Desk Assistant, University Housing

Position Title: Desk Assistant 

Department/Unit: University Housing/Desk Operations 

Supervisor Title: Area Desk Supervisor

CED Pay Level: Entry Level

Compensation: $10.70 hourly 

Mission Statement: To create a community where students are safe, supported, and empowered to thrive.

Position Overview:  

Desk Assistants are undergraduate and/or graduate students who, as part of the area desk team, help build community by creating a welcoming environment, assisting residents with questions and concerns in-person or over the phone, and maintaining a clean and organized desk area. They issue temporary keys, equipment, carts, linens, and assist the Residential Communities unit with the administration and security of the residence halls and maintenance requests. Desk Assistants are expected to document every meaningful task and interaction in the digital desk log and use this information to inform their actions while working. Students selected to serve as DAs will also participate in training and professional development opportunities in order to gain transferable skills and provide high-quality support to residents.

Minimum Qualifications:   

• Not on sanction by the Office of Student Conduct and able to pass a background check (Housing only)

• 18 years or older; part-time or full-time student status at Kent State University.

• Abide by the hourly work week limit of 28 hours maximum per week in all on-campus jobs combined. For international students, this number is 20 hours per week when classes are in-session, and 28 hours per week when classes are not in-session (summer, spring break, fall break, winter break).

• Abide by all other policies and procedures outlined by University Housing, the Division of Student Life, and Kent State University as well as all federal, state and local laws.

Other Requirements and Expectations:  

• Trainings/Meetings - Attend and complete all required training as determined by supervisors and University Housing. Attend all scheduled meetings as determined by supervisors, including (but not limited to) team meetings, 1-1s, in-services, community service events, floor meetings.

• Communication - Adhere to communication deadlines and expectations set forth by your direct supervisor or other professional staff members, including answering emails, text messages, and phone calls in a timely manner. 

• Work Flexibility - Ability to work a flexible schedule, including non-traditional work hours, and practice good time management skills.

  • Desk Assistants are required t work during designated break periods, including times when the university is not in session (such as holiday breaks or semester breaks). This ensures continued support and coverage for essential services during these periods. Flexibility and availability during these times are essential to fulfilling the responsibilities of the position.

• Workstation - Maintain a clean, organized, and safe workstation and environment for students, guests, and all others. 

• Customer Service - Must demonstrate excellent customer service skills to students, guests, employees, and all others. Promote positive public relations for Kent State University and University Housing. Contribute positively toward creating an inclusive and accepting environment. Ability to work with colleagues and customers who represent diverse cultures, races, ages, genders, religions, lifestyles, and viewpoints. Show ability to work within a team structure. 

• Promote positive public relations for Kent State University and University Housing. Contribute positively toward creating an inclusive and accepting environment.

• Collaboration - Work collaboratively with others to achieve the Division of Student Life, Kent State University, and the department’s mission and values. 

• Commit to learning and implementing strategies to resolve conflicts with colleagues.

• Maintain possession of any departmental supplies or equipment.

• Be knowledgeable in computer software applications used to complete responsibilities.

• Participate in evaluations to measure professional development and work competencies. 

• Ability to process detailed information quickly, create a mental plan, and enforce the correct procedure or policy. Show flexibility and resilience when moving between detailed task completion and high-level problem solving.

• Experience handling sensitive and/or confidential information and follow FERPA and University guidelines.

• Adhere to the dress code of the department/office.   

• Assist with other departmental tasks as needed. 

• Physicality - [Heavy or Light] work exerting up to 10 pounds of force [occasionally or frequently]. Ability to move freely and often within the desk.

Position Responsibilities:

NACE COMPETENCIES FOR A CAREER – READY WORKFORCE: The National Association of Colleges and Employers developed a definition for career readiness and identified eight key components to prepare college students for a successful transition into the workplace. These are some more examples of how this position will allow you to grow in each of these competencies. Some examples are “Professionalism” and “Critical Thinking”. This position’s job responsibilities will allow you to grow in each of these competencies. Please see below.

Equal Opportunity:

University Housing is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.