2008-2009
Apartment Living Advisor Position Description
 General Statement of Duties
Apartment Living Advisors (ALAs) are live-in,
part-time, student staff members in apartment buildings who are chosen
through a departmental selection process. The mission of Residence
Life at the University of Massachusetts Amherst is to empower residential
students and staff to create safe, caring, and inclusive communities.
We encourage and support students in their academic, social, and
personal growth. We foster students personal awareness, appreciation
of others, and development of skills to succeed in a diverse, global
society. Finally, we provide opportunities for students to develop
leadership skills and encourage students to demonstrate responsible
and ethical behavior in their communities. As an Apartment Living
Advisor, you play a pivotal role in our department and are a vital
resource for many members of the campus community.
Supervision Received
ALAs report to and work closely with a
supervisor who has primary hiring and supervision responsibility.
Contract Period
The ALA position is an academic year (nine-month)
live-in position. The contract period is for one full academic year
(consecutive fall, intercession and spring semesters). The contract
period includes all pre-service and in-service training. All ALA
staff are required to be in-residence and to participate fully in
all training and operational activities which commence prior to the
opening of the apartment buildings. ALAs are expected to stay through
the day after Spring Commencement.
Compensation
Housing rates for 2008-2009 are not finalized yet. The compensation package for 2007-2008 was as follows: New ALAs received
apartment room rate in a room fee waiver valued at $7,191/year, $3,595.50/semester;
$124 in a waiver of the Telecom Fee as assessed by OIT; $80 in a
waiver of the Computing Fee as assessed by OIT; a membership in the
Wellness Centers valued at $95; and a $2,530 cash stipend.
Returning ALAs (staff who were previously
employed as RAs or ALAs) will receive the 2007 – 2008 apartment
room rate in a room fee waiver valued at $7,191/year, $3,595.50/semester;
$124 in a Telecom Fee as assessed by OIT; $80 in a waiver of the
Computing Fee as assessed by OIT; a membership in the Wellness Centers
valued at $95; and a $2,580 cash stipend. The 2008-2009 rates are being determined.
ALAs will be compensated for work during
Thanksgiving, Intersession, and Spring Breaks at the rate of $20.00-$35.00 per day depending on their duties.
Requirements
Apartment
Living Advisors must be University undergraduate students enrolled
in a degree granting program. Apartment Living Advisors must be
free of current judicial sanctions. A 2.4 cumulative GPA is required
at the time of hire and commencement of duties. Returning ALAs
must maintain a 2.2 cumulative GPA to continue in the position.
ALAs whose cumulative GPA does not meet departmental requirements
will have their contract terminated. Residence Life will review
all ALA cumulative grade point averages and judicial status each
semester.
Responsibilities
and Duties
I. Community
Building:
A. Assist and encourage apartment members
to develop a livable, inclusive, and responsible community through
discussions of apartment living agreements, study breaks, quiet
hours, activities, etc.
B. Conduct community meetings that cover
topics such as apartment living standards, apartment governing
board and involvement opportunities, judicial policies, semester
activity plans, etc. ALAs will conduct community meetings regularly
throughout the semester.
C. Implement community development activities
as outlined by Residence Life and the apartment community development
plan.
D. Serve as a positive role model.
E. Respond to negative behavior in the
community by enforcing all University and Housing policies that
govern student conduct and document Code of Student Conduct violations.
F. Develop an inclusive community. This
necessitates an awareness of human oppression issues and an ability
to respond to bias-related incidents.
II. Administrative duties:
A. All staff members need to return
to the University prior to the opening of the Apartments for training
and to assist the supervisor in opening the apartment building.
B. Ongoing administrative duties to
be performed throughout the nine-month period:
- Distribute and collect keys
- Distribute mailbox combinations
- Complete room/apartment inventories
- Inform residents of the room selection process
- Assist the supervisor in distribution and
collection of apartment assignment info
- Assist with student check in and check out
processes
C. ALAs are required to live in the
apartment building during the nine-month period, including all
University breaks and holidays.
