Community Assistant
Northeastern University
Oakland, CA
Job posting number: #7358958 (Ref:R140573)
Posted: June 18, 2026
Job Description
About the Opportunity
JOB SUMMARY
The Community Assistant is an entry-level, live-in staff member responsible for directly supporting the physical, emotional, social, and academic needs of first-year residential students. This position serves as a vital member of the Residential Life team, creating positive and valuable experiential learning opportunities that aid students in their academic coursework, help orient them to the Bay Area, and foster community building within residential and campus life. Community Assistants work collaboratively withStudent Life and campusstaff tomaintaina safe, inclusive, and educationally purposeful residential environment that supports student success and personal development.
CORE RESPONSIBILITIES
Student Support &Guidance
Providedirectguidanceand support to first-year students navigating their transition to college life and studying away from home
Conduct regular one-on-one check-ins with assigned residentseach semesterto assess academic, social, and personal well-being
Respond to student concerns promptly and connect students toappropriate academic, medical, and/ormental health resources
Facilitate peer-to-peer connections and support networks within the residential community
Document student interactions and concerns through established case management systems
Collaborate withStudent Life andcampusstaff on student development initiatives and intervention strategies
Safety & Crisis Response
Serve as part of an on-call rotation(includingafter hours andovernight)for student residences to respond to incidents and emergencies
Maintain the safety and well-being of the residential population through regular community walks and community presence
Respond to incidents by following established protocols and coordinating with campus public safety and other resources when needed
Act as primary point of contact for students in residences during emergencies
Writeaccurateandtimelyincident reports documenting emergency situations and policy violations
Conduct post-incident follow-up with affected students and staff as directed
Complete routine room inspections to document and address potential health and safety issues
Maintain current knowledge of emergency procedures and campus safety resources
Community Development & Programming
Plan, coordinate,andimplementdiverse student programs, activities,and excursions thatare educational, social, and/or recreational andenhance the residential experience. Programming may include evenings and weekends.
Create programming that helps students explore the Bay Area and develop culturalawareness
Facilitate community-building activities that foster inclusive and engaging residential environments
Responsibly manage programming materials, supplies, and basic budget allocations
Assess program effectiveness through participant feedback and attendance tracking
Partner with campus departments and local organizations, whereappropriate,to enhance programming opportunities
Community Standards & Policy Enforcement
Monitor and uphold student behavioraland housingpolicies and protocols whilemaintaininghigh standardsof conduct
Address policy violations through educational conversations andappropriate referrals
Documentstudentconduct concerns and collaborate withsupervisoron resolution strategies
Serve as a positive role model for community standards and expectations
Facilitate conflict resolution between residents when appropriate
Assistresidents in understanding and navigating university policies and procedures
Administrative Responsibilities
Assistwith day-to-day operational needs within Housing & Residential Life
Assistwith residential opening and closing processes at the beginning and end of academic terms
Prepare andsubmitregular updates to supervisor, asrequested, on student concerns, community issues, and programming outcomes
Attend staff meetings, trainings, and professional development sessions
Other duties as assigned
QUALIFICATIONS
Required Qualifications
Bachelor's degree
1-2 years ofdemonstratedstudent service experience or higher education experience inhousing, residence life, or student affairs
Experience living with or working with high school or undergraduate students (residence life, student affairs, camp counselor, or similar role)
Experience working with sensitive andprivate informationandmaintainingconfidentiality
Sound judgment and analytical skills for problem solving and decision-making
Ability to work under pressure and respond effectively to crisis situations
Ability to work effectively in a culturally diverse environment
Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment and build relationships with diverse stakeholders (colleagues, campus partners, students, families, etc.)
Experience managing,facilitating, and coordinating events for large groups with enthusiasm and attention to detail
Fluent in English with excellent written and verbal communication skills
Availability to work evenings, weekends, andparticipatein on-call rotation
Proficiencywith basic office technology and computer systems (Microsoft 365)
Preferred Qualifications
Previousresidential life or live-in staff experience
Training in crisis intervention, mental health first aid, or conflict resolution
Experience with case management or student conduct software(Maxient)
Physical, Mental, and Environmental Demands
Work regularly involves weekend, evening, and overnight availability, and responsibilities may often extend outside traditional business hours
Work may involve exposure to distressing situations requiring emotional resilience and professional boundaries
Work often requires flexibility in terms of time, and physical demands
Work often requires walking moderate distances and climbing/descending stairs regularly
Work often includes navigating various terrains including hills, pathways, and outdoor areas in all weather conditions
Work often involves interruptions and meetings with a variety of people
Work occasionally requires sitting for long hours and using computers
Work occasionally requires physical exertion such as lifting heavy objects up to 50 pounds
Position Type
Student ServicesAdditional Information
Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate work experience, education and skills when extending an offer.
Northeastern has a comprehensive benefits package for benefit eligible employees. This includes medical, vision, dental, paid time off, tuition assistance, wellness & life, retirement- as well as commuting & transportation. Visit https://hr.northeastern.edu/benefits/ for more information.
All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
Compensation Grade/Pay Type:
105HExpected Hiring Range:
$22.85 - $31.42With the pay range(s) shown above, the starting salary will depend on several factors, which may include your education, experience, location, knowledge and expertise, and skills as well as a pay comparison to similarly-situated employees already in the role. Salary ranges are reviewed regularly and are subject to change.


