Community Assistant Job Description

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Campus Activities & Residential Engagement (CARE)

Community Assistant Position

Community Assistant Job Description

The Community Assistant (CA) is a part-time, para-professional student staff member of the Campus Activities & Residential Engagement (CARE). Being a CA implies both a strong commitment to the residential experience as a community member and a sincere interest in each student as an individual. The function of the CA is to create and facilitate an environment which is conducive to and in line with the academic mission of the university. Each CA is expected to contribute to the educational, cultural, and social development of each of their residents. 

Minimum Qualifications 

  1. Must be a sophomore, junior, or senior and a full-time student at St. Lawrence University 

  1. First year students must have completed a full year on campus to be eligible for a CA position. Transfer students need to have completed a full semester on campus. 

  1. Community Assistants must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.50 and adhere to all stipulations in the University’s Academic Policy. If unable to maintain a 2.50 average, the Community Assistant may be placed on probationary status or face possible removal from the position. Two consecutive semesters with a cumulative GPA below 2.50 will result in removal from the position. 

  1. Must be in good academic and judicial standing with the University. 

Duties and Responsibilities 

Training and Development 

Training and development are considered essential elements of the residential program. CAs are required to participate in August and January training and additional scheduled in-service sessions during each semester. CAs are also required to enroll in ND 102 within the first 2 semesters of being a CA if they have not taken it already. The ND 102 class is only offered in the fall semester. Campus Activities & Residential Engagement is committed to providing a variety of learning opportunities for CAs to enhance their knowledge, skills, and to build upon individual strengths. It is our expectation that this education and learning through training sessions will be applied to the CAs personal growth and work with others. Training is mandatory. 

Administrative Duties

A CA is expected to fulfill the administrative responsibilities of the job. These include: 

  • Being on duty in the building 8pm-8am on a rotating basis. Duty includes conducting building rounds, completion of the CA duty log, carrying the duty phone, completion of Incident Report Forms (IRFs), work orders, and other pertinent paperwork. 

  • Attending bi-weekly meetings with supervising Residential Coordinator (RC). 

  • Attending a weekly residential staff meeting with supervising RC on Thursday evenings and other meetings, as requested. 

  • Informing residents of important residential issues. Interpreting and enforcing University policies and procedures. 

  • Documenting incidents, preparing program evaluations, submitting reports, and completing other administrative tasks in a timely manner.  

  • Informing RC on situations such as damage, vandalism, missing residents, unauthorized visitors, theft, and security reports through completion of the CA weekly report submitted each week on Sunday at 6pm. 

  • Reporting maintenance concerns to the RC and/or building custodial staff on a regular basis. 

  • Assisting in CA Selection and the Housing Assignment Process. 

  • Collecting and keeping Room Condition Reports (RCRs) updated for all residents. 

  • Assisting in fire drills/alarms, and fire watches as required. CAs should also be educating residents on personal safety issues. 

  • Assisting with openings and closings of residence halls at all vacation times. All CAs are expected to stay until the residence halls close during break times. This includes staying until after Commencement to close all buildings for the summer.  

  • Maintaining an up-to-date, informative, and interesting bulletin board for their area. 

  • Serve as a Mandatory Reporter with regard to Title IX. CAs are obligated to report any and all incidents under Title IX to the Title IX Coordinator and must document these incidents according to appropriate reporting protocol. 

  • Other duties as assigned.  

CAs are expected to actively plan, participate in, and contribute to a variety of educational and social activities for the resident in their areas. This includes: 

  • Assisting with the development and implementation of Community Standards in their living area. The emphasis is on fostering and sustaining a community in which all members are active participants in maintaining the civility of group living. 

  • Facilitating conversations with each of their residents multiple times throughout the semester. 

  • Supporting the existing co-curricular events on campus. 

  • Maintaining an atmosphere and environment conducive to academic endeavors.  

  • Promoting the value and acceptance of diversity, inclusion, and belonging within their residential community. 

  • Participating in the orientation of new students, transfer students, and/or returning students. 

  • Being present in community during openings, closings, final’s week, and other times deemed necessary. 

  • Participating in CA Programming Councils, including attending two out of three council programs throughout the semester.  

  • Plan and implement at least 6 community builders per semester in accordance with the CARE Community Building Model. 

  • For CAs in First-Year Communities, establish and maintain a strong relationship with First-Year Mentors. 

Expectations 

A CA is expected to: 

  • Be a positive role model for other students within their residence hall(s), classrooms, and the university community. CAs must keep in line with the guidelines and policies set in the St. Lawrence University Student Handbook. 

  • Responsibly uphold university policy and take appropriate steps when faced with irresponsible behavior on campus.  

  • Be team-centered, innovative, responsible, and aware of multifaceted life at St. Lawrence. 

  • Provide a supportive, encouraging, and non-judgmental environment for residents while recognizing personal limits. 

  • Be knowledgeable of campus resources and be able to make appropriate referrals when necessary.  

  • Maintain appropriate student privacy and notify supervisor(s) and or relevant professional staff members when a situation warrants. 

  • Attend in-service programs during the semester to enhance leadership skills. 

  • Be an active member of the staff and be respectful and supportive of each other’s ideas and initiatives. 

  • Accept responsibilities as a team member to work collaboratively for the good of the residents and the building(s). 

  • Be an active participant during staff development opportunities and workshops. 

  • Provide guidance to staff in areas that other staff members may need assistance in. 

Townhouse & Suites Managers Only 

  • To be eligible for these positions, candidates need to be returning CA staff members.  

  • To be eligible for the Townhouse Manager position, candidates need to be rising seniors. Candidates must participate in the regular Townhouse selection process with their potential townhouse-mates and their group proposal must be selected by the Townhouse Selection Committee. 

  • To be eligible for the Suites Manager position, candidates need to be a rising Junior or Senior and will be placed in a 2-person suite of Hulett or Jencks. Candidates will select their roommate for that upcoming year.  

  • Townhouse Managers will report to the Residential Coordinator for Upperclass and Theme Communities 

  • Suites Managers will report to the Residential Coordinator for Upperclass and Theme Communities 

  • Rounds for these positions are conducted Thursday-Saturday during the academic year. Duty will be split between these 4 positions on these days of the week. 

  • Both of these positions must actively promote and get residents to attend the first community meeting at the beginning of the semester with the professional Student Life staff. 

  • Aside from these outlined changes in responsibilities, Townhouse and Suites Managers are expected to follow the same guidelines and responsibilities as the Community Assistant position. 

Remuneration & Benefits 

  • An opportunity to have a deeper knowledge of campus resources and to meet the professionals who oversee these various areas 

  • CAs receive room and board coverage during Student Leader Training. 

  • CAs receive either a room waiver or a paycheck distributed over the academic year for the equivalent amount. 

  • Returning CAs receive step raises after the completion of 2 and 4 semesters of service, respectively. 

  • CAs are provided with St. Lawrence University student leader apparel (shirt, nametag, etc.) to be used for the duration of the academic year when participating in or working CARE functions