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Hiring Unit:
Student Accessibility and Achievement
Position Summary:
The role of a scribe is to support the exam process for a student who is taking their exams with accommodations at Student Accessibility and Achievement. The scribe is responsible for the physical writing/reading of exam responses on behalf of the student dictating their answers.
Scribes are responsible for writing down verbatim what a student dictates during an examination, and reading aloud the response, if requested, for student verification of the scribed text. A scribe is required to have legible handwriting and be proficient in English in order to provide an accurate and legible record (handwritten or typed) from the personal dictation of a student in examination. A scribe does not provide clarification, guidance or opinion during the exam writing process. The scribe may ask the student to spell non-common and discipline specific terminology.
Scribes may be asked to read back material to the student on a one-to-one basis. Scribes might also be asked to draw diagrams and use symbols. Therefore, depending on the subject area and if deemed appropriate by Student Accessibility and Achievement, a scribe may be required to have a background in the subject area they are scribing for.
Primary Duties
- To provide support to the examination process
- To provide support to students with exam accommodations at Student Accessibility and Achievement
- Escorting students from exam rooms during the examination as required (e.g: washrooms)
- Ensuring the examination room is clear and tidied for the next session
- To support student career readiness, we encourage supervisors to additionally describe learning outcomes/skills students can expect to develop in this role.
- Produce an accurate and legible written (handwritten or computer) record of the student’s dictation. Proficient typing skills are required if typing a student’s dictated answers
- Remain neutral throughout the exam – not alter the content produced by the student in any way
- Produce maps, graphs or diagrams according to the student’s instructions (depending on academic field)
- Read back the written answers to the student, as requested
- Ensure exam integrity and security and adhere to exam regulations
- Report incidents such as disturbances or cheating
Other Qualifying Skills and/or Abilities
- Ability to exercise discretion and confidentiality at all times
- Superior and clear communication and listening skills
- Have a positive attitude towards equality and access. Be sensitive and respectful to the needs of students with various learning styles and from diverse educational, social and cultural backgrounds
- Be reliable, punctual and respect professional boundaries at all times
- Accurate and proficient typing and/or legible handwriting skills (sample may be required)
- Ability to write verbatim only what the test-taker says
- Responsive to email communication
- Ability to read aloud clearly, at a normal pace, with good pronunciation, verbatim only the words in the test
- Adhering to McGill University policies and procedures
- Ability to work independently
- Accuracy and attention to detail
- Ability to keep calm under pressure
- Knowledge of French and English: McGill University is an English-language university where day to day duties may require English communication both verbally and in writing. The level of English required for this position has been assessed at a level 4 (written, fluent) and at a level 4 (oral, fluent) on a scale of 0-4.
Education/Experience Required
- Current McGill student (senior undergraduate and graduate students preferred)
- High English proficiency required
Expected Start Date: August 31, 2026
Hourly Rate:
$18/hr
Hours of work:
Hours of work cannot be guaranteed. This is an “on-call” position, work hours vary and depend upon need.
Partake in a 30-minute mandatory (paid) training session by Student Accessibility and Achievement pertaining to the role.
Any questions about the roles and responsibilities of a scribe during an examination setting can be directed to the Casual Staffing and Operations Manager, Bhoomasri Gururajan, at: [email protected] or Udit Tyagi at: [email protected]
Minimum Education and Experience:
Hourly Salary:
Estimated Number of Work Hours per Week:
Position Start Date:
Position End Date:
Deadline to Apply:
This position is covered by the AMUSE collective agreement.
McGill University hires on the basis of merit and is strongly committed to equity and diversity within its community. We welcome applications from racialized persons/visible minorities, women, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, as well as from all qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities. McGill implements an employment equity program and encourages members of designated groups to self-identify. Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application process may contact, in confidence, [email protected].
Skills Required
- Current McGill student
- Senior undergraduate or graduate student (preferred)
- High School Diploma
- 1 year related experience
- High English proficiency (written and oral, fluent)
- Proficient typing skills and/or legible handwriting (sample may be required)
- Ability to write and read back verbatim only what the test-taker says
- Ability to exercise discretion and maintain confidentiality
- Superior communication and listening skills; responsive to email
- Reliable, punctual, able to work independently and keep calm under pressure
- Background in specific subject area may be required depending on exam
What We Do
McGill University is a public research university with extensive research activities across various engineering disciplines, including civil and materials engineering, focusing on areas like construction materials and advanced manufacturing.
