About the RA Position

The Resident Assistant position is designed to be a 20 hours per week position that encompasses a variety of responsibilities. This is a student leadership opportunity that is often self-directed and may have unpredictable hours.

RAs are expected to maintain a presence in the hall on a regular basis and discuss with their supervisor whenever they are scheduled to be away from campus.

Must have a cumulative GPA of 2.7 or higher to apply and must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.7 or higher throughout employment. 

Staff Training and Communication

Work with students in developing floor/building communities conducive to high academic achievement.

Educate students to self-enforce policies and respect the rights of others through community standards.

Help develop respect for a community living environment.

Develop the capacity to listen and understand, and to be flexible and open-minded in responding to student needs and concerns.

Develop trust and maintain confidentiality.

Encourage and assist individuals in finding their own solutions.

Must be knowledgeable of support services on campus and how to refer students (e.g., Counseling Services, Student Health Services, Academic Skills Center, Registrar's Office, Human Resources, etc)

Establish a strong, positive learning environment within the residence halls and the Albion College community.

Maintain an active and integral role in the development and production of a limited quantity of high quality programs for the personal development and growth of students.

Strive to develop a sense of community among residents on your floor, within the building, and within the campus community as a whole.

Encourage self-discipline, self-goverance, and a respect for individual rights among residents.

Be visible and available on the floor and within the building to talk with residents about concerns, interests, and needs.

Develop an open, personal relationship with each resident.

Initiate, plan, and organize programs of an academic, cultural, social, and recreational nature that responds to the needs and interests of your residents.

Attend and actively participate in floor/hall programs, functions, and social events.

Be on duty for the residential community on an assigned, rotating basis and in emergency situations, including participating in evening Front Desk hours.

Assist in the opening and closing of the hall each semester and at every break period, as coordinated by the Department of Residential Life. This will require early arrival for fall and spring semesters as well as early return from break periods (Thanksgiving and Spring Break). RAs also have an extended stay at the end of semesters and break periods as needed to close the buildings.

Fulfill administrative requirements promptly and efficiently (i.e., Room Condition Inventories, programming reports, etc.).

Attend regularly scheduled staff meetings, staff training sessions, and staff inservices.

Read and utilize the RA Manual.

Other duties as assigned.

Communicate with immediate supervisor and the Facilities staff on building needs and issues.

Aid residents in addressing facility concerns in their living environment.

Maintain positive working relationship with Facilities staff members.

Report all safety hazards and maintenance concerns in a timely manner.

Provide continuous interaction and be an example which encourages students to act with reason, to assume responsibility for their actions, and to be consistently considerate of the rights and freedoms of others.

Know and adhere to the rules and regulations pertaining to student behavior and communicate them to residents.

Develop consistent methods of enforcing rules and regulations, and assist students in developing methods of self-enforcement.

Support other staff members in the enforcement of hall policies.

Be familiar with the building fire alarm system and familiarize residents with building evacuation and other emergency procedures.

Regularly report repair requests that affect the safety and security of residents (i.e., emergency lights, smoke alarms, damage to door lock mechanisms).

Educate students on fire, health, safety, and security guidelines.

Assist in communicating and coordinating resident response in emergency situations or situations requiring specific action, as requested.

Maintain positive working relationship with Campus Safety staff members.