HOUSING AND RESIDENCE LIFE

Job Opportunities

Resident Assistants (RA)

Job Description

Community Development

The RA is expected to:

  Develop and maintain relationships with the residents on his /her floors
  Promote and encourage an appreciation of diversity among residents and encourage interaction among residents on their floors and within the campus community
  Encourage the community to address and resolve problems on their own. In situations where intervention is necessary serve as mediator

Programming

The RA is expected to:

  Assess the social and education needs and interest of their residents and present quality programs that meet those needs
  Effectively plan, advertise, and implement his/her programs in a timely manner
  Effectively create passive programming initiatives, such as bulletin boards and door decorations

Administrative Tasks

The RA is expected to:

  Take part in the weekly duty rotation in your residence hall/building group
  Submit all paperwork in a timely manner.  This includes, but is not limited to opening and closing forms, programming forms, policy violation reports, staff reports, room condition reports, work order requests and other paperwork as assigned
  Perform all other duties as assigned by your building supervisor
  Completely walk through his/her floors on a daily basis and report any concerns in the areas of housekeeping, maintenance, and vending areas.  This walk-through should include maintaining bulletin boards and removing outdated materials
  Attend staff meetings and one-on-one sessions with your building supervisor

Role Model

The RA is expected to:

  Obey all federal, state, and local laws, the Towson University Code of Student Conduct, and all Department of Housing and Residence Life policies
  Support and promote all policies, procedures, and programs initiated by the Department of Housing and Residence Life while actively supporting and appreciating diversity
  Promote full cooperation with all departments within the University and make all appropriate referrals
  Be accessible and approachable; project a demeanor that is kind, caring and friendly
  Bear in mind that as a staff member, his/her behavior on or off campus will influence how the residents perceive him/her

Policy implementation

The RA is expected to:

  Fully understand, explain, and enforce the Department of Housing and Residence policies and the University’s Code of Student Conduct
  Address all inappropriate behavior and policy violations. Submit Policy violation and/or staff reports in a timely manner as instructed

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Job Commitments

Commitments for the Resident Assistant Position 2009-2010

Day/Date Detail Time
April 24, 2009
Spring Connection Day
3-7 p.m.
August 15-16, 2009
Move-in for RA Training
Tentative
August 16-26, 2009
Training
Tentative
August 27, 2009
Opening Day for First Year Students
Tentative
Tuesdays
In-service
3:30-4:45 p.m.
Thursdays
Staff Meeting
3:30-4:45 p.m.
RA Selection Interviews
Fall and Spring Semester
TBD
HRL Signature Programs
Attend and support
TBD
All Break Closings
Stay late
All Break Openings
Arrive Early
January 19-22, 2010
January Training
Tentative
May 2010
Semester Closing

*ALL staff must attend Fall Training regardless of academic, experiential education commitments or prior service to the department.

*All dates are subject to change.These dates are set based on the academic calendar of the university and may require changes based on institutional changes. This list is of basic all department initiatives and is not meant to be all inclusive of work requirements.

If you have circumstances that conflict with the above dates, please contact:

Lisa Simmons
Assistant Director of Residence Life
Email: lsimmons@towson.edu
Phone: 410-704-2023

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Qualifications

Resident Assistant applicants must:

  Be a full time undergraduate student carrying a minimum of 12 credits
  Be a current sophmore status or above with a minimum of 24 credits earned
  Have a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA at the time of the application
  Not be on disciplinary/residence life probation at time of employment

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Compensation

  Room and meal plan - annual value of $8,499 (current value) & a $25/week stipend
  Effective Leadership skills
  Interpersonal Communication skills
  Community involvement

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Job Requirements

  Successful candidates must be available Tuesdays and Thursdays 3:30 – 4:45pm for training and meetings in 09-10.
  Evening and weekend work is required
  Employment outside of the Resident Assistant position is limited to no more than 10 hours per week.
  Due to competing job requirements, RAs are not able to be Orientation Leaders for the 2009 – 2010 academic year

