Residence Assistant Position Description

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2023-2024 Position Description

  • Job Title: Resident Assistant (RA)
  • Reports To: Hall Director
  • Contract Date Range: August 14, 2023– May 22, 2024

Introduction

The Office of Residence Life (ORL) at Wilkes University exists to provide residents a place where they can work, study, sleep, and interact with each other. In an environment that supports the academic mission of the University, our mission is to support the life of
students outside the classroom so they can be successful inside the classroom. In this mission, each member of the Residence Life team must demonstrate a commitment to making connections with students, supporting their needs, and directing them to resources in the campus community.

The RA position allows staff members to interact with students frequently over the course of an academic year. These many interactions put this staff member in a unique position to positively influence student growth and development. RAs work to create a positive living environment that allows residents to develop social relationships, learn from their peers, and be successful in their academic endeavors.

Qualifications

All returning RA applicants will be held to the qualifications established when they initially applied. Changes only apply to new RA candidates applying for 2023-2024 and beyond.

All candidates for the Resident Assistant must minimally meet the following qualifications.

  • Enrolled as a full-time, undergraduate student at Wilkes University
  • Cumulative and semester GPA of 2.50
  • Attend the University for at least one semester at the start of the position.
    • Transfer students who have experience at another institution would remain eligible to apply.
  • Be in good conduct standing with the University
  • Refrain from academic experiences that would take the staff member away from campus for extended periods of time.
    • For example, 4th Year Pharmacy (P4) students would not be eligible for the RA position. Candidates that will be student teaching during the 2023-2024 academic year must be placed in the Wilkes-Barre School District in order to maintain eligibility.
  • Availability to return to campus early each semester to attend fall and spring RA training, dates to be provided in advance
  • Must list two references for the RA position on the application. At least one must be a Wilkes community member (person with a @wilkes.edu email address)

Period Of Obligation

The period of employment shall be from the start of Fall RA Training till the day after Commencement, including all University breaks. RAs are expected to be present for all trainings, openings, and closings, unless prior approval is received from the Office of
Residence Life.

Time Commitment

As a general expectation, RAs should expect to invest 20-25 hours each week in their position. This is a significant commitment in relation to an RA’s academic responsibilities. If a student staff member wishes to have employment outside of their RA commitment, they must receive written approval by arranging a meeting with Amin Rashid, Director of Residence Life, to review expectations and time commitments. Should outside commitments interfere with the RA position, staff are expected to place their RA position in higher priority.

Job Responsibilities

These expectations are meant to help foster a community of respect and well-being in the residence halls. Each RA is essential to this mission. In order to do this, RAs will be expected to fulfill the following job expectations.

Community Development

  • Cultivate a community that is conducive to study, learning, and social interaction.
  • Regularly visit each resident and room to initiate interaction, preferably at least once a week.
  • Know the name and basic information about each resident on your floor.
  • Serve as a liaison between the ORL and the residents in your area.
  • Promote informal and small group interactions in your area.
  • Plan and implement residential programs in accordance with departmental programming model.
  • Identify needs of students on your floor and address them through floor meetings, individual conversations, and programming.
  • Explain and uphold Residence Life and University policies and share with residents.
  • Host floor/area meetings, where necessary, to inform residents and build community.
  • Maintain door tags and bulletin boards in the residence halls and replace as requested by the ORL.

Resource and Helping

  • Develop and maintain helping, healthy relationships with residents.
  • Refer residents to appropriate campus resources as needed.
  • Consult with supervisor regarding appropriate methods to handle concerns of residents.
  • Maintain an active presence in the residence hall and larger, campus community.
  • Maintain awareness of boundaries in the RA position.

Administrative & Operational Duties

  • Maintain an area of campus, including addressing any facilities needs through the work order system.
  • Serve in an on-call rotation for an area of campus, carrying a cell phone and responding to resident concerns overnight.
  • Documenting resident concerns and policy violations through the incident reporting system.
  • Complete check in and check out inspections of residence hall rooms as students move in and out.
  • Be available for all university hall openings and closings, including, but not limited to: Fall Move-In Weekend, Thanksgiving Break, Winter Break, Spring Break, and Spring Closing.
  • Follow directions of University officials in all situations, including in emergency and crisis response.
  • Meet regularly with your supervisor as requested.
  • Attend and participate in all department trainings, in-services, and staff meetings unless prior permission is given from supervisor.
  • Other duties as deemed necessary by the department.

Staff Member Development

In order to ensure that RAs are ready and able to execute the many expectations of the position, there are certain training and development activities that are necessary for job performance.

  • Attend Fall and Spring RA Training – these occur before the start of each semester. RAs will be expected to return to campus before their residential peers to engage in training activities necessary for successful execution of the position.
  • Attend In-Service Trainings – planned for the entire team during the academic semester, these sessions will often reinforce policy or address concerns. These will typically be planned in advance, but Residence Life reserves the right to schedule as needed and RAs will be expected to attend or provide their supervisors will valid, academic excuses as to why they cannot.
  • Regular individual meetings with supervisor – scheduled based on the RA’s availability.
  • Semester Evaluation – RAs will engage in regular self-reflection and evaluation with their supervisor.

Staff Member Conduct

Resident Assistants are expected to act in a way that respects and upholds Residence Life and University policies and the Code of Conduct. RAs must maintain behavior that is positive for themselves and their community; their actions must support the well-being of the residential community. In addition, each RA will act in a way that respects and upholds the ORL’s commitment to diversity and social justice. RAs are expected not to engage in any behavior that is, or can be perceived to be, in any way discriminatory or offensive.

Remuneration

In exchange for their service in the position, RAs will receive:

  • A single room on campus with standard residential furniture.
  • A Colonel Gold Dining plan to be used in campus dining facilities.
  • Waivers covering the cost of both campus housing and dining.