Work and Volunteer for LOCUS
A great way for you to get involved with the Laurier campus community while living off-campus to be become part of the LOCUS (Laurier Off-Campus University Students) team.
Each year, between December to February, we open up applications for several off-campus advisor (OCA) and executive positions.
Available Positions
Although we've filled all our 2024/25 academic year positions, check back in December when we start accepting applications. In the meantime, you can check out our position descriptions below to see what interests you.
An off-campus advisor works with the advisor team to plan regular programming for first-years and is there to answer any questions students may have on school, academics, the city, or just life in general.
Position Description
Reports to: Coordinator, Off-Campus First Year Initiatives
Time Commitment: Five to seven hours per week and Orientation week
Position Details
- Work with the Orientation Week team to actively promote the LOCUS program, as well as ensure that the first-year student population experiences an exceptional orientation week
- Hold a position as an ice-breaker on the Orientation Week team and fulfill all the duties as outlined in that job description
- Create and maintain a friendly relationship with first-year off-campus students
- Host social events with the intent of building positive social relationships for the LOCUS students
- Host events themed around campus services/community, academic, wellness, virtual programming, and living in Brantford/Waterloo
- Be a consistent resource to the first-year students by answering questions, addressing concerns, sharing resources, and making referrals
- Attend all training, including mandatory August training
- Support other LOCUS staff by promoting and attending their events, including the LOCUS House Council
- Attend LOCUS Staff meetings, events, and one-on-ones
- Actively participate in the planning, facilitation, and evaluation of larger-scale programming from LOCUS in campus-wide events such as Thrive Week, Keep Calm and Study On, etc.
- Maintain open and honest communication with everyone involved in the success of LOCUS
- Promote, present, and recruit students to the LOCUS program at various events (Open Houses, Orientation Week, etc)
- Act as an ambassador of the LOCUS program and Wilfrid Laurier University
- Optional: Successful candidates may have the opportunity to apply to be a council advisor within the First Year Leadership Program
Meeting Expectations
- Weekly LOCUS Staff Team Meetings
- Monthly one-on-ones with the Coordinator, Off-Campus First-Year Initiatives
- Other meetings as assigned
Work Hours and Stipend Information
- August Training: LOCUS Program Training August 21-23 and Orientation Team Training (Date TBA)
- Orientation Week: August 31 – September 7, 35-40 hours
- September – April: 5-7 hours per week, reading week and exam period excluded
- During the fall and winter terms, the successful candidates will be paid a stipend of $575 per semester
- Successful candidates hired as advisors within the First Year Leadership Program will earn an additional stipend
Benefits of the Role
- Opportunity to mentor first-year off-campus students and make their first-year experience positive and memorable
- Opportunity to develop and improve organization, leadership, presentation, and time management skills
- Opportunity to plan programs and events designed for first-year students
- Opportunity to effectively and creatively communicate with off-campus students and campus partners about the LOCUS program
- Opportunity to collaborate with various departments on campus, ie: Transition and Learning Services, Wellness Education, Dean of Students Office, Your Students’ Union, the Centre for Student Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, Learning Skills and Development, Athletics and Recreation, etc.
Successful Candidates will:
- Be enrolled as a full-time Laurier undergraduate student for the 2024/2025 school year
- Have experienced one full academic year at Wilfrid Laurier University
- Have a minimum GPA of 6.0, or the minimum required GPA to progress within their academic program, whichever is higher
- Have a passion for student leadership, engagement, and providing an exceptional first-year student experience
- Have demonstrated excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- Have demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Have proven creativity, innovation, and initiative, particularly in regard to event planning and communicating with students
Application Information and Deadlines
We've filled all our 2024/25 academic year positions, check back in December when we start posting our positions.
During the application window, applicants should prepare and upload a cover letter and resume.
Interview Details
Successful applicants will be tasked with creating a presentation to present to the hiring panel during their interview. The presentation will outline why they are an ideal candidate for the position. Presentations should be 5-7 minutes in length. Candidates can present in any format that they would like.
Your presentation should address the following question: What is the biggest challenge off-campus first-year students face? Please describe 2-3 ways in which you would try to minimize this challenge.
After the presentation, the interview panel will ask a series of questions relating to the off-campus advisor role.
The marketing and engagement executive works directly with the Off-Campus Advisor (OCA) team to amplify and promote all programming offered through the LOCUS program. Special focus and support will be given to increasing the social media presence of the LOCUS program across various platforms.
