Position Description

Reporting to the Residence Life Manager, Residence Dons play a key role in administering the residence life program. As a live-in support, Dons have an opportunity to contribute significantly to student development at Mount Allison. Through regular interaction with residence students, Residence Dons share in the task of developing the whole person, helping to create a comfortable and nurturing residence environment that provides opportunities for personal growth and academic success.

Hours of Work: There are no fixed hours of work. A Don will, generally speaking, be available and may be called upon at any time, evenings, weekends and statutory holidays, when residences are occupied by students. This appointment is for a term of 5 months (January 2024 to April 2024), with the possibility of renewal.

Date of Closure: Applications should be received by the Office of Student Life on or before Friday, January 12, 2024. Please submit your resume and cover letter to studentlife@mta.ca .

Position Description

Prime Functions

The prime functions of a Residence Don are to promote and uphold the aims and objectives of the University and the positive welfare of students in the residence community and in dining halls by providing supervision, guidance and support to those students while at the same time ensuring that University policies are observed.

Duties And Responsibilities

Residence Dons shall:

• Be responsible for the academic, social and physical well-being of their residents during the Fall and Winter terms.
• Provide information, assistance, mentoring, and guidance to students, referring more serious problems to the appropriate student services.
• Supervise and direct Residence Life staff team members through regular meetings.
• Be familiar with the residents of the House, making social rounds a significant portion of the weekly routine.
• Be a member of the Board of Dons and attend monthly meetings, normally scheduled on the first Monday of each month unless otherwise notified.
• Attend all House, and House Council meetings, acting as an advisor.
• Encourage student participation in academic, social and athletic events to promote fellowship within the residence and across the entire residence and University communities.
• In conjunction with Student Life, administer the Residence Life Code of Conduct to address issues of student misconduct.
• Eat a minimum of seven (7) meals per week in the dining hall with students from the residence.
• Serve as Residence Building Warden (For fire and building evacuation purposes).
• Report and monitor damages and/or maintenance problems to Facilities Management and maintain open communications with the residence custodial team.
• Interview candidates for some Residence Life staff team positions for the following year and make recommendations to the Residence Life Manager for appointment.
• Attend the Dons' Training Session in August and any other training workshops held during the year.
• Ensure that all appropriate forms are completed by the students upon entry/exit to/from residence, including room inventory check lists
• Ensure proper residence key control including immediate reporting of missing pass and master keys.
• Work with Housing and Conference Services to ensure areas of mutual concern/interests are addressed.
• Perform other related duties as may be assigned or required from time to time.
  
  

Qualifications/skills

• Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent other post-secondary education
• Satisfactory Criminal Records Check
  
  

Candidates Should Also Demonstrate

• Excellent communication, intercultural, and interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated experience working with youth between 18-24 years
• Experience leading and facilitating large groups of people and teams
• Ability to respond to respond to concerns and situations with professionalism, diplomacy, and discretion
• Ability to work under pressure
• Ability to exercise initiative and sound judgment
• Experience responding to crises/critical incidents is considered an asset
• Ability to create an environment that fosters inclusion and a respect for diversity