AY Residence Life Community Building Assistant (CBA) (WS-ST1)

Job Title: Residence Life Community Building Assistant - CBA (WS-ST1)

Classification: Student Employee

Department Name: Residence Life 

Department Address: Tomson Hall Room 148, 1520 St. Olaf Avenue, Northfield, MN 55057

Unit Number (5 digits): 15141

Length of Position: 2026-2027 Academic Year

Training/Arrival Period (Required):

• Move-in to the Residence Halls, Wednesday, September 2nd; 4:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. 

• Training Begins, Thursday, September 3rd; 1:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. 

• New Student Move-in: Friday, September 4; 7:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. 

• Move-in Transition: Saturday, September 5 - Sunday, September 6 

• • Dates without timeframes will be defined for the staff member during the Training. 

Contact Person/Supervisor: Assistant Director of Housing Operations/Designee

Wage Range: $12.00-13.00/hour

I. Description of the Position: (Purpose of the Position): The Community Building Assistants (CBAs) are integral to the day-to-day function of the residence halls, serving as the primary greeters of their buildings, supporting housing operations, and providing assistance to students via front desk services. When working at the front desk or in storage, CBAs shall adhere to the same responsibilities and procedures outlined in the CBA manual.

II. Transferable Skills: 

• Teamwork: Building collaborative relationships with peer staff members to plan, market, and execute engaging residential floor programming

• Equity & Inclusion: Learning how to design and implement community programs that actively welcome, respect, and celebrate diverse student populations

• Supervisory & Leadership Growth: Developing peer-leadership and group facilitation skills while managing student workflows during community events

III. Duties and Responsibilities: 

1. Front Desk:

• Operate the front desk as an initial point of contact and resource for residents in the assigned hall

• Verify the identities of all individuals entering the residence hall according to departmental procedures and guidelines

• Greet residents as they enter and exit the building

• Offer assistance to those not recognized as residents of the hall

• Answer the phone and forward calls as appropriate

• Check front desk items out to residents and appropriately document these transactions

• Facilitation of check-in and check-out processes, including the distribution and collection of keys, student IDs, orientation materials, and parking permits

• Maintain a positive and professional demeanor at all times when working

• Maintain a clean, organized workspace

• Understand, be able to articulate, and uphold College and Residence Life policies and procedures

• Address policy violations as they occur

• Refer concerns to the appropriate Residence Life staff as they arise

• Respond to and assist in emergencies as necessary, within the scope of CBA training

1. Storage Management:

• Control access to residence hall storage

• Appropriate documentation of items placed in or claimed from storage

• Ensure storage guidelines are followed

• Assist in storage room maintenance as assigned

1. Building Management:

• Submit custodial and facilities work requests as necessary

• Assist students in the use of custodial and facilities reporting forms

• Assist students with lock-outs

• Other building management responsibilities as assigned by the Community Building Manager, Area Coordinator, or Assistant Director for Housing Operations

1. Professional Development and Staff Expectations:

• Attend group meetings with the supervisor as required for scheduling, ongoing training, addressing concerns, and other items as they arise

• Attend individual meetings with a supervisor for mentorship, coaching, and evaluation regularly

• Other duties as assigned

IV. Time Commitment: Community Building Assistants operate on a regular weekly schedule. The number of weekly hours covered by a CBA may vary according to one's work award as allocated by Financial Aid. Special time commitments include residence hall Opening and Closing periods. 

     a. Summary of Time Commitments

• Participation in Fall CBA Training. This mandatory training takes place approximately one week before first-year move-in.

• Week One: CBAs shall operate the desk during Week One to assist in residence hall check-in. CBAs may be expected to work 6-8 hours per day during Week One.

• Monthly 60-minute CBA In-Services are held on the third Thursday of each month at 6:30 pm. 

• Available to assist with the closing of the residence halls before break periods as assigned (typically 10 pm on the last day of classes before a break).

• Available to assist with the opening of residence halls by 10 am the day before classes resume for a new academic term (i.e., the day before the Interim term and Spring term).

• Available to close all residence halls and assist in storage and desk staffing at the end of the Spring term. CBAs must remain on campus until 5 pm the day after Commencement.

V. Requirements of This Position (Education):

• Enrolled in on-campus classes for Fall and Spring terms

• Minimum cumulative/semester GPA of 2.3

• Good academic standing

• No open sanctions at the time of the start date

• Assignment of academic probation or disciplinary sanctioning at any point during employment may result in immediate dismissal from this position

VI. Qualifications: (Experience/Skills) 

The Community Building Assistant role is an opportunity for student staff to develop communication, administrative, and leadership skills. This position is open to all applicants meeting the minimum requirements. Qualities essential to this position include:

• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision

• Interpersonal communication skills, both verbal and electronic

• Familiarity with Google Suite, especially Sheets, or a desire to learn

• Can be trusted to handle confidential material as necessary

• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and antiracism

• Readiness to learn basic campus safety protocols and follow escalation procedures when emergencies arise

Physical and Environmental Factors:

This position requires crouching, kneeling/crawling, stooping, twisting/pivoting, reaching overhead, grasping/handling, pushing/pulling, and lifting and carrying objects up to 50 lbs. to perform the essential functions. It also requires exposure to loud noise and rare exposure to respiratory factors, chemicals, wet or humid conditions indoors, extreme cold, extreme heat, and heights or cramped quarters to perform the essential functions. Protective equipment is required for some essential functions. Candidates must possess the ability to safely perform the physical work required of all duties with or without reasonable accommodation.

This job description is for general information purposes. It is not intended to list all duties and responsibilities of the position. This job description is subject to change at any time by St. Olaf College, with or without prior notice.