Senior Desk Assistant (SDA) - Student Hourly
- Employer
- The University of Kansas
- Location
- University of Kansas Lawrence Campus
View more categoriesView less categories
- Employment Type
- Full Time
- Institution Type
- Four-Year Institution
Job Details
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 KU's mission with:
- Engaging communities
- Vibrant physical spaces
- Effective administration
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.
Term of Appointment and Application
The Senior Desk Assistant position begins October 15th, 2026, and will continue through May 31st, 2027, with the possibility of extending employment based on departmental need & the applicants standing within the role. Limited flexibility in start and end dates may be considered; these accommodations would be mutually agreed. In addition to the responsibilities outlined in the position description, a Senior Desk Assistant is required to participate in orientation, staff development and training sessions, and regularly scheduled staff meetings. Exceptions may be granted by Administrative Associates in consultation with the Business Coordinator.
The position of Senior Desk Assistant does not typically allow for involvement with practicums or internships, regular student teaching or additional employment within the University. Approval from the Assistant Director for Housing Services must be obtained in advance and in writing before participation in such activities.
Job DescriptionResponsibilities 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.
- 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.
(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.Additional Candidate InstructionsIn 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.
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 10/5/2026. Contact Information to ApplicantsHousing & Residence Life Desk Operations
shdeskoperations@ku.edu
Advertised Salary Range$13.00 per hourAnticipated Start DateThursday October 15, 2026Apply to Job
Organization
Working at the University of Kansas
Join the University of Kansas, and you’ll become part of a Jayhawk family that spans the globe. Wear your KU shirt in London, Istanbul, Buenos Aires, Nairobi or anywhere else, and you will likely hear a resounding “Rock Chalk!” from a stranger. Of course, the appropriate response is an enthusiastic “Jayhawk!” Because, after all, they’re not really strangers, they’re family.
The Jayhawk community is united by more than 150 years of tradition and by our commitment to pushing the boundaries of knowledge, transforming the academic experience, and creating solutions through innovative research. KU’s mission is to lift students and society by educating leaders, building healthy communities and making discoveries that change the world.
The University of Kansas is the state’s flagship university and one of just 66 invited members of the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU). We consistently earn high rankings for academics and recognition as a premier research university.
KU faculty and staff embrace our role as the state’s flagship university, AAU member and R1 institution that serves the state, nation and world. We celebrate the energy and compassion that infuse the Jayhawk spirit; and, we remain true to KU’s historic values: the elevating force of education, the transformative power of research and the healing power of service.
Instruction
KU offers a broad array of undergraduate and graduate study programs, and we fulfill our mission through academic and research programs of international distinction, coupled with outstanding libraries, teaching museums and information technology. These resources enrich the academic experience for students from all 50 states and 112 countries, and provide enrichment resources for KU faculty and staff.
Research
The university attains high levels of research productivity and recognizes that faculty are part of a network of scholars and academicians that shape a discipline as well as teach it. KU staff are integral to our research success, participating in and supporting discoveries that expand knowledge and improve lives.
Service
The university and our employees serve society through research, teaching and the preservation and dissemination of knowledge. KU's academic programs, arts facilities and public programs provide cultural enrichment opportunities for the larger community. And, KU offers educational, research and service programs throughout the state. KU employees are encouraged to participate in and serve the campus and surrounding communities in a way that is meaningful to them.
International Dimension
KU offers more than 100 programs of international study and cooperative research for KU students and faculty at sites around the world. The university offers teaching and research that draw upon and contribute to the most advanced developments throughout the United States and abroad. At the same time, KU's extensive international ties support economic development in Kansas.
Values
The University of Kansas, our students and employees are committed to excellence. We foster a multicultural, inclusive environment in which the dignity and rights of individuals are respected. Intellectual diversity, integrity and disciplined inquiry in the search for knowledge are of paramount importance.
Our City and State
KU sits atop Mt. Oread in the center of Lawrence, a town full of natural beauty and culture. In fact, Rolling Stone magazine named Lawrence one of the best college towns in the United States. Lawrence is home to more than 100,000 people, and has a charming, Midwestern friendliness that welcomes visitors and celebrates diversity. In addition to KU, Lawrence is home to Haskell Indian Nations University, the premiere tribal university in the United States.
Lawrence’s historic and thriving downtown features restaurants, nightlife and local shops offering unique finds that you won’t find anywhere else. The town has more than 50 parks, an encompassing mixed-use trail, and quick access to biking/hiking trails along the Kansas River and around Clinton Lake. A five-minute drive from Lawrence, Clinton Lake offers fishing, boating, beaches, camping and other outdoor activities.
Located just 40 minutes west of Kansas City, Lawrence offers the appeal of a mid-size, suburban town with quick access to the amenities of a large city, including an international airport. The Kansas City metro area is home to world-class museums and cultural activities, Jazz clubs and other nightlife venues, expansive shopping options, and exciting professional sports with the Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas City Royals and Sporting KC.
Kansas is in the center of the country, making it convenient and cost effective to fly or drive to destinations throughout the United States. Far from flat, the Flint Hills, just 90 minutes from Lawrence, offer panoramic vistas that showcase the breathtaking beauty of America.
Making KU Your Home
Something about Lawrence is magnetic. Long-time residents are never surprised when a KU student or employee from out of state decides to make Lawrence their permanent home. And, even those who do leave often find themselves returning to “the nest” at some point in the future. In fact, Lawrence has been named by several publications as one of the best places to retire.
At the University of Kansas, you’ll join a global Jayhawk family and find a place to call home.
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