Student Health Education Centre

As per MSU employment policies - "Only MSU members in good standing shall be eligible for part-time employment with McMaster Student Union." This includes, but is not limited to- "All undergraduate students at McMaster University enrolled in 18 units or more during an academic session.." To find more information and exceptions, please see our Part-Time Staff policy or our Bylaw 2 - MSU Membership.

Please note this job closes on Sunday, February 22 at 11:59pm.

Reports to: SHEC Director

Hours: 6 - 8 Hours per week

Rate: C2

The SHEC Assistant Director shall be responsible for the coordination of MSU SHEC's volunteer team in the execution of one of the MSU's Peer-Support Service's programs. The SHEC Assistant Director, alongside the SHEC Director, shall serve as a pillar for student support throughout the McMaster community that focuses on mental and physical health and wellness—and relevant resources for MSU students—through the creation and delivery of programming, events, and campaigns. The SHEC Assistant Director will assist the SHEC Director in the hiring of all executive and volunteer members, as well as the coordination, training, and recognition of all volunteers within the Service. The SHEC Assistant Director shall strive to create a welcoming, inclusive, accessible, and safe(r) environment for Service users/community members and volunteers within an Anti-Racist and Anti-Oppressive Framework. The SHEC Assistant Director's primary responsibilities shall involve regular reflection and intervention in addressing the internal growth needs of the Service.

Requirements & Expectations

Qualifications

Certification(s)/Affilitation(s)

• Current McMaster Undergraduate student
• Current MSU member
• Mental health support credentials [e.g., SafeTalk, Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST), Mental Health First Aid, Wellness Recovery Action Planning (WRAP), Peer Support Accreditation, etc.] are an asset.

Effort

Physical Effort

• Movement of event and/or session supplies may result in the need for lifting or pushing by the SHEC Director, SHEC Assistant Director, executives, or volunteers.

Mental Effort

• High degree of communication requirements may cause mental fatigue.
• Moderate-to-high level of mental effort required to address sensitive and confidential subject matters in a professional manner.

Working Conditions

Job Pressure

• Duties to challenge dominant and/or oppressive views may result in high social pressures.
• Serial nature of events and fluctuations in time commitment demands throughout the term of employment may lead to high variability in stress levels.
• Often deeply personal connection to the community of Service users/community members may result in internalized occupational dissatisfaction.
• Service mandate and goals typically involve moderate-to-high-stakes consequences when left unmet.
• Expectations of maintaining a level-head in emergency situations may result in mental fatigue.

Work Environment

• High demand of team inquiries may require unique communication standards and/or practices to establish a clear work-life separation with peer personnel.
• Colleagues often exude a high degree of passion surrounding their work.
• MSU SHEC's space is held inside of the McMaster University Student Centre (MUSC).

Training & Experience

Required

• Awareness and understanding of topics associated with the Service (e.g., inequities and systemic barriers, wellness management and coping tools, person-centric care, peer support, harm reduction, etc.).
• Awareness and understanding of the scope of the Service within the MSU, McMaster, and Greater Hamilton community.

Preferred

• Experience as a(n) teacher/trainer/educator in any capacity.
• Experience as a manager/supervisor/team leader.
• Experience acting as a member of a recruitment team and/or hiring board/committee.
• Experience as an event and/or conference planner/organizer/administrator.
• Experience as a volunteer/employee with MSU Services.
• Experience in dealing with sensitive subject matters that require anonymity and/or confidentiality.

Provided

• Microsoft Office 365 use and navigation.
• Recognizing, and responding to disclosures of, sexual and gender-based violence.
• Accessibility and disability inclusion.
• Anti-racism/anti-oppressive practices.
• Responding to disclosures of drug use and sexual activity with appropriate harm-reduction strategies.
• Peer-support best practices.
• Space and group facilitation best practices.
• 2STLGBQIA+ inclusivity.
• Eating disorder awareness and responding to disclosures of disordered eating.
• Hiring practices.
• Social media and marketing.

Materials & Equipment

Workstation

• Service drop-in space.
• Private office and one-on-one support space.
• Personal computer.
• Full Microsoft Office 365 access.
• Meridian Telephone system with voicemail, where appropriate.
• Limited free printer/photocopier access

Supervisor: SHEC Director

Hours: 6 - 8 Hours per week

Remuneration: C2

Please download the job description to see a full listing of the duties & responsibilities:   Job Description - Student Health Education Centre (SHEC) Assistant Director - created 20-20

We thank all applicants for their interest and effort in applying for the position, and advise that only those candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.

The McMaster Students Union (MSU) is strongly committed to employment equity within its community and to recruiting a diverse staff. The MSU encourages applications from all qualified candidates including women, persons with disabilities, First Nations, Métis and Inuit persons, members of racialized communities and 2SLGBTQIA-identified persons. If you require any form of accommodation throughout the recruitment and selection process, please contact the Human Resources Director by email at Please note that the MSU is an independently incorporated students' union operating within the McMaster University community; this is not a McMaster University position.