RESOURCING/ JOB DESCRIPTION: Student Community Champions

£8.25/hour, paid on a timesheeted basis Salary Scale: (£9.45/hour with holiday uplift) For a fixed term period of one academic year and Part-time (5 hours per week for Contract: 32 weeks per year to coincide with University term times – holiday to be taken outside term time) School/Department: Student Services

Location: University of , Campus

Responsible to: Community Liaison Officer

Closing Date for applications: 25th July 2017

Interviews are expected to be held Week commencing 31st July 2017 during:

Expected start date: 11th September 2017

The Role

The aim of the Student Community Champions (SCCs) is to provide a point of contact within the local St Michael’s and Hales Place communities, to promote the initiatives of the University and Kent Union, and to be involved in community schemes and Resident Association and Neighbourhood Watch initiatives and meetings. This requires the individuals to be proactive, have good promotional and communication skills and be sociable and approachable within their community. The SCCs will be supported in their role by both the University’s Community Liaison Officer and Kent Union’s Vice President (Welfare). The student’s role is to facilitate information between residents in their local area and act as a focal point for student feedback.

Please note that this post is normally offered on a one-year rotational basis, to allow as many students as possible access to this personal development opportunity.

Key Accountabilities / Primary Responsibilities

. Provide guidance and advice to students residing within the St Michael’s and Hales Place areas, liaising with local residents on community issues and supporting the maintenance of positive community relations within the areas. . Offer residents a reassuring presence within their community, acting as a point of contact for both student and permanent residents. . Attend Residents Association and Neighbourhood Watch meetings, and feed information into these meetings and back to the University.

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. Act as a point of contact for anyone offering ideas to resolve issues, such as inconsiderate parking, refuse/recycling problems, noise issues etc. . Highlight safety concerns with Residents Association and Neighbourhood Watch teams, the Canterbury Street Marshals, the University and local PCSOs, as required. . Interact with their neighbours through events, campaigns and meetings, as well as providing feedback for the University’s Community Liaison Officer and Kent Union’s Vice President (Welfare). . Participate in regular feedback meetings with both the Community Liaison Officer and Kent Union’s Vice President (Welfare). . Refer incidents to the University’s Community Liaison Officer for investigation and action where appropriate. . Advertise and promote the new role to the student community, the St Michael’s Residents Association and Hales Place Neighbourhood Watch group.

Key Duties

. Offer a key contact point to the local community . Promote the activities of the University within the local community . Promote University campaigns to students, e.g. alcohol and drug awareness, recycling, rubbish collection etc. . Welcome students to the local area and ease the transition to off campus living . Support students with both Moving In and Moving Out and any concerns that may arise . Advise students where behaviour is likely to cause complaints from other residents . Sign-post students to sources of information and help relating to housing issues . Sign-post students struggling within the community to sources of additional support . Contribute to community newsletters . Promote student volunteering to the community and liaise with the Kent Union Volunteering team . Attend Residents’ Association and Neighbourhood Watch meetings, as applicable in the St Michael’s and Hales Place areas . Offer support to community groups with social media, producing promotional material and organising community events . Establish and maintain social contact with residents and have regular face-to-face contact with students within your area of responsibility. This will enable the Student Community Champions to be ‘visible’ and available to residents, and if called upon help them resolve everyday domestic issues such as noise, reasonable use of and cleanliness of communal areas outside properties. Mediation may be advised if the Student Community Champions discover any lack of communication or lifestyle clashes. Fellow residents should be advised on personal safety and security matters and, where appropriate, of sources of practical assistance. Any issues should be reported to the Community Liaison Officer in the first instance. . Take an interest in the pastoral care of students, particularly those whose first language is not English or those without any family support in the UK or those with disabilities or other medical or mental health problems. Any concerns should be reported to the Community Liaison Officer in the first instance. . Some students may need to be referred to more appropriate University support services. Written records of meetings with residents should be kept to help identify any trends that may require action, and to attend meetings or provide written reports if requested by the Community Liaison Officer. . To be knowledgeable, supportive and positive about University procedures, rules and regulations and specifically the role of University services such as the College Masters’ Offices and the Student Conduct and Complaints Office.

