JOB POSTING: Resident Leader ’25-'26

Act Five is seeking 1-2 full-time Resident Leaders for the 2025-2026 Program Year. With a proposed (not required) move-in day of May 1, 2024, the position officially runs from mid-August 2024 through to the end of April 2025, plus some follow-up requirements from May through to September 2025. Opportunities to extend this contract to a second year will be considered.

Apply by February 7, 2025 to be considered within the first round of applicants. The job posting will remain listed as long as the job remains unfilled. Successful candidates will be contacted for an interview.

Applications must include

• Cover Letter
• Resume
• 1-page articulation of faith as related to Act Five’s mission – See Act Five Mission & Statement of Faith
• 3 References

Submit to jberends@actfive.ca

*Download a PDF of the complete job description for the Act Five Resident Leader Position.

Introduction to Act Five

Act Five facilitates the Christian discipleship of young people, preparing them for rooted & engaged lives. We are committed to the Christian formation that happens through intentional communities of learning & practice, and we are excited by how young people have been shapes through this community over our first six years.

Based out of Hamilton, ON, Act Five is moving toward its 7th program year in Fall 2025. Act Five operates out of a large home in a downtown Hamilton neighbourhood, running a Gap Year Program and a Residency Program.

The Resident Leader (RL) position works specifically with our 8-month gap year program, which is geared toward rooting emerging adults (17-20 year olds) in a community home, while leading them into new places and new experiences that are facilitated to deepen their walk with Christ, grow their understanding and practice of the Christian life, and prepare them for future pathways. Students, staff and residents live together in community, while students work through courses, complete field placements, engage missionally in the city, go on several trips, and benefit from intentional mentorship.

What is the Act Five Resident Leader Position?

The Act Five Resident Leader (RL) role is a unique live-in position for someone looking for a formational experience & opportunity to disciple young adults aged 17-20 in an intentional Christian community, to grow in leadership & develop skills in program planning and facilitation, conflict resolution, pastoral care, community building, and mentorship. This role is carried out as part of a Resident Leading Team with a high level of support offered. RLs are asked to walk alongside Act Five students through the ordinary days of living in intentional community, while also experiencing – and facilitating elements of – all that the Act Five program and community offers.

When does this take place?

• A preferred (not required) move-in date for May 1, 2025 so as to
  (a) make 75 Blake St home,
  (b) become immersed in Act Five’s rhythms, and
  (c) participate in the planning of the Act Five year.
• A required participation in a staff orientation retreat from May 9-10, 2025 (Location TBD). There will be further invitations to join orientation dates/weekends throughout the summer.
• Required move-in date by the weekend of August 16, 2025 at the latest so as to begin two weeks of full-time staff training on August 18, 2025.
• The minimum commitment for this position is from August 17, 2025 through to April 30, 2026*. RLs may be invited to continue for an additional year.

*There are extended follow-up commitments with students through to fall 2026, but these are minimal. 

What does this role include?

Resident Leaders assist in running the Act Five program by living with the gap year students, mentoring students, facilitating rhythms of the Act Five home, participating in select program activities, attending to critical situations, and having opportunities to lead elements of the program. In this, RLs encourage students’ personal, vocational, and spiritual growth. Residence at the Act Five home is required for the position, as is shared overnight and select weekend on-call responsibilities, and travel on various trips including 3 wilderness trips & a 3-week cross-cultural trip during second term.

RLs work in coordination with the rest of the Act Five staff team and receive significant support in their role. The role is an essential part of who Act Five is and how we lead our gap year program, and it is filled with unique challenges, opportunities, and gifts.

Compensation Details

Considering the unique opportunity for a young leader to learn, travel, and grow through Act Five, your compensation package will consist of the following: 

• Free housing through the duration of the contract (this is a taxable benefit)
• All program costs including food, travel, cell phone use, and program resources
• Monthly spiritual direction, 2-4 personal retreats per year
• Monthly stipend

Qualifications and Skill Requirements

• You are committed to the Christian life and have experience in guiding the spiritual life of others.
• You can demonstrate at least a basic understanding of the Act Five mission and vision and are committed to upholding these in your work.  
• You are willing to learn new skills, willing to grow and be stretched through your immersion in the Act Five community as you care for the needs of the students. 
• You are open to living with ~12 students (17-20 year olds) and other young adults over the duration of your contract. You enjoy being around young people and are able to support rhythms of life ranging from cooking and cleaning to times of worship and prayer.
• You have relevant experiences: completion of Act Five as a student or resident, camp ministry, residence life experiences, community living experiences, overseas travel experience, and/or involvement in various Hamilton ministries.
• You might have experience working in crisis or conflict situations and are willing to learn emergency response protocols. You are willing to take any combination of CPR and First Aid Training, Mental Health First Aid, and/or SAFETalk training as is required.
• You have strong communication skills, including being able to listen well. You are gifted in developing rapport with young people.
• You may have knowledge about what resources are available for young people who are intentionally stepping into an intensive environment – resources for personal wellness, difficult questions, interpersonal conflict management, etc.
• You have a full driver’s license, 4 years of driving experience, are able to drive rental vehicles with groups of students and do not have any restrictions on being able to travel internationally.

To see a full job description for the Act Five Resident Leader position, click the link below!