Overnight Desk Assistant (Student)

American University; Washington, Northern (District of Columbia, KY); Hybrid; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Part time

Job summary

American University is seeking a Night Desk Assistant to support Housing & Residence Life. The role runs 11:00 PM to 7:00 AM and is available only to enrolled AU students. The NDA helps ensure safety, assists residents with concerns, and greets guests on a part-time schedule.

Responsibilities include desk operations, policy compliance, and cross-team coordination. Must maintain confidentiality and complete required training and HR paperwork.

Qualifications

• Must be an undergraduate student enrolled at American University (12–17 credits per semester).
• GPA at or above 2.50 cumulatively and for the current term.
• Strong customer service and communication skills required.

Responsibilities

• Assist residents and guests; answer questions in person and by phone.
• Check in/out guests and enforce proper protocols for access.
• Maintain desk area, logs, binders, and supplies; use StarRez as needed.
• Follow emergency/lockout procedures and coordinate with staff.

Skills

Customer service

Policy compliance

Communication

Education

Undergraduate student enrollment (12–17 credits) at AU

Job description

Work Where You Learn: Build Experience, Grow Skills, and Contribute to Your University Community. This position is available only to enrolled American University students. Most student positions at American University are eligible to use Federal Work Study (FWS) awards, with a few exceptions. FWS funds cannot be applied to janitorial, construction, partisan or sectarian positions. For information or questions regarding FWS funds, please contact American University's Office of Financial Aid.

Department: Residence Life Training Leadership Programs Time Type: Part time FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Job Description: Summary: The Night Desk Assistant (NDA) is a part-time student staff member of Housing & Residence Life and a member of the University’s Division of Student Affairs. The Night Desk Assistant fulfills a vital role in the residence hall system by helping ensure the safety of the halls, assisting residents with concerns, and welcoming guests and visitors. The Night Desk Assistant works exclusively during the hours of 11:00 PM – 7:00 AM. The NDA is supervised by a Residential Operations Coordinator with the support from the Assistant Director for Residential Operations and Finance and is expected to work closely with other staff members (other DAs, Resident Assistants, Desk Coordinators, community Directors, Facilities Management staff, etc.) within the building, as well as across campus.

Essential Functions:

1. Community Facilitation and Customer Service Support efforts of front desk staff in creating a safe living environment for the residents. Answer questions from students, families, faculty, staff, prospective students, and alumni in person and over the phone. Follow proper protocol to check in and out guests of residents. Treat the concerns of all customers with attentiveness and seriousness. Serve as a liaison between students and the supervisor. Maintain a working knowledge of the University’s facilities, services, and resources. Ensure that the desk is clean, all binders and logs are in appropriate locations, and all supplies are stocked.
2. Role Modeling and Policy Compliance Monitor and enforce access to the residence hall. Be well versed in, personally abide by, and help enforce University policies including the Housing License Agreement.NDAs must also abide by all regulations in federal and local jurisdictions. Confront, document, and follow through on violations of published University and Housing & Residence Life policies, regulations, and procedures in an accurate and timely manner. Understand that all actions of an NDA (including those engaged in outside of the residence hall) are observed by residents, other NDAs and staff members. NDAs must hold themselves to a higher standard in all actions. Follow outlined emergency response protocol, when necessary, at the desk.
3. Facilities & Operations Assist in the opening, closing, and staffing of the residence hall desks at break times. Check residents in and out of their housing assignments using the StarRez housing assignment management software system. Issue and track mailbox keys to residents. Submit Mail Key Replacement Forms when residents need replacements. Follow lockout protocol to assist residents with regaining access to their rooms when locked out. Create temporary access cards for residents that need them. Check out administrative keys to groups that have residence hall room reservations. Follow proper key distribution procedures to maintain accuracy and security. NDAs must not create or issue keys to anyone, including themselves, without following proper documentation procedures. Maintain positive relationships with fellow Desk Assistants, Desk Coordinators, Resident Assistants, community Directors, HRL staff, Facilities Management, and Program Associates. Participate in DA surveys to schedule desk shifts. Maintain ongoing communication with Residential Operations Coordinators, fellow Desk Assistants, and Housing & Residence Life office by checking phone messages and e-mail messages daily. Attend all scheduled shifts on time. Follow proper communication protocols when seeking emergency shift coverage. Follow proper communication protocols when communicating with on‑call staff and emergency personnel.
4. Other Duties The nature of the NDA position does not allow for all duties to be explicitly described. There will be times when hall staff are requested to assist in an emergency or other unforeseen circumstance. These situations will be presented as thoroughly as possible at the time of need.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work: Part‑time. 8 – 24 hours per week. Salary Range: $18.60 per hour.

Required Education and Experience: Full time enrollment as an undergraduate student at American University (minimum 12 credits and a maximum of 17 per semester). If a Desk Assistant wishes to drop below the minimum credit hours, they must receive written permission from the Director of Residence Life in order to retain the DA position. Cumulative GPA at or above 2.50 and term GPA at or above 2.50 (GPAs must be maintained from the date of application until the date of separation). Must be in good conduct standing with the university. Participate in the Desk Assistant interview process. Turn in completed HR and payroll forms to your supervisor or the Assistant Director for Residential Operations & Finance. Also, submit appropriate HR paperwork via Workday. Be timely and professional in all written and verbal communications with Housing & Residence Life staff and AU community members. Compile accurate and timely reports for supervisor as requested (shift logs, digital systems management). Complete and submit bi‑weekly online timesheets on time via Workday. Treat information concerning staff and/or students with the utmost confidentiality.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications:

• Required Participation: All staff are required to participate/attend the following: All Night Desk Assistants must attend and fully participate in staff training in August and January prior to the start of the academic semester. This is a 10‑month position from August through May.
• All Night Desk Assistants are expected to work during the opening of residence halls. The residential front desks at American University are a 24‑hour operation throughout the entire academic year. This position works during the hours of 11:00 PM‑7:00 AM only.
• Night Desk Assistants are expected to work a minimum of 8 hours (maximum 24 hours) per week, including some weekend shifts.
• Night Desk Assistants are required to work one break (Thanksgiving Break, Winter Early Arrival, a portion of Spring Break) over the course of the academic year.
• Night Desk Assistants are required to work during Finals and hall closing periods.
• Resident Assistants, Desk Assistants (Day), and Desk Coordinators are not eligible to serve as Night Desk Assistants.
• Staff are required to be present and participate in all DA training and residence hall opening and closing dates. All dates are subject to change.
• Applicants are required to attend one Desk Assistant information session.

Other Details: This position is available only to enrolled American University students. Please note this job announcement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. American University is an E‑Verify employer. Visit https://www.american.edu/hr/ for additional information about American University employment and benefits.

Contact Us: For more information or assistance with the American University careers site, email [e-mail].

American University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution that operates in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The university does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, personal appearance, gender identity and expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, veteran status, an individual’s genetic information or any other bases under federal or local laws (collectively "Protected Bases") in its programs and activities. American University is a student centered research institution located in Washington, DC, with highly‑rated schools and colleges, internationally‑renowned faculty, and a reputation for creating meaningful change in the world.