Position Description
Reports to: Coordinator, Off-Campus First Year Initiatives
Time Commitment: 5-7 hours per week + Orientation week
Position Details
- Work with the Off-Campus Advisor team and assist in promoting OCA-led programs and events
- Ensure that there is a social media strategy for all LOCUS accounts
- Populate consistent and engaging content on LOCUS social media accounts
- Create, update, and send out a weekly newsletter promoting LOCUS events, key university dates/deadlines, and promotes campus partner programs
- Create and maintain a friendly relationship with first-year off-campus students
- Create innovative content that educates off-campus students about the Laurier community and the broader Waterloo/Brantford community
- Host engaging contests to push higher followers and engagement on social media accounts
- Be a consistent resource to the first-year students by hosting drop-in hours, answering questions, addressing concerns, and making referrals
- Attend all training, including mandatory August training
- Support LOCUS staff attending their events
- Coordinate the event reflection process and any event wrap-up details
- Provide staff and administrative support throughout Orientation week, including working the LOCUS registration booth, staffing during OCA breaks/downtime, assisting in facilitating LOCUS-specific programming
- Attend LOCUS staff meetings, events, and one-on-ones
- Actively participate in the planning, facilitation, and evaluation of larger-scale programming from LOCUS in campus-wide events such as Thrive Week, Keep Calm and Study On, etc.
- Promote, present, and recruit students to the LOCUS program at various events (Open Houses, Orientation Week, etc)
- Maintain open and honest communication with everyone involved in the success of LOCUS
- Act as an ambassador of the LOCUS program and Wilfrid Laurier University
- Optional: Successful candidates may have the opportunity to apply to be a council advisor within the First Year Leadership Program
Meeting Expectations
- Weekly LOCUS Staff Team Meetings
- Monthly one-on-ones with the Coordinator, Off-Campus First-Year Initiatives
- Other meetings as assigned
Work Hours and Stipend Information
- August Training: LOCUS Program Training August 21-23 and Orientation Team Training (Date TBA)
- Orientation Week: August 31 – September 7, 35-40 hours
- September – April: 5-7 hours per week, reading week and exam period excluded
- During the fall and winter terms, the successful candidates will be paid a stipend of $575 per semester
- Successful candidates hired as advisors within the First Year Leadership Program will earn an additional stipend
Benefits of the Role
- Opportunity to mentor first-year off-campus students and make their first-year experience positive and memorable
- Opportunity to develop and improve organization, leadership, presentation, and time management skills
- Opportunity to plan programs and events designed for first-year students
- Opportunity to effectively and creatively communicate with off-campus students and campus partners about the LOCUS program
- Opportunity to collaborate with various departments on campus, ie: Transition and Learning Services, Wellness Education, Dean of Students Office, Your Students’ Union, the Centre for Student Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, Learning Skills and Development, Athletics and Recreation, etc.
Successful Candidates will:
- Be enrolled as a full-time Laurier undergraduate student for the 2024/2025 school year
- Have experienced one full academic year at Wilfrid Laurier University
- Have a minimum GPA of 6.0, or the minimum required GPA to progress within their academic program, whichever is higher
- Have a passion for student leadership, engagement, and providing an exceptional first-year student experience
- Have demonstrated excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- Have demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Have proven creativity, innovation, and initiative, particularly in regard to event planning and communicating with students
Application Information and Deadlines
We've filled all our 2024/25 academic year positions, check back in December when we start posting our positions.
During the application window, applicants should prepare and upload a cover letter and resume.
Interview Details
Successful applicants will be tasked with creating a presentation to present to the hiring panel during their interview. The presentation will outline why they are an ideal candidate for the position. Presentations should be 7-10 minutes in length. Candidates can present in any format that they would like.
Your presentation should address the following scenario:
Leading up to Orientation week, your coordinator has asked you to create a strategic plan to develop and post engaging, fun, and informative content on the @LOCUSLaurier Instagram account. Specifically, you should be focusing on the following events/information to share:
- Introducing followers to the LOCUS program and OCA team (5-10 staff)
- Promoting a LOCUS-only movie night (Monday)
- Promoting Orientation events such as Headphone Disco (Tuesday), Academic Success Sessions (Wednesday), Concert (Thursday), Shinerama Car Wash (Saturday)
- Tips for your first day of class
Your coordinator has advised that you can include any other content you believe to be important in sharing with the LOCUS population as well. Please share your plan with the hiring panel.
After the presentation, the interview panel will ask a series of questions relating to the role.
The LOCUS House Council Advisor works with the council to plan monthly programming for the first years and is responsible for the continued growth and development of the council and its members.
