Community Assistant Position Description, 2027-2028

University of Virginia Resident Staff

ELIGIBILITY

  • In order to apply, students must:
  • Be enrolled as a full-time graduate student at the University of Virginia.
    • Have been enrolled at UVA for at least one year (must have completed one full semester at time of application); exceptions will be considered on a case-by-case basis determined by staffing needs.
    • Be eligible to live in the Copeley Hill or Residences at Darden residential areas.
  • Must be in academic good standing with their school of enrollment and must meet the minimum cumulative GPA requirement (2.25 for Copeley Hill, 2.7 for Residences at Darden) at the time of application, and while under the Program Agreement.
  • Must be in good judicial/disciplinary standing with Housing & Residence Life and the University.
  • Must be legally eligible to work in the United States of America and Commonwealth of Virginia.

POSITION SUMMARY

Community Assistants (graduate housing areas) are a support for the graduate on-Grounds residential community supervised by Housing & Residence Life (HRL) and are responsible for articulating the philosophy and policies of the Division of Student Affairs and Housing & Residence Life (HRL) to residents in their community. As residents themselves, CAs are uniquely in tune with the graduate housing areas as well as HRL. As such, their role is mainly administrative, conflict resolution, and policy enforcement.This adult-to-adult, non-paternal relationship centers on the Community Assistant's desire to develop a residential community that promotes personal and academic growth. The Community Assistant reports to an HRL professional staff member who provides supervision, advice, and coordination of residents at the University. Community Assistant responsibilities require a 15-hour commitment per week, on average, with some evening and weekend tasks required. the Community Assistants for the Residences at Darden will regularly liaise with the Darden Office of Student Affairs and other Darden offices.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES & INFORMATION

A. Administration & Facilities Management
  1. Attend and participate in all Community Assistant Training/Orientation programs.
  2. Attend and participate in applicable in-service programs and occasional all-staff/area business meetings during the year.
  3. Assist in the opening and closing of the residential area by managing the check-in/check-out process of area residents.
  4. Inform residents of regulations and policies, including the University Record and Graduate Housing Terms & Conditions.
  5. Enforce all aspects of the Graduate Housing Terms & Conditions with residents.
  6. Ensure that residents comply with stated policies. Actively encourage the maintenance of community standards.
  7. Promptly fulfill tasks from our Housing Assignments team with respect to room changes, securing keys from residents and returning them to our Gibbons House offices, and conducting apartment checks.
  8. Build positive relationships with housekeeping and maintenance staff.
  9. Conduct bi-weekly walk-throughs of the graduate housing areas, ensuring maintenance and facilities concerns are documented and reported through the online work order system and as needed to HRL staff members.
  10. Conduct routine apartment inspections and any follow-up visits related to policy violations with/for HRL Facilities Operations.
B. Referring & Counseling
  1. Display an enthusiastic attitude toward HRL's mission, vision, and organizational priorities.
  2. Serve as a positive role model for all residents by following and supporting the Standards of Conduct, Resident Staff procedures, and the Graduate Housing Terms & Conditions.
  3. Preserve an atmosphere in the residence halls that allows academics to be the focus.
  4. Maintain up-to-date and regular communications that notify residents of pertinent information in a timely manner.
  5. Treat residents fairly and impartially by acting as a concerned, non-judgmental peer advisor whose goal is to assist residents in resolving concerns or problems.
  6. Act as a referral for residents utilizing community and University resources such as academic deans, Advisors, etc.
C. Other information
  1. Community Assistants are encouraged to begin their appointment during the summer in order to assist with the transition process throughout the graduate housing areas. The ideal start date is May 1 for Copeley Hill and July 1 for the Residences.
    1. If a Community Assistant is unable to begin on the stated ideal start dates, an exception may be made. All Community Assistants must begin their appointment by August 1.
  2. There will be training sessions in April following appointment.
  3. The appointment end date for the Community Assistant position is June 15.
  4. During their appointment, the Community Assistant will receive a rent-credit up to, but not exceeding, the rate of a furnished one-bedroom apartment for Copeley Hill. The Community Assistant will receive a rent-credit up tom but not exceeding, the rate of an unfurnished on-bedroom apartment for the Residences at Darden and a $9,000 stipend for Darden.
    1. If the Community Assistant needs a two- or three-bedroom apartment, a discount based on the rate of a one-bedroom apartment will be applied to their rent.
    2. If you have questions about how this will impact your aid, please contact Student Financial Aid or Darden Financial Aid; depending on your school of enrollment.
    3. Community Assistants will not receive a meal plan.
    4. Community Assistants for the Residences at Darden will be eligible to enroll in Leadership Learning Lab at Darden as student leaders.
    5. Community Assistants for the Residences at Darden are not permitted to participate in an exchange program during their second year, with the exception of Darden Worldwide Courses (DWCs), one-week courses, or Global Client Projects.
D. Parking
  1. Parking permits are not part of the Resident Staff remuneration. There is no requirement that any member of Resident Staff have a personal vehicle on-Grounds. Housing & Residence Life will send the name of members of Resident Staff to Parking and Transportation each semester. If a member of Resident Staff wishes to have a vehicle on-Grounds, it is their responsibility to purchase a parking permit from Parking and Transportation. The location and availability of parking is subject to change at any time. This includes but is not limited to special events, construction, or changes by Parking and Transportation.