Student Staff - Resident Assistant

Thank you for your interest in joining the Department of Housing and Residential Life as a student leader. Student staff play an essential role in serving our mission of "Student Housing for Student Success."

• Job Description
• Terms of Employment
• Qualifications
• Application
• Selection Timeline

1. Expectations
   1. Assist students in their general orientation to campus and provide information about room assignments, room inventories, and maintenance records.
   2. Accept College or University Village duty on a regular basis.
   3. Work 4 hours at the respective reception desk per week.
   4. Assist in opening and closing of Residential Colleges or University Village at vacation periods and at the beginning and end of each semester.
   5. Develop and maintain a close, supportive working relationship with central office staff members, Area Director / Assistant Area Director, Resident Faculty and other resident assistants.
   6. Follow and enforce all established policies and procedures.
   7. Significant extra-curricular involvement and outside employment must be discussed with your Area Director prior to your commitment.


2. Community Development
   1. Know and assist students by maintaining visibility and availability, particularly in the evening hours.
   2. Advise students who express personal, social, and academic concerns.
   3. Be knowledgeable about University and departmental policies, regulations, and general information. Refer students to appropriate department/s for assistance.
   4. Assist students in meeting their academic responsibilities by monitoring their academic achievement, maintaining a floor, unit, or apartment environment conducive to study. Foster the development of successful study habits.
   5. Respect and maintain privacy of residents.
   6. Be a role model for all students.
   7. Encourage students to act with reason and responsibility.


3. Programming Development
   1. Integrate the on-going academic, cultural, and social life of the University within the Residential Colleges and University Village by providing opportunities for programming.
   2. Pursue opportunities to engage University faculty and staff in programming activities.
   3. Support and encourage student involvement in the program planning of their residential area.
   4. Work with the Area Director / Assistant Area Director and Resident Faculty to establish appropriate programming expectations for their floor/unit/apartment and programming team.
   5. Keep students informed about the University through floor, unit, or apartment meetings, posters, and flyers.


4. Environmental/Facilities
   1. Educate students about safety.
   2. Report emergencies or serious illnesses to appropriate personnel.
   3. Facilitate emergency and crisis management procedures.
   4. Discuss, formulate, support, and enforce the quiet hours policy with students. Maintain a living environment conducive to study.
   5. Discuss with students the need for neatness and cleanliness on the floor (e.g. the hallways, lounge, bathrooms, etc.) and building (e.g. elevators and/or stairwells).
   6. Act as a liaison between housekeeping, maintenance staff, and residents.
   7. Encourage students to act responsibly in the care of their environment.
   8. Facilitate Health and Safety inspections in each residential college room once a semester--Health and Safety inspections in each University Village apartment will be done three times a semester.


5. Enforcement of University Policy
   1. Role model adherence of University and residence hall policies.
   2. Encourage responsibility and maturity on the part of all students.
   3. Interpret and enforce University policies.
   4. Confront students who violate community standards and/or departmental or University policies.
   5. Appropriately document violations of University policies.
   6. Complete all administrative tasks which include but are not limited to: incident reports, fire drills and fire reports, damage reports, and program reports.

Time: The term of appointment extends for one academic year, beginning in early August and continuing through mid May (please note - specific dates will be confirmed at time of hire).

Compensation: Includes a single room in an assigned space in a Residential College or University Village when the area is open for the semester, a yearly stipend of $1300 for new staff ($1500 for second year, $1700 for third year, $1900 for fourth year) and a choice between an eight meal plan and a 14 meal plan when University Board Plan is operating (yearly meal stipend is provided in University Village) . {The Department of Housing and Residential Life does not provide meals when the dining service facilities are closed or allow substitutions, e.g. cash, for those not wishing the board plan}.

Assignments: Placement of Resident Assistants will be determined by the respective Area Director. The Department of Housing and Residential Life may change a staff member's assignment to another floor, residential college, or apartment prior to or during the term of appointment.

Training: Attendance and participation in all staff training sessions and staff meetings is required. (Training begins approximately ten days prior to opening in the fall and three days prior to opening in spring. Specific dates will be provided at the time of hire.) In-Service Program hours are required each semester.

Duties: Perform all duties as outlined in the Resident Assistant Job Description, Resident Assistant Manual, and assigned by Resident Faculty and the Area Director / Assistant Area Director.

