Apply for a role with Residence Life

Three Residence Assistants wearing blue hoodies and grey t-shirts smiling in front of a purple wall

Join a diverse and skilled group of students and employees from across the University providing out of hours support and hosting a variety of activities for students in halls of residence.

Current vacancies

Glasgow

  • Residence Life Assistant
  • Starting 6 Sep 2024
  • Deadline 30 Apr 2024

Dumfries

  • Residence Life Assistant
  • Starting 6 Sep 2024
  • Deadline 30 Apr 2024

Key benefits

  • HEAR accreditation on your transcript
  • Career references
  • Rent rebate of 60% for RAs and 100% for Senior RAs of a standard room rate
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Team social events
  • Full training including First Aid
  • 24/7 support while on shift

Information

Application process

Before applying

  • Please read the 2024-25 Job Description, which reflects changes to the role from previous years.
  • Check you are eligible to apply:
    • You must be a registered student or staff member at the University of Glasgow for the duration of your time in post.
    • You must be on site and ready to start your first shift on the date your contract begins. Roles for the 2024-25 academic year start on Friday 6th September 2024.
    • You should be able to demonstrate the skills outlined in the job description. Previous experience of living or working in University accommodation is desirable but not essential.

Submit an application

Next steps

  • For roles starting in September, the majority of applications are considered in spring and interviews are held in spring and summer.
  • Online interviews available for applicants who are not currently in Glasgow.
  • If we receive an application when there are no vacancies, it will be held for consideration in the event that a position becomes available.

Residence Life 2024-25 Job Description

Roles of the Residence Life Team

The Residence Life team is a diverse and skilled group made up of students and employees drawn from across the University. Residence Life Assistants provide out of hours support to students across all University of Glasgow accommodation sites from 6pm to 8am Monday to Friday and 24 hours at the weekend. The team also hosts a variety of activities to foster community and enhance the student experience within halls of residence.

Residence Life Assistants are strong communicators who can build relationships and work collaboratively as part of a team. They also work independently and are confident in decision making, problem solving, and organisation.

Maintenance and housekeeping

  • Educating students on procedures to report concerns regarding maintenance and housekeeping
  • Responding to students who are locked out of their residence
  • Advising students on practical matters relating to halls
  • Providing appropriate assistance and escalation relating to emergency calls
  • Hosting office hour slots (dependent on site and need)

Health and Safety

  • You will be a trained first aider and able to respond appropriately to first aid calls (training is provided)
  • Identifying and reporting safety and security concerns observed whilst on shift
  • Educating residents about safety and security measures in the building
  • Fire safety:
    • Being familiar with building fire safety procedures
    • Reporting fire safety concerns
    • Responding to breaches in line with the fire safety procedures
    • Facilitating fire drills as guided by warden and site staff

Life in halls

  • Ensuring you are familiar with accommodation policies relating to life in halls and raise awareness amongst your fellow residents of these expectations
  • Responding to student living enquiries
  • Listening and signposting students to appropriate services and resources
  • Escalating welfare and wellbeing related concerns
  • Assisting with planning, organising, and promoting all Residence Life events and information sessions in your hall

Communication

  • Attending team meetings and training events as requested by your manager
  • Working closely with accommodation site teams to handover maintenance and site-based issues that arise out of hours
  • Raising awareness amongst student community of all relevant accommodation policies
  • Working with the Residence Life Team to share induction information to new students
  • Proactively sharing information about upcoming activities with students in the hall
  • You will be offered the opportunity to support the accommodation and central Residence Life team during open days

Additional responsibilities for Senior Residence Life Assistants

  • Participating in delivering training and sharing knowledge of the role to new team members
  • Providing mentorship and guidance to RAs while on shift
  • Taking the lead and making decisions when responding to incidents
  • Sharing feedback with your line manager regarding team performance

What we expect of you

  • We ask that you are easily accessible and available to listen and speak to students, answer questions, and share information on university services - this means you must ensure you have a good understanding of accommodation policies and procedures, supports, and escalation routes.

  • You are wearing smart clothing and appropriate footwear along with full Residence Life uniform when on shift (t-shirt, hooded sweatshirt, and name badge).

  • You are a representative of the University therefore your actions off shift should also exemplify an awareness of being a representative of the University community.

  • You should always be prompt and on time for your shifts.

  • If you are unable to make your shift you need to give your warden a minimum of 48 hours notice unless there is an emergency.

What you can expect of the University

  • You will always have someone to call if you have any concerns whilst on shift. You can contact your Warden or University of Glasgow Security Team for support 24/7.

  • Training, guidance, and support to enable you to fulfil your role, including a First Aid Certification.

  • An extensive range of skills and experiences which will enable your growth both personally and professionally.

  • Access to references from your Student and Academic service to support your future career.

  • Access to guidance which enables you translate your experience into graduate attributes.

  • A 60% rent rebate of the value of a standard room for Residence Life Assistants and a 100% rent rebate of the value of a standard room for Senior Residence Life Assistants.

  • HEAR accreditation on your university transcript on 1 year completion in post.

  • Full staff access to the Employee Assistance Program – Health Assured.

  • You will be a valued member of our student community and a wider supportive staff community across the Student Life and Student Engagement team, and there will be opportunities for team social events through the year.

Contractual points

  • You must be in the country and ready to start your first shift on Friday 6th September 2024.

  • The Volunteer Worker Agreement ends on the last date of the Accommodation contract in June 2025.

  • There will be a break to the duty rota over the Christmas and New Year period.

  • All appointments are conditional on student accounts being up to date by 31st May of current year of employment.

  • Any absences/leave must be approved by your Residence Life Warden.

  • Only those who are registered (or who will be registered at time of contract start date) University of Glasgow students or contracted employees of the University of Glasgow need apply.

  • You must live on site for the duration of your residence life contract.

  • You may be asked to cover shifts at other sites dependent on service needs.

Role features

Team working

Your capacity to collaborate, support, engage, and listen to your teammates is vital for a well-functioning team. As a team you are reliant on one another to ensure the smooth running of the service and to create a supportive, friendly, and professional working environment. You will work closely with your fellow Residence Assistants, Wardens, wider Residence Life Team, Site Security and University of Glasgow Security.

Relationship building and communication

You will build strong relationships with your teams and with students. You must be a skilled and confident communicator and practice clear and efficient communication with your manager, teammates, site staff, students, and University staff. You will participate in regular team meetings and shift handovers. You will relay information to students with regards to expectations and knowledge around various residence procedures. You will help to foster community and improve the student experience by hosting and participating in a range of activities for students within your hall.

Decision making

You will make decisions on routine matters and you must be decisive in knowing where the boundaries of your role ends. You will need to be clear as to when you should be contacting your warden or escalating calls to a more appropriate team e.g. security, emergency services, or other appropriate services.

Problem solving

You will have calls from students relating to a range of practical and maintenance related matters. You will need to think on your feet and know when to reach out to your team mates to share challenges and explore solutions to practical matters on site.

Independent working

You must be confident working independently, managing your time effectively, and being clear about which specific tasks and goals you need to complete whilst on shift. You will display good time management skills, be self-motivated, and manage your responsibilities without monitoring.