We're hiring! University College 2025-2026 Residence and Off Campus Student Staff Applications

The role of the Community Coordinator (CoCo) is comprehensive and diverse. CoCos are expected to engage students actively by informing and developing an off-campus student community around the Commuter Student Centre (CSC) and the Clark Reading Room and virtually. CoCos are expected to help assess off-campus student needs and to develop programs to meet them. It is expected that the conduct of the CoCo will serve as a role model for students. The CoCo is responsible for  building relationships with and advising and assisting off-campus students, for maintaining reasonable levels of conduct, safety and security in the CSC, for planning and encouraging off-campus student activities, events and programs, and for promoting these to the off-campus student population. The CoCo works closely with the UC Off-Campus Commission (UCOC) and staff in the Office of the Dean of Students with the aim of cultivating a supportive environment within the student life experience of off-campus students. 

The Community Coordinator is intensively involved in supporting student life for off-campus students in a wide variety of ways that include:

• Supporting the orientation and transition of students to off-campus, commuter and university life and providing opportunities for students to build connections with other off-campus students in the Commuter Student Centre (CSC) and the Clark Reading Room. 

• Becoming well-acquainted with off-campus students, student leaders, staff, and community members and establishing a relationship of mutual trust and respect. 

• Providing appropriate referrals to University College staff, services and programs to students experiencing personal, academic, financial, interpersonal, or social concerns. 

• Supporting and sustaining a supportive and inclusive atmosphere in the CSC and the Clark Reading Room where students can study, learn, and socialize together. 

• Disseminating information and encouraging participation in off-campus student activities; initiating and sponsoring programs which help students to learn by being involved in all phases of commuter life; encouraging commuters to socialize and grow through involvement in the community. 

• Liaising with the UC Literary and Athletic Society, Off-Campus Commission, Commuter Orientation, and other student groups, as necessary. 

• Hosting regular office hours (no less than 2 hours a week) 

• Animating and providing programming in College spaces frequented by off-campus students including but not limited to the Commuter Student Centre, Clark Reading Room, the Owlery etc. 

• Being present as appropriate at College events as a representative of the University Administration 

• Attending all meetings and training/workshop sessions, as required. 

The preceding is a general description of the CoCo’s duties, and does not include many of the specific duties and responsibilities of a staff member. CoCos are paid an hourly wage of $25.44 and work up to 10 hours per week. Complete job descriptions are available upon request.

The Community Assistant (CA) plays an essential role in supporting the orientation and transition of off-campus students to university life, developing and delivering community building and education programs within the Commuter Student Centre (CSC), Clark Reading Room, and beyond. The Community Assistant works closely with other CAs, the Community Coordinators (CoCos), and Office of the Dean of Students staff to help cultivate an engaging and supportive environment for off-campus students. CAs are expected to exemplify positive leadership, encourage student participation, and contribute to the overall success of the commuter student experience.

The Community Assistant is intensively involved in supporting student life for off-campus students in a wide variety of ways that include:

• Supporting the orientation and transition of students to off-campus, commuter and university life and providing opportunities for students to build connections with other off-campus students in the Commuter Student Centre (CSC) and the Clark Reading Room. 

• Becoming well-acquainted with off-campus students, student leaders, staff, and community members and establishing a relationship of mutual trust and respect.  

• Providing appropriate referrals to University College staff, services and programs to students experiencing personal, academic, financial, interpersonal, or social concerns. 

• Supporting and sustaining a supportive and inclusive atmosphere in the CSC and the Clark Reading Room where students can study, learn, and socialize together. 

• Disseminating information and encouraging participation in off-campus student activities; initiating and sponsoring programs which help students to learn by being involved in all phases of commuter life; encouraging commuters to socialize and grow through involvement in the community. 

• Hosting regular office hours in the CSC (no less than 2 hours a week) 

• Animating and providing programming in College spaces frequented by off-campus students including but not limited to the Commuter Student Centre, Clark Reading Room, the Owlery etc. 

• Attending all meetings and training/workshop sessions, as required. 

The preceding is a general description of the CA’s duties, and does not include many of the specific duties and responsibilities of a staff member. CAs are paid an hourly wage of $20 and work up to 10 hours per week.

