The part-time Student Receptionist will serve as the first point of contact at the Operations and Facilities front desk, providing friendly and professional service to students, staff, faculty, and visitors. The role supports the day-to-day administrative needs of the department while contributing to a welcoming and organized environment.
In addition to reception responsibilities, the position will provide administrative support to the University's Chemistry and Biological Sciences laboratories, including maintaining equipment and chemical inventories, tracking calibration and certification requirements, and assisting with laboratory records and supply management.
Front-desk reception will remain the primary responsibility, with laboratory administrative duties completed when reception demands permit.
Working hours:
This position is part-time, up to 20 hours per week, during regular business operations, typically between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday. Flexibility to support occasional events or initiatives outside these hours, including evenings and weekends, may be requested.
Specific Responsibilites:
Reception and Administrative Support
- Provide general administrative support to the Operations and Facilities team and university staff.
- Maintain a professional and welcoming presence at the front desk, greeting and assisting visitors, students, faculty, and staff.
- Respond to in-person, telephone, and email inquiries, providing information or directing individuals to the appropriate contacts as needed.
- Support departmental initiatives and events, including assisting with room and space setups, takedowns, distributing materials, and inspections.
- Ensure the front desk, reception area, collaboration spaces, and kitchen are tidy, organized, and stocked with necessary materials.
- Maintain consistent front-desk coverage and prioritize reception responsibilities throughout scheduled shifts.
Laboratory Administrative Support
- Assist with establishing and maintaining accurate inventories of equipment and chemicals for the Chemistry and Biological Sciences laboratories.
- Enter and update laboratory equipment information in the designated database, including equipment identification, location, make, model, serial numbers, and other relevant details.
- Maintain chemical inventory records in the designated database, ensuring information is accurate and up to date.
- Establish and maintain calibration, certification, and maintenance records for applicable laboratory equipment.
- Assist with developing and maintaining schedules for equipment calibration, certification, and maintenance, including weekly, monthly, biannual, and annual requirements, as applicable.
- Track upcoming calibration, certification, and maintenance requirements and communicate deadlines to the appropriate laboratory personnel.
- Monitor chemical inventory quantities and identify supplies requiring replenishment.
- Assist with preparing and placing chemical and equipment orders in accordance with the direction of the Associate Dean of Biosciences and University procedures.
- Maintain organized and accurate laboratory documentation, inventory records, and related administrative files.
- Conduct physical inventory checks within the laboratories when required, in accordance with applicable laboratory safety procedures.
- Complete laboratory administrative tasks from the reception desk when operational demands permit, ensuring that reception coverage remains the priority.
Other Responsibilities
- Perform other administrative and operational duties as assigned by the Operations and Facilities Manager or Senior Leadership team.
- Support effective communication and coordination between the Operations and Facilities team and laboratory personnel.
Position Requirements:
Student Eligibility Requirements
- Must be enrolled as a student at the University of Niagara Falls Canada for the entire duration of the contract.
- Preference will be given to students who have completed at least one academic term at the start of employment.
- Must not currently be completing or approaching a capstone project or internship as part of their program of study and must be available for the full two-term duration of the contract.
- Must not have exceeded the maximum six (6)-month employment term in any one department and must meet the minimum three (3)-month break in employment requirement.
- Preference will be given to students with a cumulative academic average of 70% or higher.
- Must be available for a minimum of one shift per week, with flexibility to work evenings and weekends as scheduled
Experience and Skills
- Previous customer service experience is required.
- Experience in student support services is considered an asset.
- Previous experience in a laboratory, scientific, pharmaceutical, or related environment is considered an asset.
- Familiarity with laboratory equipment, chemical inventory management, and calibration or certification processes is considered an asset.
- Experience with data entry, inventory tracking, database management, or maintaining administrative records is considered an asset.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with a professional, courteous, and customer-service-focused approach.
- Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail, particularly when maintaining records and managing multiple responsibilities.
- Ability to prioritize reception duties while independently completing assigned administrative tasks.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and Outlook.
- Ability to follow established University procedures, including applicable laboratory safety requirements.
- Dependable, punctual, and able to work independently and collaboratively with different departments.
Application process
Interested candidates are invited to submit an application, using ONE document that includes a cover letter, resume/curriculum vitae (CV) including evidence of teaching experience and scholarly accomplishments, and teaching portfolio (if applicable), as well as the names of three references. A single PDF document is preferred. Note: file maximum of 5MB per attached upload.
Use of AI Disclosure
University of Niagara Falls Canada (UNF), UNF is committed to a fair and transparent recruitment process. While AI tools assist us in identifying and communicating with candidates, applications are reviewed by our dedicated Talent Acquisition team to ensure a thorough evaluation of all candidates.
We value diversity and strive to create an inclusive environment where all individuals have an equal opportunity to succeed. We comply with all relevant laws and regulations in Ontario and adhere to the highest standards of ethical hiring. We are committed to protecting your personal information and ensuring that all data collected during the recruitment process is handled with the highest level of confidentiality.
Diversity, inclusion, and equity
UNF is strongly committed to equity, diversity, and inclusivity within its community and especially invites applications from all qualified candidates. Racialized persons / persons of color, women, Indigenous / Aboriginal People of North America, persons with disabilities, 2SLGBTQI+ persons, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas are encouraged to apply. We recognize that applicants may have had obligations outside of work that have negatively impacted their record of achievements (e.g., parental, elder care, and/or medical). You are not required to disclose these obligations in the hiring process. If you choose to do so, UNF will ensure that these obligations do not negatively impact the assessment of your qualifications for the position.
We will accommodate the needs of the applicants and the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) throughout all stages of the selection process, please advise jobs@unfc.ca to ensure your accessibility needs are accommodated through this process. Information received relating to accommodation measures will be addressed confidentially. We appreciate all applications received; however, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
We are situated on the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee, Hatiwendaronk and Anishinaabe peoples. We also acknowledge the many other First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples who call this region home.We commit to building relationships based on respect, reciprocity, and reconciliation as we work, learn, and gather on this land. Furthermore, we acknowledge that the Niagara Region is situated on treaty land, and we stand with all Indigenous peoples, past and present, in promoting the wise stewardship of the lands on which we live.
Learn more about the University of Niagara Falls Canada at our website .
