Resident Assistant

Work Where You Learn: Build Experience, Grow Skills, and Contribute to Your University Community. This position is available only to enrolled American University students. 

Important guidance for current American University employees: American University current employees, including those employed in student positions, must apply through their employee Workday account. If you are a current employee at American University, please log into your employee Workday account and select the Find Jobs report which will take you to our internal career listings. Applying outside of your employee Workday account may cause delays in a hire process.

Department:

Residence Life Training Leadership Programs

Time Type:

Part time

FLSA Status:

Non-Exempt

Job Description:

Summary:

The Resident Assistant (RA) is an undergraduate part-time student staff member of Housing & Residence Life and a member of the University's Division of Student Affairs. The RA fulfills a vital role in the residence hall community by connecting residents to resources, providing advice on how to navigate the collegiate experience, and creating enriching living environments.

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

Essential Functions:

1.) Community Engagement

• Serve as the leader in developing and facilitating an environment on the floor and in the Residence Hall in which students can grow and learn socially as well as academically.

• Plan and implement learning and engagement opportunities for residents as part of the residential curriculum model, focusing leadership, self-discovery and community responsibility.

• Advise and refer their residents to campus resources to aid in supporting their academic, personal, and social well-being.

• Complete Intentional Interactions for their floor/community aimed at developing and building a rapport and relationship with the residents that live in these areas.

• Submit at least one (1) "Of the Month" award nomination per semester through the National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH).

2.) Emergency Response

• 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 8 pm - 8 am, and on weekends from 8 am - 8 pm.

• 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 Assistant 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").

• RAs are required to serve on call during university breaks and holidays. These include Thanksgiving Break and Spring Break. RAs may also be directed to serve on call during unexpected university closures.

• When serving on call, RAs are not permitted at any point to leave their assigned residential community.

• RAs serving on call are not permitted to take the RA on call phone off campus. RAs are expected to return the on-call phone to its designated location when no longer serving on duty.

• In the event of a significant residence hall or campus emergency, RAs are expected to assist, if needed.

3.) Administrative Duties

• Support department-wide initiatives, including but not limited to: (1) RA recruitment and selection information sessions, tabling, and interviews. (2) Other university and departmental events that may require staff assistance.

• 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.

• Complete Health and Safety Inspections for their floor/community at least two (2) times a year.

• Complete accurate and detailed incident reports, Equity/Title IX(ETIX) reports and other important reports immediately using either the ETIX link or Guardian software.

4.) Opening & Closing of Residence Halls

• 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.

5.) Desk Assistant

• Resident Assistants are required to serve 3 hours each week as a Desk Assistant 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 Assistant hourly wage rate.

• Resident Assistants are required to participate in scheduled online or in-person training 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 fall and spring training. No Resident Assistant is excused.

• Resident Assistants are required to all attend weekly staff meetings. RAs are not permitted to schedule classes or other commitments during this time. RAs are also expected to participate in weekly one-on-one supervisory meetings.

6.) Outside Involvement and Employment

• After academic commitments, the RA position will be the staff member's priority. Housing & 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.

• Resident Assistants are permitted to maintain outside commitments with prior approval from your direct supervisor. Academic student internships are limited to three (3) credits per semester.

• Resident Assistants must submit a written request about any additional job or internship detailing the anticipated time commitment to their direct supervisor within 48 business hours of receiving the offer.

• 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 Desk Coordinators, Night Desk Assistants, or to be elected or appointed members of the Residence Hall Association.

• 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.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

• Part-time.

• Student.

• 15 hours per week.

• This is a 10-month live-in position from August through May

• The RA responsibilities and time commitment are determined by the needs of the department.

• The RA role requires flexibility to support an occasionally unpredictable environment.

• This is a yearlong high-priority commitment.

Required Education and Experience:

• 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.

• Complete one (1) semester of full-time undergraduate education by the start of employment.

• One (1) semester living on campus. Transfer students who lived on campus before are welcome to apply.

• Cumulative GPA at or above 2.5, and term GPA at or above 2.5 (GPAs must be maintained from the date of application until the date of separation).

• Must not have been found responsible for violating a serious conduct policy, residence hall regulations, or University Policy (must be maintained from the date of application to the date of separation).

• All applicants must have attended an information session by December.

Salary Range:

• $375 stipend per month for the duration of employment.

• Housing credit added to the student account to cover the cost of a single room in the assigned residence hall.

• Resident Assistants are not required to have a meal plan.

Other Details

• This position is available only to enrolled American University students.

• Please note this job announcement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

• American University is an E-Verify employer.

• Visit for additional information about American University employment and benefits.

Current American University Employees

American University current employees (including those employed in student positions) must apply through their employee Workday account. If you are a current employee at American University, please log into Workday and select the Find Jobs report which will take you to our internal career listings.

Contact Us

For more information or assistance with the American University careers site, email 

American University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution that operates in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The university does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, personal appearance, gender identity and expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, veteran status, an individual's genetic information or any other bases under federal or local laws (collectively "Protected Bases") in its programs and activities.

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