The role of the Residence Don is diverse and comprehensive. Dons are expected to actively engage in forming and developing a cohesive residence community supportive of the academic and personal goals of University College students. It is expected that the conduct of the Don will serve as a role model for residents. Residence Dons are responsible for advising and assisting residence students, for maintaining reasonable levels of conduct, safety, and security, and for encouraging residence activities, events, and programs.  The Don’s involvement in residence life includes:

• Helping to create a supportive, inclusive residence community that encourages involvement and mutual respect to meet the needs of all students to study, learn, and live
• Assisting students with conflict resolution and effective communication
• Establishing supportive relationships with all residents through one-on-one conversations, programs and on-going interactions
• Supporting students  with personal, academic, financial, inter-personal or social concerns
• Responding to crisis situations
• Supporting the orientation of new students to residence and university life
• Supplying information on residence life, facilities, and university services
• Working with the house executive to provide a range of social activities and events
• Working with the Residence Life staff to develop and facilitate educational residence programming
• Working closely with other Dons, with House Executives and the UC Residence Council on matters of mutual concern during monthly house meetings, or at alternate times, as necessary
• Assisting the residence administration as required; representing the interests of University College and other members of the university administration

Time Commitment & Responsibilities

All Residence Don positions have standard responsibilities, as well as creative freedom to help foster a residence community focusing on their strengths and community needs. Dons should expect to work approximately 10 - 15 hours a week, though each week will be unique based on residence programs, on-going student support and new student concerns. 

Here is a breakdown of what you could expect over the course of a month as a Residence Don:

• Student Support (12 - 25 hours/month)
  • Responding to on-going and new student concerns
  • Mediating House issues and complaints
  • Student outreach & engagement 
  • Overnight on-call shifts
• Student One-on-Ones (8 - 12 hours/month)
  • Intentional student support meetings
• Residence Programs (12 - 18 hours/month)
  • House Talks 
  • Residence community building program
  • Passive information board 
  • Residence wide programs & Theme Weeks 
• Meetings (8 hours/month)
  • House meetings
  • Full team meetings 
  • Building team meetings 
  • Staff support meetings

The preceding is a general description of the Don duties, and does not include many of the specific duties and responsibilities of a staff member. The University College Residence Don role is a unionized position that is represented by the USW Local 1998 - College Residence Dons Bargaining Unit. Wages, Benefits and Deductions for this position are outlined in Article 18 of the collective agreement. https://people.utoronto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/MOA_USW_College-Residence-Dons-Unit.pdf 

Living Learning Community (LLC) Don

University College offers four distinct Living Learning Communities (LLC) within residence houses. Each LLC connects students with similar interests and/or academic pursuits. Students in an LLC will experience directed programming facilitated by Residence Dons and other students in the community. Applicants can indicate their interest in one (or more) of the following LLCs:

• Health and Wellness
• Global Perspectives
• Arts and Culture
• Life Science

The role of the Program Don builds upon the Residence Don responsibilities to be leaders in developing residence-wide programming to build a cohesive residence community connecting students across all residence buildings and houses. In addition to the general responsibilities of a Residence Don to support residence students, the Program Don role includes:

• Initiating, developing and implementing residence-wide social and educational programs
• Creating opportunities for students to connect around academic interests and program of study
• Supporting the development of residence-wide theme weeks and activities
• Developing creative events and programs to engage diverse students around shared experiences and identities (i.e. international students)
• Supporting Residence Life social media management and content creation
• Liaising with the University College Residence Council, UC Lit and other student groups
• Liaising with relevant college and university staff, student groups and other resources to support residence programming

The Program Don role is ideal for those wishing to take a leadership role in program development and implementation. Program Dons will work together, in collaboration with other Dons, residence life staff and independently throughout the year.

The preceding is a general description of the Program Don duties and does not include many of the specific duties and responsibilities of a staff member. The University College Residence Don role is a unionized position that is represented by the USW Local 1998 - College Residence Dons Bargaining Unit. Wages, Benefits and Deductions for this position are outlined in Article 18 of the collective agreement. https://people.utoronto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/MOA_USW_College-Residence-Dons-Unit.pdf 

In addition to fulfilling the duties of a Residence Don, the three Head Dons take on a leadership role in each of their residence buildings. This includes developing a cohesive building don team, organizing and leading bi-weekly building team meetings, providing advice and support to their team members as needed, facilitating communication between the building team and residence staff, attending bi-weekly Head Don meetings with the Manager, Residence Life to provide information and feedback, assisting with planning and problem-solving, and coordinating programming and training.

Head Dons also assist with don training and the facilitation of peer lead sessions. The Head Don role is ideal for those wishing to take a leadership role and/or to pursue a career in higher education, residence or student life.

The preceding is a general description of the Head Don duties, and does not include many of the specific duties and responsibilities of a staff member. The University College Residence Don role is a unionized position that is represented by the USW Local 1998 - College Residence Dons Bargaining Unit. Wages, Benefits and Deductions for this position are outlined in Article 18 of the collective agreement. https://people.utoronto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/MOA_USW_College-Residence-Dons-Unit.pdf