At a Glance
- Tasks: Support fellow students, manage campus issues, and promote a positive living environment.
- Company: Join the vibrant Residence Life Team at Heriot-Watt University.
- Benefits: Enjoy 28 days annual leave, competitive pay, and a supportive community.
- Other info: Live on campus in a studio flat and enjoy flexible working hours.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in student lives while gaining valuable experience.
- Qualifications: Must be a current student or research associate at Heriot-Watt University.
The predicted salary is between 24546 - 24546 € per year.
Grade and Salary: Grade 3, £24,546 per annum (pro-rata)
FTE and working pattern: Part-time, 10hrs per week, fixed-term (14 months)
Reward and Benefits: 28 days annual leave plus 9 buildings closed days (and Christmas Eve when it falls on a weekday).
Please note: There are 2 roles available.
About our Team
The Residence Life Team is part of the Student Life Division, responsible for the policies and procedures of services to staff and students throughout the student lifecycle. The Residence Life Team is integral to the provision of professional and effective support to the 2000 Heriot-Watt University students living on campus. The Team works closely with Campus Services, Safeguarding Services, Student Wellbeing Service, and Accommodation Services to ensure effective systems and processes are in place to deliver a high-quality customer service experience.
Purpose of Role
This post is only open to matriculated students or research associates at Heriot-Watt University. A Residence Life Warden is a frontline role, supporting Heriot-Watt University students living on campus. Wardens must handle a wide variety of issues such as providing advice and support as the first point of contact, helping maintain discipline, and referring students to a range of other services. The role involves a lot of walking as the team is required to assist students in their residences and to carry regular nightly patrols across campus. Each warden is assigned to a specific hall and serves as the primary contact for students living in the building. Wardens are responsible for fostering positive, respectful relationships with students and consistently promoting responsible behaviour within the halls.
The wardens also work closely with the Residence Life Assistants and Residence Life Manager to ensure effective systems and processes for reporting maintenance issues and providing a supportive service for students. The role of a Residence Life Warden can be quite demanding and challenging, so it is crucial for wardens to effectively manage the demands of the role while also fulfilling their academic obligations. Applicants should thoroughly examine the job description before applying and assess how this responsibility might impact their studies.
Wardens are expected to attend the ResLife training (31st August– 3rd September) and be on hand to greet the new students over Arrivals Weekend and Welcome Week from 5th September to 13th of September 2026. The post holder will be expected to attend events at other times; to assist with occasional residential matters (e.g. fire drills); and to assist in responding to emergency situations at short notice (for example, helping to advise resident students of a disruption to services such as a power cut).
Working hours - Wardens are expected to work 10 hours per week, typically spread across 2 to 3 shifts, which may be scheduled on any day of the week. Shift pattern - Shifts generally run from 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM, combining a fixed, office-based shift with hall-related duties or activities. There may be occasional late-night shifts (up to 3:00 AM) during key periods, such as Arrivals Weekend and Welcome Week. Please note - You may be required to cover shifts during university closure periods, including the Christmas, Easter holidays and the summer holidays.
Accommodation – Wardens are expected to live in a studio flat in the Halls of Residence in Edinburgh Campus and enter into the University’s standard form tenancy agreement. The allocated studio flat will be a single-occupancy flat. The warden flat rate for academic year 26/27 is £190 per week and the rent covers electricity, gas, internet connection and maintenance.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
- To deal with welfare and student issues on campus
- Act as the first point of contact in halls for students
- Role model and maintain a good standard of behaviour in the accommodation and the university complying with all guidelines
- Provide advice, support and guidance to students on campus on welfare issues
- To assist in dealing with student discipline on campus
- Promote awareness of expected standards of behaviour living on campus, and the relevant rules and regulations
- Deal with incidents where rules and regulations have been broken (e.g., noise and behavioural problems) as required
- Be familiar with relevant guidelines and policies e.g., the Reslife handbook, Halls handbook, terms of the accommodation lease and university policies and protocols
- To work within a wider team of campus services
- Actively contribute to teamwork and teambuilding with colleagues across the campus
- To perform shared responsibilities with other services
- To organise and support student engagement activities on campus
- Coordinate, promote and deliver a range of small to medium scale initiatives and events in Halls of Residence, including the regular Warden Drop-in hours for assigned halls
- Promote student experience and community living using innovative methods, including social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, Tik-Tok, etc
- Participate in a rota to provide a responsible student presence on site each evening and every weekend until the end of the appointment, as per the agreed rota.
- To complete the appropriate training for the role and to familiarise themselves with Residence Life protocols.
