Housing Operations Assistant (Contractual)

Towson University•Towson, MD

21h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Housing Operations Assistant (Contractual) provides essential operational and administrative support for the Housing & Residence Life office. This role is central to managing student housing assignments, including routine room changes, new placements, emergency assignments, and mid-year updates using the StarRez system. Key responsibilities also include supporting the fall triple and overflow housing processes, managing housing contract cancellations, and assisting with roster verification and student account adjustments. The assistant will maintain accurate records, run reports, and provide front-line customer service, responding to inquiries from students, families, and campus partners. The position requires participation in training and may involve assisting with departmental marketing efforts.

Requirements

High School Diploma or GED
Two years of experience providing administrative support.
General knowledge of and skill in the practical application of generally accepted office practices and procedures.
Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
Ability to proofread and edit written documents.
Skill in various computer software packages, such as word processing, spreadsheets, database, presentation programs, Internet, email and calendaring software.
Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
Ability to interact effectively with internal and external parties in a courteous and efficient manner.
Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, and execute multiple and continuing assignments with general instructions.
Except for qualifications established by law, additional related experience and formal education in which one has gained the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for full performance of the work of the job class may be substituted for the education or experience requirement on a year-for-year basis with 30 college credits being equivalent to one year of experience.

Nice To Haves

Experience using a housing or property management system (i.e., Mercury, StarRez, Card Access System, Keywatcher)
Experience using equity, diversity, and inclusion lens in delivering programs and services practice (i.e., staffing practices, supervision, training, housing policies, programs, and services)
Excellent customer service skills and interest in helping others
Experience in a residence life and/or property management setting.
Detail-oriented and self-motivated with the ability to work independently, as a leader, and a collaborative member of a team.
Ability to be sensitive, diplomatic and detail-oriented
Ability to implement problem solving strategies to manage everyday residential challenges such as conflict management and student/family concerns in a fast-paced environment.
Commitment to expand knowledge and awareness of diversity, equity, and inclusion, understanding cultural differences, social identities, and historical inequalities, and strategies for interacting effectively with people different from oneself.
Intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and Google Suite.

Responsibilities

Process routine room changes, new assignments, emergency placements, and mid-year placements in StarRez as directed by the Housing Operations Coordinator.
Utilize StarRez to execute assignment transactions, including room changes, placements, cancellations, and related updates, ensuring accurate data entry.
Assist with first-year placements, waitlist assignments, and special population assignments as assigned.
Support the housing contract cancellation workflow by entering updates, preparing communications, and tracking documentation.
Maintain organized records related to assignments and cancellations to ensure accurate tracking and reporting.
Provide administrative support for assignment-related processes during peak operational periods (housing selection, move-in, roster verification, etc.).
Run standard reports and saved lists as directed to support assignments tracking and data verification.
Provide administrative support for summer housing assignments and operations in conjunction with the Housing Operations Specialist.
Serve as the operational support for the fall triple and overflow housing process.
Enter and update detriple and permanent reassignment information in StarRez.
Prepare and distribute communication to affected students regarding placements, room changes, and detriple updates.
Track available spaces and maintain internal tracking documents to assist the Housing Operations Coordinator with placement planning.
Monitor deadlines and assist with ensuring timely permanent placements.
Assist with processing detriple credits and related account adjustments in coordination with the Housing Operations Coordinator.
Assist with roster verification processes at the start of fall and spring semesters by preparing reports and updating records.
Process and assist with audits of student account adjustments in StarRez related to room changes, early arrivals, and detriple credits as directed.
Support occupancy tracking and space management efforts by maintaining accurate system records.
Assist with Card Access Control updates in the Lenel system as needed.
Provide general administrative support for housing operational workflows and special projects.
Respond to routine assignment-related inquiries from students, families, and campus partners.
Send assignment-related communications using approved templates.
Provide front-line operational support to the Housing & Residence Life office regarding assignments processes.
Escalate complex or sensitive situations to the Housing Operations Coordinator.
Participate in all required training.
Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor, the Director of Housing & Business Operations, or their designee.
Assist with departmental marketing and outreach efforts, including but not limited to, participating in University Admissions recruitment efforts where the need arises.