Residence Life Staff
Our Residence Life Staff (RLS) are dedicated to creating an inclusive, respectful, and fun experience for all residence students. With over 150 members, they provide essential support throughout the year, including mentorship, academic guidance, on-call assistance, and residence-wide activities.
RLS undergo extensive training in areas like communication, mental health, diversity, conflict resolution, and emergency response. Those with on-call roles are also certified in First Aid/CPR and safeTALK (suicide prevention training), ensuring they are equipped to support you and your community.
Who can apply?
- You can apply if you are a full-time undergraduate or graduate student at the University of Guelph and in good standing (i.e. no significant residence or campus conduct history).
- You need a minimum cumulative and semester average of 65% (or 70% if applying for Cluster Leader or Senior Cluster Leader roles).
- For senior-level positions such as Senior Residence Assistant, Community Assistant, Senior Cluster Leader, Programming Office Staff, Community Standards Assistant and Seminar Facilitator we also welcome new applicants with (significant) leadership experience to apply.
Residence Life Staff Positions
- Live-In Roles: You are required to live on-campus.
- Off-Campus Roles: You are not required to live on-campus.
Live-In Roles
We are currently accepting applications for Residence Assistant (RA), Cluster Leader (CL), Residence Assistant - Living Learning Communities (RA-LLC).
Job Description:
- Supports a community of students in their residence area
- Leader & role model for residence students
- Plans & facilitates events & programs for residents
- Completes overnight on-call shifts
Remuneration*
- $9,821.44*/academic year
- RLS Meal Stipend
*Remuneration amounts are under review for 2025-26; final amounts to be confirmed in Summer 2025. Returning RAs will receive an additional $50/month for every year (two 4-month terms) they are in the CL role (up to a maximum of $800)
Application:
- Application open as of November 11, 2024
- Closing date: Sunday, January 5th, 2025, 11:59 pm EST
Job Description:
- Supports a community of students in their residence area, with a focus on academic skills and resources
- Leader & role model for residence students
- Plans & facilitates academic events & academic programs for residents
- Staffs Academic Drop-in Centres
- A variety of academic clusters will be available
Remuneration*
- $6,924.14*/academic year plus RLS Meal Stipend
- Standardized RLS Single Room Rate
*Remuneration amounts are under review for 2025-26; final amounts to be confirmed in Summer 2025 Returning CLs will receive an additional $50/month for every year (two 4-month terms) they are in the CL role (up to a maximum of $800)
Application:
- Application open as of November 11, 2024.
- Closing date: Sunday, January 5th, 2025, 11:59 pm EST
Job Description:
- Completes same job expectations as Residence Assistants,
plus provides themed programming to students in our Living-Learning Communities. - Available Living Learning Communities may include:
- Arts House
- Eco House
- French House
- Indigenous House (note specific job description for this community)
- International House
Remuneration*
- $11,216.58/academic year plus RLS Meal Stipend
- Standardized RLS Single Room Rate
*Remuneration amounts are under review for 2025-26; final amounts to be confirmed in Summer 2025 Returning RA-LLCs will receive an additional $50/month for every year (two 4-month terms) they are in the RA-LLC role (up to a maximum of $800).
Application:
- Application open as of November 11, 2024.
- Closing date: Sunday, January 5th, 2025, 11:59 pm EST
Job Description:
- Supports a community of students in their residence area
- Leader & role model for residence students
- Plans & facilitates events & programs for residents
- Completes overnight on-call shifts
- Provides leadership & coaching to their building team
- Leads section meetings on their building team
- Prepares Residence Life Staff on call schedule
- Note: This role is a senior-level position and is typically most well-suited for those with prior Residence Life Staff experience.
Remuneration*
- $11,216.58/academic year plus RLS Meal Stipend
- Standardized RLS Single Room Rate
*Remuneration amounts are under review for 2025-26; final amounts to be confirmed in Summer 2025 Returning Senior RAs will receive an additional $50/month for every year (two 4-month terms) they are in the Senior RA role (up to a maximum of $800)
Application:
- Closed as of Sunday, November 10th 2024 11:59 pm EST
Job Description:
- Supports a community of students in their residence area, with a focus on academic skills and resources
- Leader & role model for residence students
- Plans & facilitates academic events & academic programs for residents
- Staffs Academic Drop-in Centres
- Provides leadership & coaching to their team
- Leads section meetings on their team
- A variety of academic clusters will be available
- Note: This role is a senior-level position and is typically most well-suited for those with prior Residence Life Staff experience.
Remuneration*
- $8,000*/academic year plus RLS Meal Stipend
- Standardized RLS Single Room Rate
*Remuneration amounts are under review for 2025-26; final amounts to be confirmed in Summer 2025 Returning Senior CLs will receive an additional $50/month for every year (two 4-month terms) they are in the Senior CL role (up to a maximum of $800).
Application:
- Closed as of Sunday, November 10th 2024 11:59 pm EST
Job Description:
- Provides leadership & coaching to their building team or Living Learning Communities team
- Facilitates student conduct meetings
- Leads section meetings on their building team
- Prepares Residence Life Staff on-call schedule
- Completes overnight on-call shifts
- Plans and facilitates building-wide programming
- Note: This role is a senior-level position and is typically most well-suited for those with prior Residence Life Staff experience.
