Senior Desk Assistant (SDA) Student Hourly
Lawrence, KS - USA
Job Summary
Job Description
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
40% - Front Desk Management
Disclaimer
The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race color ethnicity religion sex national origin age ancestry disability status as a veteran sexual orientation marital status parental status gender identity gender expression and genetic information in the universitys programs and activities. Retaliation is also prohibited by university policy. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies and is the Title IX coordinator for all KU and KUMC campuses: Associate Vice Chancellor for Civil Rights and Title IX Room 1082 Dole Human Development Center 1000 Sunnyside Avenue Lawrence KSTTY.
Work Schedule
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.
Contact Information to Applicants
Housing & ResidenceLife Desk Operations
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
We advance KUs mission with:
Position Expectations
Additional Candidate Instruction
In addition to the online application the following documents are required to be considered for this position:
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 5/6/2026.
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.
Responsibilities 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Disclaimer
The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race color ethnicity religion sex national origin age ancestry disability status as a veteran sexual orientation marital status parental status gender identity gender expression and genetic information in the universitys programs and activities. Retaliation is also prohibited by university policy. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies and is the Title IX coordinator for all KU and KUMC campuses: Associate Vice Chancellor for Civil Rights and Title IX Room 1082 Dole Human Development Center 1000 Sunnyside Avenue Lawrence KSTTY.
Work Schedule
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.
Contact Information to Applicants
Housing & ResidenceLife Desk Operations
- Must have at least one semester of service as a Desk Assistant Resident Assistant Proctor or Food Board Manager at KU.
- 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.
- Must be enrolled as an undergraduate or graduate KU student.
- Available to consistently work 20 hours per week.
- 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.
- Prior experience demonstrating the ability to manage work tasks in a fast-paced environment with rapidly changing priorities as shown in application materials.
- Prior experience demonstrating the ability to follow direction and communicate clearly in written and oral form as shown in application materials.
- Experience with Microsoft Office Suite software and applications.
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
We advance KUs mission with:
- 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.
Additional Candidate Instruction
In addition to the online application the following documents are required to be considered for this position:
- 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 5/6/2026.
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.
Required Experience:
Senior IC
About Company
Thank you for your interest in employment with the University of Kansas. If you need assistance with the application process please contact Human Resources at [email protected] or 785-864-4946.