D. ALAs will support Maintenance & Operations
and Housing Assignments Office as needed.
III. Crisis Intervention:
A. A. Respond appropriately to crisis
situations, but in no instance respond in a manner which would
endanger the ALA or resident. Follow crisis protocol guidelines.
IV. Resource and Referral Agent:
A. Communicate information about the
University, apartment events and regulations to apartment members
through one-on-one interactions, posted messages, apartment meetings,
etc.
B. Refer residents as appropriate to
respective campus and community agencies.
V. Staff Meetings and On-duty Coverage:
A. Attend all staff meetings. The major
functions of staff meetings are to maintain communication channels
between staff members, provide a clearinghouse of dissemination
of information between apartments in the complex and throughout
the area, foster a forum for problem solving, create additional
ALA development experiences, and serve as a support system for
members. Apartment staff meeting times will be scheduled only around
the academic schedule of staff members. ALAs should not schedule
other jobs and activities until their apartment meeting time has
been established.
B. Meet with the supervisor for regular
supervision.
C. The Apartment Complex is staffed
by an Apartment Living Advisor from 7 p.m. until 7 a.m. the following
morning Sunday through Wednesday and 8 p.m. until 7 a.m. Thursday
through Saturday. The ALA on duty must remain in the building all
night, and must be available by telephone. The Supervisor will
determine the number of staff on duty in the apartments.
D. Staff members on duty are required
to work in the Apartments Desk Office from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Sunday through Wednesday, from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Thursday, and
from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Staff members are required
to make rounds through the Apartment Complex. The supervisor will
specify procedures for rounds.
E. All staff members are expected to
be on campus and available for duty during emergencies and the
following:
- Apartment Openings
- Halloween and the nearest weekend
- Special Program days
- Special Community/National events
that impact our students (World Series, SuperBowl, etc.)
- May Closing and Commencement
VI. Training:
A. Apartment Living Advisors are required
to participate in August and January training programs. ALAs hired
mid-year will attend January training and/or New ALA seminar.
B. Apartment Living Advisors will participate
in and attend all required departmental training and/or in-services.
C. Apartment Living Advisors will participate
in further in-service training as determined by the supervisor.
D. ALAs must clear pending judicial
charges against them two weeks prior to their training period.
Failure to do so will result in not being able to commence the
position.
VII. Performance Appraisal:
A. Supervisor will meet ALAs to review
the job description, establish goals, and outline expectations
for the semester. Supervisors will meet with each ALA once every
two weeks to review progress, performance, skill development, etc.
B. Mid-year evaluation focuses on feedback
from staff, apartment residents, community development surveys,
development/completion of goals, and any specialty/committee assignments.
C. End-of-the-year evaluation focuses
on any progress to date and closure.
VIII. General:
A. Availability: The ALA position is
a part-time leadership position. Over the course of an academic
year, the position averages out to 20 hours per week. However,
some periods of time will require greater staffing demands (such
as training, opening, closing, special activities, campus crisis,
etc.) and all staff are expected to be available and respond as
required.
If ALAs have a second job, it should
be clearly understood that the ALA job is the primary responsibility
and must supersede any other additional employment. Second part-time
jobs should be undertaken only after consultation with and notification
of your supervisor.
The Apartment Living Advisor position
is a live-in position. ALAs are expected to sleep in their own
apartment each night. ALAs should generally be in their apartments
from 11 p.m. through 7 a.m. daily. As a guideline, ALAs are expected
to be in their apartment by 1 a.m. on weeknights and 2 a.m. on
weekend nights (exception: prior approval from supervisor).
Staff members are encouraged to get
away at least one weekend per month. Time away requests must be
submitted to the supervisor in advance, who will ensure that no
more than 50% of the staff is off each weekend.
B. ALA Substance Use Policy: As employees
of Housing Services, ALAs are expected to obey all Massachusetts
State Laws regarding alcohol and controlled substances. Any evidence
of underage drinking or illegal controlled substance use by an
ALA will result in automatic dismissal from the position.
C. The supervisor may expect other responsibilities
and duties.
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