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Position: Graduate Desk Coordinator 

As a key paraprofessional member of the Residence Life and Housing (RLH) staff, the Graduate Desk Coordinator (GDC) works under the supervision of the Associate Director for Housing Operations and in collaboration with the entire RLH team. This live-in, 25-hour-per-week position offers extensive experience in staff supervision, student leadership advising, customer service, and on-call crisis management. Graduate staff working closely with RLH staff to maintain vibrant and supportive residential communities.  

The following description outlines general duties and responsibilities. Additional expectations and specific procedures related to these responsibilities may be assigned as needed. This position is a one academic year appointment, with the opportunity for reappointment for a second year based on job performance and evaluations.   

 Facilities and Administrative Management  

  • Support the daily operations of university-owned residential facilities through administrative oversight of student staff at Desk Assistants, coordination of facilities-related needs, and supervision of front desk operations.  
  • Partner with RLH staff and campus stakeholders to maintain healthy, safe, and well-functioning residential communities. 
  • Assist with housing openings and closings, including check-in/check-out processes for fall, spring, break periods, and summer housing. 
  • Maintain and contribute to staff manuals, protocols, and operational documents related to housing operations and services. 
  • Communicate with residents regarding health, safety, and wellbeing concerns impacting residential communities or specific facilities. 
  • Conduct regular walkthroughs of assigned facilities to identify safety, security, housekeeping, maintenance, and key-related concerns, escalating urgent issues as needed. 
  • Provide oversight to university-owned residence hall mail processes 

 

Supervision and Residential Learning Support 

  • Manage and supervise the Front Desk Assistant (FDA) program in assigned areas. 
  • Coordinate the recruitment, selection, training, and evaluation of FDAs and as directed, Resident Assistants (RAs). 
  • Support key audits, as necessary, through Residence Life and Housing in accordance with departmental and university procedures. 
  • Train student and professional staff on housing desk operations, safety and security protocols, and departmental procedures. 
  • Coordinate the recruitment, selection, training, evaluation primarily of DAs as directed.  
  • Prepare and review front desk operations and at desk signage related to health and safety, early arrivals, openings, break periods, and closings. 
  • Provide and schedule desk support for openings and closings, including check-in, check-out policies and processes during fall, spring, breaks, as it relates to desk operations. Perform associated administrative duties.  
  • Remain visible and accessible to hall directors, senior staff, RAs, FDAs, and residents to support community operations and initiatives. 
  • Collaborate with campus partners to support initiatives focused on student health, safety, wellbeing, and retention. 
  • Contributes to the maintaining of staff manuals, protocols, and other documents supporting housing and residence life operations, programs, and services. 
  • Train and monitor front desk staff on proper package receipt, logging, storage, and distribution procedures; manage package-related issues; and communicate concerns or trends to the supervisor as needed. 
  • Conduct frequent walkthroughs to monitor, document, and communicate concerns related to facilities (e.g., safety and security. Housekeeping services, maintenance, and keys) and escalate urgent matters appropriately.  
  • Report, track, and follow up on maintenance issues with appropriate building managers, custodial staff, maintenance, and other Facilities personnel. 
  • Participate in department programs and services or represent the department to promote on-campus living and its contribution to retention and student success. 
  • As a live-in staff member, Graduate Coordinators are required to work when the University is closed for snow days or any day that would warrant the university to close, and RLH needs to continue to support residents. 

 

 

Community Standards  

  • Consistently enforce University and residence hall regulations within the community through counseling, educational discipline, and effectively following University conduct policy. 
  • Resolve minor Residence Life Policy violations that are assigned by the RHC or Residence Life and Housing 
  • Conduct developmental conversations with students to address behavior when necessary.  
  • Maintain accurate records of student interactions, staff and personnel issues, and student/community concerns via Maxient, StarRez, and other relevant databases. 

 

 On-Call Duty     

  • Participate in the weekly graduate staff duty rotation as assigned. 
  • Respond to calls to provide emergency and other assistance to residents as appropriate. 
  • Collaborate with colleagues from Public Safety, Residence Life and Housing Services, University Student Housing, the Division of Student Affairs, and University partners as needed. 
  • While on duty, staff are required to remain within a radius of campus that allows them to respond to incidents within 15 minutes 

 

Office Hours   

Graduate staff members are expected to work for 25 hours weekly. If GDCs need to request time off, they must do so with their supervisor and be prepared to make time missed. The position pays 25 hours a week. Inclusive of these hours are attendance at weekly meetings, DA staff meetings, and office hours. GDCs should work with their supervisor to flex their schedule as other commitments may arise outside of scheduled office hours (i.e., Division meetings, all staff meetings, engagement events etc.).  

