Become an RA

Overall Function

Resident Advisors are student leaders living in Residence Halls, serving their fellow students. Reporting to the Resident Director, the RA helps serve and support students in their co-curricular experience - integrating the academic with the personal and spiritual through day to day life. RAs get the opportunity to serve with a team of fellow student leaders in a specific Residence Hall, while also contributing to the entire residential experience. 

Duties & Responsibilities

1. Facilitate interaction among residents for the purpose of fostering a sense of belonging
   1. Engage intentionally and consistently with residents, encouraging connections among residents of the floor and the hall.
   2. Plan and lead floor meetings.
   3. Develop and implement enriching programs and activities for floor and hall residents following guidelines as outlined by the Resident Director (RD).
2. Develop individual relationships with residents
   1. Develop and maintain an ongoing relationship with each resident.
   2. Utilize intentional connections to understand student needs.
   3. Identify and assist residents with personal, social, academic, or health related concerns (current or potential) and consult with RD concerning appropriate means of responding to concerns.
3. Assist residents in integrating academic and co-curricular life
   1. Model the habits and lifestyle of an engaged student.
   2. Keep residents informed of co-curricular activities and encourage their participation in floor, hall, and campus events as able.
   3. Be a knowledgeable resource person for university services such as: Office of Student Accessibility, SEID, the Health Center, GSPD, Bon Appetit Food Service, Biola Counseling Center, Student Success, Slingshot, etc.
4. Convey and uphold University rules and regulations
   1. Model high standards of personal conduct that reflect integrity, responsibility, and good judgment.
   2. Model consistent behavior in accordance with the Student Handbook.
   3. Promote an accurate understanding of the Community Standards and University Policies as stated in the Student Handbook.
   4. Enforce, fairly and consistently, University and Housing & Residence Life policies as contained in the Student Handbook by confronting and reporting all violations or behavioral concerns to the RD.
5. Assume responsibility for proper use and physical conditions of facilities
   1. Ensure that all maintenance and housekeeping needs of individual floor and public areas are reported promptly to Facilities Services.
   2. Conduct regular health and safety inspections as directed by the RD.
   3. Be mindful of policies and regulations related to use of physical space, including gathering limitations, furniture placement as it relates to social distancing, signage, etc.
   4. Assist with the opening and closing of the residence hall, arriving on campus prior to the opening of the hall and remaining on campus until the hall is closed at the end of the year.
   5. Support check-in and check-out procedures.
6. Participate and contribute as a member of the Housing & Residence Life team
   1. Attend and participate fully in all Housing & Residence Life training sessions throughout the year.
   2. Attend and participate fully in all regular hall staff meetings as directed by the RD.
   3. Meet regularly with the RD to receive direction, support, and accountability.
   4. Maintain a regular 3 hour duty shift approximately once per week by:
      1. Completing nightly rounds on all floors
      2. Being available to students in the hall/area during shift
      3. Responding to student crisis/building issues during shift
   5. Complete administrative tasks for the floor and residence hall in a timely manner.
   6. Be familiar with Housing processes including Housing Selection & MyHousing Self-Service.
   7. Perform other duties as requested by the RD and the Housing & Residence Life staff.

1. Apply

   • The online application takes between 30–45 minutes to complete and will be available on Handshake. Please be prepared to provide contact information for 2 references (Professional, Academic, Spiritual, or RA)
   • The online application will be available November 15, 2023.
   • Deadline for applications will be January 8, 2024 at 11:59 PM. Applications must be fully completed and submitted by this time or they will not be accepted.

2. Individual Interviews

   • Applicants will receive an email at the beginning of January asking them to sign up for an individual interview.
   • Individual interviews will take place in mid January. Applicants proceeding in the selection process will be invited to sign-up for a group process.

3. Participate in Group Process

   • The group process will take place on January 26th, 2024.
   • In order to be considered for the RA job, applicants must show up for Group Process; there will be no make-up sessions offered.

4. Candidates Notified

   • Applicants will be notified of position offers the week of January 31st, 2024.

5. RA Spring Training

   • Acceptance of an RA job offer confirms that you will be able to attend our Spring Training session on March 9, 2024, followed by a 6 week virtual course, as well as attend RA Commissioning on Sunday April 21, 2024. It also confirms that you will be able to move onto campus in mid-August for RA training and fall semester preparation.