Spark Team Leaders

****Special Application Instructions

To apply: Please attach a document with the information requested found at the bottom of this post.

Interested students can also receive the application in the format of an accessible Word document by emailing [email hidden — sign in] with the subject line "Application Word document".

Spark is a service provided by the McMaster Students Union (MSU) that supports first-year students throughout their transition to McMaster University. Spark offers a weekly mentorship program, as well as social events, workshops, and online resources.

Please note this posting will close on Monday July 13th at 11:59pm.

Spark Team Leaders are expected to lead Spark sessions on a weekly basis. Team Leaders will work in groups to facilitate discussion, group activities, and self-reflection, with the goal of guiding first-year students through their transition to university. Additionally, Team Leaders will facilitate Spark workshops and events at least once per semester. A suitable candidate exhibits passion for first-year success. Spark sessions are scheduled for 1 hour per week, supplemented by a 1-hour mandatory weekly training session. Team Leaders are expected to engage informally with Spark students weekly through regular check-ins.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Strong time management and organizational skills
• Excellent speaking, listening, and facilitation skills
• Sensitivity to persons from a wide range of backgrounds
• Approachable and accessible to student needs and concerns
• Be able to recognize and respond to students who require assistance academically, socially, or mentally, and offer appropriate support and referral

Effort & Responsibility

• Team Leaders will occasionally be needed to help promote the service at events such as Welcome Day and through social media
• Workshops and events held throughout the year will require Team Leader support
• Maintain confidentiality of all students accessing Spark’s services in the Spark program
• All Team Leaders are expected to be a positive role model inside Spark sessions and beyond, maintaining professionalism with all members in the program

Working Conditions

• Regularly working in an indoor space (classroom, resource room, etc.)
• Regularly working in an online setting via Microsoft Teams
• May be expected to lead activities outdoors / off campus
• Expected to interact closely with groups of first-year students
• Time demands may exceed stated hours of work

Training and Experience

• Training will be provided by the Spark Director
• Previous leadership or mentorship experience is an asset, but not required

Equipment

• Access to a computer with Microsoft Teams will be required
• Any additional supplies required to lead Spark sessions will be provided

Reports to: Spark Director

• We thank everyone for their application, however, only candidates being interviewed for this roll will hear back from us.
• For a full list of duties and responsibilities, please download the full job description .

****Special Application Instructions

To apply: Please apply with a document that has the following information

• Each numbered item is a question for the Application
• Administrative information

1. Name (First + Last) (Short answer)
2. McMaster email (Short answer)
3. Student Number (Short answer)
4. Program and Year (Short answer)
5. Checkbox that they will be a full time student for the 2026-2027 academic year (18 or more units)

Questions (All questions are long answers)

1. A Team Leader (Mentor) with MSU Spark is responsible for leading weekly pre-made sessions with first-years helping them transition from high school to university. What do you believe is the most important character trait to be a successful Team Leader, and how do you embody this? (200 Words MAX)
2. As a TL, you run the weekly mentorship sessions with another TL, your co-TL. You notice that your co-TL is consistently showing up late, is unprepared, is cold and seems to be lost in their own world. How would you proceed? (250 Words MAX)
3. In your session on study strategies, one of the first years, Hannah admits that she struggled with his first set of midterms. You then hear the following remark from another first year, Steve: “Wow! I heard that second semester is harder and second year is even harder. Hold on, the next little bit might be rough.” You see Hannah becomes visibly upset; how would you proceed? (250 Words MAX)
4. First Year Formal is a major event that Spark runs where first years get to dress up and dance the night away. You are tasked with choosing a song for the night that best represents first year. What song would you choose and why? (200 Words MAX)

Comments

1. Do you have anything else that you would like to share with us? (Short answer)

Interested students can also receive the application in the format of an accessible Word document by emailing [email hidden — sign in] with the subject line "Application Word document".