A student accommodation officer plays a vital role in ensuring that students living in either private or university-owned halls have everything they need. They also oversee the management of the property.
Collaborative Working
As well as closely working with the student tenants and responding to any queries and problems they have, a student accommodation officer also works alongside the university or college. This means they require good communication skills, as they are required to manage the relationship between all stakeholders.
Skills Needed
Working as a student accommodation officer often suits someone with property management experience or facilities management, who also has a customer focus and an interest in the welfare of students. They are the key point of contact for students, many of whom are living away from home for the first time and may be unsure about a lot of things.
All student halls will have a student accommodation officer, but the properties vary depending on the higher education establishment and its location. When considering accommodation Exeter uni has a variety of available properties to suit all students, from providers such as https://www.exeteruniversityaccommodation.co.uk.
As well as strong customer service skills, attention to detail and administration skills are also key. Most student accommodation officers will have experience of using a computer and software packages such as Word and Excel and basic maths skills.
Day-to-Day Role
The key role of a student accommodation officer is customer service and ensuring standards are met for the rent the students are paying. High standards of cleaning, maintenance and security are key, but also helping with student welfare issues. Occasionally there may be emergency situations, such as fire alarms, to deal with too, as well as ongoing health and safety checks.
The busiest times include the start of the academic year, when new student tenants are welcomed and settled in, and the end of the year, when departure arrangements have to be managed.
