Employment
RA Job Description
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Resident assistant job description
Position purpose and requirements
The purpose of the Resident Assistant (RA) is to enhance the quality of life in the residence halls while supporting the academic mission of the university for the students in that community. The position requires an individual who is flexible enough to assume a variety of roles as dictated by the changing needs of students. It is crucial that an individual be able to relate well to others and handle administrative responsibilities. The RA is more than just a friendly presence; she/he is the crucial link in creating an environment in which students develop independence and learn to live cooperatively with others.
Staff members must be enrolled at WMU during the fall and spring semesters and for at least one credit hour during the spring and summer sessions at the time they hold the position. Any additional off-campus or on-campus employment must not exceed nine hours per week and be approved by the hall director and associate director of Residence Life and must not interfere with the RA responsibilities.
Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher to apply for and retain their position. In addition, an applicant must be of sophomore class standing or have lived in the residence halls for two semesters. Preference will be given to students who have lived in the residence halls for two semesters.
Residence Life seeks candidates who enjoy working in a community setting and fostering a living/learning community.
Applications will not be accepted or interviews scheduled for anyone not meeting the above criteria.
Position responsibilities
Time commitment and duty
Staff must be available during the week and on weekends (each RA can be away up to two weekends per month). Each RA will be expected to serve an “on-duty” basis including weekends as determined necessary by the hall director. Also, each RA will work a total of three hours per week during time in which they are not “on-duty” at the hall reception desk.
The nature of the position is such that its responsibilities are determined not so much by a time clock or a calendar, but by the needs of residents. Some periods, such as training, opening and closing will require more time than average, but other responsibilities will arise that cannot always be anticipated and scheduled. In addition, staff is expected to share duty responsibilities over break time when the halls remain open (Thanksgiving, Spring Break, MLK weekend, Easter, etc.)
Expectations
Training:
| • | Actively participate in all fall and winter training and in-services throughout the year |
| • | Attend and participate in weekly staff meetings conducted by the hall director |
| • | Arrange for individual meetings with the hall director for regular performance review as requested |
Community development:
| • | Prepares informational reports and completes documents as requested by the hall director or Residence Life |
| • | Ensures the delivery of crucial information and materials from Residence Life and other university sources to residents |
| • | Maintains confidentiality with staff-related matters, including incident documentation, mental health issues and disciplinary status of residents |
| • | Conducts regular building rounds on duty nights and as requested |
| • | Assists with check-in and checkout of residents |
| • | Monitors physical facilities, assessing use patterns, needed repairs and suggested improvements |
Communication:
| • | Prepares informational reports and completes documents as requested by the hall director or Residence Life |
| • | Ensures the delivery of crucial information and materials from Residence life and other university sources to residents |
| • | Maintains confidentiality with staff-related matters, including incident documentation, mental health issues and disciplinary status of residents |
| • | Conducts regular building rounds on duty nights and as requested |
| • | Assists with check-in and checkout of residents |
| • | Monitors physical facilities, assessing use patterns, needed repairs and suggested improvements |
Programming:
| • | Assesses needs and interests of floor and hall residents by interacting with all of them on a regular basis |
| • | Actively participates in the development of a hall-wide programming calendar designed to respond to the needs of residents |
| • | Initiates programs, activities and community development on the floor that address the social, recreational educational and development aspects of the residents’ lives |
| • | Considers the needs of a diverse population when developing programs |
| • | Role models investment in programming by regularly attending others’ programs at the hall level |
Student conduct:
| • | Knows, understands and abides by University and state regulations |
| • | Communicates policies and the rationale behind them to residents |
| • | Establishes behavioral expectations |
| • | Works with staff members to promote a responsible living and learning atmosphere in the hall |
| • | Informs the hall director of actual and potential conduct programs |
| • | Supports all decisions of recognized judicial agencies and persons |
| • | Acts as a positive role model in both academic and personal behavior for other students |
