Community Resource Specialist – Programs & Services

POSITION: Community Resource Specialist
REPORTS TO: Director, Programs & Services
JOB TYPE: Part-Time Position, 11-24 hours / week
TERM LENGTH: October 2026 to April 30, 2027
HIRING SALARY: $21.00/hour

About us

The University of Toronto Students’ Union (UTSU) is the official student government for more than 41,000 students at the University of Toronto’s St. George Campus, in the heart of downtown Toronto. We lead on service-provision, program development, advocacy, and the development and support of student-leaders. The UTSU is a competitive employer that aims to foster a culture of belonging, community, and shared-leadership within the St. George campus community.

The Role

The UTSU is actively seeking two (2) Community Resource Specialists (CRS) to join our Programs & Services team. CRS are the first point of contact for student members seeking information and/or access to UTSU and/or campus services, programs, and resources. They provide specialized information and knowledge, and assists in the delivery of exemplary daily front-line services and programs, to the student community at UTSU. With the Programs Team, they help support research, events, and execution of initiatives within the Student Commons.

CRS work collaboratively and cross-functionally, and are critical to the UTSU’s ability to uphold a broad commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. 

Key Responsibilities 

The key responsibilities outlined below are interpreted as being descriptive in nature and are not an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all possible job responsibilities, tasks, and duties. 

• Support the administration and coordination of the UTSU’s various programs and services. The work of the Food Bank and the Welcome Desk are large components of the position but you will provide support in all areas of programs and services and across the organization as required. The work is diverse and fast paced.
• For supporting programs and services, some lifting may be required up to 40 lbs to set up and take down event spaces and receive food bank deliveries.

General responsibilities:

• Answer incoming Front Desk and Help Desk inquiries (in-person/phone/online) about UTSU services and directs/redirects as needed.
• Assist members and Student Commons guests in locating and utilizing UTSU, campus and community resources, and referrals for their inquiries, in person, online, and by phone.
• Provide a supportive and welcoming atmosphere to students, UTSU members, tenants, and guests, in-person, online, or by phone.
• Process front desk and online sales such as the sale of event & local attractions tickets and other UTSU-offered products via a Point-of-Sale (POS) system.
• Handle personal information/personal health information of students for support purposes, maintaining privacy and confidentiality.
• Advise eligible students on student union health and dental insurance plans, assist students with accurately filing health and dental plan claims, and receive forms for mailing.
• Maintain an accurate community resource database/directories.
• Research and recommend development and/or re-alignment of new or existing programs and services to ensure achievement of the UTSU’s goals.
• Respond effectively to community members, utilizing active listening skills, solution-based approach techniques and standard crisis intervention appropriately.
• Promote the programs and services of the UTSU across the campus community, including conducting presentations, displays and participation in campus events and outreach initiatives.
• Support programs and services with research (particularly in the summer months but as needed during the academic year), event execution or hands on in physical or virtual service spaces.
• Based on member and community feedback, identify gaps in service and report them to the Programs & Services Coordinator.
• Demonstrate continuous effort to improve operations, streamline work processes, and work cooperatively to provide quality seamless community member service.
• Demonstrate due diligence in ensuring the overall safety of the members, staff and volunteers and to observe and adhere to all Occupational Health and Safety legislation in the workplace and document any concerns to management.
• Attend staff training, meetings and staff development days and provide appropriate and constructive input.
• Ensure that service users’ dignity and human rights are respected at all times, and respect the confidential nature of information shared by people served at the UTSU.
• Other programs & services duties as assigned.  

About You

• You are a part-time or full-time student at the University of Toronto St. George Campus 
• You are available to work 2-3 shifts per week, in particular on Tuesdays and Thursdays (minimum of 11 hours per week, up to 24 hours per week).
• You can apply an equity and inclusion lens to understand the various issues that impact students
• You have previous experience in dealing with the public effectively, with a demonstrated focus on customer service and retail
• You possess effective communication and interpersonal skills (spoken and written)
• You are able to work within a team, and individually in a self-paced environment
• You have effective problem solving and organizational skills
• You have proficiency with standard office and computer skills 
• You are able to perform physical work and can lift 40 lbs.

In addition, the following qualifications are considered to be an asset: 

• Preference will be given to UofT students enrolled in an undergraduate or a professional program at the University of Toronto St. George Campus
• Experience with community service and engagement
• Knowledge of a language other than English
• Experience with or knowledge of the UTSU and its services
• You are a returning full-time undergraduate student for the 2026-2027 academic year.

Compensation: $21.00/hour, 11-24 hours/ week

Term length: October 2026 to April 2027 (6 months). Training may take place during winter Reading Week. Please share your winter timetable when sending in your resume and cover letter.

Please note that the UTSU is an independent non-profit organization operating within the University of Toronto community; this is not a University of Toronto position.

How to apply

Submit a cover letter, resume and fall and winter time table by email to apply@utsu.ca, with a reference to the title “CRS – Programs & Services” in the subject line by October 9, 2027 at 11:59pm. Please note that we are seeking students who will be working with us in the upcoming fall and winter terms (2026-2027). 

We thank all candidates in advance for their interest. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted. 

EQUITY & ACCESSIBILITY

The University of Toronto Students’ Union (UTSU) is committed to fulfilling its mission in an environment that embraces and actively works towards equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging. The UTSU seeks to be proactive in attracting candidates who are members of equity-seeking groups, including but not limited to: women, Indigenous people, people with disabilities, racialized people, and people with diverse sexual orientations or gender identities/expressions. 

In order for us to assess all applications in a fair and equitable manner, please indicate to apply@utsu.ca at the time of your application of any requirement for accommodation, or if you would like someone to contact you about individualized application support.