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Resident Assistant - Job Description

Resident Assistants are crucial in creating a positive living environment for the University. In order to contribute to the resident population’s experience, the Resident Assistants’ principal duties will consist of assisting students; developing a safe, welcoming community; planning and implementing programs for residents; upholding University behavioral standards and University mission; and acting as a resource for students living on campus; and assisting in the administration of the residence hall. The position requires a high level commitment of both time and effort.  The quality of their efforts significantly influences the experience of their residents academically, socially, and personally.  Individuals applying for this position must be positive, energetic, flexible with their time availability, capable of interacting well with others, and must have a genuine concern for our resident students’ needs and their overall well-being.

Specific requirements for the position of Resident Assistant are as follows:

Community Development

• Serve as a positive role model.
• Build and maintain positive and healthy relationships with students in their building.
• Be available to students in the building on a regular, but reasonable, basis.
• Help students develop respect of each other’s rights, freedoms, and property.
• Identify and assist residents with personal, social, or academic concerns.
• Serve as a referral agent for students with health, counseling, academic, or personal concerns.
• Encourage residents to be responsible for their behavior.
• Cultivate friendships among students.
• Hold floor meetings throughout the academic year.
• Maintain a building environment suitable for studying, sleeping, and socializing.
• Create a floor and hall environment that is safe.
• Promote an atmosphere of appreciation and respect.

Communication

• Promote a working relationship between staff and students.
• Acquaint residents with student services on campus.
• Serve as a liaison between the residents and staff.
• Relay information regarding policies, administrative matters, and hall activities.
• Distribute, collect, and compile various types of information to and from the Office of Residence Life.
• Support interdepartmental communication and collaboration with other offices such as Student Wellness Center , University Ministry, Academic Services, Facilities, and Campus Security.

Student Conduct

• Work with other staff members to promote a responsible living-learning atmosphere in residence halls by exemplifying model behavior in accordance with University behavioral standards as well as University Mission values.
• Maintain good judicial and social standing with the University.
• Publicly support policies and decisions made by the Office of Residence Life and the Office of Student Services.
• Document policy violations and submit incident reports immediately following the incident.
• Communicate policies and their rationale to residents in order to gain student understanding and foster a positive living and learning environment.

Training

• Full participation in fall and spring staff training, fall training will begin two weeks prior to the start of the fall semester and spring training will begin one week prior to the start of the spring semester.
• Attend mandatory bi-weekly meetings throughout the academic year.
• Attend bi-weekly meetings with your RLC throughout the academic year.

Emergency Response /Crisis Management

• Know and understand University emergency response systems.  Promptly report problems with facilities, damage, or cleaning concerns.  
• Participate in the area weekday / weekend duty rotation.
• Provide area coverage responsibilities outside of regular office hours on a rotating basis.

Administration

• Assist with the opening and closing of the hall each semester.  Note: Resident Assistants are required to arrive on campus earlier than other residents for training each semester and to prepare the halls for opening. In addition, closing responsibilities may require Resident Assistants stay on campus after the posted hall closing times.

• Facilitate administrative procedures such as housing assignments, completion of Room Condition Reports, hall-closing inspections, key checking procedures, residence hall check-ins and check-outs, room changes and room selection. 
• Demonstrate responsible use of University keys and property.
• Participate in the Residence Life staff selection process.
• Complete all assigned paperwork.

Programming

• Initiate, develop, and plan the required number and variety of programs.
• Plan activities to assist residents in interacting with one another.
• Plan activities that respond to the specific needs of your hall.
• Attend and encourage resident participation in campus and hall activities.
• Satisfy all programming requirements as communicated by the Office of Residence Life.
• Participate in planning and execution of department-wide programming each semester. 

Miscellaneous

• Discuss time away from campus in advance with supervisors. Must submit a written request to supervisor at least 72 hours in advance. Nights away from campus are limited to six per month and no more than two consecutive nights away in a row.
• When not taking time off, RAs must return to their buildings no later than midnight, otherwise it is considered a night away.
• Limit participation in any activities that require extensive time commitments.
• Maintain full-time student status.
• Maintain a semester and cumulative Grade Point Average of 2.5 or higher throughout your term of employment.
• The Office of Residence Life reserves the right to assign other responsibilities related to residence life and housing when appropriate.

Length of Employment: Resident Assistants are expected to arrive on campus early for August training as communicated by the Office of Residence Life.  Employment responsibilities conclude one week following the May residence hall closing. Exact start and end date will be determined by the Office of Residence Life.

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