Women and Gender Equity Network (WGEN) Director Post closes January 11th

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 posting closes Sunday January 11th at 11:59pm.

The WGEN Director shall oversee the operations of MSU WGEN its executive and the overall vision of/for the Service as it relates to the pursuit of its core mandates. The WGEN Director shall ensure that MSU WGEN operates within its budgetary resources its Operating Policy and all other policies of the MSU that pertain to its overall purpose and procedures. The WGEN Director alongside the Directors of other Peer-Support Services shall serve as pillars for student support throughout the McMaster community. As well the WGEN Director functions as a critical source of insight on gender identity sexuality and issues prevalent in the 2STLGBQIA communityand relevant resources for MSU studentsthrough the creation and delivery of programming events and campaigns. The WGEN Director shall strive to create a welcoming inclusive and safe(r) environment for Service users/community members volunteers and executives predicated within an Anti-Racist and Anti-Oppressive Framework. The WGEN Directors primary responsibilities shall address the executive-level functioning of the Service any collaborative efforts with community/university/MSU partners and the operational direction for MSU WGEN.

Qualifications

Certification(s)/Affiliation(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 WGEN Director WGEN Assistant Director executives or volunteers.

Mental Effort

• High degree of communication requirements may cause mental fatigue.
• Moderate degree of mental effort required to exercise judgment in disciplinary situations alongside the Vice-President (Administration) and the MSUs Human Resources.
• Moderate-to-high level of mental effort required to address sensitive and confidential subject matters in a professional manner.

Working Conditions

Job Pressure

• Financial pressure may result from budgetary decisions/limitations required for the Service to operate.
• Duties to challenge dominant and/or oppressive views may result in high social pressures.
• Duties to establish and maintain professional connections on and off campus 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.
• Service mandate and goals typically involve moderate-to-high-stakes consequences when left unmet.
• Often deeply personal connection to the community of Service users/community members may result in internalized occupational dissatisfaction.
• Frequent consultations with various parties may require occupationally or morally difficult compromises.
• 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 WGENs space is held inside of the McMaster University Student Centre (MUSC).

Training and Experience

Required

• Awareness and understanding of topics associated with the Service (e.g. intersectionality critical disability theory dis-/ableism in-/accessibility human rights mentalism/saneism disability history human rights intersecting oppression invisible privilege etc.).
• Awareness and understanding of the historical context associated with the Service (e.g. Disability Justice movement/framework Disability & Mad Studies etc.).
• Awareness and understanding of the scope of the Service within the MSU McMaster and Greater Hamilton community.
• Experience as a manager/supervisor/team leader.
• Experience as a volunteer/employee with any MSU Services.

Preferred Experience

• Volunteer/employee/Service user with MSU WGEN
• Peer support.
• Identity-based communities.
• Teacher/trainer/educator in any capacity.
• Event and/or conference planner/organizer/administrator.
• Committee/council chair.
• Dealing with sensitive subject matters that require anonymity and/or confidentiality.
• Budgeting and financial accountability.

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: Executive Board through VP Admin

Hours: 12 - 14 Hours/week

Remuneration: C5

Please download the job description to see a full listing of the duties & responsibilities: Job Description - Women & Gender Equity Network (WGEN) Director - revised 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 at ext. 26255 or 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.

Required Experience:

Director