Resident Assistant Job Description
POSITION: Resident Assistant
RESPONSIBLE TO: Area Coordinator/Assistant Area Coordinator
TENURE: Dependent on job performance; normally from the beginning of orientation through the closing of the halls in the spring semester.
COMPENSATION: Private room (unless temporary spaces are needed), $50.00 stipend paid four times each semester, and the 175-meal plan.
GENERAL STATEMENT:
The resident assistant (RA) is responsible for assisting the area and assistant area coordinators in creating and maintaining a living environment in which the greatest educational, social and cultural opportunities will be realized. A chief concern of every staff member is to help each student achieve maximum adjustment to University life and to develop with each resident a sense of responsibility for both individual and group action. Staff must be well informed on campus policies, regulations, facilities and have sufficient understanding of human nature to aid students in utilizing these services.
PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES:
- Ability to gain confidence and respect of residents and associates.
- A desire to assist others tempered with an awareness of personal limitations.
- Respect for and belief in the fundamental worth and dignity of all individuals.
- Administrative and organizational ability.
- Initiative and creativity in programming.
- Good health and emotional maturity. Positive attitudes about residential living and West Texas A&M University. Command of verbal and written English language skills.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Must have a 2.0 grade point average the long semester (fall or spring) prior to being employed or an overall WTAMU average of 2.25.
- Must receive a minimum of 2.0 each semester employed. If minimum GPA is not achieved, the area coordinator and/or director of residential living will determine if employment will continue the following semester. Should the staff member receive less than a 2.0 a second time during employment, he/she will be terminated.
- Preferably be a resident at least one semester prior to being employed.
JOB DESCRIPTION - MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:
- The RA serves as a role model. The very fact that he/she holds this position says to every student that the staff member possesses certain characteristics the University respects and considers important.
- The RA must be instrumental in promoting the purposes and policies of the University and he/she serves as a vital link between the administration and students.
- With this position comes a great deal of responsibility. These are not "8:00 to 5:00" jobs and we do not have the luxury of knowing when we may be needed. The consumption of alcohol, when you are on duty or when you will be going on duty, is unacceptable and may be cause for termination.
- Each RA must consider him/herself to be a part of the overall University public relations program and should make every effort to favorably interpret the University to the public as they come in contact with current and prospective students and parents.
- The job of RA requires a large time commitment of eight office hours per week, programming and time spent in the living area with residents. Part-time jobs are undesirable and discouraged. The area coordinator will handle individual situations.
- RA's rotate on-call coverage each weeknight with other members of the staff. Every other weekend the RA will be expected to cover weekend office hours and on-call responsibilities. All hall staff is required to spend the night in their room unless they are on their alternating weekend off.
- Residence hall living is considered a part of the student's total educational experience at West Texas A&M University. To achieve desired educational experiences, the RA should work toward the following goals: -To foster an academic environment favorable to a successful scholastic career.
-To aid the resident in their transition from family to the broader social and educational community.
-To assist in the development of social values, courtesy, cultural appreciation and interpersonal relationships.
-To promote proper habits for good mental and physical health.
-To promote participation in democratic group government and the appropriate methods of initiating change. - RA's are required to purchase a meal plan to provide higher visibility, increase resident interaction and monitor University food service operations.
- The relationship existing between the area and assistant area coordinators and the RA must be one of cooperation and helpfulness - tempered with loyalty, honesty, respect and courtesy. The staff is directly responsible to the area coordinator of the hall for the proper administration of his/her wing, unit or floor.
KNOW YOUR RESIDENTS
- Become acquainted with all assigned residents immediately.
- The RA's first responsibility to his/her residents is one of helpfulness. In order to create and atmosphere of "helpfulness" the staff should not come across as a "disciplinarian." Such an attitude destroys staff's ability to help when needed.
- Gain respect of students by caring.
- The RA does not handle discipline, but there will be situations where it is necessary for him/her to document violations of University policy. Always be certain to explain "why" the policy exists. These situations should be brought to the attention of the area coordinator.
- Treat all confidential matters involving assigned residents in that manner.
- Initiate contact and on-going communication with each resident in assigned areas in order to personalize the University and to be generally aware of "how things are" for each resident. Counsel with students concerning personal, academic, social and financial problems, being constantly aware of personal limitations.
- Make referrals to appropriate departments or agencies (i.e. Life Services, Academic Advisor, etc.) for those residents in need of specialized help.
