Community Assistant Complete Job Description
The Community Assistant (CA) position is designed to assist the Managers at the Undergraduate Apartments and the Managers of Adams Tower West and Babcock Halls in developing and maintaining a positive living and learning environment for the on-campus housing of upper-class and graduate students at the University of New Hampshire. As integral members of a team, CAs are expected to support the mission of UNH Housing by providing residents with a safe, secure, and cooperative residential community that is conducive to academic success and personal development.
This is a live-in position providing outreach and support to apartment and hall residents from the fall semester opening through to the spring semester closing, including vacation periods, August 2013– May 2014. During the academic year, this position requires a minimum commitment of approximately 20 hours per week. Adjustments may be made to accommodate academic commitments, with prior approval.
CAs are expected to be visible in their community and be available and approachable for residents. It is expected that the conduct and lifestyle of the CA will serve as a role model for residents. It is also expected that CAs will communicate openly and effectively with other members of the staff, including fellow CAs and the managers.
Minimum Qualifications
- Full time enrollment in a degree program at the University of New Hampshire.
Must reside in assigned university housing for the term of appointment.
Must be in good standing academically, financially, and judicially.
Must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5.
Remuneration
- For Apartment CAs, housing is provided in a single or double bedroom in a four or five-person apartment at Woodside or The Gables. For Adams Tower West CAs, housing is provided in a triple room. For Babcock CAs, housing is provided in a single room. Regardless of placement, CAs will have the opportunity to select their roommates.
A silver or silver plus meal plan from UNH Dining.
Specific Responsibilities
Community Development
- Develop and promote a sense of community within the complex or hall based on the ideals of respect and responsibility.
Act as a role model for residents by balancing academics, work and personal responsibilities and conducting your behavior in an honest, conscientious, and professional manner.
Coordinate one educational program and/or one social program per month designed to meet the needs of your residents, as assigned by the Managers. Program requirements are specific to each complex/hall.
Create and display one-two educational bulletin boards each month.
Attend and support the other CA’s community programs whenever possible.
Assist the Resident’s Council to plan social events each semester.
Community Outreach
- Act as a liaison between residents and the Department of Housing, identifying issues, problems and successes and channeling that information to the appropriate staff members.
Be present and a presence in the communities.
Walk through your assigned area each day, being sure to interact with residents.
Complete the regular minimum resident contact requirement as assigned by the supervising Manager.
Maintain a thorough knowledge of the nature and location of the various support services on campus and provide students with information regarding these resources or upcoming events and activities.
Policy Enforcement and On-Call
- Be knowledgeable of, understand, observe and enforce the policies and regulations of the complex/hall and the University. Report concerns regarding policy violations to the Managers.
Inform and advise residents of policies, procedures and regulations, and help residents understand the necessity of and rationale behind policy enforcement.
Encourage both individual and group responsibility in the control of behavior and observance of regulations.
Participate in the on-call rotation as scheduled:
In the Undergraduate Apartments, on-call will take place on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights from 9PM until 9AM.
In Adams Tower West and Babcock Hall, on-call will take place each night of the week from 9PM until 9AM
The CA on-call should be in his/her community, accessible by phone, by 9PM each night of duty.
CAs will assume paid on-call responsibilities during university “break” periods, as the Undergraduate Apartments and Adams Tower West and Babcock Hall are open at all times during the academic year. Each CA is expected to assume a fair portion of the on-call time during semester breaks.
Document and report all maintenance, facility and security concerns as well as student conduct incidents according to the procedures established by the Managers.
Administrative Responsibilities
- Distribute and post information promptly, as directed.
- Complete required paperwork in a timely manner (i.e. duty reports, incident reports, maintenance requests, etc.).
- Assist in the opening/closing procedures for the apartments and halls, including but not limited to, key distribution and collection, inventories, and damage assessment.
- Participate in the recruitment, interview and selection process for new CA applicants.
- Fulfill weekly desk hour requirements as set by Managers.
Staff Development
- Attend weekly CA staff meetings.
Attend regularly scheduled 1-1 meetings with the supervising manager.
Participate in staff training programs: a 10 day training prior to the opening of the fall semester, a day-long training prior to the spring semester and additional involvements and enrichments as scheduled.
General Stipulations
- CAs must have prior approval from their supervising Manager for field experience, internships, extra-curricular activities, and outside employment.
If a CA’s cumulative GPA falls below the 2.5 requirement, he or she may be placed on job probation and be given one semester to bring my cumulative GPA back up.
If a CA fails to meet the conditions outlined in this document and the CA contract, he or she will be subject to disciplinary sanctions including termination.
In the event of termination, resignation or withdrawal from UNH, the Department of Housing will recover any credits to a CA’s account covering housing fees for the period during which services as a CA were not rendered.
The UNH Department of Housing reserves the right to assign a CA to the complex, hall or floor that is best suited to his or her skills and abilities or its needs for CA coverage.