Community Assistant

Northeastern University

Oakland (CA)

On-site

USD 31,000 - 43,000

Full time

14 days+

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Job summary

Northeastern University in Oakland offers a Community Assistant role, an entry-level, live-in position supporting first-year residential students’ physical, emotional, social, and academic needs, helping them adjust to college life and campus resources.

You will work with Student Life and campus staff to maintain a safe, inclusive residential environment, develop programs, and manage documentation. The role requires evenings, weekends, and on-call availability.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree is required.
1-2 years of student service or higher education housing experience.
Experience living with or working with high school or undergraduate students.
Experience handling confidential information.
Sound judgment and problem-solving abilities.
Ability to work under pressure and in crises.
Ability to work in a culturally diverse environment.
Ability to work collaboratively in a team setting.
Experience managing events for large groups with enthusiasm.
Fluent in English with strong written and verbal skills.

Responsibilities

Provide direct guidance and support to first-year students transitioning to college life.
Conduct regular one-on-one check-ins with assigned residents each semester.
Respond to student concerns and connect to appropriate resources.
Facilitate peer connections and community networks within the residential community.
Collaborate with Student Life and campus staff on development initiatives and interventions.
Serve as part of an on-call rotation for emergencies and incidents.
Maintain safety through regular community presence and incident reporting.
Plan, coordinate, and implement diverse student programs and activities.
Assist with housing operations and opening/closing processes.

Skills

Student services experience

Residence life experience

Confidential information handling

Crisis response

Team collaboration

English communication skills

Evenings/weekends availability

On-call rotation readiness

Problem solving / judgment

Microsoft 365 proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft 365

Job description

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.

About The Opportunity:

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 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 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

Student Services

Additional Information

Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate work experience, education and skills when extending an offer. Northeastern has a comprehensive benefits package for benefit eligible employees. This includes medical, vision, dental, paid time off, tuition assistance, wellness & life, retirement- as well as commuting & transportation. Visit https://hr.northeastern.edu/benefits/ for more information. 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

105H

Expected Hiring Range

$22.85 - $31.42

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.

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