First Year Experience Coordinator

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Learn more about our recruitment process.

Job Requisition ID:

2026-03043

Time Type:

Full time

Employee Group:

Staff

Job Category:

Student and Campus Support

Employment Type:

Permanent

Department:

Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association - Orientation

Hiring Range:

$61,954.88 - $77,443.60

Posting Information:
This posting is for an existing vacancy.

The internal posting deadline for this position is October 22, 2026 at 11:59PM

Job Description:

Primary Purpose

The position is designed to act in two equal capacities – one as an Orientation Advisor responsible for co-organizing and implementing a comprehensive and intentional Orientation program, and one as an administrative support unit for First-Year Orientation.

Key Accountabilities

Staff, Volunteer and Event Management

·       Co-manage and guide the Waterloo Orientation Team), a team of up to 20 student leaders hired to create and execute campus-wide programming for new students during First-Year Orientation (FYO). This team is managed in equal partnership with the Orientation Coordinator in the Student Success Office.

·       Responsible for the recruitment, retention, and leadership development of the Waterloo Orientation Team

·       Addresses any concerns related to the student leader team including but not limited to poor performance, team dynamics, and accountability.

·       Co-manages an operating budget of approximately $120,000 for the operating expenses of the events created by the Warriors O-Team. Provides detailed paperwork for the purposes of financial record-keeping.

·       Works collaboratively with the City of Waterloo, the Student Success Office, and other external partners, to offer an introductory program to the services and community resources available for new students in the City of Waterloo.

·       Responsible for decision-making and problem-solving during the development, planning, and execution stages of First-Year Orientation events created by the O-Team.

·       Manages the content and flow of information to the Waterloo Orientation Team.

·       Supports the recruitment and selection process for 1000+ Orientation volunteers

·       Manages the Off Campus Community student-run service, including the recruitment and selection of part-time staff and volunteers.

·       Supports the development of programming for new students living on and off campus in their first year of university in collaboration with Campus Housing, the Affiliated and Federated Institutions of Waterloo, and WUSA’s Off Campus Community.

Assessment and Strategic Planning

·       As a member of the Orientation Advisory Committee, works collaboratively with staff from other departments across campus, with the purpose of representing and working for what undergraduate students at the University of Waterloo view as important and meaningful in their Orientation experience, both as first-year students and as volunteers.

·       Works collaboratively with all members of the Orientation Advisory Committee to create a meaningful volunteer experience for all members of the O-Team.

·       Participates in the development of the long-term vision and planning for Waterloo Orientation’s undergraduate programming components

·       Reviews research from campus partners and other post-secondary institutions regarding current trends and best practices in the first-year student’s transition, implementing these best practices where possible and relevant.

·       Participates in the creation of content for communications materials, including social media, for Waterloo Orientation’s online communication and publications.

Administrative Support

·       Responsible for clearly communicating with incoming students and preparing them with the knowledge, tools, and resources necessary for a successful transition to university life.

·       Responsible for coordinating with partners on and off campus to ensure needed resources are secured for Orientation programming.

·       Provides support as needed for the O-Team trainings and meetings.

·       Content creation and management of the O-Team E-Newsletter.

·       Regularly monitors the information on the new student transition website to ensure it is correct and relevant.

·       Develops and maintains positive working relationships with campus partners from all faculties as well as several support departments across campus.

·       Seeks quotes for entertainment and/or resources.

·       Monitors the central Orientation email account and the Orientation phone extension to reply to inquiries from incoming students, student volunteers, parents and family members of incoming students, campus partners, and external vendors.

Required Qualifications

Education

·       University degree required in related field (e.g., Recreation & Leisure, Higher Education and/or Student Services).

·       A combination of education and/or experience will be considered.

Experience

·       At least 1 year of volunteer management/previous staff supervision experience in a student leadership capacity required.

·       Familiarity with Waterloo Orientation is required.

·       Experience as a previous member of the Federation Orientation Committee/Waterloo Orientation Team is an asset.

·       Budget management experience is an asset.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

·       Competencies will include analytical thinking, volunteer management, interpersonal, organizational and communication skills.

·       Should have experience communicating to a diverse audience through various mediums, and should have experience creating and facilitating training sessions.

·       Should demonstrate excellent attention-to-detail, as the nature of the position includes managing and booking resources that are required for successful programming.

Equity Statement

The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg, and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is coordinated within the Office of Indigenous Relations.

The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism and inclusion.  As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as First Nations, Métis and/or Inuk (Inuit), Black, racialized, a person with a disability, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.

Positions are open to qualified candidates who are legally entitled to work in Canada.

The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application, interview, or workplace accommodation requests, please contact Human Resources at [email protected] or 519-888-4567, ext. 45935.