CA Application Process

Join us for an information session to ask your questions and learn more about the role. 

Application

The application is now open.  Applications must be submitted by February 17, 2026, at 12 pm EST. After this deadline, the application will close, and late submissions will not be accepted. Incomplete applications will not be considered. 

 

Interviews

Those selected will be contacted by email to schedule an interview. Our interview process includes two rounds, giving us the opportunity to learn more about you and for you to get to know us as well.

 

Position Offers Sent

The anticipated date for sending position offers is March 30, 2026. The offers will be sent via email.

Community Assistant | 2026-2027

 

POSITION SUMMARY

The Community Assistant (CA) is a graduate student position within the Office of Residential Services (ORS). CAs are responsible for programming, community development, crisis intervention, and creating a supportive living environment aligned with the mission and goals of ORS and Teachers College, Columbia University.

 

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Community Development

CAs play a key role in building a vibrant, inclusive residential community. They are expected to be proactive, engaged, and responsive to residents' needs, supporting personal, social, and academic growth.

 

Programming 

CAs organize and deliver programming throughout the year, including at least six individual and four large-scale events each fall and spring semester, and three programs during the summer. They also support departmental assessments by following protocols and submitting required documentation for each program.

 

Engagement

The position requires active participation in community engagement initiatives, such as:

• Planning and leading all residential community meetings as directed.
• Collaborating across departments, faculty, and offices to design and execute programs.
• Assisting with residential communications and social media efforts.
• Being visible, accessible, and approachable to residents, affiliates, guests, Faculty, and Teachers College Community members.
• Facilitating a positive residential community by addressing conflicts, mediating disputes, and guiding residents toward constructive solutions.
• Completing Shared Living Space Agreements with residents.
• Project a positive image as a representative of ORS, showing respect for the CA position, residents, and fellow staff members.

• Acquaint yourself with both Facilities and Public Safety staff.

• Serve as a liaison between residents and ORS.

 

Staff Development and Training

CAs receive comprehensive training on role expectations and access to essential resources. The CA position requires on-time attendance and full participation in all in-person training sessions and meetings. CAs must attend weekly staff meetings and biweekly one-on-one sessions with their supervisor.  CAs may also be required to hold and attend emergency meetings. Additional responsibilities involve participating in departmental initiatives and contributing to the ORS staff recruitment and selection process.

 

The weekly in-person staff meetings are scheduled for 4 p.m. on Tuesdays. However, the timing may be flexible if necessary, with full agreement from Community Assistant staff and management.

 

Duty and On-Call Coverage

CAs will participate in a rotating on-call duty system, where the CA staff team determines the schedule with supervisor approval. CAs are expected to collaborate with the CA team to ensure equitable shift distribution, taking into account holidays and peak travel times. CAs are also expected to coordinate the rearrangement or exchange of on-call duties whenever possible. CAs rotate evening, weekend, holiday, and central office closure duties as residential communities remain open 365 days a year.

 

The following table outlines the typical on-call shift times:

Weekdays: 5:00 pm to 9:00 am

Weekends: Friday from 5:00 pm to Monday at 9:00 am

Summer Fridays: Friday from 1:00 pm to Monday at 9:00 am

For college holiday closures and unexpected closures, one CA will be on call 24/7.

 

Incident Response

CAs respond promptly to a wide range of incidents, including wellness emergencies, safety or security concerns, guest housing needs, community standards violations, facility issues, and roommate conflicts, working closely with Facilities and Public Safety to ensure proper support and reporting. When the CA is on duty, they must answer the phone and respond in person to residence halls within 10 minutes.

 

Weekend Residential Tour

During on-call weekends, CAs are responsible for conducting a full tour of all residential building floors, shared common spaces, roof access doors, building exteriors, and emergency exits. Additional tours may be required.

 

Mailroom Coverage

CAs are responsible for providing Mailroom coverage during their duty shifts if regular or emergency coverage is required. While on duty, CAs must ensure they remain available to respond promptly to Mailroom needs.

