BOWIE STATE UNIVERSITY OFFICE OF RESIDENCE LIFE

Desk Assistant Application

Thank you for your interest in the Desk Assistant position.  Please complet the application and submit as soon as possible.  If you have any questions or comments, please contact the Office of Residence Life at 301-860-5000 or at housing@bowiestate.edu for more information.  

 

To be eligible to apply for an ORL position, applicants must:

• Possess a minimum 2.5 term and cumulative grade point average (GPA) 
• Be enrolled as a full-time student at Bowie State University (BSU) for the current and upcoming academic semester 
• Have lived on campus at BSU for at least one (1) full semester
• Not have been involved in any conduct matter within the past twelve months
• Have no outstanding financial obligations to the university

 

In order for the application packet to be considered complete, applicants must complete the application by submitting all required items including the following:

• One completed ORL Staff Selection Electronic Application
• One Unofficial BSU Transcript (to be attached to the application)
• One Colored Headshot (to be attached to the application)
• Three completed Reference Forms (to be completed by references via the link provided below in the reference section)

Listed below are people applicants can distribute the three reference forms to.  Please note: only the first 3 references will be reviewed if more than 3 are submitted for any one applicant:

• Their current RA– this is a mandatory requirement!
• Applicants who do not currently live on campus must include a reference form from a former RA.
• A Bowie State University administrator, faculty or staff member (Resident Directors (RD) and Central Office staff are prohibited from submitting references) and;
• Another current or former BSU RA, DA, CLA; a former BSU RD or; a Residence Life employee from another college or university.
• Any professional university staff member who has a clear understanding of what the RA, DA, CLA position at Bowie State entails.

 

 

Eight Criteria for Office of Residence Life Staff Selection

The following criteria represents the requirements applicants will be assessed since it is believed that demonstrated skills in these areas will enhance both the applicant’s adaption to the job, as well as, the staff’s ability to effectively orient and train ORL staff to meet the various needs of residents. The selection committee’s task will be to use the criteria listed below to assess each applicant’s ability be successful in the position based on information contained in their application packet, comments made, and behaviors demonstrated during their 2-on-1 interview and Group Assessment.

 

1.  Is accepting of people with different skin color, lifestyles, political viewpoints, religious background, cultures or ethnicities.  The applicant is …

• Open-minded
• Non-judgmental
• Open to and accepting of diversity
• Able to relate to people different from themselves
• Attends to all group members with equal regard

 2.   Possesses effective communication skills. The applicant …

•  Is assertive not aggressive
• Listens to all group members
• Has positive regard for all group members
• Provides congruent verbal and non-verbal cues
• Can clearly and concisely articulate ideas
• Can stayed on topic
• Asks for clarification when needed

 3.  Demonstrated leadership potential.  The applicant …

• Leads without dominating
• Keeps groups on task
• Is perceived by others as a positive role model
• Is inclusive of quiet group members
• Is open to differing points of view
• Considers most aspects of issues
• Initiates conversation
• Knows how to balance social and work life
• Knows how to delegate
• Makes and maintains professional relationships
• Uses full names of organizations before reverting to acronyms

 4.  Has a good perception of the job. The applicant …

• Is knowledgeable of the various tasks RAs must complete
• Has a realistic view of the position
• Is aware of time commitment
• Demonstrates a willingness to follow up on resident concerns and issues
• Demonstrates their commitment to tasks
• Can discuss how and when learning can occur in the residence halls
• Recognizes the necessity for the administrative components of the job
• Can articulate residence life policies and procedures and is willing to confront inappropriate behavior

 5.   Has demonstrated their maturity and a sense of responsibility. The applicant …

• Is able to adapt or quickly recover from challenges
• Has a positive self-image
• Demonstrates a willingness to compromise
• Is able to articulate strengths and weaknesses
• Possesses the ability to complete tasks

6.   Approachable.  The applicant …

• Smiles
• Maintains open and confident body language, i.e. head up, shoulders back, maintains eye contact; hands at side or relaxed in their lap or table top; does not slouch
• Maintains friendly facial expressions
• Is empathic

7.  Has experience with planning educational programs and social activities. The applicant …

• Is organized in thoughts and presentation
• Has creative, realistic and economical programming ideas
• Is comfortable working alone or with others
• Has ideas for how they would assess the needs of residents
• Has an understanding of why the Office of Residence Life conducts 85% of their programs in the residence hall as oppose to the Student Center

8.  Has an awareness of campus resources at Bowie State University. The applicant …

• Knows the location of various resources
• Is aware of campus issues
• Has used campus resources
• Knows the difference between Student Government Association and Residence Hall Association
• Knows the role that RHA v. Hall Council

DESK ASSISTANT JOB DESCRIPTION

 

The Desk Assistant is a part-time employee of the Office of Residence Life and reports directly to the Resident Director or Graduate Hall Director and ultimately to the Director of Residence Life. The Desk Assistant (DA) is responsible for providing security, safety, and service for the residence halls.

 

1.    SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assist in securing the building by checking a photo ID of everyone entering the building to ensure that no strangers are in the lobby. People living in the residence halls must show a Residence Life ID.
• Contacting Public Safety when their assistance is needed.
• Answering desk telephone in a professional manner, giving out information and taking messages for students.
• Monitor the proper sign-in and sign-out of guests and visitors.   
• Record any unusual activity in the Front Desk Log.
• Complete incident report when appropriate.
• Equipment and game sign-out.
• Collecting maintenance requests and forwarding them to the Resident
• Director or the Residence Life Central Office.
• Key distribution at check-in and key collection at checkout.
• Providing information to students.
• Public Relations.
• Responsible for cleanliness of the lobby area.
• Post and remove information in the lobby.
• Perform clerical duties as assigned by the Resident Director.
   

