEP, and work term positions; coordinating training and development for all part-time and student staff, including recruiting facilitators, developing learning objectives, and managing an online training database; promoting mental health supports and a well-balanced lifestyle, including case management of students of concern; promoting a culture of student leadership; providing support and guidance to House Councils; liaising with other University units and departments as needed; working collaboratively with Memorial University's Student Union Executives; and performing other related duties as required.
The RLA role-models visibility and approachability with all staff and students and maintains availability and a presence on campus by engaging in evening and weekend responsibilities with the community. Irregular hours, extended workdays, and attendance at events, meetings, programs, and functions are often required, which may include statutory and University-designated holidays.
The Residence Life Advisors are also on-duty (on-call rotating) after hours (evenings and weekends) and must respond to incidents that occur in residences. The successful applicant will be required to live on campus in a provided apartment (taxable benefit) and must be comfortable with living and working in a residential campus environment.
QUALIFICATIONS
Experience (1-3 years) working in residence life and on-campus living in a residence complex of similar size; graduation with an undergraduate degree in education or social sciences is required; or an equivalent combination of experience and training may be considered. Experience and skill in conflict mediation, dispute resolution, and case management are essential for this role. A Vulnerable Sector Check is required. Emergency First Aid with CPR A and Mental Health First Aid certification must be obtained within 30 days of starting the role. Experience in student development theory, the creation and delivery of training programs for peer professionals, and coursework toward a Master's degree are assets, as is knowledge of and experience using StarRez student housing software.
SALARY $64,361 - $87,763 per annum (Management and Professional)
CLOSING DATE July 10, 2025 by 5:00 p.m. NST
All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, preference will be given to applicants who are legally entitled to work in Canada. Memorial University is committed to employment equity and diversity and encourages applications from all qualified candidates, including women, people of any sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression; Indigenous peoples; visible minorities and racialized people; and people with disabilities.
The personal information requested in your application is collected under the authority of the Memorial University Act (RSNL 1990 c M-7) for the purpose of identifying and recruiting candidates; assessing applicant qualifications; and maintaining records pertaining to the administration of employment with Memorial University of Newfoundland.
If you are a successful candidate, this information will form part of your permanent employment record and will be used for other activities related to the employment process. This information may be disclosed to government departments and agencies as legally required; and to third party service providers, as necessary to administer programs and activities.
If you have any questions about the collection, use and disclosure of the information on this form, please contact MyHR, Department of Human Resources, at [email protected].
Please be advised that we are unable to provide updates on current competitions.
We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.