University of Essex JOB DESCRIPTION Job Title and Grade: Contract: Community Assistant (Residence Life) Grade 2 Fixed Term – 41 weeks (16/9/2015 – 24/6/2016) with potential to continue on-call over the summer break. Hours: 200 hours, starting at £8.39p/h, over the 41 week period plus on-call allowance of £25 (weekdays) or £37.50 (weekends). Department/Section: Student Support Responsible to: Head of Residence Life Reports on a day to day basis to: Area Residence Life Co-ordinator Purpose of job: To build inclusive residential communities and assist in the creation of an environment in which students can live and learn by supporting teams of Residents’ Assistants to provide information, support and social opportunities. Residence Life has seen significant development over the past 4 years using student development theory and intentional social and educational events to help students to integrate and adjust to University life. Residence Life Co-ordinators are full-time members of staff who are responsible for each accommodation areas. In light of changes to Residence Life, Community Assistants will be employees of Residence Life and paid an hourly rate for active hours and an additional on-call rate. Residence Life Community Assistants help to build inclusive residential communities and assist in the creation of an environment in which students can live and learn by supporting teams of Residents’ Assistants to provide information, support and social opportunities. The role of Residence Life Community Assistant requires maturity, self-discipline, strong communication and interpersonal skills along with the ability to maintain a calm demeanour, deal with complex cases, and supervise Residents’ Assistants. Members of Residence Life are the first to return and the last to leave when university residences are open and are a consistent and visible point of contact for University of Essex students. Community Assistants will work in area teams and be led by a Residence Life Co-ordinator. All members of the Residence Life team report to the Head of Residence Life and Student Development who is responsible for managing and developing the department of Residence Life. Please note successful applicants will be required to attend training during their probationary period. Residence Life Residence Life is part of Student Support. Through our network of Resident’s Assistants, supported by Community Assistants and Residence Life Coordinators, we support students in Essex accommodation by: Creating a sense of community though social opportunities and befriending Providing an out-of-hours on-call service responding to residents in need of support and addressing anti-social behaviour Facilitating flat agreements, problem solving and dialogue within student accommodation Building the Essex community through campus wide events Personal and professional development opportunities for our staff and volunteers Duties of the post The requirements of the role may vary according to the needs of Residence Life, typical duties are: Support the Co-ordination of Residents’ Assistants (RAs) Assist the Residence Life Co-ordinator to co-ordinate, supervise, monitor and support a team of Residents’ Assistants ensuring that duties are allocated fairly and all necessary tasks undertaken. Promote team development and motivate RAs within their roles Arrange bi-weekly team meetings for between 5 and 15 RAs to provide support, discuss issues of concern and to develop good working relationships Attend training sessions as required and assist with recruitment and training of RAs (Training hours count towards the hours included in the annualised contract). Supporting RAs in establishing and maintaining a good understanding of campus services and advising them in signposting students to appropriate support. Demonstrating and promoting a positive attitude to RAs and supporting their personal development. Develop a positive community for living and learning Support the creation and development of a sense of community within the accommodation by assisting with Arrivals’ Day, helping the RA’s to positively plan events for students and interacting with students who have been identified as needing extra help or support. Assist the Residence Life Co-ordinator to support and record activities of RAs in their assigned flats, including flat meetings and facilitation of informal social events. Promote an inclusive culture within the residences and help to create a sense of community Participate in large scale events throughout the year Develop positive and proactive working relationships with key staff, e.g. within Student Support, Accommodation Essex, Patrol Staff and other support services. Working with and responding to students Participate in an on-call rota with other Community Assistants covering every day of the year to provide a back-up level of support to the Residents’ Assistants. This includes providing support and advice by phone and attending in person where there is a serious incident or the RA requires further support. Acting as first on call when RAs are absent over the holidays (note callouts are generally reduced in these periods). Support the co-ordination of the rota for Residents’ Assistants. Training Mandatory (paid) Training includes: June 11th 2015- Residence Life Training (all team members) Moodle training course over summer 2015 3 days CA training week commencing 14th September 2015 Attendance at RA training 21st-25th September 2015 Attend additional training where appropriate Administration Ensure that accurate records are kept of all incidents Assist the Residence Life Co-ordinator to maintain accurate records of RA events and event expenditures. Monitor RA event spending to ensure fiscal responsibility Where applicable manage budgets in line with Residence Life procedures. Assist with general administration of Residence Life or Student Support/Accommodation Essex if required (e.g. photocopying, issuing of key cards, distribution of posters and notices) Other duties/general Attend regular meetings with the Residence Life Co-ordinators/Head of Residence Life and Student Development and occasional meetings with other Community Assistants Be aware of Student Conduct rules and report breaches Be available at agreed times during term times and vacations to undertake duties required. To assist Residence Life Coordinators or other staff as appropriate when out of hours emergencies occur Undertake duties of RAs if necessary (e.g. during vacation periods or other absence), and deputise for senior staff if requested. Follow procedures and protocols in all aspects of the role, using common sense and good judgement as circumstances require. Carry out other duties as requested from time to time by senior members of Residence Life or Student Support. University of Essex PERSON SPECIFICATION JOB TITLE: Community Assistant (Residence Life) Experience/Knowledge Essential 12 months previous experience of working in a similar environment in a paid or voluntary capacity Good knowledge of welfare and support systems for students at the University of Essex Experience of working for Residence Life Desirable X X X Experience of co-ordinating a team or supervising the work of others X Skills/Abilities Essential Commitment to equal opportunities, confidentiality and customer-focussed services and an understanding of their relevance to student support services The ability to relate to students from backgrounds and cultures other than your own, with an open minded approach to diversity The ability to develop a sense of teamwork in a team The ability to work proactively and, where appropriate, use your own initiative The ability to respond appropriately to distressed or angry students and to remain calm and professional in a crisis Good time management and organisational skills Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including good listening skills and the ability to quickly build rapport The ability to work with and manage groups of people. i.e responding to flat meetings and responding to party situations. Willingness to work unsocial hours and to participate in on call rota (including during university vacations) Availability to commit to the Community Assistant position for the entire contract period (September 2015 - June 2016) X X X X X X X X X X Desirable Terms of Appointment: For a full description of the terms of appointment for this post please visit: http://www.essex.ac.uk/personnel/CondServ/default.htm Working Arrangements: 1. Payment Rate The Community Assistant position will be appointed for a 200-hour annualised contract over a 41 week period (UG term-time) with the potential opportunity of continuing on the on-call system over the summer vacation. In an annual hours system an employee works a certain number of hours over the whole year, but with a certain degree of flexibility about when those hours are worked. Normally, a period of regular hours or shifts forms the core of the arrangement, with the remaining time left unallocated and used on an 'as needed' basis. The hourly rate paid will be appointed at a Grade 2 with a starting hourly rate of £8.39 which is inclusive of holiday pay. The hours of work for any particular week are to be agreed between the Community Assistant and the Residence Life Co-ordinator taking into account the needs of Residence Life. We would expect that Community Assistants work a minimum of 3 hours a week during term time and 1 hour a week during the vacation periods. In addition, participation in the out of hours on-call rota will be paid a fixed amount per shift. This amount will be £25 for weekday evenings and £37.50 for weekend days/bank holidays and University closure days. This is expected to be 1 in 4-6 days but may vary according to need. Just as it currently is, students here on a Tier-4 visa would be required to adhere to the 20 hours a week maximum for employment and/or volunteering.
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