Residence Life Area Coordinator (Waterloo)

Application Deadline: July 23, 2026

Requisition ID: 11667 

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 21,000 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. Laurier's Waterloo, Kitchener, and Brantford campuses are located on the shared traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishnaabe, and Haudenosaunee peoples. This land is part of the Dish with One Spoon Treaty between the Haudenosaunee and Anishnaabe peoples and symbolizes the agreement to share, protect our resources, and not to engage in conflict. Laurier's Milton campus is located on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit, and part of the Nanfan Treaty of 1701 between the British Crown and the Haudenosaunee Confederacy.

This job posting is for a current vacancy.

Position Summary:

Residence Life at Laurier

Wilfrid Laurier University (WLU) is committed to creating safe, supportive living and learning environments that promote healthy student transition and academic success. The Department of Residence is comprised of four functional units; administration, facilities, residence education, and residence life. The Residence Life unit is committed to engaging students as valued members of the Laurier community, and is focused on creating opportunities for students to positively contribute to their own growth. Residence Life at Laurier has always been characterized by mutual respect, and works diligently to promote healthy and caring communities.

Residence Life Coordinator - x 6 (Waterloo Campus), x 1 (Brantford Campus)

Reporting to one of three Residence Life Managers (RLMs), the Residence Life Coordinator (RLAC) is responsible for the day-to-day operational supervision of assigned residence buildings at Wilfrid Laurier University. RLACs are expected to enhance the living and learning environment of Laurier residence buildings by prioritizing staff and student development, resident outreach, community building, attention to facilities, and administrative organization. RLACs are engaged members of the Residence Life Management Team that are collectively responsible for residence student staff selection and supervision, as well the development and implementation of student staff training. Further, RLACs will participate in portfolio work with members of the Department of Residence Management Team to support the mission and vision of the Department. RLACs are also responsible for lower and mid-level student conduct adjudication, enforcing residence policy, and supporting student leadership development. Successful professionals in the RLAC role approach the position as a lifestyle, regularly interacting with students and staff. The RLAC position is a full-time, live-in staff member who works to maintain Laurier’s standards of community living, and provides opportunities for students to be active participants in safe residence communities that support individual growth and development.

The RLAC assumes primary responsibility and direct supervision of Residence Life Dons, providing developmental coaching to assist Dons in enhancing the skills necessary to succeed in their role. In partnership with the Residence Education unit, RLACs are responsible for the comprehension, promotion and delivery of a residential curriculum for the residence population. In order to maintain safety and security as a high priority on behalf of Residence Life at Laurier, the RLAC will also participate in an after-hours on-call shift rotation. The RLAC is expected to triage and manage low to intermediate level emergent situations, applying conflict resolution skills and counselling techniques when necessary. When appropriate, the RLAC will direct higher-impact situations to the RLM on-call.

Accountabilities:

 Staff Supervision & Development

• Facilitate move-in & move-out processes for Residence Life Dons, and support the management of Laurier’s first year move-in and orientation process
• Execute the selection and evaluation of Department of Residence student staff in partnership with the Residence Education unit
• Assist with the development and delivery of on-going training programs for Department of Residence student staff including: summer training modules, August Student Staff Training, monthly in-service training and weekly training during staff meetings
• Conduct weekly staff meetings and one-on-one meetings with Residence Life Dons
• Provide ongoing support and development to Residence Life Dons throughout ambiguous or unclear situations, and complete performance management when appropriate.

Administrative Duties  

• Be responsive to administrative requests made by staff in the Department of Residence in a timely manner
• Monitor the Residence Documentation System, process and assign lower-mid level conduct, and deliver appropriate residence sanctions as defined by Residence Life’s Standard Operating Procedures
• Manage and supervise collection of residence building community fund accounts
• Assume responsibility of portfolios as assigned by Residence Life Managers and the Associate Director of Residence Life
• Guide Residence Life Dons in the implementation of departmental and institutional policies and procedures
• Manage timely submission of all documentation by Residence Life Dons, including: employment contracts, community documentation, and entries in the Residence Documentation System
• Report, track and follow up on facilities issues in residence
• Preparing documentation (i.e. meeting agendas, performance evaluations, conduct meeting notes, incident reports etc.)
• Be responsive to requests made by Campus and Community Partners

Student & Community Development  

• Interact with a diverse residence population, providing students with the support necessary for healthy personal and community growth
• Maintain high visibility within residence communities as part of a live-in position
• Support, advise and provide appropriate referrals for residents in need of professional services to address wellness needs
• Promote and engage in programming, events and workshops developed by Department of Residence staff on an ongoing basis to support the First Year Residence Experience Model and the First Year Leadership Program
• Liaise with professional staff at WLU on behalf of residents and Dons
• Develop and implement new programs and services that improve the quality of life in residence, as agreed to by Residence Life Managers
• Participate in departmental committees and task forces
• Maintain regular office hours Monday through Friday in the Residence Life Office
• Be responsive to requests from students, parents and guardians regarding concerns with residence experience

After-hour shift Responsibilities  

• Participate in an 24h on-call rotation: Monday –Thursday, or weekends ( Friday – Monday) including after-hours responsibilities , as assigned by the RLM
• Each RLAC assumes after-hour responsibilities beginning in Orientation Week and concluding at the end of the winter term exam period (September – end of April). There are no after-hours shift responsibilities from May until the end of August
• Each RLAC will assume after-hour responsibilities for the duration of Orientation Week, and will then participate in a rotating schedule. Other peak weekends and special events will be supported by all of the RLAC team (eg. Homecoming, Halloween, St. Patrick’s Day, August Training)
• After-hour responsibilities are intended to provide ongoing support to student staff working in residence buildings
• While on-call, RLACS will respond to residence situations as identified by Residence Life Dons, and triage accordingly based on the severity of the situation. Situations may include but are not limited to: residence policy violations, mental health support, facilities concerns, and safety and security issues.

Conditions of Employment  

• Completed bachelor degree plus one (1) year of experience in Residence Life at the student staff and/or professional level
• Proven ability to work in a continuously changing organization
• Highly motivated and proven leadership ability
• Experience developing residence communities focused on student success and learning.
• Working knowledge of team building and student staff supervision in a residence environment
• Ability to deliver training programs
• Demonstrated creativity, initiative, and an ability to complete tasks
• Ability to interact and communicate with all levels of the university community
• Demonstrated ability to make ethical and moral decisions
• Possess the ability to interact effectively with a large number of students

Hours of Work: This is a full-time, limited term role with an approximate end date of July 14, 2028. Flexibility in hours will be required, including evening and/or weekend work due to events. On-call availability will be required. When possible, the manager will adjust the work schedule so that no more than 35 hours are worked in a week.

This role requires daily in person attendance and is not eligible for a flexible work arrangement as per Policy 8.14 (Flexible Work Policy).

Compensation:

Level: E

Rate of Pay: $42.83 to $45.28 per hour with an annual step progression on anniversary date up to $48.95 per hour.

Considerations for new hire step placements include, qualifications and length/depth of required experience, relevant market rates for similar jobs, internal equity, and estimated learning curve in starting the job.

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/careersfor additional information and the online application system. All applications must be submitted online. Please note, a resume and cover letter will be required in electronic form.

Please note, when pre-screening questions are used as part of the application process, AI is utilized to score responses. All other aspects of the hiring process are reviewed by our Talent Acquisition team.