 

Safety and Security

CAs guide residents to understand and uphold Community Living Standards, encouraging residents to take responsibility for their actions, and emphasizing the importance of common courtesy and consideration for others in shared living environments. Key responsibilities include:

• Disseminating essential safety and security information to residents.
• Collaborating closely with Public Safety staff to ensure building security.
• Promptly reporting security issues to ORS and Public Safety.
• Actively participating in fire drills and alarm activations.
• Conduct Health and Fire Safety inspections of residential units. 
• Assisting during emergencies, including fire responses, evacuations, flood situations, medical incidents, and other unforeseen events.

 

Housing Processes

The CA is required to provide essential support by participating in the year-round process. Typical Fall and Spring housing process commitments include Move-Ins, Move-Outs, Room Transfers, Opening Preparation, Orientation, Admitted Students Day, and Welcome Events.

 

Weekday Individual Community Tour

CAs are responsible for conducting a full tour of all floors, common spaces, and emergency exits in their assigned residential buildings each week. Additional tours may be required.

 

Administrative 

• Maintain the organization of the CA offices and storage room.

• Check email daily and respond to CA-related emails within 1 business day.

• Submit all reports and paperwork by the required deadlines.

• Ensure all bulletin boards and community signage are up to date at all times.
• Replace ORS resident door name tags as needed.

• Conduct community tours as assigned.
• Complete Unit Condition Forms as assigned.
• Complete other administrative tasks as needed.

 

Other Responsibilities:

• Maintain high professional standards, integrity, and confidentiality.

• Comply with all policies and procedures.

• Assist with various department projects as needed.

• Perform all other duties assigned by any ORS Management Team member.

 

ESSENTIAL SKILLS AND QUALITIES

• Strong interpersonal, collaborative, and communication skills.
• Comfortable working in fast-paced and dynamic environments.
• Foster open communication and mutual support to strengthen team dynamics.
• Empathetic and considerate, attentive to others’ needs, and calm in high-pressure situations.
• Excellent time management and organizational skills.
• Comfortable and able to work late nights and weekends, including serving in on-call rotations.
• Comfortable mediating conflicts and navigating difficult conversations around shared living expectations.
• Excellent time management and organizational skills.
• Strong computer and presentation skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Must be able to abide by Teachers College academic and personnel policies and guidelines, including FERPA, Student Confidentiality Agreement, and the Student Privacy Requirements.
• Ability to convey complex concepts clearly and provide constructive feedback.
• Willingness to take on new tasks or responsibilities.

 

Physical Requirements

This position requires the ability to perform tasks involving physical activity, including:

• Communicating with residents, staff, and guests in person, over the phone, and via email.
• Remaining in a stationary position for extended periods during shifts.
• Moving through buildings, including up and down stairs, to access building facilities, conduct community tours, or respond to emergencies.
• ​Positioning oneself to inspect the unit and furniture conditions, including areas behind and under furniture​ and in drawers.
• Lifting, carrying, or moving items weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Regularly inputs and manages data using iPads and other devices, requiring sustained typing, precise data entry, and active engagement with technology.
• Responding quickly and effectively to safety hazards and directions in person when required.

 

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

Enrollment Status 

The CA must be enrolled in a degree program at Teachers College upon starting the position. Additionally, the CA must fulfill all housing eligibility enrollment criteria specified in the Housing Contract. 

 

Residency 

CAs must live in and be present in their assigned unit in Teachers College residence halls during their term of appointment. CAs must sign and agree to the Terms and Conditions of the Housing Contract. 

 

Teachers College Standing 

CAs must remain in good standing with Teachers College and the residential community. 

 

Period of Appointment 

The residence halls are open year-round, with the appointment period including all holidays, winter break, spring break, and summer. CAs selected to return to their positions will have their positions renewed on August 1st. New CAs will work with their supervisor to establish a start date. Graduating CAs work with their supervisor to develop an end date that must occur after the TC spring graduating student move-out process is completed.

 

Time Commitment 

The Community Assistant position requires an average of 20 hours per week and includes duty coverage, email and administrative communication, resident support, meetings, training, program planning, and community events. Weekly time demands will vary, with certain periods, such as training and opening and closing processes, requiring additional availability. At the time of appointment, Community Assistants will share information about the time commitments of their other responsibilities and are expected to keep their supervisor informed of any changes.

