Resident Assistant Job Description


Reports To:  Hall Director

Compensation:  Free housing, Meal plan credit, $500 stipend, leadership and teamwork experience, free “life skill” training

Terms of Employment:  Mid-August through Mid-May

Requirements/Qualifications:  Enrolled as a full time student at Canisius College, G.P.A. of 2.5 or higher, interested in building a positive community, sense of humor, positive attitude, leadership characteristics and skills, must be at least a first semester sophomore, must be in good disciplinary standing, desire to learn and grow, commitment to teamwork, ability to communicate clearly, successfully complete the RASAP process.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Community Builder

  1. Creating personal relationships with each resident
  2. Spends ample time in the residence hall, is consistently available and accessible to residents
  3. Shares meals with residents in the dining hall
  4. Looks for and acts upon opportunities to connect classroom and living experiences
  5. Assists residents and their families at both check-in and check-out times
  6. Facilitates regular floor or area meetings to share information and discuss concerns
  7. Develops and promotes fun, interactive bulletin boards in the halls
  8. Prepares for the arrival of residents (decorates, make doortags, etc.)
Helper and Listener
  1. Actively listens to residents’ issues and concerns individually
  2. Leads a floor or area in discussions to establish floor/area standards
  3. Proactively addresses roommate concerns, aiding in creating agreements
  4. Is knowledgeable of campus resources and directs students to appropriate referral agents
  5. Recognizes ‘helper’ limits, assisting those with unresolved issues to contact counselors
  6. Assess and discusses hall atmosphere and trends with Hall Director and Hall RA staff to set up action plans
  7. Facilitates interaction between residents of floor/area and residents within the Hall
Team Member
  1. Actively participates in all aspects of fall training
  2. Actively participates in all aspects of January training
  3. Actively participates in all “in service” training sessions during the academic year
  4. Interacts with peer RAs and Hall Director in weekly staff meetings and individual meetings with HD
  5. Positively represents the philosophy and undertakings of the Residence Life and Student Affairs departments
  6. Acts as a role model and mentor regarding academic and personal behavior
Programmer
  1. Assesses the individual and collective needs of residents regarding wellness dimensions
  2. Supports RHA events through attendance and encouraging participation
  3. Develops residents’ skills in sponsoring activities for the living area
  4. Works with residents to plan, implement, and evaluate at least four programs per semester and three community builders per month
Housing Administrator
  1. Completes responsibilities while serving in a rotating “on-duty” capacity within the hall
  2. Holds students accountable for behaviors by enforcing hall guidelines and community standards
  3. Processes administrative system and responds to housing concerns by the Hall Director
  4. Undertakes other projects and assignments as assigned by the Hall Director