2.    AS A MEMBER OF THE OFFICE OF RESIDENCE LIFE:

• Be responsible for providing safety, security, and service to resident students.
• Be fair and consistent in following the established rules, regulations, and procedures.
• Be a good role model for other students.
• Work within the system to maintain a high quality desk operation for the students.
• Refer students to appropriate people when they require assistance that you cannot provide.
• Perform other duties as needed by the Office of Residence Life.
  Work no more than twenty hours a week which will include weekends.
   

3.    WORKSHOP AND INSERVICE TRAINING:

• The Desk Assistant is expected to attend a 1-day fall and 1-day spring workshop and any staff in-service meetings as directed.
• Each Desk Assistant is expected to attend any special emergency meetings, which may be called by the Office of Residence Life or by the Resident Director.
• Each Desk Assistant is expected to attend a mid-semester formal evaluation session per semester with his/her Resident Director. 
   

4.    TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT:

• Termination Prior to Beginning Employment
• Prior to the time employment begins, if in the opinion of the Office of Residence Life staff, the Desk Assistant (DA) fails to maintain the minimum (2.50 cum grade point average) academic requirements or fails to adhere to a standard of behavior consistent with the DA position, the staff offer may be withdrawn.

 b.     Reasons for Termination during the Academic Year

• Termination from the DA position can result from breach of the contract, or breach of Residence Life rules and regulations, and/or from unsatisfactory performance.  For example: a DA may perform extremely well and violate the terms of the DA agreement regarding grades or building regulations; or the DA may abide by the agreement but not have the skills and/or motivation necessary to succeed in the position.
• Termination for violation of the DA agreement may be automatic. 
• Termination for unsatisfactory performance will generally only be considered after the staff member’s direct supervisor has made oral and written efforts to point out those areas, which need improvement. Moreover, help the DA improve his/her skills and performance through personal support, guidance, and regular evaluation.

c.     Termination at the end of the Academic Year

• The DA position is for one academic year. Staff must therefore, go through a reapplication process to be considered for rehiring.  All hiring decisions are contingent upon the approval of the DA’s direct supervisor, the Resident Director and the Director of Residence Life.

• Procedures for Termination             
  In all cases, the decision to terminate will reside with the Director of Residence Life.  Any appeals following dismissals may be initially submitted to the Director of Residence Life within (2) two working days of receipt of written notice of termination.  In all cases, where termination is being considered during the year, consultation between the Desk Assistant & the Resident Director must take place prior to termination. Termination at the end of the agreement period will not require such a process since this agreement expires at the end of that period. 

• Dismissal from the University                
  Desk Assistants are immediately terminated from his/her position upon withdrawal from the college.

 

5.    QUALIFICATIONS:

• The Desk Assistant must have a minimum 2.50 semester and cumulative GPA to apply for the position.
• Must live on campus.
• No prior judicial involvement
• Be registered as a full time student at Bowie State University.
• No outstanding financial obligations to the institution.
• Must have a completed application on file in the Office of Residence Life prior to the application deadline.
• To continue in the position, you must maintain a 2.50 term and cumulative GPA.  If either GPA falls below 2.50 mid-year, the Desk Assistant will be placed on academic probation for the spring semester. Having both the term and cumulative GPA fall below 2.50 will mean automatic termination for the remainder of the academic year.

EMPLOYMENT & VOLUNTEER HISTORY

Begin with current and most recent paid and/or significant volunteer employment and work backward. You may be asked to provide additional information on a separate sheet of paper.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE APPLICANT AND OUTSIDE COMMITMENTS

LEADERSHIP INVOLVEMENT

The applicant must list their current involvement from most to less recent involvement (community service, religious youth group, campus organizations, fraternity, sorority, etc.). If the applicant is new to Bowie State University, this may include involvement during high school or other Universities.

REFERENCES

Please list below the names and job titles of the three (3) individuals who will be submitting reference forms for you 

REMINDER:  One reference form must be completed by the applicant’s current RA. The second can be from an administrator, staff or faculty member. The last reference form can be completed by someone the applicant has worked with, i.e. a former guidance counselor, a former Residence Life staff member or high school counselor.

 

***Current Resident Directors and Administrators in the Office of Residence Life are ineligible to write references for Bowie State ORL applicants.***

 

Please Copy the link below, email it to your references, and have them to complete the form within 5 business days.

 

ORL Desk Assistant Reference Form

This application will be used solely for the purpose of applying for an ORL position. The Office of Residence Life will verify each applicant’s most recent term grades, cumulative grade point average and transcript to determine eligibility and qualifications for the position.

Additionally, we will check each applicant’s disciplinary and financial status with the University.

The Office of Residence Life reserves the right to solicit information from University faculty, staff and administrators about applicants. Providing false information on any part of this application is a violation of the Student Code of Conduct and may result in disciplinary action being taken against the applicant.

The applicant’s signature on this application packet acknowledges the above and indicates their acceptance of these terms. (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974).

 

 

The information I have presented is true and correct. I understand that incomplete or false information may subject me to disqualification from the ORL selection process. I further understand that this information will be shared with members of the selection committee for the purpose of verification and evaluation.

Click the button below to submit this application: