1

JOB KIT

ACCOMMODATION SERVICESResidence Life 2020 / 2021

Resident Assistant

RA JOB KIT

2020/2021

This kit is intended to guide you through the application process to recruit Resident Assistants (RAs) for the university’s halls of residence and provide you with all you need to know about the RA role. If you have any questions about the application process or the job itself after reading this document, please contact Accommodation Services.How to

Contact us:

Applications close 9am

Thursday 14th May 2020res.life@gre.ac.uk

2

3

Residence Life (ResLife) encompasses everything the Accommodation Service team does to provide the best experience possible for students living in the halls of residence. The focus is on providing support and guidance to residents as well as providing social and educational programmes to build communities and help students enjoy their time in the halls.

The RA is an essential member of Accommodation Services' Residence Life programme. The RA's main role is to assist with the social and personal transition of resident students throughout their time in halls of residence and to help ensure that an atmosphere that is conducive to study is maintained.

Successful candidates for RA positions will be selected on the basis of their interest in the

student community and their experience in a residential student environment (or other customer care environment).

We are looking for candidates with sensitivity, common sense, confidence, discretion and an ability to work confidently with minimal supervision in a variety of situations.

RAs are required to take particular responsibility for incidents occurring during their “on call” duty periods during evenings and weekends, to provide a link between the university and its resident students and to help foster a good living environment with special regard to student welfare, discipline, Residence Life (ResLife) events and health and safety.

ImportantInformation

RA JOB KIT

4

RecruitmentTimetable

RA JOB KIT

In order to apply for the RA role, including attending an information session, log into the Student Portal

- Click the “My Student Life” tab

- Go to the AccommodationSection

- Click "Forms and Information"

- Select the tab "Applications"

- Select "RA Applications2020/2021"

RA APPLICATIONS / SELECTION

PROCESS

Register Interest / Book your info session

Information Session 1 (Greenwich)

1st Applications Open

Information Session 2 (Greenwich)

Information Session 3 (Avery Hill & Medway)

2nd and 3rd Applications open

Shortlisting

Invites to Interviews sent

Interviews

Decisions Reached

RA job offers sent

PROCESS OPENS

All applicants must attend an information session as part of the process before being able to make an application. You will receive access to the application the next working day after you attend one of the sessions.

PROCESS CLOSES

7th April 2020

22nd April 2020

23rd April 2020

29th April 2020

30th April 2020

30th April 2020

15th May 2020

20th May 2020

1st June 2020

13th June 2020

15th June 2020

14th May 2020

22nd April 2020

14th may 2020

29th April 2020

30th April 2020

14th May 2020

18th May 2020

27th May 2020

12th June 2020

15th June 2020

22nd June 2020

5

JobDescription

RA JOB KIT

JOB TITLE:

DEPARTMENT:

REPORTING TO:

LOCATIONS:

RESIDENT ASSISTANT

Resident Assistant

Accommodation Services (Directorate of Student & Academic Services)

Accommodation Office Manager at campus of employment

The Student Village, Avery Hill Campus

Cutty Sark Hall, Greenwich Campus

Daniel Defoe Hall, Greenwich Campus

Devonport House, Greenwich Campus

McMillan Student Village, Greenwich Campus

Adelaide, Forte, Sunne, Wolfe and Merlin Houses, Medway Campus

Overall Purpose of Job

Resident Assistants (RAs) play a key role in supporting the Accommodation Services' Residence Life (ResLife) programme. They live in halls of residence and take an active role in fostering a good living environment for residents with special regard to student welfare, discipline, security and health and safety. This includes taking responsibility for incidents occurring during “on call” duty periods and other times if required. RAs provide a link between Accommodation Services and residents and can be expected to perform a range of duties related to this function.

Main Activities and Duties

3. Have a regard for the security, welfare, health and safety of residents and actively promote awareness in these areas.

4. Promptly report any concerns regarding discipline, welfare, security, fire, health and safety to Accommodation Services.

5. Deal promptly with any misconduct or incident within halls as required by the university, security staff or the local hall manager calling on assistance from university and non-university staff including emergency services as the circumstances dictate.

6. Liaise with Accommodation Services and/or any local non-university staff having administrative responsibility for the accommodation on issues affecting residents and report any concerns to them with the degree of urgency appropriate to the situation.

7. Assist other RAs, universitystaff, local non-university staffand emergency services staff in emergencies, fire activations, evacuations and at student functions.

8. Make regular patrols of the site during the “on call” duty period.

9. Plan, organise, promote and facilitate (with support from Accommodation Service staff) a range of events as part of the ResLife programme in order to encourage integration and interaction of residents and support academic success. This may include assisting with events taking place on non-duty days/nights.

10. Ensure that administrative tasks are completed, including but not limited to displaying posters in the hall and conducting room inspections.

11.Ensure residential regulations are observed by residents and report any breaches of the regulations to Accommodation Services in a timely manner.

