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This position is available only to enrolled American University students.
Important guidance for current American University employees: American University current employees, including those employed in student positions, must apply through their employee Workday account. If you are a current employee at American University, please log into your employee Workday account and select the
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which will take you to our internal career listings. Applying outside of your employee Workday account may cause delays in a hire process.
Residence Life Training Leadership Programs
Time Type:
Part time
FLSA Status:
Non-Exempt
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 Members, and University College Program Associates, etc.) within the building, as well as across campus.
Essential Functions:
1.) Community Facilitation and Customer Service
Support the 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 the outlined emergency response protocol when necessary, at the desk.
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.
3.) Facilities and Operations
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 Desk Supervisor, fellow Desk Assistants, and Housing & Residence Life office by checking staff mail, 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 as Assigned
Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:
Part-Time.
Student.
This is a several-month position from January 2026 through May 2026.
8 - 24 hours per week.
Weekends as needed.
All Night Desk Assistants must attend and fully participate in staff training in January, before the start of the Spring 2026 academic semester.
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 required to work Spring Break.
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.
Salary Range:
Required Education and Experience:
Full-time enrollment as an undergraduate student at American University (minimum 12 credits and a maximum of 17 per semester).
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.
Turn in completed HR and payroll forms to your supervisor or the Assistant Director for Residential Operations & Finance.
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.
Treat information concerning staff and/or students with the utmost confidentiality.
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.
Current American University Employees
American University current employees (including those employed in student positions) must apply through their employee Workday account. If you are a current employee at American University, please log into Workday and select the Find Jobs report which will take you to our internal career listings.
Contact Us
For more information or assistance with the American University careers site, email
theworkline@american.edu
.
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.
