Residential Administration Reception Desk Staff

The Residential Administration office student desk staff position is a high-profile position which requires employees to be responsive customer service representatives to students, student families, department staff, the campus community and the general public. Specific job responsibilities will vary in keeping with services provided during different times of the year.

Employment Eligibility

• Enrollment: In order to remain eligible for student employment you must maintain an enrollment of at least 12 credit hours for each semester of employment. International undergraduate students must maintain 12 credit hours. International graduate students must maintain nine credit hours.
• Hours Restriction: As a student employee you may work up to 20 hours per week while classes are in session. This includes a combination of hours from ALL campus jobs. You may only work up to 7.5 hours per day (8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.). The reception desk is open and students are expected to work during holidays, breaks and finals.
• Security Background: The Illinois Campus Security Act requires that all individuals on university campuses who are employed in security sensitive positions have a verified criminal background check. Throughout the duration of your employment, you must pass a criminal background check to maintain your position.
• Conduct: Student employees must maintain good standing with the Northern Illinois University Student Conduct office.
• Residency: Preference for student reception desk applicants will go to students who reside in one of the NIU Residence Halls, or Northern View Community Apartments.

Job Duties

• Greets and welcomes individuals at the Front Desk in the main office for Housing and Residential Services.
• Answer and responds to phone calls promptly in a courteous, friendly, and professional manner. Take messages for department staff that are unavailable and/or transfer calls to appropriate staff.
• Assist students/families with navigating the housing contracting/room assignment process, signing up for meal plans, or other questions related to services provided by Housing and Residential Services.
• Assist residents, staff, campus community partners and members of the public by supplying information, providing requested services, and making appropriate referrals.
• Complete administrative tasks including incident logs, filing, preparing mailings, delivering mail, etc.
• Process US Mail, campus mail, courier mail and central stores supply deliveries.
• Assist with data entry using Housing Residential Management system and other computer programs as deemed appropriate.
• Assist with processing of outgoing mailings, dissemination of publications to on-campus partners and collating materials for special events and staff training.
• Maintain accurate payroll records and sign timesheets to meet established deadlines.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding information found on documents, forms, email, over the phone and any other means that pertain to working in a university office.
• Participate in training and development sessions as determined by supervisors.

Preferred Requirements

• Experience using appropriate phone etiquette and message taking skills.
• Have excellent problem solving and troubleshooting skills.
• Maintain a high level of confidentiality.
• Ability to learn fast and pick up new skills quickly.
• Dependability and customer service skills are necessary.
• Experience in a reception desk/office environment preferred.