12. Assist Accommodation Services in communication with residents and in projects involving residents as and when necessary.

13. Assist with the arrival, induction and departure of residents throughout the academic session.

14. Assist with tours of accommodation on all university Open Days. These may take place on non-duty days.

15. Assist with Open Evenings and ad-hoc viewings as needed.

16. Establish both formal and informal contacts with residents and attend meetings or other resident forums as required.

6

1. Assist Accommodation Services in creating a welcoming, inclusive and supportive environment and a strong sense of community for students living within the halls of residence.

2. Be familiar with the Accommodation Licence Agreement, university fire, health, safety, emergency, incident, accident and disciplinary procedures.

Scope

• RAs will be part of a team operating on a rota and will normally be rostered one day a week from Monday to Thursday from 6pm to 8am and one weekend in four from 6pm Friday until 8am Monday. Although duties are principally related to the specific rota periods, RAs may also have general duties associated with the residents of a particular building or area and will be expected to assist other staff in the event of major problems or if requested by the local line manager at any reasonable time. Additionally all members of the team are required to work on the Saturdays where Open Days are taking place, some evening open events and move in and move out weekends in addition to their usual rota.

• RAs are appointed to contribute to the formation of a good community on residential sites and will be expected to be aware of issues affecting or concerning residents.

• The free accommodation provided for the performance of RA duties is to be occupied as the principal residence for the duration of the contract. RAs are required to be active members of the resident community.

• RAs are given training to enable them to effectively carry out the duties required.

PERSON SPECIFICATION Essential Criteria

• Good verbal communication andinterpersonal skills, including theability to deal with situations in a calmand confident manner.

• Good written communication skillsincluding reporting on issues andincidents and supplying relevant datato Accommodation Services.

• Good time-keeping, including arrivingfor duty periods on time and ensuringprompt reporting of matters toAccommodation Services and anyrelevant local staff.

• Good active listening skills includingthe ability to handle confidentialinformation and show empathy andunderstanding when dealing withresident concerns.

• Knowledge of issues related tocommunal living which can impactupon students.

• Commitment to the university’sEquality Strategy.

• Ability to work alongside andcollaborate with a wide range of staff.

• Ability to work in a demandingenvironment with minimumsupervision.

• Flexibility in approach to work anddedication to duties during evenings,weekends, holidays and peakrecruitment periods.

• Experience of working as part of ateam.

Desirable Criteria

• Understanding of health and safetyissues in halls.

• Experience of living in halls ofresidence.

• Experience of student clubs/societies/arranging events.

• Leadership/mentoring skills.

• Experience in a customer serviceenvironment.

7

8

Terms &Conditions

RA JOB KIT 1.RAs must be full-time, registeredand attending students of theuniversity and will usually -

••

Be returning students.Not owe any accommodation fees as of the 1st August 2020Studying full academic year

2. Standard RA appointments are for43 consecutive weeks (and one day)from Saturday 22nd August 2020 untilSunday 20th June 2021 includinguniversity shutdown periods (a reducedrota will normally be in place) and aresubject to satisfactory references.

3. All RA appointments are subject to aprobationary period of three monthsand employment by the university issubject to the satisfactory completionof this period.

4. During the probationary period, theperformance of RAs will be closelymonitored and any RA failing toperform the duties as described in thejob description or by action or inactioninjuring the formation of goodcommunity in the halls of residencemay have their employment terminatedor have the probationary periodextended

5. RAs contravening the Terms andConditions of their employment orbehaving in such a way as toundermine their position or authoritymay have their appointmentterminated at any time with onemonth’s notice. RAs who wish toappeal against their dismissal must do

so in writing to the Assistant Director of Student and Academic Services (Student Services) within 7 calendar days of the dismissal.

6. RAs may terminate their employment at any time with one month’s written notice.

7. RAs may reapply for further period(s) of employment normally up to a maximum of three consecutive periods and, if successful, will be issued with a new contract in line with the Terms and Conditions then in force.

8. RAs can be appointed to any hall of residence and can be required to relocate to another hall at any time after reasonable consultation. RAs must reside on the site to which they are appointed to.

9. RAs must be accessible to residents when, as part of a roster with other RAs on the same site, they are “on call”.

10. RAs must be available on site for the periods of “on call” duty which normally will be one day each week Monday to Thursday and every fourth weekend as follows in addition to open days/arrival and departure weekends and additional times when room checks or other admin tasks are required:-

18:00 to 08:00 Monday to Friday 18:00 Friday to 08:00 Monday

11. RAs will be required to attendmeetings and training between 9am and5pm Monday to Friday with reasonablenotice and in fitting with their academicschedule. RAs may also be required tovisit their local Accommodation ServiceCentre before 5pm on a duty night forhandover, collection of keys, etc.

12. In addition to their rostered duties,all RAs are required to work on theResident Arrivals and Departureweekends. RAs are also required toassist with all University Open Daytours, some of which may take place onnon-duty weekends. This may takeplace at a hall other than that in whichthe RA resides.

