diff --git a/code/controllers/configuration.dm b/code/controllers/configuration.dm
index 2f51b9b979e..3b8e71a8b62 100644
--- a/code/controllers/configuration.dm
+++ b/code/controllers/configuration.dm
@@ -93,6 +93,9 @@
 	var/admin_legacy_system = 0	//Defines whether the server uses the legacy admin system with admins.txt or the SQL system. Config option in config.txt
 	var/ban_legacy_system = 0	//Defines whether the server uses the legacy banning system with the files in /data or the SQL system. Config option in config.txt
 
+	var/assistant_maint = 0 //Do assistants get maint access?
+	var/gateway_delay = 18000 //How long the gateway takes before it activates. Default is half an hour.
+
 /datum/configuration/New()
 	var/list/L = typesof(/datum/game_mode) - /datum/game_mode
 	for (var/T in L)
@@ -336,6 +339,12 @@
 				if("automute_on")
 					automute_on = 1
 
+				if("assistant_maint")
+					config.assistant_maint = 1
+
+				if("gateway_delay")
+					config.gateway_delay = text2num(value)
+
 				else
 					diary << "Unknown setting in configuration: '[name]'"
 
diff --git a/code/game/jobs/access.dm b/code/game/jobs/access.dm
index b2bc30665cf..e196a6899d7 100644
--- a/code/game/jobs/access.dm
+++ b/code/game/jobs/access.dm
@@ -180,7 +180,10 @@
 		if("Station Engineer")
 			return list(access_engine, access_engine_equip, access_tech_storage, access_maint_tunnels, access_external_airlocks, access_construction)
 		if("Assistant")
-			return list()
+			if(config.assistant_maint)
+				return list(access_maint_tunnels)
+			else
+				return list()
 		if("Chaplain")
 			return list(access_morgue, access_chapel_office, access_crematorium)
 		if("Detective")
diff --git a/code/modules/awaymissions/gateway.dm b/code/modules/awaymissions/gateway.dm
index f8dc610addf..34a44a42a91 100644
--- a/code/modules/awaymissions/gateway.dm
+++ b/code/modules/awaymissions/gateway.dm
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@
 /obj/machinery/gateway/centerstation/initialize()
 	update_icon()
 	returndestination = get_step(loc, SOUTH)
-	wait = world.time + 18000	//+ thirty minutes
+	wait = world.time + config.gateway_delay	//+ thirty minutes default
 	awaygate = locate(/obj/machinery/gateway/centeraway, world)
 
 /obj/machinery/gateway/centerstation/update_icon()
diff --git a/config/config.txt b/config/config.txt
index 8410d5f7d59..f086e592dfc 100644
--- a/config/config.txt
+++ b/config/config.txt
@@ -176,4 +176,10 @@ HUMANS_NEED_SURNAMES
 #TOR_BAN
 
 ## Comment this out to disable automuting
-#AUTOMUTE_ON
\ No newline at end of file
+#AUTOMUTE_ON
+
+## How long the delay is before the Away Mission gate opens. Default is half an hour.
+GATEWAY_DELAY 18000
+
+## Remove the # to give assistants maint access.
+#ASSISTANT_MAINT
\ No newline at end of file