UCLA
Residential Life

Resident Assistant Job Description

Position Overview

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

The responsibilities of an RA focus on a residential community, in which the RA 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, RAs 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 Resident Director (RD) and Assistant Resident Director (ARD), RAs serve as a resource to fulfill the goals and values of Residential Life by completing the specific functions below.

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.

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 on-campus residential community.
  • 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 training (throughout the year).
  • Primary work hours for this position are evenings and weekends. RAs may also be asked to work official university events at varying times.
  • Must reside in assigned building to respond to situations as needed.
  • 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 RA position (employment, club/organization involvement, internship, etc.) must have the written pre-approval of the supervisor.
  • RAs are expected role model positive behavior and represent UCLA in accordance with the True Bruin Values and the UCLA Principles of Community as well as Residential Life within the department’s mission statement, The Core 5 (Goal Areas) and Standards of Service (Values), even when not actively performing job functions.
  • RAs are expected to fulfill all responsibilities in the job description and RA contract, which is signed after accepting an RA offer. Failure to meet job expectations or conduct contrary to the standards above may result in job actionable consequences, including termination.

Compensation

  • Room and board

Position Responsibilities

The functions of all RAs are the same; however the manner in which functions are implemented may vary according to the specific community assignment. In addition to the responsibilities listed below, RAs 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.
  • Support Welcome Week initiatives.
  • Actively assist with Move In of community/court area.
  • Work collaboratively with community’s Resident Government Council.
  • Get to know and develop relationships with residents; articulate resident and community concerns to supervisors.
  • Initiate, plan and execute social and educational programs (active and passive) and events.

Academic Development

  • Establish an atmosphere conducive to study and provide academic assistance to residents.
  • 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.
  • Actively collaborate with Faculty in Residence in resident engagement and education.

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 on campus housing community on a rotation basis. RAs provide coverage from 8:00pm to 7:00am. Examples of “duty” calls: alcohol, drugs, sexual assault, suicide ideation, distressed/distressing students, alarms, transients, noise, community disruptions, etc. Conduct community tours (active walking rounds of community) three times a night when scheduled as ON duty. This involves actively engaging with community members and checking emergency equipment. Assist with Midnight Yell Mitigation during finals week.
  • Know and enforce On Campus Housing and University regulations and document any student concerns.
  • Write incident reports (via Advocate software) to document student concerns and/or alleged policy violations.
  • Assist students in handling crisis situations and solving problems.
  • Confront residents in an educational, appropriate and professional manner.
  • Connect with residents to ensure well-being and demonstrate discretion when dealing with resident issues.
  • Assist with building/emergency evacuation and crowd mitigation.

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 (gets input, asks advice, weighs options, etc.).

Administrative Responsibilities

  • Respond to e-mails 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.
  • Complete scheduled room inspections in conjunction with Housing colleagues.
  • 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 Resident Director, Assistant Resident Director or Assistant Director.