Engelhart Community Assistant

Overview of the Position

An Engelhart Community Assistant (CA) is a student-staff member in Graduate Residential Life and serves as an integral member of the Engelhart Hall community. The principal CA duties involve three main areas: Programming/Community Development, Administrative Duties, and Departmental/Collegial Obligations.

Community Development/Event Planning Responsibilities

CA’s are expected to create a sense of community amongst residents in Engelhart. CA’s will be expected to be familiar with the interests and needs of the building’s residents. As leaders of the on-campus graduate population, CA’s are responsible for creating social and educational opportunities for residents. This may be achieved through hall events and programming, student interaction, or duty conversations when responding to incidents. Specifically, each CA will perform the following tasks:

• Propose, advertise, facilitate, and evaluate building-wide programs throughout the year.
• Work as a team with the other CA’s, the Senior CA, and the Area Coordinator to plan and implement programs throughout the year. There will be approximately six to 10 events per quarter.
• Support fellow staff members through attendance at all programs and activities.
• Publicize campus events by posting fliers, banners, or posters.
• Other duties as assigned.

Administrative Duties

As a liaison between University Residential Life office and the residents, CA’s will regularly meet with students and staff, communicate concerns and policies, and offer suggestions for improving the residential community. CA’s are expected to attend to building safety and security, report policy violations and address residents’ concerns, and be available and visible to residents. Specifically, each CA will perform the following tasks:

• Participate in an on-call building duty rotation. While on duty, the CA will carry a university issued cell phone and remain within a 10 minute radius of Engelhart to respond to the needs of the residents.
• Perform on-call duties, including: lock-outs, assisting residents with maintenance concerns, confronting policy violations or inappropriate behavior, and CA Office Hours (distributing mail and equipment from the lobby office).
• Perform one of the following tasks:

1. Update the bulletin board in the lobby on a regular basis.
2. Maintain the Engelhart list-serv and distribute building announcements and a quarterly newsletter. Contribute an article to the newsletter
3. Maintain and update the building Facebook page and Blog.

• Assist with ongoing check-in and check-out processes.
• Complete all reports including duty logs, program reviews, and a quarterly report in a timely manner.
• Assist with duty coverage at Seabury and McManus Graduate Residence Halls as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Departmental/Collegial Obligations

CA’s are part of a team of professional and paraprofessional staff who are concerned about the fair, efficient and convenient delivery of services to residents of Engelhart Hall. CA’s serve as liaisons between students and various administrative offices and student groups on campus and must build relationships with constituents in order to effectively execute their duties. CA’s are expected to complete assigned projects in a timely and accurate manner and assist other team members as needed. As students and staff members, CA’s will provide support and awareness to all Engelhart residents. Specifically, CA’s will perform the following tasks:

• Attend and participate in all fall training
• Be available and attend all major check-in and check-out weekends

• Meet weekly with the Engelhart staff team.
• Meet bi-weekly for one on one meetings with the Area Coordinator for Graduate Residential Life
• Enforce rules and regulations such as noise concerns, property damage, fire safety, and other policies in a consistent and professional manner.
• Ensure the security and safety of the building by aiding with fire alarm evacuations, educating residents on security protocol for the building, and maintaining an alert and engaged community.
• Accept full responsibility for building keys and access to privileged information. Maintain the integrity of building keys and privileged information should be a high priority at all times.
• Assist with the selection and training of newly hired CA’s as needed
• Maintain a good working relationship with all related University staff
• Provide suggestion and recommendations to the University Residential Life staff in order to improve the living experience for Engelhart residents and their families.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• CA positions are available for students enrolled at Northwestern University full-time. Post-Doctoral students are also encouraged to apply. You must be in good academic standing with the University.
• Live in Engelhart for at least 1 academic year (applicants who will be completing this year in the Spring or Summer 2012 Quarter WILL be considered).
• CA’s must support and abide by University policies and regulations.

Working Conditions

• CA’s must maintain a high level of accessibility and availability for residents and staff members. Employment is based on satisfactory performance. If terminated from the position, all compensation will cease as well.
• Period of employment begins Fall 2012-Spring 2013. A mandatory training period will occur one week before employment begins.
• CA’s are expected to live in their apartment during the time of their employment.

Compensation

• CA’s receive a one-bedroom apartment in Engelhart which includes utilities, cable TV access, and voicemail. CA’s requiring a two bedroom apartment will be provided rent credit comparable to a one bedroom. These CA’s are responsible for the difference in rent.

Application Process

Currently applications are being accepted and are due by 5:00 p.m. on May 21, 2012. Please contact e-Lance Watson, Area Coordinator for Graduate Residential Life, if you have questions or are interested in learning more about the position.