Reservations Assistant

GENERAL PURPOSE: Under the supervision of the Aztec Student Union Events Coordinator, the Aztec Student Union Reservations Assistant assists with the overall administrative functions for this high-volume customer service oriented Union Programs & Services office and its full-time staff. Reservations Assistants are versed in all applicable policies and procedures for hosting events not only within Aztec Student Union facilities but other locations within the San Diego State University campus and serve as peer educators to our primary student based clientele. In using the Event Management System (EMS) database along with complimentary internal and campus software databases, the Reservations Assistants are able to maintain all aspects of event related information including inquiries, contacts, logistics, reporting, messaging and accounting.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Primary Functions

• Assists the Events Planners to ensure that Associated Students, San Diego State University, and Aztec Student Union policies are known to users of the Student Union facilities and are adhered to; capable of communicating policies and standards of conduct to effectively express expectations and problems to customers, students, and employees using the facilities
• Ensures proper approval documents and processes for events are communicated to client during planning process and maintained via tracking system in advance of events; this includes Reservation Request Forms, Reservation Agreements, Proof of Payment submissions, Event Application System (EAS) submissions, Outdoor Amplified Sound, Catering Waiver Requests, A.S. Aztec Student Union Board Waivers, and other documents determined by individual event needs
• Familiar with all applicable codes for places of public assembly in terms of Fire/ Life Safety and Americans with Disabilities Acts; ensures all programs within Aztec Student Union facilities comply with such codes
• Manages all incoming or outgoing correspondents with clients whether in-person, over the telephone, email, or other electronic mediums, such as Adobesign, on a daily basis
• Assists Union Programs and Services staff in scheduling appointments for logistics meetings, site visits, and or follow-ups with clients and appropriate full-time personnel
• Produces daily Door Schedules, Set-up Worksheets, and Events Schedules for use by other internal departments on a daily basis
• Produces weekly Queries and Reports to disseminate upcoming event information to both building and campus partners.
• Assists Events Planners with reservations billing including deposits, payments, purchase orders, and journal entries in accordance with established policies and procedures
• Performs other duties as assigned to ensure functions of all Union Programs and Services responsibilities

Event Scheduling and Consolation

• Responds to inquiries for the use of Aztec Student Union meeting and event spaces and makes recommendations for alternative venues both on and off campus to clients when necessary
• Maintains Event Management System (EMS) database in terms of processing new reservations, altering current reservations, and referencing previous reservations for use in future programs
• Adds the proper furniture, audio visual supplies, and/or other event related equipment in the Event Management System (EMS) database for each booking as determined by the needs of the client
• Ensures contacts are current for all student, university, and off-campus clientele in accordance with established policies and procedures
• Follows up on tentative reservations to collect incomplete, updated, and or final event details
• Conducts peer to peer event planning meetings with student clients to discuss event details and logistics
• Assist the Events Planner with the review of Digital Signage submissions for accuracy and appropriate approvals before being displayed throughout Aztec Student Union facility.
• Assist the Events Planner with the scheduling of Digital Signage submissions for display during events throughout Aztec Student Union facility.

Customer Service and Collaboration

• Establishes and maintains working relationships with various A.S. and University departments

Safety

• Ensures all operations are conducted with safety of staff and customers as first priority, and in accordance with the Injury and Illness Prevention Plan and other safety policies
• Adheres to Associated Students' Code of Safe Practices
• Reports accidents to supervisor and reviews changes required to avoid reoccurrence Ensures completion proper documentation is completed for each accident (employee and/or non-employee) and forwards to supervisor
• Reports maintenance problems and/or broken and unsafe equipment to the appropriate party immediately

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum & Preferred Requirements

Education:

• Students must be enrolled in at least half time units at SDSU (6 units undergraduate; 3 units graduate).
• International students must have full-time enrollment at SDSU (12 units undergraduate; 6 units graduate).
• Global Campus units do not meet the SDSU unit requirements.
• Must be in good academic standing
• Must be eligible to work in the United States
• Hospitality and Tourism Management majors preferred

Experience:

• Customer service experience in a fast-paced, high volume setting is preferred

Trainings to be completed within 30 days of hire:

• Anti-Harassment training (must be completed with 30 days of hire)
• Workplace Violence Prevention Plan Training (Must be completed within 30 days of hire)
• Gender Awareness Training (Must be completed with 30 days of hire)

PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS

• Performs all duties and responsibilities in accordance with the items set forth in the Aztec Student Union Student Employee Training Guide
• Must be comfortable dealing with the public and communicating with supervisors, customers, students, and overall staff in a positive manner
• Must be able to remain focused in an environment with constant interruptions
• Must be capable of maintaining positive working relationships with staff and customers
• Must be able to exercise tact and exhibit sound professional judgment
• Strong organizational skills required. Must be able to follow oral and written directions and follow projects through to completion
• Must be professional and courteous at all times
• Must be able to work well with different work styles
• Must be able to work efficiently and show initiative
• Must be able to work independently and on multiple projects at once

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Knowledgeable of Aztec Student Union facilities fire alarm systems, operations, and emergency evacuation procedures
• Excellent interpersonal skills; ability to relate and communicate effectively with a diverse population of students, staff, faculty, colleagues and guests
• Must have strong English language skills and the ability to read, write and verbally communicate at a level appropriate to the duties of the position
• Ability to use and learn to use various computer software programs and processes including: scheduling software, email programs, web browsers, and office related word processing programs
• Well organized, ability to effectively multi-task, ability to prioritize work, problem solve, make decisions and meet scheduled deadlines under pressure
• Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously

SCHEDULE & WORKING CONDITIONS

This is a part-time (20 hours/week), position with primary expected hours to be worked during business hours of Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Additional staff meetings and training may occur outside of normal business hours. Employees must work a minimum of 10 hours per week. Must have a flexible schedule to work during weekday business hours on an as needed basis. Availability to work during summers and break periods is preferred.

WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

General office environment. Work is generally sedentary in nature, but may require standing and walking around campus. The working environment is generally favorable. Lighting and temperature are adequate, and there are no hazardous or unpleasant conditions caused by noise, dust, etc. Work is generally performed within an office environment, with standard office equipment available.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This position requires the individual to spend long hours sitting and using office equipment and computers. This person will also spend time filing and have to do some lifting of supplies and materials from time to time, including banker boxes and files.

RELATIONSHIPS

Inside the Organization:

• Reports to the Aztec Student Union Events Planners
• Works with various Full-Time and Part-Time employees throughout Associated Students

Outside the Organization:

• Works with various University Departments and Off Campus Personnel

EMPLOYMENT CATEGORY: Range I, Step I - Starting Rate: $17.75 per hour