RA Job Description

SJU Resident Assistant Job Description: 2023-2024

The Resident Assistant is an SJU student employee selected for the qualities of evident leadership, openness to learning, disciplined study habits, and developed listening skills. The position of Resident Assistant requires administrative, organizational, programmatic, disciplinary, and advisor roles. He is the coordinator of the residence floor, area, or building and is supported by the Faculty Resident(s) assigned to that area. It is expected that the Resident Assistant will live in the assigned area where he is responsible for creatively fulfilling the duties of his position.

Requirements to be an RA:

  1. Current, full-time student at Saint John's University
  2. Two semesters of college experience upon taking the position
  3. A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.70
  4. Good conduct standing with the University
  5. Participation in all RA training programs
  6. Fulfill specific RA position responsibilities
  7. Commitment for a full academic year (unless hired on a semester basis)

Responsibilities include:

Personal:

  1. Attend and participate in all training and staff development workshops and seminars.
  2. Attend and participate in floor and/or community meetings and all residential staff meetings.
  3. Conduct oneself in a manner that reflects the philosophy and tradition of the department of Residential Life and Housing and Saint John's University.
  4. Demonstrate leadership that encourages growth in community awareness and individual development.
  5. Be open-minded and respectful of other people's values and beliefs.
  6. Be friendly and flexible, yet firm in enforcing policy.
  7. Maintain, if not excel in, personal academic achievement. The SJU Resident Assistant GPA requirement is 2.50 semester & 2.70 cumulative.
  8. Practice balance and time management with all activities.  The Resident Assistant position is the primary out-of-class responsibility for all Resident Assistants, second only to academics.  Any extracurricular activity(ies) that would necessitate more than 10 hours a week (especially during evening hours) must be pre-approved by both the RA's Faculty Resident and the Director of Residential Life and Housing. 
  9. Resident Assistants are not allowed to have any other type of employment, on or off campus, while they are employed as a Resident Assistant.  (This does not include extended breaks and summer vacations). 
  10. Encourage & maintain open communication with the FR, floor, and/or building staff about community issues concerning groups of people or specific individuals.

Administrative:

  1. Reside and be present on the floor, especially in the evenings and on ordinary weekends throughout both semesters, to assist the community as needs arise, including routine and extraordinary maintenance and emergencies. Faculty Residents will establish expectations for RAs in their particular communities for the number of hours the RAs are expected to be on their floors & present to their residents (outside of standard duty times & responsibilities).  Typically, this expectation will be at least 10 hours per week.
  2. Be present during fall orientation, the first week of classes, the opening and closing of residential communities (fall and spring), and special event weekends (Homecoming, Family Weekend, “24 Pines,” etc.). The Resident Assistant's presence may be required during long weekends or holiday breaks.
  3. Perform those duties assigned by the  Residential Life & Housing Office including, but not limited to, processing room condition reports and room leases, following check-out procedures (including inspection of rooms at the beginning and end of the school year and whenever the occupants of a room change), as well as carrying out regular tasks relevant to assessing the condition of the room and achieving compliance with the housing lease agreement.
  4. Maintain discipline and order on the floor by working collaboratively and sharing responsibilities with the other RAs & Faculty Residents of the community.
  5. Develop a community that promotes a healthy living environment and encourages respect for individuals and property.
  6. Be firm when necessary in encouraging residents to be accountable for their behavior by initiating appropriate disciplinary action in coordination with the Faculty Resident.
  7. Monitor the condition of life safety equipment on the floor on a monthly basis and report any needs to Life Safety Services.
  8. Support the work of the custodial staff by attending to the cleanliness and upkeep of the building or floor.
  9. Distribute regular and special communications when requested by University departments and programs.
  10. Maintain and secure the lounges and lounge furniture as well as computer clusters (maintaining paper and toner supplies, reporting any damage or non-functioning PCs).

Programming:

  1. Create and implement developmental initiatives based on the established community's developmental goals using internal and external resources. These initiatives should be social, educational, and cultural in nature and should be hosted at least once per month.
  2. Develop, implement, and encourage social and recreational activities within the floor community, which includes hosting hot bread events during the semester.
  3. Be active and present during community events and programs.
  4. Promote cultural and educational activities on and off campus.
  5. Encourage and assist students, as an advisor, in the planning and implementation of community activities.
  6. Supervise students hosting events to assure compliance with University policies regarding use of alcohol, guests, security, space, etc.

Advisor:

  1. Be available, when appropriate, to assist students in dealing with personal concerns.
  2. Be knowledgeable concerning referral resources such as academic advising, counseling, medical attention, security, etc.

Other duties & expectations as assigned.

2023-2024 RA Important Dates

Please reserve the following dates for the 2023-2024 academic year. 

These dates are considered mandatory. 

Expectations may be considered based on individual circumstances and must be approved in advance by the Director of Residential Life and Housing. 

Unexcused absences will be documented and responded to in the following manner:

  • First unexcused absence – written warning
  • Second unexcused absence – RA probation
  • Third unexcused absence – dismissal

Contract Dates

  • RAs report to campus by noon on Monday, August 14, 2023.
  • RAs may leave for Semester Break after 6 p.m. on Saturday, December 16, 2023.
  • RAs report to campus by 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 13, 2024.
  • RAs may leave for Summer Break after 5 p.m. on Monday, May 13, 2024.

In-service Dates

  • TBD at a later date