Community Assistants

Student Life › Residence Life ›
Submitted by mthornto on Thu, 01/13/2011 - 2:08pm
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 COMMUNITY ASSISTANT POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Community Assistant (CA) is a part-time, para-professional student staff member of the Office of Residence Life.  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.

2.    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 2.5 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 2.5 will result in removal from the position. 

 

         3.   Must be in good academic and conduct 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 two semesters of being a CA.  The ND-102 class is only offered in the fall semester.  Residence Life is committed to providing a variety of learning opportunities for CAs to enhance their knowledge and skills and 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 an integral part of the position and is mandatory.   

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

  • being on duty in the building 8:00pm - 8:00am 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, etc.
  • attending a bi-weekly meeting with supervising Residential Coordinator (RC).
  • attending a weekly residential staff meeting with supervising RC and other meetings as requested.
  • informing residents of important residential issues. Interpreting and enforcing University policies and procedures.
  • documenting incidents, preparing program evaluations, and submitting reports 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.
  • 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 and educating students 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.
  • upper class CAs participate in a rotating schedule covering the Res Life office during lunch hours and the Res Life staff meeting.
  • maintaining an up-to-date, informative, and interesting bulletin board in their area.
  • completing necessary surveys, evaluation reports, and other administrative reports in a timely manner.
  • other duties as assigned.

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

  • assisting with the development and implementation of Community Standards in your 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 2 common conversations per semester with each of their residents
  • support the existing co-curricular events on campus. 
  • maintaining an atmosphere and environment conducive to academic endeavors.
  • promoting the value and acceptance of diversity within the residential community.
  • participating in the orientation of new students, transfer students and/or returning students.
  • being present in community during openings, closings, finals week and other times deemed necessary. 
  • first-year CAs will complete at least two FYP related programs during the fall semester as part of the three general programs required.  The FYP specific programs can be done in partnership with the FYP faculty.

Expectations

A CA is expected to:

  • be a positive role model for other students, within their residence hall/ living area, the classroom and the university community in keeping with the guidelines stated in the SLU 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 SLU.
  • 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 supervisors and or relevant professional staff members when a situation warrants.
  • Not to use social media for Community Assistant position related responsibilities (ie: facebook, myspace, twitter, etc)
  • 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.
  • be an active participant of staff development and workshops.
  • provide guidance to staff in areas that other staff members may need assistance.

Terms of Employment

Commitment
Becoming a Community Assistant (CA) is an important commitment to self and others. Following academics, the CA job is the top priority.  CAs should expect to be readily available and accessible to residents in their living community on a daily basis.  CAs must check their email on a daily basis and CA mailbox on a weekly basis.  CAs are considered members of the Student Life Staff and as such can be called upon to assist the Residence Life and the Student Life Staff in job-related tasks.  Upper class CAs will fulfill office coverage in the Residence Life Office during lunch Monday – Friday from 12:00pm-1:00pm and Wednesday afternoon from 1:00pm-3:00pm.  This will be done on a rotating basis with a Residence Life Intern scheduling the process. 

Compensation
Community Assistant compensation equals the semester room rate.  CAs are given the choice of bi-weekly checks equaling the cost of a room, or a room wavier.  CAs are required to meet with and follow any procedures that may be outlined by the Financial Aid Office in order to receive compensation.  CAs are then required to notify Residence Life of their compensation option.  CAs must complete or have on file a W2 and I9 with University prior to the start of their employment as a CA.   

Staff Accountability
If a CA is unable to satisfactorily meet the requirements and expectations of the CA Job Description and the Community Assistant Agreement, she/he may be placed on warning or probation.  If the inappropriate behavior/actions are continuous or severe, it could lead to immediate termination.

Living Arrangements
CAs are housed in singles and must realize that their room may serve as an area for private conversations with residents and other job related activities.  CAs are asked to recognize this when deciding how to use and decorate their rooms.

Evaluation
The evaluation process is a continuous form of feedback which is designed to enhance personal growth and development.  The CA is expected to be an active participant in a variety of formal (once a semester) and informal evaluation processes.  This includes continuing and formal evaluations by the: residents, self, and supervising Residential Coordinator.