Senior Desk Assistant (SDA) - Student Hourly

The University of Kansas; Lawrence (KS); On-site; USD 17,000 - 19,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Housing credit

Job summary

The University of Kansas invites applications for the Senior Desk Assistant in Housing & Residence Life. The role provides leadership and oversees Front Desk operations, including supervising Desk Assistants and ensuring coverage for a 24-hour desk.

Position requires evening hours, on-call responsiveness, and a 20-hour weekly schedule (8–12 hours between 9am–5pm, Mon–Fri). Start Oct 15, 2026, through May 31, 2027, with possible extension, pending need and performance.

Qualifications

• Must have at least one semester of service as a Desk Assistant or similar role.
• Be enrolled as an undergraduate or graduate KU student at start of employment.
• Available to consistently work 20 hours per week, with 8–12 hours 9:00–17:00 Mon–Fri.
• Must be in good standing with KU and Housing & Residence Life.

Responsibilities

• Co-manage at least one 24-hour Front Desk with direct supervisor and serve residents.
• Provide quality customer service and a welcoming environment at the Front Desk.
• Assist with hiring and training of Desk Assistants and staff.
• Onboard and train new Desk Assistants and orient them to the role.
• Create and manage Front Desk schedules, shifts, and monthly staff meetings.
• Maintain logs, inventories, and equipment related to the Front Desk.

Skills

Communication

Leadership

Customer service

Organizational skills

Education

Undergraduate/Graduate KU student

Tools

Microsoft Office

Front desk software

Job description

Position Overview

General

The Senior Desk Assistant is responsible for leadership and oversight of the operations of a Housing & Residence Life Front Desk. The Senior Desk Assistant reports directly to an Administrative Associate and indirectly to the Business Coordinator for Front Desks & Administration. This person should be able to demonstrate effective skills in communication, leadership, administration, and must understand and be sensitive to the needs of others.

The Senior Desk Assistant is not required to live in on campus housing, however, this position requires some evening hours, and last-minute Desk coverage. As such, the Senior Desk Assistant should be generally available by phone and able to quickly respond to campus. This position should expect to work an average of 20 hours each week, 8-12 of these hours must be scheduled between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday - Friday.

As a representative of Housing & Residence Life, Student Affairs, and the University of Kansas, Senior Desk Assistants demonstrate a commitment to the Mission and Values of Housing & Residence Life.

Our Mission

Building learning-centered communities through individual support and respect.

Our Central Values

• Engaging communities
• Vibrant physical spaces
• Effective administration

Position Expectations

Each Senior Desk Assistant is subject to possible progressive discipline up to and including termination if they violate any policies, procedures, and regulations of Residence Life, and of The University of Kansas, including, but not limited to, the Terms and Conditions of the Housing & Residence Life Contract, Student Code of Rights and Responsibilities, KU Human Resources policies, and the Housing & Residence Life Handbook.

Term of Appointment and Application

The Senior Desk Assistant position begins October 15th, 2026, and will continue through May 31st, 2027, with the possibility of extending employment based on departmental need & the applicants standing within the role. Limited flexibility in start and end dates may be considered; these accommodations would be mutually agreed. In addition to the responsibilities outlined in the position description, a Senior Desk Assistant is required to participate in orientation, staff development and training sessions, and regularly scheduled staff meetings. Exceptions may be granted by Administrative Associates in consultation with the Business Coordinator.

The position of Senior Desk Assistant does not typically allow for involvement with practicums or internships, regular student teaching or additional employment within the University. Approval from the Assistant Director for Housing Services must be obtained in advance and in writing before participation in such activities.

Job DescriptionResponsibilities include, but are not limited to:

40% - Front Desk Management

• Co-Manage at least one 24-hour Front Desk with their direct supervisor, which serves the residents and guests of a building.
• Ensure quality customer service at the Front Desk; while providing a welcoming environment to residents and guests.
• Assist with the management of the Desk Assistant staff with the Administrative Associate and/or the Business Coordinator.
• Assist the Housing & Residence Life Staff with the hiring of Desk Assistants.
• Assist the Housing & Residence Life Staff with Desk Assistant training and residence life staff training.
• Onboard and train new Desk Assistants into the role and help with familiarity within the position and the complex.
• Evaluate the Desk Assistants as needed, but minimally once per year.
• Create the Front Desk schedule (including breaks), assign shifts to Desk Assistants, find coverage, and fill in when staff miss a shift.
• Facilitate a regular monthly meeting for all staff who work at the Front Desk.