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RA Selection Timeline

Informational Sessions

Date Day Time Location
February 2, 2008
Monday
7:00 p.m.
University Union 206
February 3, 2008
Tuesday
7:00 p.m.
University Union 206
February 4, 2008
Wednesday
7:00 p.m.
University Union 206
February 5, 2008
Thursday
7:00 p.m.
University Union 206
February 6, 2008
Friday
2:00 p.m.
University Union 206
February 8, 2008
Thursday
7:00 p.m.
Richmond Classroom (Richmond Hall)

Applications Due

Date Day Time Location
February 23, 2009
Monday
9-5 p.m.
Housing & Residence Life Office
February 24, 2009
Tuesday
9-5 p.m.
Housing & Residence Life Office

Other Important Dates

Required Date Time Location
Reference Due

February 24, 2009
5 p.m.
Housing & Residence Life Office
Interviews
February 28 - Mar 1, 2009
10:00
Linthicum Hall
Notification
March 25, 2009
TBA
Housing & Residence Life Office

**PLEASE NOTE: In order to be considered for hire, ALL candidates must attend one group interview AND one individual interview.

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FAQ's of the RA Process

  1. Question: Do I need to pay my room deposit by March 11th at 5pm?
    Answer: If you are eligible to live on campus, consider where you would like to live next year if you do not get the RA job. If you intend to live on campus for the 2009-2010 academic year, you MUST pay the $350 deposit no later than 5pm on March 11th. If you do not want to live on campus if you are not an RA – DO NOT pay the deposit. Should you get the RA job, your deposit is refunded to you.

  2. Question: Do I need to have lived on Towson’s campus in order to apply to be an RA?
    Answer: No. Applicants do not need any prior living experience on Towson University’s campus in order to apply to be an RA. Due to the nature of the position, it is beneficial to have lived on campus, but not mandatory.

  3. Question: What does sophomore status mean? Is it based on number of credits?
    Answer: The sophomore status applies to experience as a college student. . You must be currently in your second year or later as a college student, with a minimum of 24 credits

  4. Question: Who should I get to write my reference?
    Answer: One reference must be from someone from the Towson University community. It can be your RA, Building Supervisor, supervisor, professor, advisor, President of a student group, etc. The other should be a work reference or someone that can comment on your potential as an employee and leader. The reference should not be a friend, boyfriend, girlfriend, relative, fiancé or roommate.

  5. Question: What if I can’t make it to the one of my interviews?
    Answer: Unfortunately, you are not eligible for hire. All candidates must attend the entire interview in order to be considered for hire. These cannot be rescheduled due to time constraints.

  6. Question: Can I choose the building in which I work?
    Answer: No. . We take your thematic housing preferences into consideration; however, we determine your placement based on the information gathered during our interview process. Ultimately we are building a team to meet the needs of the building and the residents that live there.

  7. Question: I am going to Student Teach or have Internship in the fall, can I apply?
    Answer: No. . First semester RA staff are not permitted to Student Teach or work a 6 or more credit Internship.

  8. Question: When will I find out if I am hired?
    Answer: Letters will be available at noon on March 25th at the Housing & Residence Life office. If hired, you will find out your building placement on or before April 20st.

  9. Question: I am graduating or going on Study Abroad in December. Can I apply?
    Answer:     No. The RA position is a full academic year commitment.

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References

As a part of the application process you must submit two (2) references. Reference forms are included in the application packet. Electronic copies of the references form will be accepted from email of the writer of the reference sent directly to lsimmons@towson.edu

At least one reference must be from a Towson University faculty or staff member. The other may come from someone who knows you well (current/former employer, faculty, staff or officer of club organization.)

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RA Application

You must attend an info session to recieve instrucitons on how to apply
Announcements
  Job Openings!  
For more information contact Lisa A. Simmons or call 410-704-2023

 

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