Position Description
Reports to: Coordinator, Off-Campus First Year Initiatives
Time Commitment: 5-7 hours per week + Orientation week
Position Details
- Work with the Orientation Week team to actively promote the LOCUS program, as well as ensure that the first-year student population experiences an exceptional orientation week
- Create and maintain a friendly relationship with first-year off-campus students
- Recruit, hire, train, and evaluate the group of first-year students on the LOCUS House Council
- Advise and support the council in the planning and facilitation of the monthly house council events
- Be a consistent resource to the first-year students by hosting answering questions, addressing concerns, providing resources, and making referrals
- Work with the LOCUS Campus Council Advisor to create meaningful ways to train, develop, and collaborate with the LOCUS Campus Council Representatives
- Attend all training, including mandatory August training
- Support other LOCUS staff by promoting and attending their events
- Attend LOCUS Staff meetings, events, and one-on-ones
- Actively participate in the planning, facilitation, and evaluation of larger-scale programming from LOCUS in campus-wide events such as Thrive Week, Keep Calm and Study On, etc.
- Promote, present, and recruit students to the LOCUS program at various events (Open Houses, Orientation Week, etc)
- Provide staff and administrative support throughout Orientation week, including working the LOCUS registration booth, staffing during OCA breaks/downtime, assisting in facilitating LOCUS-specific programming
- Maintain open and honest communication with everyone involved in the success of LOCUS
- Act as an ambassador of the LOCUS program and Wilfrid Laurier University
Meeting Expectations
- Weekly LOCUS Staff Team Meetings
- Weekly LOCUS House Council Meetings
- Weekly LOCUS House Council Executive Meetings
- Monthly one-on-ones with the Coordinator, Off-Campus First-Year Initiatives
- Other meetings as assigned
Work Hours and Stipend Information
- August Training: LOCUS Program Training August 21-23+ Orientation Team Training (Date TBA)
- Orientation Week: August 31 – September 7, 35-40 hours
- House Council Training: 5-7 hours in September
- September – April: 5-7 hours per week, reading week and exam period excluded
- During the fall and winter terms, the successful candidates will be paid a stipend of $575 per semester
Benefits of the Role
- Opportunity to mentor first year off-campus students and make their first-year experience positive and memorable
- Opportunity to develop and improve organization, leadership, presentation, and time management skills
- Opportunity to plan programs and events designed for first-year students
- Opportunity to effectively and creatively communicate with off-campus students and campus partners about the LOCUS program
- Opportunity to collaborate with various departments on campus, ie: Transition and Learning Services, Wellness Education, Dean of Students Office, Your Students’ Union, the Centre for Student Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, Learning Skills and Development, Athletics and Recreation, etc.
Successful Candidates will:
- Be enrolled as a full-time Laurier undergraduate student for the 2024/2025 school year
- Have experienced one full academic year at Wilfrid Laurier University
- Have a minimum GPA of 6.0, or the minimum required GPA to progress within their academic program, whichever is higher
- Have a passion for student leadership, engagement, and providing an exceptional first-year student experience
- Have demonstrated excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- Have demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Have proven creativity, innovation, and initiative, particularly in regard to event planning and communicating with students
Application Information and Deadlines
We've filled all our 2024/25 academic year positions, check back in December when we start posting our positions.
During the application window, applicants should prepare and upload a cover letter and resume.
Interview Details:
Successful applicants will be tasked with creating a presentation to present to the hiring panel during their interview. Presentations should be 7-10 minutes in length. Candidates can present in any format that they would like.
Your presentation should address the following scenario:
Please share with the hiring panel your vision in overseeing the LOCUS House Council for the academic year. Include how you plan to recruit, hire, train and support this team ofs first year student leaders as they work towards offering monthly programs. Finally, touch on how you would work with the LOCUS Campus Council Advisor to foster a sense of community and collaboration amongst the two groups of student leaders.
After the presentation, the interview panel will ask a series of questions relating to the role.
Please note, that this role is exclusively on the Waterloo campus. All other positions are available on the Brantford and Waterloo campuses.
The Campus Liaison collaborates with the Students’ Union and Residence Department. The Campus Liaison works with the LOCUS Representatives on the FYLP’s Campus Councils to facilitate opportunities for leadership development and growth. In addition, this role holds the position of LOCUS Liaison on the Students’ Union’s Orientation Team.
Position Description
Reports to: Coordinator, Off-Campus First Year Initiatives
Time Commitment: 5-7 hours per week + Orientation week
Position Details
- Hold the position of LOCUS Liaison on the Students’ Union Orientation Week Team to actively promote the LOCUS program, as well as ensure that the first-year student population experiences an exceptional orientation week.
