Position-specific Responsibilities
- Participate in required on-duty shifts (this is a requirement for all Summer Desk Assistants). This is a live-on required position.
- Perform residential front desk administrative functions.
- Answer phones, respond to emails, and professionally communicate with students, staff, and guests as directed by supervisors.
- Assist with check-in and check-out for residents and guests.
- Assist in tracking, auditing, and distributing access cards and brass keys.
- Manage student credentials within Housing key system.
- Distribute mail and packages to residents/guests and maintain/audit package database.
- Utilize technology to perform job duties including The Housing Director and Vanderbilt key system.
- Ability to manage low level emergency/crisis response situations.
- Utilize technology to perform job duties, including: Microsoft Office, The Housing Director, BlueDesk, and Vanderbilt key system.
Department Expectations
- Uphold the mission, vision, and values of the University, division, and department.
- Able to work with limited supervision, using independent judgment and initiative to provide excellent customer service assistance to students, guests, staff, and other University constituents.
- Maintain consistent attendance and punctuality at all scheduled work shifts, meetings, and trainings.
- Able to work during University break and holiday periods in which there are no classes, and/or the University is closed.
- Abide by FERPA regulations; maintaining confidentiality of student records.
- Abide by Clery and Responsible Employee regulations; serving as a Campus Security Authority (CSA) which includes specific training, notification of role and reporting responsibilities.
- All university student employees are mandatory reporters. Mandatory reporters must report all known details of actual or suspected discrimination, harassment, and/or misconduct.
- Abide by all Grand Valley State University policies, conditions, and guidelines; including but not limited to Housing and Residence Life, Student Code (ANCHOR), Information Technology, federal/state/local laws, etc.
- Other duties as assigned by supervisor(s).
Required Qualifications
- Enrolled student for the Spring/Summer 2026 or Fall 2026 semesters.
- Good academic and disciplinary standing.
- Available to work approximately 30-40 hours per week for the Summer terms.
- Approximately 10-20 hours per week during the Fall and Winter terms.
- For Summer/Spring/Winter breaks, work approximately 30-40 hours per week.
- Domestic on-campus student employees may not exceed 25 total hours per week.
- International Students may not exceed 20 total hours per week.
- On-campus resident (at hire; returning employees are not required to live on campus).
- Applicants with Work Study eligibility are given hiring preference; however, Work Study is not required for this position.
- Available to arrive for mandatory training (usually before term begins).
- General Qualifications:
- general knowledge of computer applications and use
- effective and professional communication
- provide positive customer service
- work independently and as part of a team
- strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills
Compensation & Supervision
- Summer Desk Assistants are provided housing commensurate to serving in an on-duty capacity for residents, guests, camps, and conferences.
- Summer Desk Assistants residing in the Valley Campus (Allendale) will only be provided a south campus 4-bedroom apartment option. If the employee wishes to select a different style, they will have to pay the difference.
- Summer Desk Assistants residing on the City Campus (Grand Rapids) campus will only be provided a Winter Hall 2-person efficiency option. If the employee wishes to select a different style, they will have to pay the difference.
- Summer Desk Assistants are considered student employees at Classification 2. Entry-level students will be paid at Level A. Raises will be considered on an annual basis for returning staff based on performance and length of employment. Click here for more information about on-campus wage rates.
- Summer Desk Assistants are supervised by the Operations Services Specialists, Summer Desk Student Manager, and Assistant Director for Administrative Services.