• Job Description

  Req#: 12406

  Description

  The Resident Assistant (RA) is an undergraduate part-time student staff member of Housing & Residence Life and a member of the University’s Office of Campus Life. The RA fulfills a vital role in the residence hall community by helping students integrate learning experiences gained from both inside and outside of the classroom. The primary function of the RA is to facilitate interpersonal relationships and to create living communities that maximize the opportunities for students to learn and grow.

  The RA reports to the Community Director (CD) and is expected to work closely with other staff members (other RAs, Desk Receptionists, Living Learning programs, AUx, etc.) within the building, as well as across campus.

  This is a 10-month live-in position from August 2023 through May 2024.

  Mandatory Dates

  All staff are required to participate/attend the following:

  • • Spring 2024 arrival – January 6, 2024
    • Spring Training – January 8-12, 2024
    • RAs released for Summer – May 14, 2024

  *Staff are required to be present and participate in all RA training and residence hall opening and closing dates.

  *All dates are subject to change.

  Minimum Requirements

  • Full time enrollment as an undergraduate student (minimum 12 credits and a maximum of 17 per semester).
    • If a Resident Assistant wishes to drop below the minimum credit hours, they must receive written permission from the Director of Residence Life in order to retain the RA position.
  • 30 completed credit hours by the start of employment.
  • Complete two (2) semesters of full-time undergraduate education by the start of employment.
  • One (1) semester living in residence at American University.
  • Cumulative GPA at or above 2.75, and term GPA at or above 2.75 (GPAs must be maintained from the date of application until the date of separation).
  • Does not have an active Student Conduct status sanction of Disciplinary Probation, Removal from University Housing, Suspension, or Dismissal (must be maintained from the date of application to the date of separation).

  Key Time Committments

  The RA position cannot be easily translated into hours worked per day or week because RA responsibilities are determined by the needs of the residents and the larger residential community. The RA position should be the priority after attending class and fulfilling academic responsibilities. The RA role requires flexibility to support a sometimes unpredictable environment.

  Community Engagement

  1. Serve as the leader in developing and facilitating an environment on the floor in which students can grow and learn socially as well as academically.
  2. Plan and implement learning and engagement opportunities for residents as part of the residential engagement model, focusing on academic success, personal well-being, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
  3. Advise and refer their residents to campus resources to aid in supporting their academic, personal, and social well-being.
  4. Complete Intentional Interactions for their floor/community aimed at developing and building a rapport and relationship with the residents that live in these areas. Generally, RAs will be required to complete at least three (3) rounds of Intentional Interactions per semester.
  5. Create at minimum three (3) educational bulletin boards for their floor per semester.

  Emergency Response

  1. Serve in a community-wide on-call rotation. RAs can expect to be on call at least once per week, including some weekends. The RA on call must remain in their residential community and be available to respond to emergency concerns. RA on call shifts occur every night from 8pm-8am, and on weekends from 8am-8pm.
  2. RA on call responsibilities include staying in the residence hall to be accessible to residents, responding to any issues that arise, and monitoring the residential environment by:
     1. Completing community rounds to maintain the safety and security of the building
     2. Ensuring external doors and windows are locked and secured
     3. Reporting communal facilities concerns
     4. Reporting potential policy violations
     5. Acting in the capacity of a Desk Receptionist should a coverage issue arise (paid hourly)
     6. Providing support and resources to students in need
     7. Granting students access to their rooms if locked out (“lockouts”)
  3. RAs are required to serve on duty during university breaks and holidays: this includes Spring Break. RAs may also be directed to serve on duty during unexpected university closures.
  4. RAs serving on duty are not permitted to take the RA duty phone off campus. RAs are expected to turn the duty phone in to its designated location when no longer serving on duty.
  5. In the event of a significant residence hall or campus emergency, RAs are expected to assist, if needed.

  Administrative Duties

  1. Support department-wide initiatives, including but not limited to:
     1. RA recruitment and selection information sessions, tabling, and interviews
     2. Preview Days and Open Houses
     3. Residence hall tours
     4. Convocation
     5. Other university and departmental events that may require staff assistance
  2. Conduct regular administrative tasks on behalf of Housing & Residence Life, including the completing of Room Inventory Forms (RIFs), documenting potential policy violations, and reporting facilities concerns
  3. Complete Health and Safety Inspections for their floor/community at least two (2) times a semester.
  4. Complete accurate and detailed incident reports, Equity/Title IX(ETIX) reports and other important reports immediately using either the ETIX link or Advocate software.
  5. Submit at least one (1) “Of The Month” award nomination per semester through the National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH).

  Openings and Closing Residence Halls

  1. Help prepare for check-ins, checkouts, openings, and closings. RAs are expected to assist with these duties prior to and at the conclusion of the fall and spring semester.

  Desk Receptionist

  1. Resident Assistants are required to serve 3 hours each week as a Desk Receptionist in their assigned community, which is included in their compensation package. RAs are permitted to work additional hours at the front desk at the Desk Receptionist hourly wage rate.

  Training

  1. Resident Assistants are required to participate in scheduled online or in-person trainings prior to the start of the fall and spring semesters. RAs are also expected to participate in ongoing development through in-service meetings. RAs are expected and required to be at all components of spring training. No Resident Assistant is excused.

  Meetings

  1. Resident Assistants are required to attend weekly staff meetings occurring on Tuesdays from 8:30pm-10:30pm. RAs are not permitted to schedule classes or other commitments during this time. RAs are also expected to participate in biweekly one-on-one supervisory meetings.

  Outside Involvement and Employment

  1. After academic commitments, the RA position will be the staff member’s first priority. Housing and Residence Life, in consultation with the RA involved, reserves the right to limit time commitments that may interfere with their job performance. Outside commitments include other student leadership/organization positions, additional jobs, non-academic credit internships, etc.
  2. Resident Assistants are permitted to maintain outside commitments of up to 16 hours/week while serving in the RA position. Academic student internships are limited to three (3) credits per semester.
  3. Prior approval is required for participating in other University Leadership positions (e.g., Orientation Coordinators/Leaders, Student Government, etc.). Due to conflicting responsibilities, RAs are not permitted to be hired as Night Desk Receptionists, or to be elected or appointed members of the Residence Hall Association.
  4. RAs will submit in writing and discuss in detail with their supervisor their expected outside commitments prior to the academic year and throughout their employment.

• About the company

  American University is a leader among Washington DC universities in global education. American University enrolls a diverse student body from throughout the United States and nearly 140 countries.

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