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Job Description / Duties

Primary Purpose:

Under the direction of Student Success Office Leadership, the Residence Life Coordinator plays a pivotal role in supporting UNF students living in UNF Managed Residences and the Niagara Region. The Residence Life Coordinator is responsible for the development and implementation of residence life and community housing programs, offering students services and support. This position actively contributes to enhancing the student experience at UNF by supporting individual and community development, delivering programs that advance student learning, and ensuring a positive housing experience.



Due to the nature of this role, the Residence Life Coordinator is required to live on-site in a designated apartment and must be able to transport themselves to multiple UNF Managed Residences. This apartment includes high speed internet access to a computer, and all utilities including in-suite laundry. This position requires after-hours travel to UNF-managed residences, including locations that may not be accessible via public transit.



Specific Responsibilities

Community Development & Student Learning

- Oversee the development, coordination and facilitation of housing programs, activities, and services.
Engage regularly within the community by facilitating activities and meetings, hosting office hours, and conducting outreach to foster meaningful relationships and address community needs.
- Implement EDI best practices in community development to ensure students feel safe and welcome.
Student Success & Support
- Investigate violations of the Residence Community Living Standards. This will include a variety of topics, including sexual violence and mental health concerns.
Respond to student inquiries and concerns, offering assessment and appropriate responses and referrals where needed.
- Consult with Student Success Office leadership for any high-risk situations or where additional guidance and support is needed.
- Ensure clear communication is offered to students and stakeholders regarding outcomes, referrals and new developments as required.
- Participate in a rotation for afterhours response, supporting students with queries, concerns, and disclosures relevant to the student housing experience.

Residence Initiatives
- Coordinate and oversee logistics for residence initiatives, including planning, stakeholder communication drafts, and on-site execution.
- Coordinate the offering and facilitation of the Student Housing Assistant role including training, scheduling, support, and event facilitation.
- Oversee the development, facilitation, and sustainability of the Residence Student Council, including governance documentation, ratification and compliance processes, advisor support, and coordination of council operations.
- Work in collaboration with the Student Life Team offer a termly residence orientation day, ensuring that accurate information is provided to students and a social event is offered each term exclusively for residence students.

Occupancy Management & Tracking

- Oversees all aspects of housing processes and procedures including but not limited to advertisement, application, and room assignment.
- Manage occupancy tracking for all students, tracking data for students by application and/or inquiry resolution.
- Coordinate move-in and move-out procedures ensuring that students receive all necessary information relevant to their experience.
- Coordinate all correspondence related to housing admissions, fees, availability, and general inquiries to ensure students and stakeholders receive accurate and up-to-date information.
- Maintain relationships with community stakeholders and operation teams, relaying valuable information to all parties.

Community Housing Support

- Create and distribute informational resources for students, landlords, UNF Staff, and community stakeholders.
Facilitate communication between students, landlords and community partners to navigate rental housing markets surrounding UNF.
- Act as an advisor for both students and landlords, offering support in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA), Human Rights Commission guidelines, and municipal by-laws. This assistance aims to foster positive landlord-tenant relations and contribute to student success.
- Be prepared to support off-campus housing operations as needed. This may include tasks such as providing support to incoming students and their families in navigating housing searches, referring landlords to UNF approved partnerships, managing expectations with Landlord Tenant Board (LTB), etc.

Administration & Other
- Collaborate closely with Student Success Office colleagues to provide integrated student services, supports, and resources to UNF students.
- Conduct research on best practices, actively participate in professional associations and organizations, and engage with institutional and GUS Canada partners to stay informed and connected in the field.
- Take the lead on special projects and initiatives as assigned by the Student Experience Manager or other members of the UNF Leadership Team.
- Work collaborative within a team to conceptualize and create space for new and innovative programming at UNF. Partner with campus colleagues to bring these visions to fruition.
- Be available for some evening and weekend work, such as during student orientation and residence move-in.
Perform other tasks as assigned, contributing to the overall success of UNF.