 

Full participation in required trainings, housing processes, and staff meetings is expected. Community Assistants must maintain availability for all required dates and organize their schedules to balance the position with academic responsibilities. Inability to meet these requirements may affect continued eligibility in the role.

 

Important Dates to Remember 

The dates listed are tentative and subject to change based on current planning. While changes are not anticipated, housing processes may be adjusted due to unforeseen circumstances. Final dates will be confirmed during Fall training. Attendance during these periods is a required expectation of the position.

 

Event	Tentative Dates
CA Training, Fall Opening Preparation, Summer B Moveout, Fall Move-in, Orientation & Welcome Events	August 1 - September 1st, 2026 *Note that the commitments are mostly on weekdays, with some night and weekend commitments. Nothing is scheduled on August 7 & 20.
Fall Semester Move-Out Process	December 22, 2026
CA Recruitment & Selection	Late Jan/Feb/March
Spring Training, Spring Opening Preparation, Move-In, and Orientation	Jan 4 - Jan 18
Spring Semester Move-Outs & Summer Move-in Preparation	May 11, 12, 16, 24 *Please note that this position may overlap with commencement activities. We will make every effort to schedule around graduation ceremonies, but some day-of responsibilities may still be required.*
Admitted Students Day	Spring 2027
Annual AIDS WALK New York	May 2027
Summer Transfer UCF Days	June 8, June 14
Summer Move-In and Move-Outs	June 28, July 1, July 2

 

Availability & Personal Days

The CA role allows 25 personal days to be used during their appointment term to flexibly manage their personal and academic time away from the CA position. CAs should use their personal days for time away from the position for weekdays, weekends, and holidays. Personal days do not carry forward to the next appointment period. The CA is expected to be available in the residential community on nights and weekends. If a CA plans to be away from campus for two or more nights, they must obtain approval from their supervisor and use their personal days. All requests must be approved. To keep operations running smoothly and respond effectively to any emergencies year-round, at least half of the team must be available. Once this level is reached, additional time off requests cannot be approved. Personal days will be prorated should a CA begin the position during the academic year.

 

Compensation 

This position is compensated exclusively through on-campus housing. Available placements include a medium studio apartment in Whittier, a large studio in New Residence Hall, or a one-bedroom apartment in Sarasota or Bancroft Hall. The Bancroft unit features an additional small room suitable for an office or second bedroom. All units include a private bathroom, air conditioning, and a full kitchen.

Can a newly admitted TC student apply for the CA position?

New students are welcome to apply. Anyone offered a position must meet the eligibility requirements.

 

If I have already applied for housing, am I still eligible to apply for the Community Assistant role?

Yes. Applicants who have already applied for housing for the upcoming year are still eligible to apply for the Community Assistant position. If selected and you already signed a housing contract, that contract will be cancelled, and you will be offered a contract for a Community Assistant space. Your housing reservation fee will be refunded. Please note that the housing application fee is non-refundable.

 

Do I need experience working in housing or living on campus?

Experience living in TC housing or working in housing is not a requirement for this position.

 

If I'm already a resident on campus, can I continue living in my current unit as a CA?

No, you are required to live in one of our pre-assigned staff units.

 

Can international students apply?

Absolutely! International students are encouraged to apply. If you have any questions regarding employment, please contact the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS). 

 

How will this affect my financial aid?

It is best to consult the Teachers College Office of Financial Aid for personalized guidance, as each situation is unique.

 

How many positions will be available, and in which buildings?

There are a total of eight Community Assistant positions on our team. Openings typically occur annually, and the number of available vacancies, as well as building assignments, depend on departmental needs and returning staff.

 

I just found out about the CA position, but applications are closed. Can I still apply?

Unfortunately, you will need to wait for the next cycle after the application process is closed. Fill out our Mailing List Form to receive emails when the hiring process opens again.

 

If you have any questions, please contact orshiring@tc.columbia.edu.