- To liaise with the Residence Life Assistants, Residence Life Manager, and other services as required
- Assist in carrying out fire drills as instructed by the Residence Life Manager
- Assist the Residence Life Assistant and Manager in running the Residence Life Hub
- Any other relevant duties as requested by the Residence Life Assistants and Residence Life Manager
Person Specification
These are the criteria on which the short-listing and recruitment selection will be made. This post is only open to matriculated students or research associates at Heriot-Watt University.
Essential
- A good understanding of the diverse range of needs/issues of a multicultural campus
- Proven ability to deal with difficult situations
- Demonstrable ability to work quickly, flexibly and accurately in a dynamic, changing and pressured environment
- Proven ability to work flexibly and positively as part of a team
- Competent in the use of relevant IT packages
- Demonstrable provision of excellent customer service
- Attention to detail
Desirable
- Experience of working within a similar environment, especially someone who has lived in student halls before either at HWU, or any other University
How to Apply
Please submit via the Heriot-Watt online recruitment system (1) Cover letter describing your interest and suitability for the post; (2) Full CV. Applications can be submitted until 23:55 on Thursday 28th May 2026.
About Heriot-Watt University
At Heriot Watt we are passionate about our values and look to them to connect our people globally and to help us collaborate and celebrate our success through working together. Our research programmes can deliver real world impact which is achieved through the diversity of our international community and the recognition of creative talent that connects our global team. Our flourishing community will give you the freedom to challenge and to bring your enterprising mind and to help our partners with solutions that can be applied now and in the future. Join us and Heriot Watt will provide you with a platform to thrive and work in a way that also helps you live your life in balance with well-being and inclusiveness at the heart of our global community.
Heriot-Watt University is committed to securing equality of opportunity in employment and to the creation of an environment in which individuals are selected, trained, promoted, appraised and otherwise treated on the sole basis of their relevant merits and abilities. Equality and diversity are all about maximising potential and creating a culture of inclusion for all. Heriot-Watt University values diversity across our University community and welcomes applications from all sectors of society, particularly from underrepresented groups.
For more information, please see our website here and also our award-winning work in Disability Inclusive Science Careers here. We welcome and will consider flexible working patterns e.g. part-time working and job share options.
Residence Life Warden in Edinburgh employer: Heriot-Watt University
Heriot-Watt University is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work environment for Residence Life Wardens. With a focus on employee well-being, the university provides generous benefits such as 28 days of annual leave, opportunities for professional development, and a vibrant community atmosphere in Edinburgh. Working closely with students, you will play a vital role in enhancing their university experience while balancing your academic commitments.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Residence Life Warden in Edinburgh
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the Residence Life Team and the campus vibe before your interview. Familiarise yourself with the key issues students face and think about how you can support them. This will show you're genuinely interested in the role!
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your communication skills! As a warden, you'll be the first point of contact for students. Role-play scenarios with friends or family to get comfortable handling various situations, from providing advice to managing conflicts.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your teamwork skills! Highlight any experiences where you've worked collaboratively, especially in dynamic environments. The Residence Life Team thrives on collaboration, so make sure they see you as a team player.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It's the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining the Heriot-Watt community. Good luck!
We think you need these skills to ace Residence Life Warden in Edinburgh
Some tips for your application 🫡
Read the Job Description Carefully:Before you start writing, take a good look at the job description. It’s packed with info about what we’re looking for in a Residence Life Warden. Make sure you understand the role and how your skills fit in!
Craft a Personalised Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Tailor it to show us why you’re the perfect fit for this role. Highlight your experience and how it relates to supporting students and maintaining a positive environment.
Show Off Your Team Spirit:We love teamwork here at StudySmarter! In your application, mention any experiences where you’ve worked well in a team or helped create a supportive community. This will show us you can thrive in our collaborative environment.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates.
How to prepare for a job interview at Heriot-Watt University
✨Know the Role Inside Out
Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of a Residence Life Warden. Familiarise yourself with the job description and think about how your experiences align with the key duties, like providing support to students and maintaining discipline.
✨Showcase Your People Skills
As a warden, you'll be the first point of contact for students. During the interview, highlight your ability to handle difficult situations and demonstrate excellent customer service. Share specific examples from your past where you've successfully supported others or resolved conflicts.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical situations related to student welfare or discipline. Prepare by thinking through how you would respond to various scenarios, such as dealing with noise complaints or supporting a distressed student. This will show your problem-solving skills and readiness for the role.
✨Emphasise Teamwork and Flexibility
The Residence Life Team works closely together, so it's important to convey your ability to collaborate effectively. Discuss your experience working in teams and how you adapt to changing environments. Mention any relevant experiences that showcase your flexibility and commitment to fostering a positive community.
