UCLA
Residential Life

Apartment Resident Assistant (ARA) Job Description

Position Overview

The Apartment Resident Assistant (ARA) is a live-in, part-time student position within Residential Life and is classified by Human Resources as casual/restricted.

The responsibilities of an ARA focus on a residential community, in which the ARA works collaboratively to actively promote the mission of the department:

UCLA Residential Life creates safe, supportive, and inclusive living-learning communities that engage residents in the fostering of their academic success, personal growth, leadership development, and social responsibility.

Additionally, ARAs are accountable for the administration and implementation of various responsibilities that work towards building a positive community environment, assisting with the growth and development of residents, and providing emergency and crisis response to their community. Under the supervision of a Community Director (CD) and Resident Director (RD), ARAs serve as a resource to fulfill the goals and values of Residential Life by completing the specific functions below.

ARAs are expected to be adaptable, capable of implementing changes and willing to give and receive feedback from supervisors and other members of the department.

Qualifications

  • Current undergraduate or graduate UCLA student at time of application (must maintain full-time enrollment, 12 units per quarter, during time of employment).
  • Maintain 2.3 minimum cumulative GPA at time of application, hire, and/or rehire (beginning of fall quarter of each academic year).
  • Must maintain good academic and conduct standing with the University, Residential Life and other campus departments. Any future violations may result in withdrawal of offer and/or termination of employment.
  • Undergraduate ARA only: must have at least one year of experience as an RA at UCLA.

Terms of Employment

  • Employment in the Resident Assistant job is contingent on successfully passing background checks including FBI, Department of Justice, student conduct records and state/national crime records.
  • This position is for an appointment of the full academic year (10 months) to any University Apartment designated for students of your same status (graduate or undergraduate).
  • Employment will start with training (typically early to mid-September) and will extend through the last day of the spring quarter. Employment is contingent upon successfully attending required training sessions. A specific start date will be shared during the spring quarter after selection is complete.
  • Mandatory participation in weekly staff meetings and trainings (throughout the year).
  • Primary work hours for this position are evenings and weekends. ARAs may also be asked to work official university events at varying times.
  • Must reside in assigned building to respond to situations as needed.
  • Must have a valid driver’s license by start date of employment.
  • Community placement may change at any time, although this is rare and sought to be avoided.
  • Must regularly check university email account at least once a day and must provide a contact number with voicemail for occasional work use.
  • Assist with the opening and closing of residential communities at the beginning and end of each academic year. Opportunities to work duty shifts for pay during breaks will be available.
  • All commitments outside of the ARA position (employment, club/organization involvement, internship, etc.) must have the written pre-approval of the supervisor.
  • ARAs are expected to fulfill all responsibilities and role model positive behavior and represent the university and department. Behavior contrary to these expectations can result in dismissal from the position.

Compensation

  • Apartment (may or may not be shared with another ARA).
  • Bi-weekly stipend.

Position Responsibilities

In addition to the responsibilities listed below, ARAs may be asked to assist with other duties as assigned and/or may be given additional opportunity to support community and/or departmental initiatives.

Community Development

  • Work to foster an inclusive community environment of residents’ identities, backgrounds and needs.
  • Promote, develop, and implement programs to meet departmental goals.
  • Provide residents with information and resources about the UCLA campus.
  • Facilitate roommate agreements. Assist residents with amendments as needed.
  • Mediate resident conflicts.
  • Actively assist with Move In activities as designated by Community Director and Resident Director.
  • Get to know and develop relationships with residents and articulate resident and community concerns to supervisors.
  • Initiate, plan and execute social and educational programs (active and passive) and events.

Academic Development

  • Provide basic academic and personal counseling/resources to residents.
  • Visibly role-model academic success skills, including time management.
  • Be knowledgeable about academic resources and encourage residents to utilize academic resources available to students on campus.

On-Call Responsibility (Duty/Emergency & Crisis Response)

  • Serve in active “on-call” rotation. This includes, but is not limited to, responding to calls, documenting incidents and alleged violations of policy, collaborating with campus partners, engaging with members of the residential community, following protocols for emergency scenarios and taking on an active/leadership role for emergency and crisis response.
  • Help to maintain the safety and general well-being of residents.
  • Provide “duty coverage” for the community on a rotation basis. ARAs provide coverage from 8:00pm to 7:00am. Examples of “duty” calls: alcohol, drugs, sexual assault, suicide ideation, alarms, transients, noise, community disruptions, etc. Conduct community tours (active walking or driving rounds of community) once a night when scheduled on duty. This may involve active engagement with residents and checking emergency equipment.
  • Know and enforce On Campus Housing and University regulations and document any student concerns.
  • Write incident reports (via Advocate software) regarding student concerns and/or alleged policy violations.
  • Confront residents in an educational, appropriate and professional manner.
  • Connect with residents to ensure well-being and demonstrate discretion when dealing with resident issues.
  • Make contact with residents to ensure well-being and demonstrate appropriate discretion when dealing with resident issues.

Leadership Development

  • Counsel residents regarding problems or concerns and provide resource and referral information.
  • Maximize positive resident interaction and their interaction with the campus community.
  • Demonstrate a level of flexibility and positivity that contributes to team-building.
  • Demonstrate a willingness to give and receive job performance-based feedback.
  • Follow all guidelines and policies set forth by the department and university and role models respectful community-based behaviors.
  • Attend all required events.
  • Establish positive and productive relationships with professional and student staff both within the department and with campus partners.
  • Demonstrate strong decision-making skills (get input, ask advice, weigh options, etc.).

Administrative Responsibilities

  • Respond to emails and phone calls within 24 hours.
  • Document alleged policy violations and/or resident concerns; submit by 10am the following day.
  • Disseminate and share campus information.
  • Collect information from residents (as directed by the professional staff) relative to Residential Life matters.
  • Support community and departmental initiatives.
  • Actively engage and be consistently prepared for all meetings and trainings throughout the year (i.e., staff, 1:1’s in-services, etc.) and specialty assignments if applicable.
  • Assume other responsibilities as assigned by the Community Director, Resident Director, Assistant Resident Director or Assistant Director of Resident Conduct.