UCLA
Residential Life

Resident Assistant

Apply to be a UCLA Resident Assistant! Video

Who is a Resident Assistant?

A Resident Assistant (RA) plays a crucial role in supporting residents and promoting community engagement. You plan and facilitate events, provide academic support, and assist with conflict resolution and mediation. Additionally, you are on-call for emergencies and help enforce housing policies to maintain a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment for all residents. Your impact extends beyond daily interactions, contributing significantly to the overall residential experience.

There are different RA roles you could have:

Hill Resident Assistant (RA)

Serves undergraduate students living in our on-campus residential community.

Living Learning Communities Resident Assistant (LLC RA)

Serves undergraduate students living in our residential communities with targeted programming and resources aligned with the assigned LLC.

University Apartments North Resident Assistant (ARA)

  • Undergraduate ARA: Serves undergraduate students living in our Westwood Village community.
  • Graduate ARA: Supports graduate students living in our Westwood Village community.

University Apartments South Resident Assistant (ARA)

Serves undergraduate, and graduate students and their families living in our West Los Angeles community.

What are the Role Responsibilities?

Resident Assistants foster community engagement, provide academic support, respond to crises, and manage administrative tasks. They cultivate an inclusive environment, organize events that promote interaction, guide residents toward academic and personal success, ensure safety through effective crisis response, and engage in a multitude of tasks to support overall Housing and Residential Life operations.

Community Engagement

To foster a sense of belonging, inclusivity, and active participation among residents.

  • Build meaningful relationships with residents to foster a sense of belonging and community.
  • Organize and facilitate events that encourage social interaction, collaboration, and inclusivity among residents.
  • Actively listen to residents’ concerns and needs, providing support and resources to enhance their residential experience.
  • Encourage participation in community-building activities and initiatives, helping residents connect with one another and available resources.

Academic Support

To provide resources and support that contribute to residents' academic success.

  • Provide guidance, support, and resources to foster a culture of academic excellence.
  • Develop and implement a diverse range of programs and events that cater to residents’ academic pursuits.
  • Serve as a liaison between residents and academic resources, ensuring access to support services and campus resources.

Duty & Emergency Response

To deliver timely and effective responses to incidents, ensuring the safety and well-being of residents.

  • Respond effectively to crises and emergencies within the community, assessing immediate needs and ensuring residents' safety.
  • Follow established protocols for reporting incidents and coordinating with campus partners.
  • Serve as a mediator in roommate and interpersonal conflicts, guiding residents through discussions to reach amicable solutions.
  • Provide resources and referrals for additional support when conflicts escalate or require formal intervention.
  • Participate in the on-call duty rotation to respond promptly to emergencies and urgent situations.
  • Know, uphold, and enforce On-Campus Housing and University Regulations.
  • Document incidents and policy violations accurately, following established reporting procedures.

Administrative Duties

To engage in meetings and training, manage communications and budgets, and support Housing and Residential Life operations.

  • Attend weekly staff meetings to discuss resident concerns, share insights, and collaborate with fellow RAs and supervisors.
  • Organize and facilitate weekly meetings for residents to foster open communication, address issues, and plan upcoming events.
  • Attend weekly 1:1 meetings with supervisors.
  • Oversee all communication channels, including newsletters, bulletin boards, and social media, to keep residents informed and engaged.
  • Monitor and allocate the community budget effectively, ensuring financial resources are utilized appropriately for events and initiatives.
  • Participate in community and departmental committees to contribute to broader initiatives and policies that impact the residential community.
  • Engage in ongoing training and professional development sessions to enhance skills and stay informed about best practices in residential life.
  • Utilize residential life and other relevant software for managing records, communication, and reporting tasks.
  • Respond to communication (emails, slack, texts, phone calls, etc) within 24 hours.
  • Complete all University required training.
  • Work collaboratively with Housing in supporting their operations.
  • Assume other responsibilities as assigned by the Assistant Resident Director, Resident Director, and/or Assistant Director.

What are the Qualifications?

  • Candidates must be full-time UCLA students. Incoming students and students enrolled at UCLA Extension are not eligible. Graduate students must be currently enrolled in their program at the time of application.
  • Candidates must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.3 at the time of application. Graduate students must meet their program expectations at the time of application.
  • Candidates applying for the University Apartments Resident Assistant role must have a valid driver’s license to serve on the duty rotation.
  • Candidates should exhibit strong community building, communication, and leadership abilities.
  • Candidates must demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively with others.
  • Candidates should show a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
  • Note: All student conduct records from the Office of the Dean of Students and Residential Life will be reviewed upon offer.