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. To attend a scheduled training programme and provide an End of Year Report in June 2018 to the Community Liaison Officer, copied to the Director of Student Services.

Such other duties, commensurate with the grading of the post that may be assigned by the Community Liaison Officer or their nominee.

Health, Safety & Wellbeing Considerations

This role involves undertaking duties which include the Health, Safety and wellbeing issues outlined below. Please be aware of these, when considering your suitability for the role.

. Regular use of Display Screen Equipment . Conflict resolution

Internal & External Relationships

Internal: Students living in the St Michael’s and Hales Place areas; Community Liaison Officer; College Masters and Assistants; and Kent Union.

External: St Michael’s Road Area Residents’ Association representatives; Hales Place Neighbourhood Watch representatives; and local residents within the St Michael’s and Hales Place areas.

Please Note

. Accommodation costs will not be met. . Training will be provided. . This post will require work to be performed outside normal office hours. . Student Community Champions will operate in pairs, and only one candidate per household can be successful. . Student Community Champions may become aware of matters concerning the behaviour and welfare of particular students or local residents. It is vital that their confidentiality is respected and these matters should not be discussed with anyone apart from the Community Liaison Officer or the College Masters Offices.

Person Specification

The Person Specification details the necessary skills, qualifications, experience or other attributes needed to carry out the job. Please be aware that your application will be measured against the criteria published below.

Selection panels will be looking for clear evidence and examples in your application, or in your cover letter where applicable, which back-up any assertions you make in relation to each criterion.

Assessed Qualifications / Training Essential Desirable via* Student at the (excluding partner  A institutions) First Aid Certificate  A, I

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Assessed Experience / Knowledge Essential Desirable via* Awareness of student support services  I

Experience of residing with University students in  A, I the local community

Assessed Skills / Abilities Essential Desirable via* Good communication skills, both oral and written  I

Ability to maintain confidentiality at all times  I

Strong listening skills  I

Report writing skills  I

Experience of negotiating / facilitating  I

Counselling skills  A, I

Balanced and non-judgmental perspective  I

Able to work within defined guidelines  I

Willing to take responsibility  A, I

Team player - ability to share information, ability to  I involve others in finding solutions Committed to equal opportunities  I

Assessed Additional Attributes Essential Desirable via* Resident in either the St. Michael’s or Hales Place  A, I areas No current residential debt with the University or its  A, I nominated partners A good non-academic disciplinary record and no  A, I outstanding fines from College Masters

*Criterion to be assessed via: A = application form or CV/cover letter I = interview questions T = test or presentation at interview

Please note that your College Master will be asked to confirm your good standing as a member of the student community on or off campus.

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How to apply:

In 500 words or less, please explain what you could contribute to this role. Please send your 500 words, confirming whether you will be living in the St Michael’s or Hales Place areas, to [email protected] by noon on 25th July 2017.

Scheme Areas:

St Michael’s covers the area at the bottom of the Eliot Footpath and includes the following roads:

Beaconsfield Road Lyndhurst Close Bramshaw Road Ringwood Close Brockenhurst Close St Michael’s Place Cadnam Close St Michael’s Road Cranborne Walk Salisbury Road Damerham Close Shaftesbury Road Durnford Close Stephenson Road Terrace Verwood Close Leycroft Close

The Hales Place area is located to the east of St Stephen’s Hill and includes the following roads:

Bicknor Close Kemsing Gardens Crossways Long Meadow Way Downs Road Tenterden Drive Frencham Close The Crescent Green Dell The Terrace Hales Drive Uplands Headcorn Drive Westerham Close Hunton Gardens

If you have any queries on which locations are included within the St Michael’s or Hales Place areas, please email [email protected] for further information.

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