RA Job Description
The Resident Advisor (RA) position is an excellent opportunity for development of leadership, role modeling, and student engagement skills within the Department of Housing & Residence Life (DHRL). The RA position provides practical experiences applicable in the areas of business, sociology, psychology, education, political science, criminal justice, and guidance.
The fundamental role of an RA is to build and maintain a residential community that engages students and creates an atmosphere for academic success and personal development. A residential community is a floor or grouping of students that not only live and learn together, but build positive relationships among each other over the course of the year. The ideal residential community promotes harmony, allows residents to voice their opinions with respect, sets appropriate expectations for behavior on the floor or area, and holds each other accountable. A healthy community promotes adequate sleep and study time as well as a place to have fun and meet new and diverse people.
The Department of Housing and Residence Life has created a Residential Curriculum that guides our work with residents in the areas of civility, critical thinking, personal responsibility, social adjustment, transition skills, belonging, and wellness. The residential community is where this work takes place.
Duties and Responsibilities
The following represents a guideline for the RA duties as stated in the Residence Life Staff Handbook. Due to the ever-evolving needs of our students, other duties may be assigned. Training takes place in August, prior to the opening of on-campus housing, and throughout the year to further refine basic skills and professional development. RAs are expected to know and abide by all University and DHRL rules, demonstrate positive attitudes and professional conduct, and perform all duties in an accurate and timely manner.
Community and Personal Development
- Build personal relationships with residents by
- Knowing residents by name
- Communicating with residents on a routine basis
- Establishing and maintaining a high level of visibility and availability
- Foster connections among residents by
- Allowing residents to set personal, room, and community standards
- Providing regular floor/area meetings
- Developing social activities
- Facilitating the Residential Curriculum lesson plans
- Supporting the Residence Hall Association and Hall/Community Council
- Utilizing restorative practices
- Assist residents with
- Conflict mediation
- Academic concerns
- Personal and social matters
- Connection to the campus community and resources
Safety & Security Functions
- Handle crises and emergencies calmly and appropriately; maintain order
- Report to facility and/or Public Safety for campus emergencies
- Appropriately advise, refer, and support students in crisis
- Fairly and consistently enforce University/DHRL policies and state laws
- Assist students with personal problems/concerns
- Assist with fire drills
- Conduct health and safety inspections
Administrative Functions
- Assist with the opening and closing of your building each semester
- Assist with Open House and other University/Housing recruitment events
- Attend staff meetings, weekly one-on-one meetings, training workshops, and seminars
- Assume weeknight/weekend duty coverage at appointed time and place, be available during entire duty shift, and perform tasks such as community walks, any needed follow-up, distributing flyers, assisting residents, covering routine desk/Buc Ridge Clubhouse duties, documenting activities, and submitting Duty Log
- Effectively communicate DHRL policies, procedures, and information to staff and students
- Maintain open lines of communication with other DHRL staff
- Keep RD/ARD informed of residents concerns
- Document student misconduct, problems, or issues
- Attend hearings as a witness for incidents you have reported
- Maintain confidentiality of residents records and information
- Submit work orders
- Maintain updated bulletin boards
- Notify supervising AC/AM when needing to be away from campus for a night or weekend