What are the Terms of the Role?

  • The Resident Assistant role is 19-hour/week, primarily evenings and weekends. Actual hours may vary across different responsibilities (Community Engagement, Academic Support, Duty & Emergency Response, and Administrative Duties) each week. If RAs find that they are exceeding these estimated hours in any given week, they should discuss their workload with their supervisor to help balance their time.
  • Resident Assistants’ appointment is for one academic year, renewable once.
    • Residents Assistants in Undergraduate Housing begin their role on the Tuesday following Labor Day and end at 12:00 p.m. on the Saturday of Spring quarter graduation.
    • Residents Assistants in Graduate and Family Housing begin their role on the Tuesday following Labor Day and end on June 30.
    • Summer roles will be available for both Residents Assistants in Undergraduate and Graduate Housing.
  • Resident Assistants must be full-time UCLA students throughout the duration of their role.
  • Resident Assistants must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.3 throughout their role. Graduate students must meet their program expectations throughout their role.
  • Resident Assistants must reside in their assigned building for the duration of their contract. Occasionally, their community placement may change.
  • Resident Assistants may occasionally need to respond to crises, attend meetings, and/or participate in training at any of the UCLA Housing properties on the Hill, in University Apartments North, and University Apartments South.
  • Resident Assistants are responsible for upholding Residential Life's mission and values and complying with University and Housing policies.
  • Resident Assistants must be in good conduct standing for the duration of their role.
  • Resident Assistants must attend mandatory Monday Night Meetings from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. All other commitments (employment, club/organization involvement, internships/assistantships, etc.) require written pre-approval from their supervisor.
  • Resident Assistants are required to attend Fall Training, which lasts from the first day of the role until the Friday before move-in week. Training is 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, and includes a weekend retreat.
  • Resident Assistants are expected to participate fully in Move-In, Move-out, Welcome Week Events, and in-service training throughout their contract.
  • Resident Assistants are required to complete all University required training.
  • Resident Assistants’ role is contingent on a satisfactory background check, including a “Live Scan” for fingerprints.
  • Resident Assistants must provide proof of eligibility to work in the U.S. upon hiring; contact HR@orl.ucla.edu for questions.

What are the benefits?

Financial Compensation

  • Room and board for RAs on the Hill.
  • Apartment (value of one bedroom or studio in your assigned area) and stipend ($299 bi-weekly) for RAs in the University Apartments.

Leadership Experience

  • Problem Solving and Decision-Making: RAs frequently engage in decision-making in various situations, from managing interpersonal conflicts to assisting in emergencies, strengthening their problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.
  • Program Planning and Execution: Planning, organizing, and executing events for residents fosters experience in project management, planning, and event coordination.
  • Responsibility and Accountability: Being an RA is a trusted position that comes with responsibilities like enforcing policies and ensuring resident well-being, which helps develop a sense of maturity, accountability, and responsibility.

Skill Development

  • Communication Skills: RAs regularly communicate with students, supervisors, and campus partners, honing their abilities in conflict resolution, active listening, and effective verbal and written communication.
  • Time Management and Organization: Juggling RA duties with academics and personal commitments requires solid organizational skills and time management.
  • Cultural Competency and Inclusivity: By engaging with diverse residents and managing inclusive programming, RAs develop cultural awareness and adaptability, becoming more prepared to work in diverse environments.

Networking

  • Connections with University Staff and Faculty: RAs often build relationships with university staff, faculty, and administrators, gaining mentors and potential references for future endeavors.
  • Opportunities with Campus Partners: Interactions with various departments, such as Student Affairs, CAPS, and Academic Departments, expand their professional network and introduce them to different career paths within higher education.
  • Access to Alumni Networks: Many maintain strong RA alumni networks, which can provide additional support and open doors for career opportunities, internships, and post-graduation plans.

Application & Timeline

The 2025-2026 RA application will be available starting Monday November 25, 2024 at 10 A.M. and will close on Wednesday January 8, 2025 at 4 P.M. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.

Apply now!

Please consider attending one of our RA information sessions!

​​​​RSVP for an information session now!

  • Monday, November 25th at 6 p.m. | Northwest Campus Auditorium
  • Tuesday, December 3rd at 6 p.m. | UAS University Village Sawtelle Community Center
  • Wednesday, December 4th at 6 p.m. | Tipuana Multi-Purpose Room
  • Thursday, December 5th at 6 p.m. | Northwest Campus Auditorium
  • Thursday, December 12th at 6 p.m. | Virtual (Zoom RSVP linked here)

Questions?

For general questions about this position or the recruitment process, please email RARecruitment@orl.ucla.edu.