Community Advisor Position Description

The community advisor will serve as a mentor/resource to all residents in their building. They will report to the residence director and contribute to the day-to-day operations and programming in the residence halls.

Community Development

• Maintain regular contact and become acquainted with all the residents on the floor/section by name. 
• Respond fairly and consistently to violations of residence hall and university policies as well as state, local and federal laws.
• Utilize the community standards model and encourage residents to share responsibility for maintaining a respectful and positive communal living environment conducive to socializing, studying and sleeping.
• Assist residents in interpersonal conflict resolution, which may include mediating disputes between individuals, roommates and groups.
• Encourage leadership development through involvement in campus groups, organizations, activities and programs.
• Model behaviors that reflect consideration and respect for all individuals within the community.
• Address community standards and appropriateness whenever necessary.
• Address inappropriate behavior that affects the floor or building community. Confront students and hold them accountable for incidents that are not aligned with the Student Code of Conduct.

Administrative

• Submit informational weekly reports to the residence director or graduate residence director
• Maintain confidentiality with student and staff-related matters, including incident reports, mental health issues and disciplinary status of residents.
• Set up four open door hours a week that will be when you are available for your residents.
• Participate in Central Office events (i.e. Housing Selection, Housing Advisory, etc).
• Attend and participate in scheduled in-service programs.
• Attend and participate in weekly staff meeting with the residence director.
• Attend bi-weekly, one-on-one meetings with assigned supervisor.
• Write incident reports clearly, legibly and without bias. 
• Assist students who are locked out of their assigned residence hall room.
• Other administrative duties as assigned by your supervisor and/or administration on an as-needed basis.

Training

• Attend and participate in fall and spring training, which will require early arrival to campus for each semester. 
• Attend and participate in all scheduled in-service training sessions during the academic year.

Student/Staff Resource

• Be acquainted with the following areas so as to serve as an effective informational and referral agent for residents:
  • College academic procedures, departments and the academic calendar (including the Student Handbook).
  • Offices and their functions within or affiliated with the Student Life sector including Dean of Students Office, Residence Life, Campus Activities, Campus Safety, Kiernan Center, Campus Ministry etc.
  • Important offices or departments in other areas of the university, including academic departments
  • Maintain a thorough working knowledge of residence hall policies and procedures.
  • Display, currently and neatly, flyers and posters concerning campus events and organizations.

Housing Operations

• Maintain accurate and current room inventory report forms for all rooms in assigned area.
  • Inspects and inventories shared community living space.
  • Assists with the management, distribution and collection of all residence hall keys, including reporting lost or broken keys.
  • Utilizes staff and master keys only as allowed and directed by the Office of Residence Life and outlined in the master key agreement, including keeping all keys in a secure location.
  • Keeps the staff office and CA workspace in the central office organized and clear of clutter. Does not remove supplies or equipment from offices without approval.
  • Submits work orders for all damages and maintenance issues.
  • Conducts monthly health and safety inspections of all rooms in assigned area.
  • Assists with the implementation of all housing check-in and check-out procedures.
  • Assists students with the residential living experience, including creating a comfortable living environment.

Programming

• Complete all programming requirements and submit proposals and evaluation paperwork after completion of each program.
• Support resident involvement in program development in the residence hall. 

Role Modeling

• Uphold the Student Code of Conduct and all federal, state and local laws at all times. Behavior not aligned with the university mission and Code of Conduct will result in a supervisor review.
• Conduct yourself as a student leader at all times while on campus.
• Present to the student body good academic, personal, residential and leadership qualities at all times.
• Maintain confidentiality. In addition, model a positive attitude towards residence life and the policies of Niagara University.
• Maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5.

Duty

• Participates in desk coverage and on-call duty rotation as scheduled.
• Meets all expectations and responsibilities of desk and duty coverage (ID checking, rounds, etc.).
• Understands and follows all emergency response procedures as outlined in staff training and/or as requested by university or emergency response personnel.

Other Duties as Assigned

In addition to the responsibilities listed above the LCA will also:

• Make a consistent effort to know all residents of their assigned building(s).
• Maintain regular contact and become acquainted with all of the CAs in their building/area, as well as the LCAs in other areas.
• Assist the residence director/graduate residence director in developing a cohesive and effective community advisor team; this may include staff in-services and ongoing staff development.
  • Arrive prior to CA training to assist in planning training. 
  • Participate and present in both fall and spring training which will require availability for preparation time.
  • Serve on the e-board and chairs one of the committees under the Community Advisor Administrative Board
  • Serve as a general member of the Residence Hall Association (RHA)
  • Serve on the Judicial Council on an as-needed basis
  • Assists with staff appreciation and recognition initiatives both within the residence hall and amongst the entire Community Advisor staff (this could include planning the annual Recognition Banquet, implementing staff appreciation day, etc.)
  • Serve as a mentor and role model to all community advisors, with a focus on supporting all new staff members.
  • Connect with community advisors as a supportive listener who assists in problem resolution.
  • Assists the residence director to ensure the completion of programming requirements by the Community Advisor staff.
  • As directed by the residence director or graduate residence director, hold meetings with other community advisors to confront inappropriate behavior or offer assistance if the need exists.
  • Serve as a liaison between the Community Advisor staff and the Residence Life Office.
  • Assists the residence director or graduate residence director in creating and maintaining the CA on-call schedule for the assigned area.

PLEASE NOTE:  This job description is subject to change at any time for any reason. The basic duties of the position will remain consistent; however, the day-to-day responsibilities of the CA and LCA position may change as per the assistant director of residence life and/or the residence director/graduate residence director as necessary and appropriate.