Community Ambassador Application

Presented by Off-Campus Student Services

Community Ambassadors are students who live in the University District area and agree facilitate community building among student residents of the off-campus neighborhoods. Community Ambassadors will hold street meetings, plan street and community events, talk with neighbors, publicize events, disseminate information, answer questions and act as a resource for the other students living on their street. The Community Ambassador position is a paid position in the office of Off-Campus Student Services.

The Community Ambassador Purpose:

The Community Ambassadors attempt to build stronger communities in the University District. Specifically they attempt to bring students together, build self-help skills, and create the impetus for students to work together and with other community stake holders to improve the quality of life in the University District. The following are examples of Community Ambassadors activities and responsibilities:

1. Community Ambassadors will each plan activities that encourage students on their street to meet each other. When neighbors know each other:
   • They are more likely to respect each other and behave in a manner more conducive to community living
   • They are more likely to be aware of suspicious persons and potential crime situations
   • The may feel more connected to the neighborhood and more likely to take part in solutions to issues it faces
   • They are potentially better ready to develop a sense of pride about their neighborhood
2. Community Ambassadors distribute and disseminate resources, information and educational materials regarding campus activities, neighborhood events and off-campus living (renting) information. Students who are more informed:
   • Are more likely to have a greater sense of confidence regarding off-campus living
   • Will be more successful at navigating the tenant/landlord relationship
   • May be more engaged with campus and neighborhood life
   • Have less negative feelings about their community
3. Using their own experiences and perspectives as related to living in the off-campus neighborhoods and through creative cooperation and grass-roots involvement with the neighborhood, Community Ambassadors will plan activities that build community among the residents of the off-campus area with special attention paid to its unique characteristics. Community Building results in stronger communities and:
   • Pride for the area in which residents live and a sense of excitement and enjoyment
   • Socially responsible and respectable behaviors being valued
   • Important issues affecting the community are discussed openly
   • Residents feel comfortable

The Community Ambassador Job:

• Attend training sessions late summer and early autumn quarter. Initial training will be a 2 day session with additional work sessions to prepare for the start of the quarter.
• Attend weekly meetings with OCSS Staff and Co-Directors
• Work 8-10 hours weekly at the Off-Campus Student Services office. During this time Community Ambassadors will work together and collaborate on various projects including but not limited to marketing, designing workshops, planning activities and programs, crafting give-aways, devising communication strategies, developing resources, and working on individual street projects, etc.
• Establish an email list serve for students on the street and email them regularly with information.
• Write an "article" for the residents of the street to be included in each edition of the Community Ambassadors newsletter "Off-Campus Update"
• Walk door-to-door quarterly to distribute copies of the "Off-Campus Update" and whenever necessary to disseminate information and to meet street neighbors
• Hold street meetings or forums to address specific off-campus issues that facilitate the interaction between key personnel (Columbus Police, University Personnel, etc.) and off-campus residents
• Develop and distribute multi-faceted communication forms for informing neighbors of the position, programs and activities.
• Create and implement marketing for CA events
• Work with Off-Campus Student Services to create and implement new and innovative approaches to building community in the off-campus area
• Complete and submit reports, reflections and other paperwork assigned by Off-Campus Student Services in reference to the events held for street residents

In exchange for the service provided by the Community Ambassadors are paid an hourly salary of $8.30/hour. Students will receive this salary from Off-Campus Student Services during the academic year (September through June) and will be given the option to continue working during the summer (June through August).

Application Process:

The application process consists of completing the following:

1. Submission of web application form (below)
2. Successful Interview with staff including the Community Ambassador Program Director(s), and the Assistant Director of Off-Campus Student Services (you will be contacted for an interview after submitting your online application).

For more information on the Community Ambassadors program or if you have any questions contact the OCSS office.

Thank you for your interest in Community Ambassadors and we look forward to hearing from you soon!

Web Application Form

Please limit your essay responses to a total of 500 words or less. We will contact you to set up an interview time.

*We recommend that you first complete essay responses separately, then paste your responses into the fields provided for each response below. This will allow you to save your work, retain a copy of your responses, submit the best writing possible and protect your work should technical issues arise with submission of this form.