AMS restructure creates new job opportunities for students

Changes to application process prioritize student applicants

Image supplied by: Journal File Photo
The restructure was approved in January.

The AMS restructured its internal operations and application process this year to provide more equitable and productive student opportunities.

The changes, which primarily involve adding new waged and volunteer positions and adjusting hours for existing positions, affect the Human Resources Office, Environmental Sustainability Commission, Social Issues Commission (SIC), External Affairs Commission, Clubs Commission, and the Marketing Office on the Government side of the AMS.

On the corporate side, The Journal, Student Life Centre, Walkhome, and the AMS Food Bank were included in the restructure.

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The application process for positions in the Society has also undergone changes: applicants are now able to choose their own interview times; all interview notes will be recorded digitally through AMS Apply, rather than on paper; applications will now be received without names; applications will be scored from 1 to 5 following a rubric; and the general AMS Apply application questions will now have space for applicants to detail the qualities they possess.

The proposals for the restructure were developed in November and approved in late January, according to AMS President Jared den Otter.

“As the Head Managers, Commissioners, and Directors work these roles for the year, they have the best insight regarding how to make adjustments to best represent and serve students,” den Otter told The Journal

“The AMS will always strive to improve our structure, resulting in better experiences for staff and better benefits to AMS members.”

AMS Managers are able to bring forward ideas to their direct report or Executive and submit a proposal to the AMS Board of Directors each year, he said. 

“Managers are key stakeholders in most of the decisions made about their respective service,” den Otter said. “All changes go through a process of workshopping, proposal writing, budgeting for the upcoming year, approval with the Personnel Committee, and finally a vote with the AMS Board of Directors.”

While most of the changes were proposed by the service managers, den Otter said the “only exception” was the change to the AMS Food Bank. 

The campus food bank has been held under the SIC in the past; however, Alex Samoyloff, vice-president (operations), and Alexia Henriques, vice-president (university affairs), moved it to the corporate side of the AMS with the approval of the SIC Commissioner and the Food Bank Manager.

The Food Bank will now operate as its own service.

Den Otter pointed to a few other benefits that come from the restructure, including the hiring of an HR Permanent Staff professional and the addition of managers at the SIC and External Affairs Commission.

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“[T]he hiring of an HR Permanent Staff professional still allows a student to gain insight into the realm of HR while ensuring more accountability in the office,” den Otter said. “As well, the Social Issues and External Affairs Commissions will receive more support by each having two government managers—these are waged positions. Specifically, for the SIC, this provides more equity-based roles for students that receive an honorarium or a wage.”   

“Additionally, there are new opportunities for students to get involved, and more paid jobs.”

Den Otter said the Executive and Senior Management teams can evaluate how the changes have impacted the operations of their organization throughout the year and submit additional proposals to the AMS Board of Directors in November.

“These changes serve as steps toward ensuring the AMS is a more efficient, equitable, and productive organization.”   

Tags

AMS, AMS Board of Directors

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