13. RAs are required to assist with OpenEvenings and ad-hoc viewings of theaccommodation as required during theirperiods of "on call" duty.

14. RAs are required to assist withResidence Life (ResLife) programmes,some of which may take place duringnon-duty periods.

15. Leave of absence may betaken, subject to reasonablenotice in writing and agreement by theAccommodation Office Managerat the site of employment. Suitablecover for the absence is required and isto be provided by the other RAs on thatsite. RAs are expected to liaise withtheir fellow team members to ensurecover can be found before requestingleave.

9

Terms &Conditions

RA JOB KIT

16. In return for the performance ofall required duties, RAs will receiveaccommodation free of charge on thesite to which they are appointed forthe duration of their employmentperiod. There is no fixed standardfor RA’s accommodation, which willvary from site to site. RAaccommodation will normally be thesame or similar to the standard studybedrooms available to residentstudents within the hall.

17. RAs will be required to sign auniversity Accommodation LicenceAgreement for the accommodationprovided. Any RA contravening theterms and conditions of the LicenceAgreement may be subject tosanctions under the Halls of ResidenceCode of Behaviour which forms partof the university AccommodationRegulations.

18. Hall fees will become payableshould the RA’s employment ceasefrom the point at which it finishes.RAs failing to perform duties for whichthey are rostered, except where agreedin advance with their line manager orbecause of illness or other unavoidableand compelling reason, may becomeliable for the payment of hall feesfor the period that they are unableto perform their on-call duties.

19. The accommodation is providedsolely for occupation by the RA andmust be vacated by 10am on the lastday of the period of appointment as aRA.

20. Any RA unable to perform dutiesfor a period of two weeks or morebecause of academic commitment,health etc. may be required to pay fortheir accommodation until such timeas normal duties can be resumed.

21. It is a requirement that RAs holda current, recognised and full first-aidqualification and the arrangementand payment of this training will bemade by the university. RAs will notbe permitted to take up or remainin post unless they are in receipt ofthis qualification within eight weeksof their appointment. RAs have aduty to make themselves aware ofall fire, health, safety and emergencyprocedures, together with all studentservices available on site. The localline manager and/or facilitiesmanagement staff will provideguidance in these areas.

22. It is a requirement that RAsundergo a basic Disclosure check andprovide a certificate to AccommodationServices. Further information abouthow to obtain a certificate will beissued. RAs are required to pay for thiscertificate and apply for a refund. Ifthis is not completed in good timebefore the position commences (by1st August for RAs on standardcontract lengths) or there is a causefor concern arising from this check,the offer of the RA position may berescinded and the contract canceled.

23. It is mandatory that RAs attend allrequired training that is normally heldprior to or at the commencement ofthe RA contract.

24. Time spent undertaking actualwork as an RA while on duty (answeringphone calls, dealing with queries,attending to incidents,writing reportsetc.) counts towards the hours you arepermitted to work at the university.

25. RAs who are Tier 4 students arenot permitted to undertake otheremployment at the university as thismay lead to them breaching the termsand conditions of their visa.

26. RAs who are Tier 4 students mustsubmit a monthly timesheet listingactual hours work within 5 workingdays of the end of each month tothe Accommodation Office Manager.Further guidance on completing thetimesheet will be provided.

27. RAs who are Tier 4 students andare approaching the limit of hours theyare permitted to work during the weekmust advise the AccommodationOffice Manager immediately so thatother arrangements for cover may bemade if necessary.

10

MandatoryDates

RA JOB KIT

Monday 24th August 2020 - Thursday 3rd September 2020 9am - 5pm (not including Saturday and Sunday) *

Friday 10th July - RAs must apply by this date for the Basic Disclosure Certificate in order to ensure it is received by 1st August.

Saturday 22nd August 2020 - Sunday 20th June 2021Contract Period

Introduction and Training

Attendance at the RA training is mandatory and a requirement for assuming the role as an RA in university halls of residence. If you are successful, please ensure that you are available for all of the training days below.

* Returning RAs are only required to attend training on somedays. At the time of writing, these are expected to be Monday24th August, Friday 28th August and Thursday 3rd September.However, this may change and returning RAs are advised not tomake other plans during this period without checking finaltraining dates.

11

MandatoryDates

RA JOB KIT Saturday 12th September - Sunday 13th September 2020 All RAs are required to work both days

Arrival Weekend

Important Information

Attendance at the training and other dates listed above is mandatory. If you will not be available on any of these dates, you are advised not to complete an application to become an RA for 2020/2021.

If you are appointed and you fail to undertake the training and/or do attend on the other mandatory dates listed above, your contract of employment as an RA may be terminated.

Saturday 19th June - Sunday 20th June 2021 All RAs are required to work both days

Departure Weekend

Open Days Saturday 10th October 2020 Saturday 21st November 2020Saturday 27th February 2021 All RAs are required to work *

* If you are not required, you will be advised.