 

Mandatory Reporter   

The person in this position is designated as a Campus Security Authority (CSA) and is required to report information about crimes in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act also known as the Clery Act [20 U.S.C. § 1092(f)]. In addition, the person in this position is regarded as a mandated reporter regarding child abuse and neglect and other misconduct including sexual violence and harassment. This includes any information shared about any possible physical abuse, sexual abuse, or neglect of a person under 18. A mandated reporter is defined as a person obligated by PA law to report child abuse in situations where there is reasonable cause to suspect child abuse. All West Chester University administrators, faculty, coaches, staff, student workers, independent contractors, and volunteers are considered mandatory reporters. The PASSHE Board of Governors' Policy 2014-01-A requires training for all employees on Mandated Reporting of Child Abuse 

 

Graduate Position Contracted Schedule  

The Graduate Desk Coordinator is a graduate position through August 3, 2026 - May 14, 2027.  The Graduate Desk Coordinator position requires added weeks for training and development of all Graduate Coordinators and conducting essential residence life functions i.e., DA and RA Training, Student Move-In, and all building closings. Graduate Stipend will not be paid during the break period, December 21- January 3, 2027. 

  •  August 3, 2026- December 20, 2026: Fall Semester  
  • December 21, 2026- January 4, 2027: Winter Break. Please refer to the break housing period section. 
  • January 4, 2027- May 14, 2027: Spring Semester 

 

Break Housing Period 

When the Residence Halls and the University Offices are closed, RLH will revert to break housing duty coverage. If students are on campus, our team will continue to support and serve students in an emergency capacity and a condensed on-call schedule. This only includes break housing periods and major holiday which include:  

  • Thanksgiving - November 26, 2026 - November 29, 2026 
  • Winter Break - December 18, 2026 - January 4, 2027 

 

Even on major holidays, where the University is closed, Residence Life and Housing will have staff on call (with an expanded radius) to respond to emergencies on campus. The on-call schedule will be decided in advance; priority being given to those who volunteer. Staff should expect to cover an equal amount of duty over breaks and holidays. Limited considerations will be made based on availability. Winter Break and Holiday coverage will be paid separately from the stipend..  

 

Outside Employment  

Outside employment requires advance approval by Residence Life & Housing and may not exceed 10 hours per week including weekends. Requests for outside employment must be submitted in writing. Approval of submitted requests will be based on job performance. If job performance falls below expectations, then your supervisor has the right to rescind the original approval of outside employment. 

Graduate Desk Coordinator Compensation  

Stipend 

The full Graduate Desk Coordinator compensation is approximately $12,800 which is disbursed via a biweekly stipend.  

Staff Housing  

RLH provides several placements across the housing complement in WCU Managed Housing and USH Affiliated Housing. Housing the Graduate Desk Coordinator is dependent on placement. Housing may be provided in any of the following spaces designated for live-on staff: single apartments, shared apartments, and single rooms. The Graduate Desk Coordinator’s placements and responsibilities may change depending on university needs and staffing. Prior to moving in, all RLH live-in staff must sign an RLH Staff Housing Agreement.   

Tuition Waiver: 

  • Tuition Waiver: 9 credits for Fall 8/24/2026- 12/12/2026. 
  • Spring Tuition Waiver: 9 credits for Spring: 1/29/2027- 5/07/2027. 

 

The tuition waiver only covers tuition charges for the number of credits listed above and in the time frame listed. Students are responsible for all student fees. Under Internal Revenue Service (IRC 127), tuition waivers awarded to graduate students are to be considered taxable income once the total tuition waiver amount exceeds $5250. This means graduate students who receive more than $5250 in tuition waivers in a Calander year must be taxed on the amount exceeding the allowable amount.  

 

Compensation Additional Details: 

This graduate student position includes tuition remission, stipend, and housing. The standard contract period is August 3, 2026, through May 14, 2027; however, the official start and end dates may vary based on the communicated hire date, completion of required onboarding, and successful completion of background checks. 

Continuation in the position is contingent upon satisfactory fulfillment of position duties, strong work performance, and excellence in academic and scholastic achievement. Graduate student employees are bound by the Student Code of Conduct. Findings from the Office of Student Code of Conduct may be disclosed to Residence Life and Housing and may result in revocation of the position. Graduate students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 each semester to remain eligible for employment. 

By accepting this position, the Graduate Desk Coordinator (GDC) understands that they must remain enrolled in the appropriate number of graduate credits throughout the semester. The GDC is not permitted to withdraw from graduate coursework after the semester begins without approval from Residence Life and Housing. The GDC also understands that any change to their academic schedule may result in a financial penalty for which they are fully responsible. WCU employees are not eligible for graduate positions. 

By accepting this position, the GDC understands that withdrawing from individual courses that reduce their enrollment below the required number of credits may result in a corresponding reduction of the tuition waiver. The GDC may be responsible for paying any resulting balance, up to and including the full cost of tuition for the affected course(s). 

The GDC further understands that withdrawing from the University, resigning from the position, or being terminated before the end of the semester may result in the removal of the full tuition waiver from their account. The GDC acknowledges that they may be responsible for paying any remaining balance, up to and including the full cost of tuition. 

The GDC understands that if employment ends or is terminated for any reason, they will be required to vacate the housing assignment within 48 hours. The University reserves the right to require immediate vacancy if the GDC presents a threat to the health, safety, or welfare of any member of the University community. 

The GDC understands that any separation from the University—including a graduate staff‑initiated withdrawal or resignation, or a university‑initiated termination—will result in the stipend ending on the date the job action occurs or the date RLH is notified of withdrawal or resignation.