30% - Administrative Support

• Handle telephone calls which require knowledge of Desk and Housing policies and procedures.
• Facilitate distribution of flyers, copies, and other materials within the complex.
• Manage all logs, inventories, and equipment associated with the Front Desk (packages, keys, etc.).
• Assist with tracking damage billing and charges within the complex.
• Take inventory and create supply orders to replenish supplies in desk areas.
• Coordinate processes for mail and package distribution, by complying with State and Federal laws regarding mail and packages and overseeing mail procedures including accurate logging of packages, tracking missing packages, and forwarding mail/packages.
• Oversee the labeling of student mailboxes.

25% - Housing Facilities

• Serve as a liaison to Housing & Residence Life campus partners, such as Facilities, mail and package carriers, academic units, etc.
• Monitor inventory of resident room keys, lock-out keys, and Temporary Access Cards through weekly audits.
• Process lock changes and complete loss/damage forms for charges to begin the billing process.
• Create check-in packets and complete checkouts to help support resident room changes.
• Communicate facilities concerns, including vending and laundry machine concerns to appropriate personnel.

5% - Departmental and Other Duties

• Demonstrate a commitment to personal integrity, such as modeling good judgment, ethical behavior, maintaining confidentiality, and adherence to laws and policies.
• Positively participate, engage, and contribute within trainings, meetings with supervisor, ongoing departmental communication, and an annual performance evaluation process.
• Attend monthly Senior Desk Assistant meetings.
• Attend and actively participate in Fall Training (August), Spring Training (January), and on-going semester in-person and online trainings.
• Attend undergraduate staff meetings within complex as needed.
• Perform additional duties and special assignments as directed.

Required Qualifications

1. Must have at least one semester of service as a Desk Assistant, Resident Assistant, Proctor, or Food Board Manager at KU.
2. Be in good standing with the University and Housing & Residence Life at the start of the hiring process and for the duration of their employment.
3. Must be enrolled as an undergraduate or graduate KU student.
4. Available to consistently work 20 hours per week.
5. At least 8-12 of the 20 required working hours must be scheduled between 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Prior experience demonstrating the ability to manage work tasks in a fast-paced environment with rapidly changing priorities as shown in application materials.
2. Prior experience demonstrating the ability to follow direction and communicate clearly in written and oral form as shown in application materials.
3. Experience with Microsoft Office Suite software and applications.

Position Requirements

During the semester term of the appointment, the student hourly must be enrolled in no fewer than 6 credit hours. For summer periods the student hourly must: (1) have been enrolled in no less than 6 hours in the past spring semester or (2) be pre-enrolled in the upcoming fall semester in no less than 6 hours or (3) be enrolled in summer session or (4) be admitted to study in the upcoming fall semester. Student Hourlies may be undergraduate or graduate students. (Exceptions granted for GRA/GTA/GA appointments DO NOT apply to Student Hourly appointments).

Employment Conditions

(1) Student employees are not eligible for remote work arrangements unless an exception is approved by the unit leadership and HR.

(2) This is an hourly/non-exempt position. A student employee cannot hold an hourly/non-exempt position and a salaried/exempt graduate or undergraduate position (GRA/GTA/GA/RUA/RGA) concurrently.

Additional Candidate Instructions

• A cover letter addressing how required and preferred qualifications are met.
• Resume or curriculum vitae.
• Contact information for three professional references.

Benefits:

Senior Desk Assistants are eligible for a partial on campus housing credit of $500 per semester awarded at the end of each semester. To receive this housing credit, Senior Desk Assistants must remain in good standing within the position and Senior Desk Assistant will need to have an active contract with Housing & Residence Life and live on campus in a residence hall, apartment, or scholarship hall. If a Senior Desk Assistant decides to live off campus, they will not receive this housing credit.

To ensure consideration apply before the application review date 10/5/2026.

Contact Information to ApplicantsHousing & ResidenceLife Desk Operations

[e-mail]

Advertised Salary Range$13.00 per hour

Anticipated Start DateThursday October 15, 2026