Recruitment of Student Workers

10 reasons why you should work at this year’s Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences

The Canadian Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences (CFHSS) is recruiting short-term contract workers for the 2012 Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences at Wilfrid Laurier University and the University of Waterloo (May 26 to June 2). Congress 2012 will welcome more than 7000 scholars over eight days at the largest interdisciplinary conference in North America, bringing Canada’s most innovative researchers and outstanding global visionaries to Kitchener-Waterloo. Eminent scholars and creative thinkers will share leading research in the arts, social sciences and humanities during 7000 presentations. This is an unparalleled meeting of academic minds.

Who is the ideal candidate?

  • An individual with flexible availability (from May 25-June 3).
  • Outgoing, personable, motivated and organized.
  • Able and willing to work a number of positions if needed.

Note: Ability to speak in both official languages (French and English) an asset.

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Timeline:

  • Applications will be accepted until March 9, 2012.
  • Interviews will be held during the week of April 16 to 20, 2012 in Waterloo and formal offers of contract employment issued at that time.
  • Successful candidates are required to attend a (paid) orientation session on May 24.
  • Movers (transporters of boxes and equipment) will need to be available May 22-24 and June 2-3.

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Compensation:

  • Hourly rate of $11.00, paid by CFHSS.
  • When not on duty, workers can attend public sessions, browse the Congress Expo and network with Congress attendees.

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How to apply:

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Positions are available in the following areas:

Information Office Assistants:

Information Office Assistants help with the Information desk and are responsible for (including but not limited to) answering attendees’ questions, answering radio dispatch questions from Info kiosk and building monitor workers; managing day-time luggage storage, posting signage and notices as needed and assisting attendees with special needs. These workers also provide support for CFHSS-led events and assist with other jobs—namely info kiosks and building monitors—as needed, as well as keep track of room changes and program updates, and assist registered attendees in retrieving their association’s program information using desk copies and up-to-date, searchable PDFs of all association programs. Skills:Ability to deal professionally with the public; detail-oriented; self-motivated; excellent problem solving skills and leadership skills; comfortable communicating via 2-way radio; bilingualism is an asset.

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Association Attendants:

Workers staffing association tables will provide attendees with association-specific program information. This will typically include publications, flyers and/or brochures, and schedules. Additional tasks may be assigned by the association representative. Skills:Ability to deal professionally with the public; bilingualism is an asset.

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Information Kiosk Attendants:

Information kiosks will be located around campus. Attendants will answer questions, hand out useful information and direct attendees around campus and downtown Kitchener-Waterloo. Skills: Ability to deal with the public in a professional manner; excellent knowledge of the campus and city; bilingualism is an asset.

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Registration Clerks:

Clerks will process on-site registration and assist with registration-package pick up. They will work with the online database and process credit and Interac transactions. They will also print out name tags and hand out Congress bags. Skills: Good customer service and cashier experience; comfortable working with computers and database software; experience processing credit and Interac transactions efficiently; bilingualism is an asset. Requirements:Must be available for a 2-hour (paid) training session prior to Congress (May 23-24)

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Publisher and Congress Expo Assistants:

A number of exhibitors will need candidates to staff their booths at the Congress Expo, on a full- or part-time basis. Students will assist exhibitors by helping to take orders, re-ordering books, restocking shelves, and covering during breaks. Skills:Experience in customer service; bilingualism is an asset.

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Movers (Transporters of boxes and equipment):

Prior to and after Congress, movers help the Global Convention Services team transport materials, carpets, etc. and help set up and take down kiosks. Skills: Athletic and willing to do physical labour; may require long hours. Requirements:Must be available from May 22-24 and June 2-3.

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Building Monitors:

Monitors are assigned responsibility for a floor level or building where associations’ sessions are taking place. Workers will be required to post lists of meeting rooms in the lobby or on the classroom doors, make sure rooms are set up as requested by the association and to help the attendees find their meetings. Candidates communicate via 2-way radio with the Information Office dispatch to address issues/problems on site. During sessions, monitors will sit at their assigned table to assist association coordinators and attendees. Skills:Ability to deal professionally with the public; detail-oriented; self-motivated and independent; comfortable communicating via 2-way radio; bilingualism is an asset.

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Media Room Correspondents:

Media Room Correspondents will help CFHSS engage online audiences through drafting blog posts about Congress events. Correspondents will attend events and capture video, audio and other content. They will conduct interviews and summarize content for online reports and posts. Skills:Writing skills in either or both official languages, comfortable with interviewing researchers, ability to meet tight deadlines and work creatively and independently. Experience with social media platforms and experience in video, audio, photo or copy editing and writing about academic topics would be important assets.

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Media Room Assistants:

Media Room Assistants will respond to inquiries (phone, e-mail, in-person) from members of the media, set up interviews with researchers, and liaise with attendants in the Information Office to gather up-to-date program information. Media Room Assistants will also compile coverage reports, metrics about media interest and information for the media about Congress programming. Skills:Ability to interact professionally with members of the media. Strong written and verbal communication skills, and ability to use computer/search functions. Experience in administrative or customer service roles preferred. Ability to speak French is an asset.

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How to apply

Click hereto apply online.

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For questions or additional information please contact [email protected].