Desk Assistants & Neighborhood Operations Assistants

• Click APPLY above. You should use a tablet or computer rather than phone to complete the application to optimize the experience. Follow the instructions carefully.
• Click Login in the top right corner. 
• Click UC - STUDENT SSO LOGIN under Login with an external service. Log in with your UC credentials. You may be asked to authenticate with the Duo application.
• Click Employment Application on the left side
• Review the documents on the Welcome page as needed. Click SAVE & CONTINUE.
• Click APPLY in the 2026-2027 Desk Assistant Term Selector box
  
• Carefully review the Terms & Conditions. Add your M-Number to the Signature box. Click SUBMIT to continue with the rest of the application.
• Review the neighborhood locations and maps. Select up to three neighborhood preferences. Select No Preference if placement does not matter to you. Click SAVE & CONTINUE. 
• Review the summer employment dates and criteria. Check the box to indicate if you want to be considered for summer employment. Click SAVE & CONTINUE. This option is only available when completing the application during the spring semester.
• Answer each of the short essay prompts, pressing SAVE & CONTINUE after each one.
• Click SUBMIT to submit your DA application.

• Click APPLY above. You should use a tablet or computer rather than phone to complete the application to optimize the experience. Follow the instructions carefully.
• Click Login in the top right corner
• Click UC - STUDENT SSO LOGIN under Login with an external service. Log in with your UC credentials. You may be asked to authenticate with the Duo application.
• Click Employment Application on the left side
• Review the documents to learn more about the available positions. Click SAVE & CONTINUE.
• Click APPLY in the 2026-2027 Desk Assistant Term or Neighborhood Operations Assistant Term Selector box
• Use the drop-down menu to select your 2025-2026 status. Click SAVE & CONTINUE. You are finished with the process if you are not returning. Otherwise, proceed to the next steps.
• Carefully review the Terms & Conditions. Add your M-Number to the Signature box. Click SUBMIT to continue with the rest of the application.
• Answer the questions on the Academics page. Click SAVE & CONTINUE.
• Both DAs and NOAs: Review the summer employment dates and criteria. Check the box to indicate if you want to be considered for summer employment. DAs only: Check if you would like to be considered for an NOA position. Click SAVE & CONTINUE.

• Greet/assist residents, guests and visitors
• Serve as a contact point for University Housing professional staff
• Assist with student check ins/outs at the beginning, middle or end of the semester
• Distribute and handle keys as instructed by University Housing professional staff, including loaner keys
• Check in/out hall equipment and distribute hall resources
• Provide information regarding housekeeping and maintenance work order procedures
• Answer the telephone
• Use proper communication channels, including but not limited to, UC emails, Teams chats, GroupMe and WhenIWork
• Document information in a timely manner
• Reporting and responding to emergency situations
• Contact on-call student or University Housing professional staff when assistance is needed 
• Act as a representative of the University of Cincinnati and University Housing and role model for residents, guests, visitors and co-workers
• Participate in all staff meetings, trainings and in-service meetings
• Promote and foster an inclusive community in the residence halls
• Perform related duties based on departmental need. This job description can be changed at any time

• Greet/assist residents, guests and visitors
• Serve as a contact point for University Housing professional staff  
• Create Desk Assistant (DA) schedules in WhenIWork
• Conduct monthly key audits
• Train and schedule shadow shifts for newly hired DAs
• Provide guidance as instructed by NOC 
• Coach DAs to help them improve their work performance
• Assist with student check ins/outs at the beginning, middle or end of the semester
• Distribute and handle keys as instructed by University Housing professional staff, including loaner keys
• Check in/out hall equipment and distribute hall resources
  
• Provide information regarding housekeeping and maintenance work order procedures
• Answer the telephone
• Use proper communication channels, including but not limited to, UC emails, Teams chats, GroupMe and WhenIWork 
• Document information in a timely manner
• Reporting and responding to emergency situations
• Contact on-call student or University Housing professional staff when assistance is needed 
• Act as a representative of the University of Cincinnati and University Housing and role model for residents, guests, visitors and co-workers 
• Participate in all staff meetings, trainings and in-service meetings 

"Working as a Desk Assistant in Housing Operations has been one of the most meaningful parts of my time at the University of Cincinnati, especially through my role in Calhoun and Siddall. I’ve really enjoyed being one of the first points of contact for residents, whether it’s helping someone check in late at night, troubleshooting access issues, or just having quick conversations that brighten someone’s day. Being at the desk has given me the chance to build small but genuine connections with residents and regulars, which makes the job feel much more personal than I expected. It’s made me feel like I play a real role in shaping a welcoming and supportive environment in the building.

Through this position, I have developed valuable skills such as communication, responsibility, and problem solving. Managing tasks during shifts while balancing academics has helped me become more organized and adaptable. I have also learned how to handle real time situations professionally, which I know will benefit me in my future career."

"I applied for the DA position when I was a freshman hoping to expand my network and meet new people. I was able to get the position and start the job in my second year, which was where my campus involvement journey started. This position has tremendously helped me develop my communication and leadership skills, as communicating with all sorts of people from different backgrounds and different positions is a big part of the job.

The balance of this job has been awesome. As someone who does co-op semesters in rotation with classes. I have been able to do co-ops without losing the campus involvement which is a great support to have when I don’t have the opportunity to be active on campus like my class semesters.

I really liked the flexibility of this job, as I don’t have to worry about schedule conflicts with my classes, as schedules revolve around availability per classes and other commitments."

