Job Description: Student Ambassador Role

Department: Student Recruitment and Widening Participation Teams, part of Student Recruitment and Admissions, External Relations.

Application Deadline: 11.59pm on Sunday 8thOctober 2017.

Background

The University of York Student Recruitment and Widening Participation teams work with schools and colleges locally, regionally and nationally, as well as with prospective students and their supporters, to provide information about higher education and the University of York specifically, and to promote fair access to higher education. Activities and projects led by both teams include school visits, Open Days, campus visits, taster days and talks in schools, all of which are designed to raise aspirations and awareness and broaden access to university.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Student Ambassadors are involved in a range of student recruitment and widening participation activities. The most frequent examples are:

  • School visits

The Widening Participation and Student Recruitment teams run school visits for pupils in Years 6 to 13 from a range of local, regional and national schools and colleges. These include one-off school visits and visits arranged as part of our long term programmes such as Shine, Green Apples, Next Step York and Realising Opportunities, amongst others. The team works with pupils from under-represented groups in higher education, which includes pupils who have the potential to achieve but may be less likely to aspire to university. Visits are designed to raise awareness of all that higher education has to offer and the steps required to progress to university. Some visits will focus more generally on the opportunities available whilst others are designed to encourage students to consider the University of York specifically.

Ambassadors are often asked to share their experiences with visiting groups, of student life at the University of York and how they chose what and where to study. Such sessions have varying audiences from prospective students and parents to school and college students and their teachers. Student Ambassadors are also often asked to lead designated activities with small groups of visiting students.

  • Campus tours/Post Offer Visit Days

Campus tours, led by Student Ambassadors, are an integral part of almost all Student Recruitment and Widening Participation activity. Ambassadors are expected to tailor tours according to their audience which could include primary school pupils through to prospective students, as well as parents and carers to ensure appropriate and relevant information is provided. Throughout the tours, Ambassadors highlight the University facilities as well as answering any questions their group may have whilst ensuring that they give a fair and accurate impression of the University.

  • Open Days

Student Ambassadors play a key role in our annual undergraduate Open Days in June/July and September, where we welcome around 12,000 visitors to campus for each Open Day. Open Days are a crucial element of our conversion activity to encourage prospective students to apply to York. Student Ambassadors provide support across campus on our Open Days, welcoming visitors, providing directions, answering visitors’ questions and acting as the ‘face’ of the University.

As Student Ambassadors represent the University of York at a variety of events, they should have a good understanding of the departments and courses currently offered (including those outside of their own subject area) and of the University’s facilities and services.

We expect all Student Ambassadors to:

  • participate enthusiastically in the activities (and encourage pupils to do the same) and assist, where necessary, in the delivery of these activities
  • assist staff in any way asked
  • use their initiative to prevent problems arising and deal with them when they occur
  • be a positive role model for visiting pupils
  • provide a positive insight into university life at the University of York
  • be reliable and punctual. By signing up to work to an event you are committed to that role.

Pay, benefits and expectations

Student Ambassadors are required to do a minimum of 30 hours of work within each academic year (October - September). Please note, shifts will be available throughout the year (both during and outside of University term time). Our busiest time is duringschool term time: September – July. There is also some work in August and September. Allocation of work will be flexible in nature and will be allocated on a mutually acceptable basis. Events can take place on weekdays, evenings or weekends.

Please note that working as a Residential Assistant on Easter and/or Summer Residentials is a separate role, for which Ambassadors will be invited to apply later on in the academic year. Working as a Residential Assistant or working as a Student Ambassador for your academic department, will not count towards your hours worked for the Student Ambassador scheme.

The skills and competencies involved in being an Ambassador have potential value to your future career. Gain recognition of this by using the experience as part of your application to the York Award.

Payment will be £7.90per hour(including holiday pay) for under 25 year olds and £8.41 per hour (including holiday pay) for aged 25 years and over.

References

The Student Recruitment and Widening Participation teams are happy to provide references for Student Ambassadors, however we cannot guarantee that we are able to provide this for any Ambassador who does not work a minimum of 30 hours during the course of the year.

Continuing as a Student Ambassador

Student Ambassadors who complete 30 hours over the year will automatically continue as a Student Ambassador the following year. Any Student Ambassador who does not complete 10 hours of work during the course of the year will have to reapply for the role the following year, should they wish to continue as an Ambassador. Any Student Ambassador who completes between 10 and 30 hours will be asked to attend refresher training (unpaid) at the start of the following academic year. All continuing Ambassadors will be expected to read the updated Ambassador Handbook which will be emailed out to ensure they keep abreast of any changes to the scheme and within the higher education environment.

To confirm: working as a Residential Assistant, or working as a Student Ambassador for your academic department, will not count towards your hours worked for the Student Ambassador scheme.

Criminal Convictions

This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act. Consequently, all applicants will be asked to declare both unspent and spent convictions on their application form.

Appointment of successful candidates will be conditional on a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check which is arranged and paid for by us. Please note that if you have lived or travelled abroad for more than 3 months you will also be required to complete an overseas check before you can start work as an ambassador. See here for more details.

You will need to undertake a Right to Work check which necessitates seeing sight of your passport (and visa if a Tier 4 student). If no passport is available then other documentation has to be taken to our HR Office.

Please note that a UK/EU student under the rules of the University is not permitted to work more than 20 hours per week in term time. It is your responsibility to ensure the totals hours you work does not exceed this. This applies to all jobs you may have.

International students will have stamped in their passports the number of hours they are entitled to work.

Person Specification

Attributes / Essential / Desirable
Qualifications / Current York undergraduate
Experience / Experience of working as part of a team
Experience of, or a thorough understanding of, the British Education system / Experience of working with young people
Knowledge / Knowledge of the UCAS application process
Knowledge of the University of York application procedures for services such as accommodation
Awareness of the barriers faced by young people from groups under-represented in higher education. / Thorough knowledge of the University of York and opportunities available such as societies, sport, YUSU
Skills & abilities / Ability to communicate effectively with varied audiences
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (verbal and written)
Excellent time management and organisational skills
Proactive team player / Experience of giving presentations or public speaking to a range of audiences
Ability to use initiative and have a creative approach to problem solving

Training

Full training is provided for the role and will take place on29thNovember, 4thDecember and 5thDecember 2017. Each session lasts for a full day and is paid. Attendance at ONE session is mandatory. You will be able to select your preferred training date during the application process.

Uniform

All Student Ambassadors will be provided with a turquoise T-shirt and badge. Hoodies are also available to purchase(these are optional and are available at a discounted price). Please note, if you lose any item of your uniform, you will be required to pay for a replacement.

Application process

The application form is available online here:

Please complete and submit the form online by 11.59pmon Sunday 8thOctober 2017.

*Note – you can only access the form via a University of York login or if your web browser is linked to your university login.

Successful applicants will be invited to attend an interview on Monday October 30thor Friday November 3rd2017. If invited to interview you will also be asked to email a headshot photo to be used on our Student Ambassador board in the office if you are successful.

Further information

If you have questions about the application process or require more detail about the role, please contact: