Summer 2026 UCGS Overnight Conference Assistant (Student)

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Department:

Conference Operations Support

Time Type:

FLSA Status:

Job Description:

Summary:

The Overnight Conference Assistant (OCA) reports directly to a UCGS Professional Staff member during the summer. OCA’s are primarily responsible for managing all front desk operations for residence halls, providing superb customer service to all conference groups and individuals visiting during the summer conference season (May to August), and assisting the UCGS staff with conference administration and preparation.

Essential Functions:

• Customer Service: The Overnight Conference Assistants will provide courteous, pleasant, and efficient service to all summer guests and residents, acting as a liaison between summer guests and University Conference & Guest Services.

• Understand and perform efficient check-in and check-out procedures for conference guests and interns, including distribution of keys and check-in materials, and ensure that check-in materials are filled out accurately and completely.

• Provide campus tours for conference groups as needed.

• Organize, maintain, and keep clean the area around the front desk.

• Document and report facilities concerns in a timely manner and follow up as needed.

• Assist with general conference preparation as directed by the UCGS ProStaff.

• Write incident report forms for all serious or unusual incidents and report all emergencies, problems, and concerns to the appropriate individuals.

• Handle lockouts in an efficient manner and within prescribed policy.

• Assist in the identification of unauthorized persons who enter the residence hall by checking ID cards consistently.

• Providing the highest level of customer service to all guests on campus.

• Provide a high level of customer service to all guests of University Conference & Guest Services.

• Understand, enforce, and adhere to all relevant policies/procedures as set forth by University Conference & Guest Services, the Student Code of Conduct, and American University.

• Other duties as assigned by UCGS professional staff and Student Leadership Team.

• Encourage and maintain a community atmosphere where the rights and responsibilities of staff, residents, and guests are held in high regard. Encourage the development of a staff ‘team’ and actively work to address tensions/interpersonal issues of the staff as they arise.

• Ensure that summer staff members create a welcoming environment for guests and maintain standards for a high level of customer service.

• Participate in staff development activities and encourage the participation and involvement of all summer staff positions.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

• Part-time.

• 20 - 25 hours per week.

Salary Range:

• $18.50 per hour.

Required Education and Experience:

• Due to the full-time nature of this position, you may not hold another on-campus position during UCGS Summer employment from May to August.

• Be available to work immediately following May final exams until mid-August unless otherwise modified by the UCGS staff or their designee.

• Maintain flexible hours to coincide with the summer conference operation that is 24/7 from May to August.

• Full attendance at mandatory in-person summer training sessions, as well as staff meetings otherwise approved in advance by the UCGS staff team or their designee.

• Must be enrolled as an AU student in Summer 2026 or Fall 2026.

• Applicants must hold a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or higher.

• Successful review of judicial records.

• Must be in good standing with the University and comply with all University and UCGS policies.

• Must live in residence halls during summer months. Live-in staff members are expected to be available for all scheduled assignments and projects, and are expected to be accessible in person, by phone, or by e-mail to answer questions, respond to emergency situations, and to perform other administrative tasks and projects as needed.

• Must have lived at least 1 semester in university residence halls.

• Strong administrative and organizational skills as well as strong interpersonal and customer service skills.

• Ability to represent American University by means of a pleasant and helpful disposition, a positive attitude, and quick response.

• Must be able to position oneself at a desk for a 6 overnight hour shift from 12 - 6 am.

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Knowledge of the University and Washington, DC area preferred.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications:

•  Dates of employment are May 11, 2026 - August 10, 2026, with the opportunity to continue working during the transition period from August 11th - 23rd.

• Must be available for all in-person training sessions, Monday, May 11, 2026 - Friday, May 15, 2026. If a staff member is unable to meet this requirement, the offer will be rescinded, and housing charges will begin.

• Attend, be on time, and present for all scheduled/assigned shifts, in-person training, staff meetings.

• Must work at least four 6-hour shifts per week and attend the 1-hour Wednesday Staff meetings from 2:30 - 3:30 pm.

• Submit scheduling preferences by the deadline provided by UCGS; understand that each staff member must work the minimum number of shifts per week.

• Must be available to work weekends.

• Submit a self-evaluation and attend an end of summer evaluation meeting with supervisor.

• Respond to emails from UCGS professional staff within 24 hours.

• Housing in single occupancy is provided and is required to live in assigned on-campus residence space during the duration of employment with UCGS. Staff are required to move into and out of summer residence assignments on designated dates assigned by AU Housing & Residence Life staff.

• The ability to opt in to a summer meal plan as part of compensation paid for by UCGS. Meals will only be available when residential dining is open/operational. UCGS will designate a deadline for the opt in summer meal plan covered by the department. Once the deadline has passed, UCGS will no longer cover summer meal plans.

• Housing and dining are considered compensation and may impact financial aid eligibility for students enrolled in summer classes.

• The ability to opt in for a mini-fridge/microwave rental as part of compensation paid for by UCGS, if requested by designated deadline. Delivery and pick-up dates are flexible with the start/end of conference season.

• Unlimited no cost use of residence hall laundry facilities. 

Other Details

• This position is available only to enrolled American University students.

• Please note this job announcement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

• American University is an E-Verify employer.

• Visit https://www.american.edu/hr/ for additional information about American University employment and benefits.

Current American University Employees

American University current employees (including those employed in student positions) must apply through their employee Workday account. If you are a current employee at American University, please log into Workday and select the Find Jobs report which will take you to our internal career listings.

Contact Us

For more information or assistance with the American University careers site, email theworkline@american.edu .

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