As seniors look for jobs, some members of the class of 2006 will be returning this fall – not because they won’t be graduating, but because they’ll be working on campus.

The University’s Community Service Program and the Office of Residential Life are currently offering a position to members of the class of 2006 interested in serving as the assistant coordinator for community service and assistant Village coordinator. It is a one-year, full-time joint appointment.

The job is only open to University grads because four years here have made them the most qualified for the position, said Cheryl Stephens, associate director of Residential Life.

“Based on what is involved, we want to have someone who’s familiar with the campus and the University,” said Stephens. “We think it’s a good opportunity for students at Wash. U.we see it as a win-win situation.”

The idea of starting this position and hiring from within the University began six years ago, when Stephanie Kurtzman, the University’s director of community service, was talking with a senior residential adviser who was going through an endless job application process at the time. Kurtzman knew she could use the extra help in her office, and over the years, the spot has developed into “a full time professional job.”

The job description is varied and ever-changing, with time split between the Community Service Program and ResLife. As assistant coordinator for community service, the position-holder’s day-to-day tasks include advising different student groups (like Dance Marathon, Relay for Life and Wash. U. Build), assisting students and groups interested in community service and coordinating outreach efforts.

The other half of the job is done as the assistant Village coordinator and involves working closely with upper-class students living in the Village. The assistant Village coordinator carries a number of responsibilities, including student affairs, crisis management, program planning, working with RAs and implementing University policies and procedures.

On average, the assistant coordinator divides time between the two offices, spending about 20 hours per week in each department. Stephens describes the day-to-day tasks of the position as “a little bit of community service and a little bit of ResLife, which equals a lot of craziness.”

This craziness is what Ozie Goodwin, who currently holds the position, does for a living. After graduating from the University last year with degrees in political science and writing, Goodwin decided to take on the challenge for a year before attending law school next fall.

“It really made sense,” said Goodwin. “I do very much enjoy Wash. U. and I wanted to get real-world experience.to know what it’s like to work 40-50 hours a week [and] to cope with a different stage of adulthood.”

Goodwin describes his day-to-day schedule as constantly changing.

“There is never a dull moment,” he said.

During this time in the office, he attends three or four meetings with various student groups, performs general organizational duties and catches up on e-mail. He also puts in an extra eight to 10 hours per week in the evenings, working with a variety of groups on their latest projects.

Goodwin couldn’t be more pleased with his decision to stay at the University for an extra year.

“I’m learning and growing and I’m really happy here,” he said.

According to Kurtzman, there are several benefits for recent grads who accept the job, as it could be a step towards success regardless of what the recent graduate wants to do later in life.

Past students who accepted the position have gone on to medical school, careers with Relay for Life, and various other business and non-profit professions.

“I believe both parts provide a broad set of skills and challenges.I think in some ways it is a safe step because this is such a supportive community,” says Kurtzman.

The position also makes Kurtzman’s days run a lot more smoothly; without the extra help, she says, “I would never be able to survive.”

Another benefit of the job, according to Stephens, is the practical experience it offers.

“It is a good way to get a glimpse at the real world,” Stephens said.

Aside from gaining experience, the graduates who are chosen for this position are offered a monetary stipend for their work as well as paid off-campus housing and a meal plan.

This position is not the only one being offered to graduating seniors this year. ResLife is opening up two internships, and another opportunity is available at Career Services.

To find out more about the collateral position with the Community Service Program and the Office of Residential Life, visit the program’s Web site at communityservice.wustl.edu. Applications are due Feb. 22.

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