Resident Assistant Job Description 2018 – 2019 Academic Year

Office of Campus Living 2801 S. University Little Rock, AR 72204 (501) 661-1743; Fax: (501) 661-1757

For any questions, please contact: Joseph Watkins jwwatkins2@ualr.edu

Carrie Owens ciowens@ualr.edu Bethany Vides bmvides@ualr.edu

General Information ..................................................................... Page 1

Qualifications and Requirements ................................................. Page 2

Compensation .............................................................................. Page 2

Responsibilities ........................................................................... Page 3

Administrative Duties .................................................................. Page 4

Application Instructions …………………………………….…...….. Page 5

Selection Timeline ........................................................................ Page 5

General Information: The Resident Assistant at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock is a student staff member within Campus Living and is directly supervised by a Residence Hall Director. Resident Assistants are assigned to a living area of approximately 25-50 residents. They strive to create a positive learning environment and positive community by offering support and guidance to residents, and by providing opportunities for social, educational, intellectual, and cultural development. Resident Assistants should be approachable leaders and are expected to be positive role models and supportive representatives of the Office of Campus Living and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Resident Assistants are selected based on their ability to provide leadership in the residence halls and to assume responsibilities conducive to an effective living environment. Resident Assistants play an important role in the “behind the scenes” work within the residence halls, ensuring building and resident safety and providing a comfortable living environment.

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Qualifications and Requirements:

To be considered for selection the candidate must: ● Maintain a good academic and disciplinary standing with the University and within

Campus Living ● Have at least 24 hours of academic credit by the end of the Spring 2018 semester ● Have a current Grade Point Average of at least a 2.50 at the start of Spring 2018,

and maintain a 2.50 GPA during employment ● Complete a minimum of 12 undergraduate credit hours or 6 graduate hours during the

term of employment ● Have at least two semesters of community living experience by the end of the

Spring 2018 semester

Candidates selected for a Resident Assistant position are required to: ● Be ready to start fall RA training approximately 2 weeks before classes begin in

August 2018 and about five days prior to classes begin in January 2019 for Spring RA training

● Not hold an outside job, university assistantship, internship, pledge a fraternity or sorority, run for a paid Student Government Association or assume a major leadership position without prior written permission from your Hall Director

● Live on campus in the assigned room (at least 5 nights a week) ● Agree to a criminal background check through the Arkansas State Police ● Be willing to accept a placement in any residence hall based on need

determined by the Residence Life staff ● Be able to commit to the position for an entire academic year

Resident Assistant Compensation: Compensation includes housing accommodations, a stipend valued at $250 a month, and a waiver of the mandatory activity fee. All RAs will receive the same compensation, however RAs may be placed in a different style room/apartment based on the needs of the community. RAs have the ability to select their roommates of the same gender if they so choose; otherwise they will be assigned a roommate at random. Please be aware that the RA compensation may affect current scholarships or financial aid and it is the candidate’s responsibility to check with Financial Aid prior to accepting the position. Failure to meet the terms of the RA contract can result in termination and immediate loss of all compensation.

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Resident Assistant Responsibilities:

● Spending quality time on their floor and regularly interacting with the hall community; especially interacting with residents on a one-on-basis to assist with their needs and desires.

● Ensuring residents feel comfortable approaching their RA with ideas, distresses, and other matters of importance to them.

● Actively listening to resident concerns and knowing campus and community resources to act as a referral agent.

● Keeping the Hall Director informed of significant concerns with residents and issues within the building.

● Enforcing University and Campus Living policies consistently and without bias or malice, including confronting and documenting behavior that is inconsistent with established standards.

● Staying informed of campus and hall activities and encouraging resident attendance at these events.

● Respecting dignity and privacy of residents by protecting sensitive and confidential information.

● Practicing open, honest and direct communication with residents and staff. ● Decorating your hall on a consistent basis with informational bulletin boards, posters,

door decorations, and signage given by your Hall Director. This also includes removing unauthorized signage, advertisements and expired notices.

● Sponsoring social, academic, and service activities that match the desires and needs of residents

● Assisting residents in their adjustment to roommates and community living, and serving as a facilitator in establishing expectations and mediating conflicts.

● Attending weekly staff meetings. ● Being responsible about academic commitments.

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Administrative Duties: ● Serving as liaisons between the custodial and maintenance staff and the residents in

the hall by reporting emergency maintenance and security issues in a timely manner. ● Modeling concern for the campus and hall environment and actively encouraging

residents and their guests to do the same. ● Educating residents about safety and security issues on campus and in the residence

halls. ● Assisting with the check in and check out procedures. ● Performing scheduled health and safety inspections. ● Being ‘on duty’ at night and on weekends on a rotating basis, which means staying in

the building from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 a.m. to serve as the point person, should situations arise. This includes being available for residents and walking the premises to assess/respond to community safety, security, and behavioral concerns in the hall.

● Spending no more than two weekends away from the hall per month. ● Sharing the responsibility of ensuring your hall and department has adequate coverage

during holiday/break periods. Agreeing to not leave the hall for breaks before hall closing and returning when your assigned building opens.

● Assisting with emergency situations, including, but not limited to, fire, weather, medical, and judicial issues.

● Working a minimum of five hours per week at the reception desk, commons building, or as requested by the Hall Director.

● Participating in an evaluation process and being actively involved in recruiting staff and volunteers.

● Proactively addressing and taking initiative on unassigned issues that may arise (other duties as assigned).

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Resident Assistant Application 2018 – 2019: The application may be found on the Office of Campus Living website (ualr.edu/campusliving). Applications must be submitted online by 4:00 p.m. on January 26th to receive consideration. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that references complete the recommendation form by this time. Late applications will only be considered if available positions are not filled. The primary means of communication throughout this process will be the candidates’ UA, Little Rock email. Thus, it is of the utmost importance that all applicants check their UALR email account regularly.

A Complete Job Application Includes:

o Online Application (http://ualr.edu/campusliving): o General applicant information o Leadership and Work Experience o Commitments for 2018 – 2019 o Three (3) References (1 from RA)

“Candidate Reference Form”- o Essays

RA Selection Timeline Spring 2018: Tuesday, November 28th: RA Application available

RA Informational Meetings- All Informational meetings are at 3 pm! Tuesday, November 28th - Commons Classroom Wednesday, November 29th - UV Clubhouse Wednesday, January 17th - Commons Classroom Thursday, January 18th - Commons Classroom Monday, January 22nd - UV Clubhouse Wednesday, January 24th: Meet and Greet Social- Commons Great Room 7- 9 PM

Friday, January 26th: Applications due by 4:00 PM

Saturday, February 3rd: Super Saturday (interviews and group process); 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM in Commons (candidates contacted via email about specific time slots and other detailed information)

Monday, February 5th: Invitations to individuals to move to the second step of the interview process (Individual Interviews with Hall Director Panel) will be sent by noon

Thursday, February 8th & Friday February 9th: Individual Interviews with Hall Director Panel

Tuesday, February 13th: 2018 – 2019 RA Letters available

Thursday, February 23rd: Signed acceptance letters due to the Office of Campus Living by 4:00 PM

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