Welcome Team information for September 2019

WELCOME TEAM for Welcome Fortnight 2019

For work on Friday 20 September (training afternoon) – Friday 4 October

How to apply

Stage 1

Please fill in the application form with care. Only application forms of the highest standard are considered for interview. Applications with too few details of relevant experience and transferable skills, spelling mistakes and unanswered questions will not be considered. Please give examples of any pertinent experience, including voluntary work, paid work, and membership in student societies and explain why these skills will help you in the role of Welcome Team member.

Applicants should download a copy of their passport or national identity card. Non-EU international students must also supply a copy of their visa, to prove residency and right to work in the UK.

 

All applications must be submitted by 23:59 on Thursday 18 April 2019.  Late applications will not be considered.

Click here to get to the application form

 

Stage 2

Applicants selected are expected to attend a group interview on Wednesday 8 May at 14:00. We regret that we are unable to provide additional interviews to applicants who cannot attend on this date. Applicants selected for interview will be notified by email by the end of Tuesday 30 April.

National Insurance numbers

All students employed as a member of the Welcome Team must obtain a National Insurance number. Please telephone the Yorkshire and Humber National Insurance Number Contact Centre on 0845 600 0643, if you do not already have one.

Further information

If you require further information about applying to be a Welcome Team member please contact Louise Saunderson, Alison Learwood or Glenn Scott, International Student Support Team, at international-support@york.ac.uk or by telephone on 01904 32 4140.

Job Summary

Welcome Team members will be required to:

Meet and greet new students at Manchester Airport, taking responsibility for
organising large groups onto coaches

Escort new students on campus to their accommodation
Lead groups of students around campus and into the city centre
Participate in and encourage new students to take part in organised activities
Socialise with new students during events
Encourage new students to communicate with each other
Respond to enquiries in a helpful and polite manner
Any other duties required by the organiser

Welcome Team members will need to possess the following qualities:

Professional manner at all times
Warm, friendly and helpful attitude
Reliability, punctuality and enthusiasm
Willingness to participate fully in all tasks and activities, often facing new and unfamiliar challenges, as requested by the organiser
Friendly and respectful interaction with people of different nationalities, cultures, faiths and lifestyles
Confidence to initiate conversations with people who might feel shy, lonely, homesick or nervous
Willingness to carry out tasks professionally without constant supervision
Confident problem-solving skills and the ability to use initiative
Flexibility to respond to the varied demands of the role

Team Leaders

Welcome Team Leaders will also be required and will be selected at interview. Team Leaders will liaise with the Welcome Week organisers while taking full responsibility for a team of Welcome Team members, ensuring that they are fully engaged and participating in the demands of their role. Other duties will include allocating tasks, being a point of contact and assisting with any issues which arise.  If you are interested in being considered as a Team Leader, please indicate this on your application form.

Payment

£7.70 per hour (Team Member under 25)       £8.21 per hour (Team Member aged 25 and over)

£8.37 per hour (Team Leader)

On average a Welcome Team member works approximately 35 – 45 hours during the two

week period from 20 September to 4 October.

Additional Information

Airport collection for new international postgraduate students will take place from Manchester Airport on Monday 23 September, and Friday 27 and Saturday 28 September for undergraduates. All Welcome Team members will be required to work on these dates. There will also be further work available from weeks commencing Monday 23 September and Monday 30 September for help with campus and city tours, social events, police registration, BRP collection and visa appointments at Tang Hall library.

This programme can attract as many as 1000 new international (including EU) students, with approximately 500 students using the airport collection service.

As well as working on airport collection and induction days, you will be required to attend two paid compulsory training sessions on Wednesday 5 June 14:00 – 16:00 and Friday 20 September 14:00 – 16:00. We regret we are unable to employ applicants who cannot attend training on these dates. Those selected as Team Leaders will be required to attend additional training on Wednesday 12 June 14:00 – 15:30.

Welcome Team helpers will be ambassadors for the University and will be amongst the first people that our new international students meet in York; therefore, it is vital for the Welcome Team to make a good impression.

Members of the team can be international (including EU) or home students. All Welcome Team members must be enrolled University of York students. Applicants who will be non-EU research students must have written permission from a supervisor confirming that the working period may be taken as holiday.

Please note that applications cannot be accepted from those who will be YUSU or GSA Officers during the Welcome period. Successful applicants who have part time jobs will be required to amend their shifts to accommodate Welcome Week working requirements.

8th April 2019