Community Assistant (Res Director)

About the role

The Community Assistant is an entry-level, live-in staff member responsible for directly supporting the physical, emotional, social, and academic needs of first-year residential students. This is a live-in role on the Oakland, California campus. Housing and meals are included. This position serves as a vital member of the Residential Life team, creating positive and valuable experiential learning opportunities that aid students in their academic coursework, help orient them to the Bay Area, and foster community building within residential and campus life.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct guidance and support to first-year students navigating their transition to college life and studying away from home
• Respond to student concerns promptly and connect students to appropriate academic, medical, and/or mental health resources
• Facilitate peer-to-peer connections and support networks within the residential community
• Document student interactions and concerns through established case management systems
• Serve as part of an on-call rotation (including after hours and overnight) for student residences to respond to incidents and emergencies
• Plan, coordinate, and implement diverse student programs, activities, and excursions that are educational, social, and/or recreational and enhance the residential experience. Programming may include evenings and weekends.
• Create programming that helps students explore the Bay Area and develop cultural awareness
• Monitor and uphold student behavioral and housing policies and protocols while maintaining high standards of conduct
• Address policy violations through educational conversations and appropriate referrals
• Assist with day-to-day operational needs within Housing & Residential life

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree
• 1–2 years of demonstrated student service experience or higher education experience in housing, residence life, or student affairs
• Experience living with or working with high school or undergraduate students (residence life, student affairs, camp counselor, or similar roles)
• Experience working with sensitive and private information and maintaining confidentiality
• Sound judgment and analytical skills for problem-solving and decision-making
• Ability to work under pressure and respond effectively to a crisis
• Ability to work effectively in a culturally diverse environment
• Fluent in English with excellent written and verbal communication
• Previous residential life or live-in staff experience (preferred)
• Training in crisis intervention, mental health first aid, or conflict resolution (preferred)
• Experience with case management or student conduct software (preferred)

Physical, Mental, and Environmental Demands

• Work regularly involves weekend, evening, and overnight availability, and responsibilities may often extend outside traditional business hours
• Work may involve exposure to distressing situations requiring emotional resilience and professional boundaries
• Work often requires flexibility in terms of time and physical demands
• Work often requires walking moderate distances and climbing/descending stairs regularly
• Work often includes navigating various terrains, including hills, pathways, and outdoor areas, in all weather conditions
• Work occasionally requires physical exertion, such as lifting heavy objects up to 50 pounds