"I started working as a DA my freshman year, and the experience helped me manage my classes, gain professional experience, and earn some money, all while working a flexible schedule conducive to a college student. I was able to hone real-world skills such as communication and problem-solving, which helped me when transitioning to each of my full-time co-ops. Additionally, the flexible hours and downtime between resident interactions allowed me to spend time studying, which helped me manage my time effectively. Overall, I'd recommend this role to any student wanting to gain flexible, real-world experience."

"Working as a Desk Assistant in Central Neighborhood has been one of the most rewarding parts of my graduate experience since August 2024 - April 2026 at University of Cincinnati. It gave me the opportunity to contribute to the UC community by supporting students and parents in the university housing.

The Desk Assistant role helped me learn workplace etiquettes such as collaborating with coworkers, navigating unexpected situations, and showing up consistently as part of a team. From this role, I've also learnt about the importance of effective and consistent communication in and out of the team. While handling a difficult situation at the desk or working through a problem with a resident, I learned how to stay composed, think clearly and communicate effectively. The NOC, NOA and co-workers from the Central Neighborhood team were incredibly supportive throughout this journey as we worked together to serve students around the clock. My time as a Summer DA at the North Neighborhood was also a rewarding part of the experience. As an international student, I was able to build community and connections around UC.

I've built friendships, gained real-world skills, and grown both personally and professionally. I'll carry the teamwork and communication skills I've developed here into everything I pursue after graduation. I am truly thankful for this opportunity."

"Working as a Desk Assistant and the Neighborhood Operations Assistant has been a highly rewarding experience that has helped me grow both professionally and personally. I joined the Central Neighborhood as a Desk Assistant in 2022 and it was my first job here at UC. Getting the opportunity to then work as an NOA has further improved my professional development as I was able to step into a position of more responsibility in a working environment that I was already familiar with. 

Being the first point of contact and managing the day-to-day schedule in a team of 25-35 has taught me to manage and plan tasks in an orderly manner while also strengthening my interpersonal skills. One of the most valuable aspects of this experience was learning how to handle a wide range of situations with professionalism and composure. Whether it was assisting residents with check-ins, handling and managing keys, or responding to unexpected issues, I learned how to think quickly and make sound decisions under pressure

In this role, I have developed strong communication as well as problem solving skills through interacting with residents, other DAs and addressing their concerns and ensuring a safe environment within the community. The position needed me to be attentive, responsible and proactive which definitely strengthened my ability to manage responsibilities independently.  It has definitely helped me build confidence in my ability to handle responsibility and contribute positively to any team in the future."

"Working in the Central Neighborhood for multiple years has been one of the most meaningful parts of my college experience. Over time, I’ve really come to appreciate the sense of community that develops when you consistently work with the same area and residents. I’ve enjoyed building relationships with all the residents and staff over the years, and being able to watch students grow more confident and comfortable in their space over the course of the year. It’s been really rewarding to be someone residents can rely on for support, guidance, or just a familiar and approachable presence in the building.

Through this, I’ve learned a lot about communication, adaptability, and leadership. Every new year brings new challenges but those experiences have helped me grow more confident in my ability to problem-solve and support others. Working in the Central Neighborhood also helped me gain a deeper understanding of what it means to create a welcoming environment and how small, intentional actions can make a big difference the college housing experience. Overall, my time in Central has guided both my personal and professional development in ways that I will take with me into the future."

Both DAs and NOAs must have the following minimum qualifications:

• Enrollment in UC undergraduate or graduate program
• Minimum GPA of 2.5

NOAs must also have the following previous experience:

• Previously served as a Desk Assistant (DA)

The intent to return process for current DAs and NOAs for the 2026-2027 academic year will open on Friday, January 16, 2026 at 1 pm. The process will close on Friday, January 23 at 3 pm.

The new candidate application will open on Tuesday, January 20 at 1pm and close on Friday, January 30 at 3 pm.

Staff are required to be available to start working on May 5 for the summer and August 11 for the fall.

• Summer DA, NOA: Monday May 4, 2026 - Sunday, May 2, 2027
  
• Academic Year DA, NOA (fall hire): Monday, August 10, 2026  - Sunday, May 2, 2027 

DAs and NOAs who wish to work over the summer must meet the following criteria:

• Currently employed as a DA or NOA in good standing as an employee
• Able to work a minimum of 20 hours per week starting Monday, May 4
  
• Willing and able to work evenings, weekends and holidays

Current staff and prospective staff will have the opportunity to express their interest in summer work through the intent to return or new staff application process that opens in the spring semester. There will be a limited number of opportunities for returners and new hires to work over the summer.

Support Neighborhood Operations Coordinator (or their appointee) in functions related to summer conferences as needed.

Conduct weekly inspections of residence halls to ensure that communal spaces are viewed on a regular cycle and resident spaces as needed. This includes walking and inspecting stairwells, hallways, restrooms and other common spaces.

No, there is not a separate application for DAs interested in the NOA position. Please check the box indicating that you would be interested in being considered for an NOA position if one becomes available. You may be contacted now or in the future if vacancies arise during the course of the year.

No, previous experience as a DA is required for the NOA role.

DAs are expected to work a minimum of ten hours per week. This includes evenings, weekends and holidays. Schedules are created around class schedules. Staff are able to swap shifts through WhenIWork, the software scheduled system. Employees are responsible for ensuring that their shifts are covered.

It means that you are not being hired immediately, but you have met the criteria to be hired. You are placed on a list of qualified candidates who may be offered a DA position as openings become available.