- Assist all residents in knowing what is expected of them in relation to the group living situation and the reasons for these expectations.
- Maintain reasonable quiet in assigned areas.
- Conduct wing, unit or floor meetings as needed for the following: -Providing information for residents.
-Working out group living problems.
-Obtaining input from residents.
-Possible planning sessions for program/hall government. - Consult with, or refer to the area coordinator any problems that concern the staff.
PROGRAMMING AND SELF-GOVERNMENT
- Stimulate resident interest in programming and self-government. The staff is the key to selling programs, activities and self-government.
- Provide opportunities for group unity through programming. Specifically, staff is expected to provide unit, floor or wing programming activities for their special groups. Monies may be available for those activities.
- Handle intramural activities as determined by the area coordinator.
- Assist with and inform residents of all hall projects (Residence Hall Association and University activities).
OFFICE AND HALL OPERATIONS
- Assume responsibility for office duty on rotation schedule.
- Assume "paperwork" responsibilities as designated by the area and/or asst. area coordinators.
- Handle all incoming office calls while on office duty in an appropriate, business-like fashion.
- Assist in keeping information on hall bulletin boards up-to-date. Responsible for use of living area bulletin board, if one exists. Creativity should be used to make an area bulletin board a center of communication for assigned residents. Assume responsibility of opening and closing common areas as determined by the area coordinator.
- Report needed area repairs to area and/or assistant area coordinator so work orders may be submitted to the Physical Plant.
- Assist during the check-in and check-out periods as determined by the area coordinator. RA's are expected to remain in their halls at the end of the semester until the halls are clear.
- Assist in "shutting down" for holiday periods by checking the assigned areas to be certain that lights are out, windows and doors are locked, appliances unplugged and heat is left on in areas where residents have temperature controls.
- Use master keys in a responsible manner and do not allow master keys to be used out of your possession. Misuse or loss of keys may result in disciplinary action by the area coordinator and possibly loss of job.
- Complete any reasonable task or procedure deemed necessary by the area and/or assistant area coordinator or the director of residential living.
HOUSEKEEPING
- Encourage clean, neat, attractive rooms, hallways and lounges.
- Maintain a good working relationship with housekeeping personnel.
SAFETY PROCEDURES
- Assist with the organization and implementation of hall safety programs and drills as determined by the area coordinator.
- Assist with evacuation procedures in any emergency as required by the area and /or assistant area coordinator, law enforcement agencies or civil defense.
ORIENTATION IN-SERVICE MEETINGS AND STAFFING
Participate in and/or assist in all orientation sessions as designed by the area coordinator and the director of residential living. Participate in all in-service training workshops offered to the staff. Attend all staff meetings as called by the area coordinator and/or director of residential living.
PROFESSIONAL ASPECTS
- Maintain a positive attitude about the University, job responsibilities, the area coordinator, all other staff (in other halls, as well as assigned halls) and the entire student services staff.
- Maintain professional and personal confidences, whether these are between the residence hall staff and residents, or other members of your hall staff, all housing staff, etc.
- Represent the University in a professional manner at all University functions, whether on or off campus.
- Wear professional attire at the hall desk (i.e. shirt and jeans or dress clothes).
EVALUATION AND RE-APPOINTMENT
Details of the evaluation/re-appointment process for residence hall staff are explained more fully in the Work Agreement; however, the staff should be aware that evaluation and re-appointment will occur in regard to the following aspects:
- Attitude toward residents.
- Attitude toward the area coordinator and other housing staff, including all staff members.
- Professionalism, i.e. confidentiality, staff and student services relations, handling of office, etc.
- Ability to communicate effectively with residents, staff and all with whom the staff comes in contact with.
- Ability to motivate residents to become involved in unit, wing or floor programming activities, all-hall activities and cooperative programming among halls.
- Participation in and attitude toward orientation sessions, in-service training workshops and staff meetings.
- Ability to encourage and motivate residents to develop responsibility within the group living situation.
- Participation in planning, implementation and attending hall sponsored programs.
- All other aspects found in the above job description.
All RAs, due to the sensitive nature of their position, may be subject to a criminal background check.
BEFORE YOU APPLY - IMPORTANT INFORMATION
RAs cannot have other outside employment, except for their weekends off.
If you are receiving a Residential Living scholarship and you get this position, the scholarship is voided.
The compensation package for an RA may affect any financial aid that you may be receiving. |
