Apply for a role with Residence Life

Application process

Before applying

  • Please read the 2024-25 Job Description, which reflects changes to the role from previous years.
  • Check you are eligible to apply:
    • You must be a registered student or staff member at the University of Glasgow for the duration of your time in post.
    • You must be on site and ready to start your first shift on the date your contract begins. Roles for the 2024-25 academic year start on Friday 6th September 2024.
    • You should be able to demonstrate the skills outlined in the job description. Previous experience of living or working in University accommodation is desirable but not essential.

Submit an application

  • Please return applications to residencelife@glasgow.ac.uk

Next steps

Residence Life 2024-25 Job Description

Roles of the Residence Life Team

The Residence Life team is a diverse and skilled group made up of students and employees drawn from across the University. The Residence Life Team provides out of hours practical support to students across all University of Glasgow accommodation sites from 6pm to 8am Monday to Friday and 24 hours at the weekend.

Maintenance and housekeeping

  • Educating students on procedures to report concerns regarding:
    • Maintenance
    • Housekeeping
  • Responding to students who are locked out of their residence
  • Advising students on practical matters relating to halls
  • Appropriate assistance and escalation relating to emergency calls
  • Hosting Office hour slots (dependent on site and need)

Health and Safety

  • You will be a trained first aider and able to respond appropriately to first aid calls (training is provided)
  • Identify and report safety and security concerns you observe whilst on shift
  • Educate residents about safety and security measures in the building
  • Fire safety:
    • Be familiar with building fire safety procedures
    • Report fire safety concerns
    • Respond to breaches in line with the fire safety procedures
    • Attend and conduct facilitation of fire drills as guided by warden and site staff

Life in halls

  • Ensure you are familiar with accommodation policies relating to life in halls and raise awareness amongst your fellow residents of these expectations
  • Respond to student living enquiries
  • Escalate welfare and wellbeing related concerns

Communication

  • Attend team meetings and training events as requested by your manager
    You will work closely with accommodation site teams to handover maintenance and site-based issues that arise out of hours
  • You will raise awareness amongst student community of all relevant accommodation policies
  • You will work with the Residence Life Team to share induction information to new students
  • You will participate in delivering training and sharing knowledge of the role to new team members
  • You will be offered the opportunity to support the accommodation and central Residence Life team during open days

What we expect of you

  • We ask that you are easily accessible and available to speak to students, answer questions, and share information on university services - this means you must ensure you have a good understanding of accommodation policy procedures, supports, and escalation routes.

  • You are wearing smart clothing and appropriate footwear along with full Residence Life uniform when on shift (t-shirt, hooded sweatshirt, and name badge)

  • You are a representative of the University therefore your actions off shift should also exemplify an awareness of being a representative of the University community

  • You should always be prompt and on time for your shifts

  • If you are unable to make your shift you need to give your warden a minimum of 48 hours' notice unless there is an emergency

What you can expect of the University

  • You will always have someone to call if you have any concerns whilst on shift. You can contact your Warden or University of Glasgow Security Team for support 24/7.

  • Training, guidance, and support to enable you to fulfil your role, including a First Aid Certification

  • An extensive range of skills and experiences which will enable your growth both personally and professionally

  • Access to references from your Student and Academic service to support your future career

  • Access to guidance which enables you translate your experience into graduate attributes

  • A 100% rent rebate of the value of a standard room

  • HEAR accreditation on your university transcript on 1 year completion in post

  • Full staff access to the Employee Assistance Program – Health Assured

  • You will be a valued member of our student community and a wider supportive staff community across the Student Life and Student Engagement team, and there will be opportunities for team social events through the year.

Contractual points

  • You must be in the country and ready to start your first shift on Friday 6th September 2024

  • The Volunteer Worker Agreement ends on the last date of the Accommodation contract in June 2025

  • There will be a break to the duty rota over the Christmas and New Year period

  • All appointments are conditional on student accounts being up to date by 31st May of current year of employment

  • Any absences/leave must be approved by your Residence Life Team Warden

  • Only those who are registered (or who will be registered at time of contract start date) University of Glasgow students or contracted employees of the University of Glasgow need apply

  • You must live on site for the duration of your residence life contract

  • You may be asked to cover shifts at other sites dependent on service needs

Role features

Team working

Your capacity to collaborate, support, engage, and listen to your teammates is vital for a well-functioning team. As a team you are reliant on one another to ensure the smooth running of the service and to create a supportive, friendly, and professional working environment. You will work closely with your fellow Residence Assistants, Wardens, wider Residence Life Team, Site Security and University of Glasgow Security.

Relationship building and communication

You will build strong relationships with your teams and with students. You must be a skilled and confident communicator and practice clear and efficient communication with your manager, teammates, site staff, students and University staff. You will participate in regular team meetings and shift handovers. You will relay information to students with regards to expectations and knowledge around various residence procedures.

Decision making

You will make decisions on routine matters and you must be decisive in knowing where the boundaries of your role ends. You will need to be clear as to when you should be contacting your warden or escalating calls to a more appropriate team e.g. security, emergency services, or health and welfare team.

Problem solving

You will have calls from students relating to a range of practical and maintenance related matters. You will need to think on your feet and know when to reach out to your team mates to share challenges and explore solutions to practical matters on site.

Independent working

You must be confident working independently, managing your time effectively, and being clear about which specific tasks and goals you need to complete whilst on shift. You will display good time management skills, be self-motivated, and manage your responsibilities without monitoring.