The Desk Attendant program is currently looking for new and returning students to actively participate in helping us manage residence hall security. This program is designed to offer job opportunities to our students who might otherwise have classes during regular business hours as well as be involved in their hall communities. The program works in conjunction with the Office of Student Conduct, University Police and the Office of Residential Life Professional and Para Professional Staff.
This Desk Attendant (DA) Position is a para-professional student leadership position designed to incorporate current residents in initiating and maintain both hall community and building security. At any point, there can be approximately 800 residential students living on campus. The Division of Student Affairs & the Office of Residential Life, actively work to create a safe and productive environment for our students. However, this cannot be achieved without the assistance of our students.
In particular, students with Work Study support from Financial Aid is given priority in consideration.
The DA serves as front line support staff for the residence halls. This position works in conjunction with Resident Hall Director (RHD), Resident Assistant (RA), University Police (UP) and other campus staff and officials. The position is unique for a number of different reasons including but not limited to
- having opportunity to qualify for work study position outside of traditional business hour
- actively work with the Division of Student Affairs and the Office of Residential Life
- gain both leadership and customer service skills
- be trained to identify and appropriate address student conflict management
- actively manage building safety and security
Their presence of DAs allows the campus to provide additional levels of support for the guest policy as well providing information for non-affiliated personnel about campus rules and regulations. The skills and leadership gained in the position have created very competitive applicants for other campus positions. The position requirements are as follows:
- Serve as front line staff maintaining building security and access.
- Check IDs and ID stickers of each person entering the residence halls. Enforce and implement guest policy by signing in guests and distributing guest passes (when appropriate).
- Contact RAs or appropriate Office of Residential Life Staff as needed.
- Serve as a Residence Hall receptionist;
- answer telephones and take messages;
- respond to telephone inquiries and in-person questions.
- receive, sort and distribute notes.
- Document incidents.
- Maintain desk resources including desk binders, campus roster, and campus directory.
NOTE: This description is intensified to illustrate the different variety of tasks and levels of work difficulty that is required of the position and does not necessarily include all related specific duties and related responsibilities of the position. It does not limit the assignment of related duties not mentioned.
The application process has been updated and now requires BOTH the following aspects to be completed.
1. An active and completed HANDSHAKE account and application.
2. A completed Fall 2026 Desk Attendant (DA) Application - FALL 2026 Desk Attendant (DA) Application (Microsoft Form)
Please keep in mind that only completed applications (BOTH Handshake and DA Application) will be considered.
TIMELINE FOR FALL 2026 SELECTION PROCESS:
Applications Due: WED, JULY 29 BY NOON!
Email Invites for Phone Interviews Go Out: FRI, JULY 31
Phone Interviews: MON, AUG 3 AND TUES, AUG 4
Decision Letters/ Emails Go Out: THURS, AUG 6
Mandatory DA Training: TBD SEPT
Additional Notes:
- This application should be completed and submitted by WED, JULY 29 BY NOON!
- Due to high levels of interest, not all applicants will receive an initial interview but all applicants will be kept on file. Please keep in mind that only completed applications (Handshake and DA Application) will be considered.
If you have any questions about interview process, please feel free to contact the Residential Life Office at 516.876.3210 or reslife@oldwestbury.edu. Students CANNOT begin their positions until their paperwork has cleared with Division of Student Affairs, Financial Aid, Human Resources and Business & Finance Students who begin working prior to being clear with the above office will be donating their time and will not be compensated.