Senior CA Application Process
Application Process Instructions
The Senior Community Advisor Application will be live on Friday, January 8, 2021, at 12 pm. The deadline for completion is Friday, March 5, 2021, at 12 pm.
Mandatory individual interviews for all Senior Community Advisor candidates will take place between Monday, March 8, 2021, and Friday, March 19, 2021 Area Coordinator Rachel Sayward will contact candidates about selecting an interview time and will provide a location and other details at a later date. Candidates will prepare a 7-10 minute presentation on a topic they believe will be useful for August Community Advisor training.
Complete the application in its entirety by Friday, March 5, 2021, by 12 PM.
- Log into eRezlife (using the link on the Portal) with your Portal username and password.
- Answer all questions
- Upload your cover letter
- Upload your resume
- Prepare your presentation for your interview
Presentation and Interview guidelines:
- Interviews will last approximately 30-60 minutes
- You will prepare a 7-10 minute presentation for the interview
- Your presentation should be based on a topic you feel should be addressed during Fall Community Advisor Training
- Most will use some form of media for this presentation (PowerPoint, Prezi, etc.)
- Should you be selected for the position, you will be asked to present on this topic during fall Community Advisor Training. In doing so, you will need to upgrade your presentation to last approximately 40 minutes.
Requirements for the Senior Community Advisor Position
- Must have completed at least one year as a Community Advisor
- Must have a cumulative GPA of no less than 2.5 at the time of applying
- Must maintain a cumulative GPA of no less than 2.5 to continue in the position
- Must maintain a full-time academic course load throughout the semester (at least 12 credits)
- Must commit to the position for the entire academic year
Senior Community Advisor Position Description
A Senior Community Advisor is contracted for both fall and spring semesters, specifically from approximately August 8th, 2021 to May 14th, 2022. If an SCA resigns before the end of their employment dates, a letter explaining the circumstances will be kept in the SCA's employment file. All policies regarding residency requirements and breakage fees will apply.
Expectations:
- A Senior Community Advisor is expected to maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5. If a Senior Community Advisor's cumulative GPA falls below a 2.5, they will be placed on probation for one semester. If at the end of that semester the Senior Community Advisor's GPA is still below 2.5, they may be terminated. Additionally, Senior Community Advisors must carry a minimum of 12 credits per semester. Dropping below 12 credits may result in forfeiture of stipend and/or termination from the position.
- A Senior Community Advisor will be placed by the Office of Residence Life and may be reassigned during the academic year.
- A Senior Community Advisor is expected to maintain ongoing communication with their Area Coordinator, check in with other student staff members (Including SCAs) on a weekly basis, and meet with the Director of Residence Life once a month.
- All commitments outside of academics need to be approved by the Office of Residence Life.
- A Senior Community Advisor must be in good conduct standing within the University.
- A Senior Community Advisor is expected to act as an exemplary representative of Residence Life and Castleton University at all times on and off-campus.
- Senior Community Advisors are encouraged to notify their supervisor if they are going to be away for weekends or an extended period of time. Additionally, SCAs are expected to be on campus and attend special events (e.g. Family Weekend, special hall events, etc.)
- SCAs must attend and contribute at SCA and CA Trainings, and all other department functions.
- A Senior Community Advisor is expected to be available and accessible to staff and residents.
- Senior Community Advisors will respect and maintain the confidentiality of students and staff.
- A Senior Community Advisor is contracted for both fall and spring semesters. If an SCA resigns before the end of their employment dates, a letter explaining the circumstances will be kept in the SCA's employment file. All policies regarding residency requirements and breakage fees will apply.
- Attend, participate in, and present at Fall and Winter CA Trainings.
- A Senior Community Advisor contract starts on or about Friday, August 8, 2021 and goes through Saturday, May 14, 2021 If a Senior Community Advisor resigns before the end of their employment dates, a letter explaining the circumstances will be kept in the Senior Community Advisor's employment file. All policies regarding residency requirements and breakage fees will apply. A Senior Community Advisor may be rehired upon the recommendation of the Area Coordinator.