- LOCUS Liaison role reports to Coordinator, Off-Campus First Year Initiatives, but accepts additional tasks from the Associate Vice-President: Programming as a member of Orientation Team
- Work alongside the LOCUS Program Assistant and Coordinator to create effective summer communications to off-campus students surrounding Orientation Week
- Create and maintain a friendly relationship with first-year off-campus students
- Recruit, hire, train, and evaluate the LOCUS Campus Council Representatives
- Advise and support the LOCUS Campus Council Representatives by facilitating regular meetings to support student growth and development
- Be a resource to the Campus Council Advisors in creating more accessible events that best suit the off-campus student experience
- Be a consistent resource to the first-year students by hosting drop-in hours, answering questions, addressing concerns, and making referrals
- Work with the LOCUS House Council Advisor to create meaningful ways to train, develop, and collaborate with the LOCUS House Council Representatives
- Plan, facilitate, and evaluate programming in collaboration with the campus community (eg. Event collaborations for first-year Laurier athletic nights)
- Attend all training, including mandatory August training
- Support other LOCUS staff by promoting and attending their events
- Actively participate in the planning, facilitation, and evaluation of larger-scale programming from LOCUS in campus-wide events such as Thrive Week, Keep Calm and Study On, etc.
- Provide staff and administrative support throughout Orientation week, including working the LOCUS registration booth, staffing during OCA breaks/downtime, assisting in facilitating LOCUS-specific programming
- Attend LOCUS Staff meetings, events, and one-on-ones
- Maintain open and honest communication with everyone involved in the success of LOCUS
- Promote, present, and recruit students to the LOCUS program at various events (Open Houses, Orientation Week, etc)
- Act as an ambassador of the LOCUS program and Wilfrid Laurier University
Meeting Expectations
- Weekly LOCUS Staff Team Meetings (Time TBD)
- Bi-Weekly LOCUS Campus Council Meetings (Time TBD)
- Weekly Campus Council Meetings (Traditionally Tuesdays at 10 pm) (drop-in)
- Weekly Waterloo Leadership Council Meetings (Wednesdays at 5:30 pm – 7 pm)
- Monthly one-on-ones with the Coordinator, Off-Campus First-Year Initiatives
- Attend Orientation Week Executive Meetings
- Other meetings as assigned
Work Hours and Stipend Information
- Summer Tasks (Orientation Week preparation): approximately 5 hours of work per week
- Summer Training (Orientation Week volunteer training) date TBD
- August Training: LOCUS Program Training August 21-23 + Orientation Team Training (Date TBA)
- Orientation Week: August 31 – September 7, 35-40 hours
- Campus Council Training: 5-7 hours in September
- September – April: 5-7 hours per week, reading week and exam period excluded
- During the fall and winter terms, the successful candidates will be paid a stipend of $575 per semester
Benefits of the Role
- Opportunity to mentor first-year off-campus students and make their first-year experience positive and memorable
- Opportunity to develop and improve organization, leadership, presentation and time management skills
- Opportunity to plan programs and events designed for first-year students
- Opportunity to effectively and creatively communicate with off-campus students and campus partners about the LOCUS program
- Opportunity to collaborate with various departments on campus, ie: Transition and Learning Services, Wellness Education, Dean of Students Office, Your Students’ Union, the Centre for Student Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, Learning Skills and Development, Athletics and Recreation, etc.
Successful Candidates will:
- Be enrolled as a full-time Laurier undergraduate student for the 2024/2025 school year
- Have experienced one full academic year at Wilfrid Laurier University
- Have a minimum GPA of 6.0, or the minimum required GPA to progress within their academic program, whichever is higher
- Have a passion for student leadership, engagement, and providing an exceptional first-year student experience
- Have demonstrated excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- Have demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Have proven creativity, innovation, and initiative, particularly in regard to event planning and communicating with students
Application Information and Deadlines
We've filled all our 2024/25 academic year positions, check back in December when we start posting our positions.
During the application window, applicants should prepare and upload a cover letter and resume.
Interview Details
Successful applicants will be tasked with creating a presentation to present to the hiring panel during their interview. Presentations should be 7-10 minutes in length. Candidates can present in any format that they would like.
Your presentation should address the following scenario:
Please share with the hiring panel your vision for overseeing the LOCUS Campus Council Representatives for the academic year. Include how you plan to support this group of 12+ first-year leaders as they work with the campus councils, their advisor(s), and the FYLP in accomplishing council goals. Finally, touch on how you would work with the Orientation Team to ensure off-campus first-year students have an enjoyable Orientation Week.
After the presentation, the interview panel will ask a series of questions relating to the role.