Hiring resident assistants

Your guide to finding and hiring the right person for your organization

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Job description

How to write a resident assistant job description

Finding a great resident assistant (RA) begins with a solid job description. You’ll attract strong candidates if the post is succinct, clear, and compelling. Share some information about your school, the RA role, and its impact on the student experience. Applicants will want to determine whether they meet specific qualifications, which means you should focus on making these as realistic as possible.

Keep the job description brief but sufficiently detailed. Proofread carefully for accuracy before posting.

Resident assistant job description template

This sample job post will introduce your organization’s culture and values, while helping potential candidates understand how they’ll contribute from Day 1.

Sample resident assistant job description

The mission of residential life at [School X] is to facilitate successful student transitions to intellectual and social communities on campus. The annual resident assistant (RA) selection process is now open to those who are eager to help us fulfill this mission. As a member of the live-in staﬀ, the RA will be responsible for maintaining a welcoming atmosphere that promotes balanced living through excellence in academics and personal development. Successful RAs invest in peer relationships, utilize campus resources, and model ethical behavior through their own personal and academic pursuits.

Find the right candidate for your organization by posting a good job description for an account executive. You can use the template below and tailor it to your individual needs.

Objectives of this role

Build rapport with students of an assigned residence hall
Serve as planner, sponsor, coordinator, or supervisor of social and educational activities occurring in residence hall and elsewhere on campus
Advise on academic, personal, and social matters within the limits of RA training and ability
Enforce residence hall and university policies on a continual basis
Communicate regularly with Office of Residence Life and Housing staff, in addition to university officials
Maintain standards of personal and professional conduct, and serve as a role model for students and other residence hall staff

Responsibilities

Be visible and available to better understand the needs of the residential community, and encourage students’ personal, social, and academic development
Run monthly floor meetings and conduct frequent room drop-ins to update students on current events, developments, and concerns
Serve duty hours (office, roam, and overnight) as assigned
Mediate conflicts, work with residents to resolve problems, and aid with crisis management
Attend biweekly RA in-service and residence-hall staff meetings, and participate in ongoing training and staff development sessions

Required skills and qualifications

Enrollment as a full-time undergraduate or graduate student
Ability to meet or exceed required grade point average or other academic benchmark during employment
Strong communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills
Ability to forge a sense of community among individuals