Residence Manager, Student Life

Located in the vibrant city of Saskatoon, the University of Saskatchewan (USask) is one of Canada’s top research-intensive medical doctoral universities and home to world-leading research of global importance. Over 26,000 students from more than 125 countries study at USask. We offer over 130 academic programs through our two campuses, thirteen schools and colleges, and four graduate schools. 

Our seven USask residences provide safe, welcoming, and convenient living accommodations for undergraduate and graduate students within walking distance of the beautiful USask campus. 

Primary Purpose:  To develop a comprehensive residence life program within the University’s residence community by planning, implementing, and evaluating student residence life experience.

Nature of Work: Reporting to the Director, Consumer Services, you will supervise and provide direction to a team of up to two Assistant Managers, five Residence Coordinators, and fifty Resident Advisors (part-time student positions). You will work closely with the Residence Manager, Operations and oversee and support the Counsellor in Residence, Faculty in Residence, and Elder in Residence. You support student success by fostering healthy and engaging student communities, managing the response to emergency and crisis situations, and independently investigating reports of disruptions to community standards. The work is complex and requires managing multiple, sometimes simultaneous deadlines and situations. You will connect with student associations including the University of Saskatchewan Students’ Union and Graduate Students’ Association and collaborate with other stakeholders to provide an exceptional residence life experience. 

Work outside of standard university hours, such as evenings and weekends, may be required. 

Typical Duties or Accountabilities: Emergency Response and Crisis Management  

• Resolves conflicts to maintain harmony among students and team members.
• Provides 24-hour on-call management and oversees the response to emergency and critical incidents, determining the best ways to support students in distress, and managing facilities emergencies.
• Consults with campus partners who provide student supports in cases of critical incidents.
• Communicates issues of importance or concern as appropriate while maintaining confidentiality with sensitive information and materials.
• Develops and determines student discipline outcomes.

Student Engagement and Community Development 

• Promotes academic success, personal health and well-being, leadership development and involvement in community service.
• Builds, motivates, and supervises a team of part-time student staff, overseeing the full recruitment process, including job descriptions, interviews, training, and onboarding.
• Directs the student life team in developing and implementing community-building initiatives.
• Leads resident life staff in creating a community that is inclusive, supportive, and welcoming across the University residence community, to assist students with the transition to university life.

Policy Development and Assessment  

• Develops, implements, and enforces policies for Student Residence Community Standards.
• Reviews and assesses all aspects of student life in residence including assessing the effectiveness of policies, services, and programs.
• Assists in budget preparation for student life and approves programming funds.
• Develops and manages annual plans for educational, recreational, social, and wellness programs and initiatives.
• Complies with all relevant legislation, regulations, policies, and procedures.

Education:  An undergraduate degree, preferably within the disciplines of social work, health promotion, or education. 

Experience:  Three to five years of experience managing students. Experience collaborating with a community that is widely diverse in culture, age, ability, and family status. Previous experience with student life or residence is an asset. Experience in crisis response and providing mental health support is an asset.  A combination of education and experience may be considered. 

Skills: An understanding of the impact of student life for international students and settling into new environments is essential. Professional Interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal; conflict resolution skills; leadership, coaching, mentoring, and team building; community development and program implementation; budget development, creative problem solving skills; demonstrated ability to organize work, delegate duties, hold accountability and set priorities for self and others with changing business demands; ability to set and enforce standards of performance and adherence to policies and practices, and the ability to respond quickly and judiciously in crisis situations. Efficiency with Microsoft Office applications and database-operated systems.

Department: Residence  
Status: Permanent  
Employment Group: ASPA
Full Time Equivalent (FTE): 1.0

Salary: The salary range, based on 1.0 FTE, is $66,030.00 – 103,174.00 per annum. The starting salary will be commensurate with education and experience.

Salary Family (if applicable): Managerial

Salary Phase/Band: Phase 2

Posted Date: 2/15/2024

Closing Date: 2/29/2024 at 6:00pm CST
Number of Openings: 1
Work Location: On Campus

The successful applicant will be required to provide the following current verification(s) where ‘Yes’ is indicated below. Further information is available at: https://careers.usask.ca/tips-for-applying.php

Criminal Record Check: Yes
Driver’s License and Abstract Check: Not Applicable
Education/Credential Verification: Not Applicable
Vulnerable Sector Check: Yes

The University is committed to employment equity, diversity, and inclusion, and are proud to support career opportunities for Indigenous peoples to reflect the community we serve. We are dedicated to recruiting individuals who will enrich our work and learning environments. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority. We are committed to providing accommodations to those with a disability or medical necessity. If you require an accommodation to participate in the recruitment process, please notify us and we will work together on the accommodation request. We continue to grow our partnerships with Indigenous communities across the province, nationally, and internationally and value the unique perspective that Indigenous employees provide to strengthen these relationships. Verification of Indigenous Membership/Citizenship at the University of Saskatchewan is led and determined by the deybwewin tendersglobal.net taapwaywin tendersglobal.net tapwewin: Indigenous Truth policy and Standing Committee in accordance with the processes developed to enact the policy. Successful candidates that assert Indigenous membership/citizenship will be asked to complete the verification process of Indigenous membership/citizenship with documentation. The University of Saskatchewan’s main campus is situated on Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the Métis. We pay our respects to the First Nations and Métis ancestors of this place and reaffirm our relationship with one another. Together, we are uplifting Indigenization to a place of prominence at the University of Saskatchewan.