Qualifications / Required Skills

Position Requirements

Competencies:

Highly self-motivated and directed.
Demonstrates effective prioritization and decision-making in high-pressure environments.
Capable of handling diverse situations, multiple projects, and rapidly changing priorities.
Exhibits excellent collaboration and partnership development skills, building trust and cooperation with various stakeholders.
Possesses strong presentation and interpersonal skills, influencing others with empathy and political acumen.
Maintains a professional manner with tact, diplomacy, and discretion when dealing with colleagues and the public.
Demonstrates exceptional customer service skills in handling inquiries and resolving issues.
Displays excellent listening skills, gathering accurate information and evidence.
Exercises diplomacy, negotiation, conflict resolution, and people management skills.
Possesses creative problem-solving abilities and exercises sound professional judgment, especially in handling confidential/sensitive matters.
Demonstrates intermediate computer skills in Microsoft Office, with a quick learning ability for new programs.
Displays a strong student-centric orientation.
Exhibits proficiency in facilitating training sessions, showcasing strong presentation skills.
Maintains flexibility and willingness to work outside regular business hours to meet organizational needs.
Education and Experience:

Minimum two (2) years’ experience in a residence coordination position, preferably at the post-secondary level, including:
Experience in areas related to student support and promoting student success.
Experience supporting international communities and communicating effectively with a variety of audiences, specializing in populations relocating to Canada.
Experience responding to student health & safety crises and emergencies.
Undergraduate degree in a related field
Criminal Records Check, including a Vulnerable Sector Check will be required as a condition of employment.
Possesses a solid understanding of related Student Housing policies and procedures, as well as familiarity with the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA), AODA & MFIPPA.
Experience in conducting physical quality assurance inspections and coordinating inspections of facilities to audit and report on facility conditions is an asset.

Additional Information

Use of AI Disclosure

University of Niagara Falls Canada (UNF), UNF is committed to a fair and transparent recruitment process. While AI tools assist us in identifying and communicating with candidates, applications are reviewed by our dedicated Talent Acquisition team to ensure a thorough evaluation of all candidates.

Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility at UNF

The University of Niagara Falls Canada (UNF) is committed to equity, diversity, inclusivity and accessibility within its community and invites applications from all qualified candidates. Racialized persons / persons of color, women, Indigenous People, persons with disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+ persons, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas are encouraged to apply.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority.

We will accommodate the needs of applicants and the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) throughout all stages of the selection process. Please advise jobs@unfc.ca to ensure your accommodation or accessibility needs are supported. Information received relating to accommodation will be maintained confidentially.

We value diversity and strive to create an inclusive environment where all individuals have an equal opportunity to succeed. We comply with all relevant laws and regulations in Ontario and adhere to the highest standards of ethical hiring. We are committed to protecting your personal information and ensuring that all data collected during the recruitment process is handled with the highest level of confidentiality.

As part of the recruitment process, selected candidates will be required to successfully complete applicable background and/or credential verifications, or other role-related screenings, in accordance with organizational policy and applicable legislation.

We appreciate all applications received; however, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Salary: Expected hiring salary range: starting base at $60,000 up to $70,000 annually. This is a "live in" position inclusive of housing cost coverage (1-bedroom apartment) and on-call rate ($40/day up to $14,500 per year). *Actual offered salary will be determined through an internal review process.

Contact Information

Jenna Freeland, Manager, Student Life
Email: jenna.freeland@unfc.ca

Employer Profile

UNF is part of Global University Systems (GUS), an international network of private higher-education institutions. Located in downtown Niagara Falls, UNF’s technology-centred approach puts students first, offering a cutting-edge learning framework that is adapted as technology changes and new processes emerge. Students learn from industry leaders and highly experienced faculty while gaining experience through work-integrated learning opportunities in a variety of interdisciplinary programs designed to address the widening digital skills gap. With a strong focus on high-quality, digital-focused education, the university continues to broaden its program offerings to meet emerging needs in the global economy while maintaining its inclusive, student-centred learning environment.