Community Assistants

Community assistants (CAs) are members of a residence hall staff team who play an important role in supporting the development of their communities at the University of Portland. In this role, CAs serve their fellow residents in ways that enhance the quality of life in the hall through the delivery of service and hospitality. Outstanding community assistants are role models for their fellow residents and would be described by others as warm, conscientious, and kind. Community assistants have the opportunity to gain knowledge of the hall and the campus, as well as grow in their own leadership skills to prepare for future pursuits at the University of Portland and beyond.

What Does a Community Assistant Do?

Community assistants are often the first people that visitors and new students encounter as they enter a residence hall. A community assistant's attitude and demeanor, ability to relate to all groups of residents, attentiveness to those who enter the building, and enjoyment of the job can set the tone for a person's whole experience in the hall.. Community assistants work in the hall in which they live and are paid hourly. Below are some of the essential functions of the position.

Execute regular administrative tasks and provide excellent customer service

Community assistants welcome students, staff, and pastoral residents home when they return to the residence hall. They receive and distribute mail and packages to students, assist with lock-out procedures (in some residence halls), and maintain a clean, organized front desk and lobby area. CAs ensure that students can check out hall items such as vacuums, kitchen supplies, games, and recreation equipment, and they inspect returned items for damage or wear and tear.

Provide hospitality to new and returning members of the campus community during move-in

Community assistants serve as a member of the opening welcome crew for their residence hall's opening. They help prepare the hall, assist with move-in, and create a positive and welcoming environment for both new and returning students as they move in.

Serve as a member of the residence hall’s student leadership

Community assistants seek opportunities to enhance life in the hall. They engage with the assistant hall director and other hall senior staff to develop their own leadership skills and provide thoughtful feedback about ways to improve the quality of life within the residence hall. CAs participate in all scheduled CA meetings and trainings.

Who Can Be a Community Assistant?

We seek qualified candidates who have the education, experience, and skills detailed below:

• Resident of the hall where applicant wishes to serve a community assistant.
• Ability to articulate what makes a hall community special.
• Passionate about the residence hall community and exudes pride in the University of Portland.
• Thoughtful listener who responds to the needs of others.
• Strong leadership within the hall community.
• Provides suggestions for how to improve life within the residence hall to other hall leaders (hall council members, resident assistants, pastoral residents, assistant hall director, and hall director).
• Open to feedback concerning job performance and leadership growth.
• Strong communication skills.
• A helpful, service-oriented, friendly, welcoming attitude toward all.

Apply to be an CA: Community assistants are hired at the end of an academic year for the following fall. Interested students should contact their assistant hall director for application materials and timeline details.