Resident Advisor

The Resident Advisor (RA) position is an important student leadership position directly supporting the academic and developmental mission of the University. Resident Advisors facilitate a cooperative group living environment and promote learning in the community. They help residents with personal and academic concerns and help resolve individual and group conflicts that arise. Resident Advisors promote and enforce standards for appropriate behavior. Resident Advisors develop and implement social and educational activities and programs. They serve as referral conduits for information about housing and campus life. Resident Advisors are vital members of the Housing & Residence Life team; work closely with and under the supervision of Hall Directors; and also work with members of the Housing & Residence Life staff to serve residents’ needs. Most of all, Resident Advisors are expected to respect and care about the rights and dignity of all people, challenge and support growth in themselves and others, and strive to create a welcoming, positive living and learning environment for all residents.

·        Serve as the primary response to student conduct situations and assist with emergency response/crisis intervention as warranted. Document and enforce Housing & Residence Life policies.

·        Assist with fire/health/safety inspections as necessary.

·        Monitor safety of the community ensuring doors are locked as appropriate, fire safety and alarm equipment are functional, and walkways and exits are clear and accessible.

·        Serve on the RA duty rotation, including during Winterim and other break periods. 

·        Support and enforce all Housing & Residence Life and University policies and procedures.

·        Ensure general facility upkeep by documenting vandalism, submitting work orders, and assisting with basic maintenance concerns.

·        Complete all other duties as assigned.

·        Mediate individual, roommate, and community conflicts. Ensure that privileged information remains confidential.

·        Complete and maintain accurate and timely paperwork/documentation in all areas concerning the RA position.

·        Create and maintain community bulletin boards and door decorations and routinely post all information, flyers, and publicity provided in a visible location.

 

·        Maintain positive and respectful working relationships with community, Hall Director, and Housing & Residence Life staff.

·        Promote, implement, and support meetings and programming initiatives within the community and on campus.

 

·         Check email, voicemail, and mailboxes daily and respond in a timely manner.

 

·         Provide leadership while developing open and honest relationships with each resident in assigned community while maintaining appropriate boundaries and serving as a University resource person making referrals as necessary.

·        Support the Residence Hall Association and their activities.

·        Serve as a role model/mentor/source of encouragement and motivation to residents. Serve as a representative of the Department of Housing & Residence Life, as well as the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, in all areas of campus life. Be a resident advocate.

·        Develop and encourage a community atmosphere conducive to appropriate studying and social relationships.

 

·        Attend weekly RA staff meetings.

·        Assist with check-in and check-out processes, occupancy management, etc.

·        Staff desk hours as assigned and during opening and closing periods.

·        Assist with mail/package distribution and with lock-outs.

·        Attend and participate in training prior to the beginning of each semester and all staff functions during the year.

 

·        Demonstrate openness, inclusiveness, sensitivity, and the ability to interact respectfully with all people and understand individuals’ differences.

·        Ability to engage and communicate with diverse teams and work as a respectful team member.

·        Be able to work cohesively within a diverse staff while also providing intentional service to a resident community comprised of myriad backgrounds and experiences.

·        Must be enrolled full-time at UWP taking no less than 12 credit hours as an undergraduate or 9 credits hours as a graduate student.

·        Resident Advisors must be in good academic standing.

·        During the semester of application, they must receive a 2.5 semester grade point average. In addition, their GPA the previous semester as well as the cumulative grade point average must be at least a 2.5. No probationary period is permitted for new RAs.

·        They must maintain a 2.5 grade point average each semester while employed as a Resident Advisor.

·        A continuing RA will be permitted one employment probationary semester during his/her employment. If an RA’s GPA falls below 2.5, the RA will be placed on probation. Once on probation, the RA must receive a 2.5 or higher GPA the next semester or employment will be terminated.

·        Resident Advisors must be in good conduct standing and not on Housing & Residence Life or University Probation.

·        Should possess initiative, responsibility and good judgment as well as the ability to act independently.

·        Demonstrated ability to live and interact as an inclusive community member and a sensitivity to others and a genuine interest in working with both students and administration.

·        Previous community living experience and experience in leadership positions preferred.

·        Willingness to accept responsibility, complete all training requirements, and learn on the job.

 

·        Physical ability to handle position responsibilities including touring buildings and responding to emergency situations promptly (use of stairs and elevator). 

·        Must be physically able to move quickly through crowd situations and effectively communicate to a large group of people.

·        Actively participate in training, including the handling and manipulation of fire safety equipment.

·        Ability to lift and move furniture or other items to assist residents and/or inspect for damages.

·        Ability to communicate effectively by means of a telephone.

·        Ability to use and manipulate computer equipment.

·        Ability to complete paperwork and read IDs.

·        Ability to respond to duties at any hour and for prolonged periods.

·        Attend all required training sessions, weekly staff meetings, and serve on committees as necessary.

 

The RA position is considered to be approximately 25 hours of work per week as a result of meeting the above expectations. The term of employment is for one academic year and reinstatement for the following year is not guaranteed. The following conditions also apply:

·        Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a criminal background check.

·        RAs will be assigned to a residential community by the Department of Housing & Residence Life. 

·        RAs must fulfill full academic year commitment, meaning no partial years or semesters allowed, unless hired mid-year or terminated from employment.

·        Participation in both August and January Training. August Training takes place two weeks prior to residence hall move-in and on average RA’s work 80 hours over these two weeks. January Training takes place the week prior to residence hall move-in.

·        Participation in other on-campus employment is strictly prohibited while serving as an RA.

·        RAs must seek prior approval from the Hall Director for outside commitments and/or employment. Other commitments should not exceed 10 hours per week. While supervisors will work with staff members as they juggle a second job, it will be expected that there will be no scheduling, time commitment, or job concerns resulting from secondary employment and/or student teaching, internships, or extra-curricular activities.

·        If alleged behavior is found to violate any policies or laws, employment status will be reviewed independently of the student conduct process.

 

Wage Information:  

Along with an invaluable and rewarding personal growth experience, Resident Advisors receive a single bedroom in the assigned community and the Green/Black meal plan, approximately valued at $8300. RAs also receive a stipend of $250 per semester paid in biweekly installments during class periods. Returning RAs receive an additional $50 per semester for each full returning year. 

 

Note: Room and meal plan compensation posts as a scholar award and may impact financial aid. Students are encouraged to speak with Financial Aid prior to applying or accepting an offered position.