Airport Pick-up Captain

Nature and Scope

The University of Waterloo welcomes approximately 1200 international undergraduate students each Fall. The Student Success Office is recruiting five senior undergraduate or graduate students to serve as Airport Pick-up Captains.

Airport Pick-up Captains must exhibit strong leadership skills and have experience leading others. They must have a desire and passion for helping first-year international students and English Language Learners and must be aware of the needs of these students. They must be positive role models both personally and academically.

Responsibilities

• Assist with day-of logistics and preparation of set-up at Pearson International Airport
• Provide event support throughout the program such as set-up/take-down, day-of logistics, people management, customer service, support for early arriving participants, etc.
• Develop and contribute to program documentation and other pre- and post-program administrative tasks

Specific Accountabilities

At the Airport

• Maintain a professional and welcoming environment
• Manage lists of participants, check-in process, and staff/alumni volunteer shifts (if applicable)
• Support any unregistered students in finding transportation to campus
• Prepare variety of ice breaker activities for volunteers to interact with participants
• Communicate with external stakeholders such as the airport staff and transportation staff as needed throughout the day

• Ensure that all participants have boarded the correct shuttles and all of their luggage is accounted for
• Move between the welcome location and Terminal 1 and 3 gates to help students navigate the airport
• Create comfortable environment for participants and other volunteers
• Provide participants with an idea of what to expect on the ride to campus
• Connect with designated on-campus staff to communicate estimated time of arrival or other important information
• Ensure that on-campus welcome team is prepared for arrival of participants at each stop

Documentation and administration

• Work with International Student Experience team to document relevant programming approaches, logistics and outcomes
• Manage lists and administration of all activities, participation attendance, day-of program volunteer shifts/scheduling, dietary and accessibility needs, etc.

Qualifications

• Experienced student leader with a strong knowledge of the University of Waterloo campus, faculties, services, and resources
• Knowledgeable about the first-year international student experience; awareness of the needs of first-year international students and English language learners
• Experienced in event management and execution
• Strong organizational skills and capable of managing multiple demands simultaneously with accuracy and attention to detail
• Excellent problem-solving skills and good judgement; ability to think on your feet and navigate difficult discussions or situations with diplomacy and tact
• Strong customer-service
• Experience participating in international or cross-cultural living and learning opportunities; ability to approach cross-cultural communication and inter-group dynamics with sensitivity and respect
• Valid Emergency First Aid and CPR certification an asset
• Skill and ability to communicate in an additional language is an asset
• Participation in prior Airport Pick-up programs is an asset
• Valid G Class driver’s license and personal vehicle is an asset

Required Dates:

• Mandatory training: Week of July 8 – date to be confirmed
• Shifts will occur over the period of: August 26-September 8

If you have any questions, please email Roohina Ismail (Coordinator, International Student Transition) at roohina.ismail@uwaterloo.ca  

Please note: Only successful applicants will be contacted.