Roanoke Rovers

Roanoke Rovers are managed centrally by PLACE. This ensures efficient allocation of student labor across departments. Students selected for the Rover program will apply for pooled positions through a posting in Handshake. Students are interviewed, selected, and trained by PLACE staff as a Rover. 
 
Students in the pool can work on an as-needed basis, providing flexibility to both the students and the departments with a minimum expectation of 10 hours per month and maximum of 20 hours per week. 

All departments using the Rovers must follow the PLACE Roanoke Rovers request process (do not book floaters independently), use the program for short-term assignments (2 hours to 40 hours), supervise Rovers for the specific task, report Rover time in a timely manner, and give feedback on Rovers and the program. Failure to do so will result in losing access to the student employees.  

As PLACE will oversee the supervision of the Rovers and approval of hours worked, departments must submit the Rover Report Form linked above by 5 PM each Friday for ongoing projects or at the end of a project with a Rover. The Rover Report form will detail student hours and includes a formal evaluation at the project's end to help us enhance the program and support student development.  

Rovers must complete all required program training with PLACE or for specific projects, perform duties to fulfill assignments across campus, and provide feedback to PLACE on each assignment. Schedule flexibility is expected, and Rovers can complete projects of up to 20 hours per week (dependent upon other campus employment roles). Failure to show at 2 committed assignments will result in termination from the program.  

Rovers are equipped to support campus events, short-term office coverage, and one-time projects lasting between 2 and 40 hours. Prior to taking on assignments, Rovers receive training in customer service, professional communication, basic competency in Microsoft Excel, and data confidentiality. Several Rovers are van-certified and can support occasional transportation needs on and off-campus following van reservation by the requesting department. Several Rovers are also trained in Ingeniux and can support basic editing projects for college webpages. 

In addition to their Rover training, some of our team have experience in data entry, using Canva, and other skills. Get to know the Rovers and read their bios here! 

Departments can request student workers from the pool via the Rover Request Form linked above, specifying the nature of the work, required skills, and time frame. When students are on the job/project/task, they are supervised by the requesting department. Supervisors are required to report hours worked back to PLACE for confirmation on timesheets and submit the full student evaluation form after every assignment is completed. Repeated failure to submit hours and feedback will result in inability to request Rovers in the future.  

Requests should be submitted 5-7 days prior to the start of the project – if a shorter timeline is needed, the request will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Rovers will be available for request following training at the start of the school year. Special requests may be considered for needs prior to August 24th. Rovers are available for work during office hours Monday through Friday 8-4:30 PM or for special requested events outside of traditional work hours. Requesting departments are responsible for supervision during assignments. 

Rover availability is subject to class and athletic schedules, college breaks, and other work schedules or assignments. 

Rovers with driver's licenses will receive college van certification for transportation support.