Requirements:

1. Full-time undergraduate student at the University of Miami.
2. Available for full undergraduate calendar/academic year.
3. Minimum G.P.A. of 2.75 at time of application. You must maintain a 2.75 cumulative G.P.A. to continue your appointment to the position. Failure to meet the minimum G.P.A. requirements may result in job termination.
4. Adherence to all policies, rules, and regulations of the University of Miami. Failure to abide by all regulations and policies; or failure to present yourself as a positive role model may result in job termination.
5. May not be on strict or final disciplinary probation at time of application and/or appointment.
6. Night and Intersession classes must first be approved by the respective Area Director.
7. Attend and participate in Resident Assistant staff meetings each Tuesday night for the duration of the semester.
8. No more than eight nights away per semester.

Renewal of the employment: The Resident Assistant position is a contracted nine (9) month/academic year leadership opportunity. A rehire process is conducted in the spring and is based on performance within the position. Based upon that evaluation, the candidate may not be accepted for a return appointment.

Other Employment: First year resident assistants may not work outside of the Department without prior approval of Area Director. Returning staff may not hold other employment, internships, or comparable positions outside the Department of Housing and Residential Life without the written approval of the Area Director.

Failure to comply: Any violation of Department of Housing and Residential Life and/or University policies or the Terms of Employment may result in dismissal from the position and cancellation of all benefits of employment.



A resident assistant is a full-time undergraduate student who works with students, staff, and Resident Faculty to facilitate a learning environment in the Residential Colleges or University Village. He or she serves as a role model and a resource person, contributing positively to the intellectual, social, academic, and cultural development of students.

Minimum Qualifications for Resident Assistant

• Be a full-time undergraduate student. (Minimum of 12 credits per semester)
• Be available for the full undergraduate calendar/academic year of appointment.
• Possess a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 at time of application and appointment.

Disciplinary Standing

• A candidate cannot be on strict disciplinary probation or final disciplinary probation at the time of application and/or employment.

Extra-curricular Involvement

• Involvement in extra-curricular activities and outside employment is permissible only with expressed approval from your Area Director prior to the commitment. First-year resident assistants may not work outside the department without prior approval by Area Director.
• The Resident Assistant position requires 20 hours per week. As a result, major outside commitments may present significant conflicts or greater than normal time management challenges. In general, any non-academic commitment greater than 10 hours per week may interfere with your ability to be a successful Resident Assistant.

A criminal background check will be conducted on all candidates being considered for employment.



The 2013-2014 Resident Assistant selection process is now underway. Applications were due January 20, 2013 so the application link is now closed. The recommendation/reference form was due by February 1, 2013.

November 4-9:	Information sessions about working in various residential areas on campus: (Note: All candidates must attend one of the information sessions) First Session: Sunday, November 4th at 8pm, Mahoney/Pearson College Classroom #104 Second Session: Monday, November 5th at 8pm, Stanford College Faculty Master Apartment Third Session: Wednesday, November 7th at 8pm, Hecht College Faculty Master Apartment Fourth Sessions: Thursday, November 8th at 8pm, Mahoney/Pearson College Classroom #104 and Whitten University Center, Rm. 245 Fifth Session: Friday, November 9th at 8pm, Eaton College Classroom #148
November 12:	Candidate Workshop: Resume Development, Mahoney/Pearson College Classroom #104 at 7pm
November 19:	Applications available online
November 28:	Applications for Spring 2013 positions and Spring 2013 Study Abroad participants due by 5:00 p.m.
December 3-4:	Interviews held for Spring 2013 positions and Spring 2013 Study Abroad participants
December 7:	Spring 2013 candidates notified of hiring decisions
December 14:	Acceptances due for Spring 2013 hires
January 15-17:	Final information sessions (Note: attendance at an information session is required for application. If you have already attended a session in November 2012, additional attendance is not necessary.) Specific dates and locations are TBD
January 20:	Applications due by 11:59pm for 2013-2014 RA positions
January 21-25:	Candidate Workshops: Interviewing Skills, Cultural Competency, and Role of Residential Faculty Specific dates and locations are TBD
January 25:	All 2013-2014 candidates will be notified of their application status, including their assigned group session and interview times (if applicable)
February 1:	Recommendation forms due
February 1-2:	Group Process Sessions
February 3-5:	Individual Interviews held
February 22:	2013-2014 candidates notified of hiring decisions
March 1:	All employment contracts & related materials due
TBD:	Welcome Reception for all new Resident Assistants