Community Assistant

About the Opportunity

JOB SUMMARY

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 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. Community Assistants work collaboratively with Student Life and campus staff to maintain a safe, inclusive, and educationally purposeful residential environment that supports student success and personal development.  

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES 

Student Support & Guidance 

• Provide direct guidance and support to first-year students navigating their transition to college life and studying away from home 

• Conduct regular one-on-one check-ins with assigned residents each semester to assess academic, social, and personal well-being 

• 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 

• Collaborate with Student Life and campus staff on student development initiatives and intervention strategies 

Safety & Crisis Response 

• Serve as part of an on-call rotation (including after hours and overnight) for student residences to respond to incidents and emergencies 

• Maintain the safety and well-being of the residential population through regular community walks and community presence 

• Respond to incidents by following established protocols and coordinating with campus public safety and other resources when needed 

• Act as primary point of contact for students in residences during emergencies 

• Write accurate and timely incident reports documenting emergency situations and policy violations 

• Conduct post-incident follow-up with affected students and staff as directed 

• Complete routine room inspections to document and address potential health and safety issues 

• Maintain current knowledge of emergency procedures and campus safety resources 

Community Development & Programming 

• 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 

• Facilitate community-building activities that foster inclusive and engaging residential environments 

• Responsibly manage programming materials, supplies, and basic budget allocations 

• Assess program effectiveness through participant feedback and attendance tracking 

• Partner with campus departments and local organizations, where appropriate, to enhance programming opportunities 

Community Standards & Policy Enforcement 

• 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 

• Document student conduct concerns and collaborate with supervisor on resolution strategies 

• Serve as a positive role model for community standards and expectations 

• Facilitate conflict resolution between residents when appropriate 

• Assist residents in understanding and navigating university policies and procedures 

Administrative Responsibilities 

• Assist with day-to-day operational needs within Housing & Residential Life 

• Assist with residential opening and closing processes at the beginning and end of academic terms 

• Prepare and submit regular updates to supervisor, as requested, on student concerns, community issues, and programming outcomes 

• Attend staff meetings, trainings, and professional development sessions 

• Other duties as assigned 

QUALIFICATIONS 

Required 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 role) 

• 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 crisis situations 

• Ability to work effectively in a culturally diverse environment 

• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment and build relationships with diverse stakeholders (colleagues, campus partners, students, families, etc.) 

• Experience managing, facilitating, and coordinating events for large groups with enthusiasm and attention to detail 

• Fluent in English with excellent written and verbal communication skills 

• Availability to work evenings, weekends, and participate in on-call rotation 

• Proficiency with basic office technology and computer systems (Microsoft 365) 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Previous residential life or live-in staff experience 

• Training in crisis intervention, mental health first aid, or conflict resolution 

• Experience with case management or student conduct software (Maxient) 

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 often involves interruptions and meetings with a variety of people 

• Work occasionally requires sitting for long hours and using computers 

• Work occasionally requires physical exertion such as lifting heavy objects up to 50 pounds

Position Type

Additional Information

Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate work experience, education and skills when extending an offer.  

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Compensation Grade/Pay Type:

Expected Hiring Range:

With the pay range(s) shown above, the starting salary will depend on several factors, which may include your education, experience, location, knowledge and expertise, and skills as well as a pay comparison to similarly-situated employees already in the role. Salary ranges are reviewed regularly and are subject to change.