Resident Advisor Position Description
Resident Advisors (RAs) serve a strategic role in the delivery of residential services and in the development of a residential community that
supports the academic learning and personal growth of residents. Through personal interactions, Resident Advisors identify interests and needs
of individuals or resident groups, develop responsive action plans and work with members of the floor community to maintain a dynamic living
environment. It is important to note that a significant component of the RA job is administrative. For example, completing detailed incident
reports, judicial referrals, and room condition forms; attending regular staff and 1:1 meetings; room inspections; and opening and closing
tasks.
Resident Advisors in the Theme Housing Programs perform all the functions of traditional resident advisors. However, they also have additional
responsibilities related to the special focus of the theme program.
Specific Duties and Responsibilities
Peer Helping
- Initiate contact, make introductions, and stimulate conversations among resident students on the hall and within the building.
- Initiate contact between resident students and university faculty and staff members.
- Foster relationships between resident students and groups which share common interests and needs.
- Develop and maintain ongoing relationships with resident students.
- Identify and develop strategies to assist resident students in the resolution of problems.
- Work cooperatively with the Hall Council in the promotion of community development and programming.
- Identify and encourage the development of resident leadership in hall and community activities.
Administration
- Mandatory attendance at the Fall Training and Leadership Workshop held in August.
- Enroll and satisfactorily complete the Resident Advisor class for credit, "Introduction to Residence Life."
- Attend In-Service training programs as directed by building supervisor.
- Attend staff meetings and take part in staff activities as directed by building supervisor; prepare periodic reports.
- Participate in scheduled duty during the weekday, weekend and evening night monitor shifts when necessary, as directed by your building supervisor. Duty shifts include two office hours and scheduled rounds.
- Participate in the recruitment and selection of new Resident Advisors.
- Be willing to participate, as available, in committee work regarding residence hall programs, policies and procedures.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor(s).
Programming
- Utilizing available resources, develop a community development plan that effectively meets the identified needs and interests of the floor residents.
- Plan, implement, and evaluate numerous activities and educational programming during the academic year. Community service, weekend activities and involvement of faculty shall also be planned and conducted.
- Incorporate multicultural perspectives, safety and security, and student development through programming.
- Assist with and support the programming efforts by other staff members and the Hall Council/Residence Hall Federation.
- Initiate and participate in ongoing hall and building activities that develop a community identity among resident students.
University Liaison
- Serve as a resource and referral agent for University and community services such as Cooke Counseling Center, Schiffert Health Center, Student Life and Advocacy Office, Housing and Dining Services and others.
- Serve as a knowledgeable consultant regarding academic processes and policies, and make appropriate referrals.
- Convey, clarify, and maintain informational literature and postings in a timely manner.
- Provide a channel for communication of concerns specifically related to the operations of residence halls and dining facilities.
- Distribute authorized information surveys when requested by University agencies.
Policy Enforcement
- As an employee of the University, utilize every possible opportunity to support its purposes, and communicate your views and recommendations to your immediate supervisors.
- Support, interpret and enforce in positive, active terms, community behavior
standards and residence hall and University policies. Such policies are outlined
in the University Policies for
Student Life and incorporated by reference in the Room and Board and So
Much More chapter of the Hokie Handbook.
- Encourage and assist in the understanding and enforcement of University and residence hall rules and policies by the resident students and when necessary, refer violations through the appropriate judicial channels.
- Maintain a working knowledge of adjudication processes and procedures for University policy violations.
Facilities Management
- Arrive in advance of published residence hall opening dates, and stay until the official closing time for each semester to prepare or secure the building.
- Assist resident students to occupy and vacate rooms by established check-in and check-out procedures.
- Investigate and follow-up on all damage to resident rooms, hallways, and public areas. Conduct Health and Safety inspections once a semester.
- Reconcile room assignment rosters with actual occupancy (known as Roster Verification).
- Assist in the identification of persons making unauthorized use of residence hall facilities.
- Complete clerical duties as directed by the building supervisor including routine maintenance requests, common area inventory and health and safety inspections.
Theme RAs will have additional duties related to their theme and will receive additional remuneration as such.