Remuneration*
- $12,121.74*/academic year plus RLS Meal Stipend
- Standardized RLS Single Room Rate
*Remuneration amounts are under review for 2025-26; final amounts to be confirmed in Summer 2025 Returning Community Assistants will receive an additional $50/month for every year (two 4-month terms) they are in the Community Assistant role (up to a maximum of $800).
Application:
- Closed as of Sunday, November 10th 2024 11:59 pm EST
Off-Campus Roles
We are not accepting applications at this time for below roles. Check back later!
Job Description:
- Staffs the Residence Programming Office
- Helps support campus-wide events
- Supports other Residence Life Staff members with their programming efforts
- Note: This role is a senior-level position and is typically most well-suited for those with prior Residence Life Staff experience
Remuneration*
- $6,924.14*/academic year
*Remuneration amounts are under review for 2025-26; final amounts to be confirmed in Summer 2025
Returning Programming Office Staff will receive an additional $50/month for every year (two 4-month terms) they are in the Programming Office role (up to a maximum of $800).
Application:
- Closed as of November 10 2024 11:59 pm EST
Job Description:
- Creates and delivers educational seminars as part of the residence conduct process.
- Note: This role is a senior-level position and is typically most well-suited for those with prior Residence Life Staff experience.
Remuneration*
- Starts at $17.50*/hour
*Remuneration amounts are under review for 2025-26; final amounts to be confirmed in Summer 2025
Application:
- Closed as of November 10th 2024 11:59 pm EST
Job Description:
- Completes overnight on-call shifts, primarily in South Residence
Remuneration*
- Starts at $16.55*/hour
*Remuneration amounts are under review for 2025-26; final amounts to be confirmed in Summer 2025
Application:
- More information about Duty Staff will be available in Winter 2025
Job Description:
- Staffs the guest registration & check in desks during scheduled overnight shifts
Remuneration*
- Starts at $16.55*/hour
*Remuneration amounts are under review for 2025-26; final amounts to be confirmed in Summer 2025
Application:
- More information about Duty Staff will be available in Winter 2025
Job Description:
- Provides administrative support to the Residence Behaviour and Wellness Manager in the management of the Residence Community Living Standards (RCLS).
- Helps process educational sanctions as part of the residence conduct process
- Note: This role is a senior-level position and is typically most well-suited for those with prior Residence Life Staff experience.
Remuneration*
(see above note on remuneration for returning RLS):
- Starts at $17.50*/hour
*Remuneration amounts are under review for 2025-26; final amounts to be confirmed in Summer 2025
Application:
- Closed as of November 10, 2024.
Hiring Process
Get more information on the RLS experience and learn about the available roles and application process from current student staff.
| Positions | Date & Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday, October 23, 2024 6:30 pm | John Eccles Centre (Maritime Hall) |
| Wednesday, November 27, 2024 6:30 pm | East Town Hall |
| Guest Registration & Door Staff Duty Staff | To be announced | TBD |
| Position | Application Open Date | Application Close Date | Interview Period | Onboarding |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday, October 28, 2024 | Sunday, November 10, 2024 11:59 pm | November 20 – 29, 2024 |
|
| Monday, November 11, 2024 | Sunday, January 5, 2024 11:59 pm | January 15 – February 5, 2025 | |
| Guest Registration & Door Staff | More Information to come in Winter 2025 | |||
Hiring Guide
Hear from Our Staff
Becoming an RA has been transformative and has positively influenced multiple components of my time at the University of Guelph. My closest friends have been my colleagues, and this position has provided me with opportunities to be an involved member in the university community. This will be one of the most prominent memories of my undergraduate experience as I look back on my time spent at UofG.
My three years with RLS have been incredibly rewarding. As both an RA and CL, I've connected with students personally and academically, watching them thrive and grow. Being a CL has been especially fulfilling, and the experiences have inspired me, built my skills, and led to lifelong friendships. I'm truly grateful for the opportunities RLS has given me.
Frequently Asked Questions
Applicants are required to be a full-time student at the University of Guelph (undergraduate or graduate) during the term of their employment. The minimum semester and cumulative academic average required is 65%; or 70% for Cluster Leader and Senior Cluster Leader roles. Applicants should be in good standing with the University (i.e. no significant residence or campus conduct history.
Most applicants who are new to Residence Life Staff are a good fit for Residence Assistant, Cluster Leader, Residence Assistant – Living Learning Communities, Duty Staff or Guest Registration & Door Staff roles.
We have a number of senior-level positions, which are leadership roles on our team typically well suited for those with previous Residence Life Staff experience. We also welcome applications from those with significant outside leadership experience. These roles are: Senior Residence Assistant, Community Assistant, Senior Cluster Leader, Programming Office Staff, Community Standards Assistant, and Seminar Facilitator.
Residence Life Staff in live-in positions will be assigned a placement on a building team which will be shared mid-summer 2025, typically in June. If successful candidates have accessibility needs, they will be asked to complete the Accessibility Accommodation Request when applying for residence.
Applicants may apply for multiple roles in an application cycle. If successful, applicants will receive only one job offer.
All applicants will answer written questions on the online application related to the role(s) for which they are applying.
Applicants who are selected to move forward to the interview stage will be contacted via their University of Guelph email address to schedule an interview.
Our Residence Life Team can be reached at residencelife@uoguelph.ca and would be happy to answer further questions.