Responsibilities:
Senior Community Advisors are expected to carry out the following responsibilities:
-
Community Facilitator
- Become acquainted with and build a rapport with residents on their floor and throughout the building.
- Spend additional non duty interactive hours through your area focusing on intentional community development.
- Play an adversarial role on the CA staff when building and floor meetings need to occur.
- Identify strengths and weaknesses and be aware of major behavior changes in staff and students. Report concerns to their Area Coordinator.
- Consistently confront and encourage personal responsibility on the part of building members.
- Assist with New Student Orientations, Registrations, and Open Houses if needed.
- Assist and advise other CAs in the resolution of roommate and/or suitemate conflicts, personal difficulties, student outreaches, and academic concerns.
-
Referral Agent
- Serve as a liaison between Community Advisors and Area Coordinator.
- Report all emergencies and serious situations to an appropriate Area Coordinator immediately.
- Have a thorough understanding of emergency and non-emergency protocol and effectively implement it when needed.
- Instruct and advise CAs on policies and procedures.
- Act as a referral agent for students to campus and community resources.
- Inform residents of and encourage participation in campus programming.
- Advise CAs in their efforts in identifying student interests and abilities
-
Team Member
- Act as a role model and mentor to Community Advisors.
- Serve as a mediator for staff issues or concerns.
- Attend all weekly staff meetings; facilitate these meetings at the discretion of the Area Coordinator.
- Help develop a Hall staff community between custodial and residence life staff.
- Participate in the recruitment, selection and training of new staff members.
- Share duty coverage of one's building with fellow staff members, including both active duty (in office) and passive duty (in building).
-
Administrator
- Be available for and participate in the opening and closing of the residence halls.
- Facilitate the creation of and participate in semester-long CA duty schedule.
- Rotate day/night/weekend duty at the discretion of the Area Coordinator. Complete in a timely fashion administrative tasks as assigned by their Area Coordinator.
- Report necessary maintenance and health & safety concerns to their Area Coordinator.
- Facilitate interviews during staff selection.
- Participate in on call training and hold the on call phone at the discretion of the AC team and Director of Residence Life when the professional staff is away or at conferences.
- Speak to your AC if you would like additional on call experience.
- Meet with each of your CAs at least once per month in a one on one setting.
- Spearhead the creation of a closing office hours schedule for (S)CAs in the appropriate building during the week of finals.
- All offices will be staffed from 10-5. Ensure that all students have a completed RIF on file. In addition, it is the SCAs responsibility to ensure RIFs are filed in an organized, easy to use, fashion.
- Individual SCAs will visit on duty CAs one weekend evening per month.
- SCAs will divide and schedule weekends to maximize intentional contact hours with CAs.
-
Programmer
- Facilitate effective programming that helps ensure the existence of community on the floor.
- SCAs will plan and implement 2-3 programs per month for their floor that meets the frame as per the Residence Life Programming Model and processes in the CA Manual.
- Create programming that clearly and effectively demonstrates the frames and is fun and engaging to resident as an example for other CAs.
- Attend one program for each CA in your area per semester.
- Picking programs to attend can be discussed during CA one on ones.
- Lead area staff in collaborating with Fall Fest and Spring Day Submit proposals to present at conferences that the department attends.
-
University Representative
- Act as a role model for Community Advisors and students at all times.
- Demonstrate exemplary behavior at all times by abiding by all Residence Life and Castleton University policies.
- Be prepared to act in an elevated role in formal and informal settings with other Community Advisors.
- Know, explain and enforce University and Residence Life policies and appear at conduct hearings when requested.
- Provide factual and accurate information in all community complaints within 24 hours of the incident.
- Serve as a liaison for the Residence Life Staff and convey student concerns related to policies.
- Other duties as assigned.
Compensation:
- Billing credit in the amount of Housing costs
- Preference to single room occupancy if available
- $1,500 stipend per semester
- Ability to request funds from the department to attend professional development opportunities