Student Employment
The Office of Community Engagement employs more than 100 student employees in a variety of roles to assist in bettering your college experience.
Here are some of the roles you can apply for:
Office Assistant
During office hours the Office Assistant (OA) will act as the main administrative assistant for the Office of Community Engagement. This includes answering the main phone line, returning calls, retrieving voicemail, taking messages, welcoming guests to the office, and informing OCE staff of visitors there to see them. Additional office duties may include the following: copying, filing, picking up and delivering mail, distribution of keys, logging use of the Community Kitchen, supporting the coordination of programs/processes, creating flyers/posters, updating bulletin boards in CCN, and other office-related duties as assigned by professional staff.
This position will be posted, as available, through the Career Development Center and JobScore.
Resident Assistant
Resident Assistants (RAs) are paraprofessional staff members of the Office of Community Engagement, reporting directly to the designated Residence Coordinator (RC) for their hall or area. RAs are full-time students enrolled at Purchase College and employed to work as part of a team within the office to provide assistance, guidance, support, and direction to the residents in their area. In turn, RAs are also responsible for communicating about the community climate back to the RC. This includes but is not limited to, welfare concerns, violations of student code of conduct or any housing policy, facilities concerns, and anything else that could have the potential to effect the community.
The primary responsibility of this position is to connect with residents and build a community in the residential areas. RAs provide support and referrals for residents and plan programs & activities in their communities. RAs provide nightly duty coverage for emergencies and assistance; even “after hours” they can aid with the overall safety and well-being of their community. At all times an RA is expected to role model positive behavior both inside and outside the classroom. Finally, RAs must assist with large processes and administrative tasks as required by the Office of Community Engagement and Purchase College.
Senior Resident Assistant
The Senior Resident Assistant (SRA) position is a dynamic and unique opportunity for veteran staff members to assist the Residence Coordinator in overseeing a residential living area. The SRA position is designed for returning staff members and is meant to offer the individual an elevated role in developing both a living area staff and the community for which they are responsible.
The SRA will specifically engage in Resident Assistant staff training and ongoing development, serving as a role model for the living area staff, both in academic and position commitment, advise staff on community development efforts, support initiatives of the Office of Community Engagement, and assist the administrative structure of the residential living area.
Student Orientation Leader
Student Orientation Leaders (SOLs) serve as the primary resource for new students and their families during the Orientation programs and Welcome Week. At all times during the program, SOLs represent the college and Office of Community Engagement to families of new students, and role model the Purchase experience for new students. SOLs are available to answer all student and family questions and counsel students on the transition to Purchase College while introducing them to our academic programs, support services and co-curricular opportunities. With the support of campus professionals and faculty, SOLs will help to set the stage for incoming students to continue to grow intellectually, socially and emotionally. SOLs are expected to possess a specific body of knowledge about Purchase College acquired through training and experience, and they must be sincerely interested in and skillful at sharing this information with orientation participants. Selection to the Orientation Leader staff is a rewarding opportunity for personal growth and leadership development and opportunity.
Student Orientation Coordinator
Student Orientation Coordinators (SOCs) are responsible for assisting in organizing and facilitating the orientation program, specifically by providing orientation leader advising and support, and program management. In addition, coordinators will be responsible for helping manage orientation - including student and parent programs and Orientation Central, distributing supplies, preparing facilities for presentations, meeting and assisting presenters, and providing impromptu solutions to program problems.
If you are interested in joining our staff, please reach out to our office to gain a better understanding of the roles and responsibilities. Selection processes vary throughout the course of the year and we encourage interested students to check our website for job announcements or check their email information when applications become available.
- Resident Assistant applications become available after the first information session in mid-fall.
- Summer Orientation Leader applications are available in November.
- Office Assistant position applications will be accepted in the beginning of the fall semester and throughout the year as needed.