Conditions of Employment 

To be considered for this position, applicants must: 

• Be enrolled as a full-time graduate or second-entry student at the University of Toronto throughout the 2025-2026 academic year. 
• Be willing to live primarily at Graduate House throughout the duration of employment. 
• Have an ongoing in-person presence and in-person interaction with students in residence. 
• Be able to attend all components of the mandatory pre-service and in-service training program (dates TBC). 
• Be in good academic standing as most recently assessed by the University of Toronto. 
• Have no outstanding balance on ACORN as of May 2025. 
• Be available for the full duration of move-in weekend, orientation, and during the first two weeks of classes for assigned shifts. 

Qualifications 

Applicants must demonstrate that they meet the following qualifications: 

• Hold a Standard First Aid and CPR certification valid until the end of contract (end of August 2026, exact date TBC), prior to the beginning of employment. 
• Commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. 
• Creative and innovative community engagement skills/experience. 
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills. 
• Demonstrated ability to serve as a positive role model and leader. 
• Experience in student leadership, mentorship, or community building. 
• Ability to manage multiple responsibilities and work independently. 
• Commitment to fostering a positive, inclusive, and diverse community. 
• Experience living in a high density, community-based environment (e.g. student residence) is highly desirable, though not required. 

Core Role and Responsibilities: 

A. Team Lead 

• Provide leadership and support to the Residence Life Staff in the development of a positive residence community.  
• Organize and lead meetings with Residence Life Staff. 
• Create and maintain the RA-on-Call (RAOC) schedule. 
• Assist in the planning and delivery of Residence Life Staff training, including August and ongoing training. 
• Advise, support, coach, and provide ongoing feedback to Residence Life Staff, referring them to their supervisor(s) or appropriate staff/campus resources when necessary.  
• Facilitate lower-level conduct meetings with students. 
• Update the programming schedule on a regular basis. 
• Plan and implement staff socials to strengthen team cohesion.  
• Other duties as assigned. 

B. Facilitator 

• Cultivate a safe, cohesive, and respectful community within the residence. 
• Maintain a visible presence in the residence, including engaging with residents in common spaces such as common spaces and hallways, and during RA-On-Call (RAOC) rounds. 
• Enforce University and Residence policies, procedures, and rules while offering guidance and referrals to support services. 
• Mediate conflicts between suitemates and residents. 
• Maintain confidentiality and professionalism in all interactions with residents and staff. 
• Support and engage with residents to build community. 
• Facilitate events and social connections to encourage resident participation in orientation and other community-building activities. 

C. Educator 

• Serve as a positive role model by demonstrating responsible behavior, good academic standing, and citizenship. 
• Fulfill programming requirements aligned with the Graduate House Residence Curriculum, ensuring that activities meet learning outcomes. 
• Maintain professional relationships with all residents. 

D. Administrator 

• Attend all scheduled RA training and professional development sessions. 
• Facilitate move-in and move-out procedures, in line with Residence Life guidelines. 
• Participate in regular RA-On-Call (RAOC) shifts, responding to incidents and inquiries in a timely and professional manner. 
• Address community standards violations and document these incidents appropriately. 
• Ensure building safety and security and respond to emergencies as needed. 
• Maintain accurate records of expenses, floor funds, and programming budgets. 
• Assist with the RA/Don hiring process, including recruitment and advertising. 
• Ensure regular communication with the Residence Life Office by responding to emails and completing required reports. 
• Complete documentation in a timely manner as per the guidelines provided during RA Training. 

Commitments and Considerations 

RAs are welcome to accept other employment within or outside of the University, so long as it does not conflict or interfere with the fulfillment of their employment obligations in residence. 

Many duties and responsibilities of an RA are responsive to circumstances affecting the residence and its residents and are often spontaneous and incapable of being scheduled. RAs are expected to promptly and appropriately address all such circumstances. 

RAs are required to remain on campus until the last day of the contract period in August and should be prepared to provide support and ongoing presence during reading weeks and long weekends on campus. 

Compensation 

Each RA will be assigned a room in Graduate House valid during the employment contract period. In accordance with Canada Revenue Agency requirements, the value of the accommodation, as well as the meal plan must be reported as a taxable benefit.  

As per the USW RA MOA, Article 18, wages will be paid in recurring equal monthly instalments over the period of employment of the Residence RA equal to: 

• Seventy-five per cent (75%) of the fee for a standard single room. 
• A monthly installment of $362.50 as there is no meal plan provided. 
• A monthly installment of $187.50 as the Head RA. 
• Notes:  
  • The amount above will also have applicable deductions before the final amount is issued.  
  • A monthly deduction will be taken from these regular monthly net wages for the cost of the assigned room (billed at 75% of the standard fee). 
  • The amount(s) will be pro-rated for any period of residence closure (e.g. December or January, etc.) or any partial month of employment. 
  • A one-time $500 payment, less applicable deductions, will also be provided during the month of August. 
  • During the University’s winter holiday closure period, when regular wages will not apply, Residence RAs are entitled to a payment of $100, less applicable deductions, per day of work scheduled; $125, less applicable deductions, per day of work scheduled with approved programming; $150 for Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day, less applicable deductions, if scheduled for any part of these days.  

Please click here for more details on the collective agreement