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all of Housing staff members for the 2024-25 year on West Green
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Ready to make a difference and add this experience to your OHIO story?

Resident Advisors

Resident Advisors 

A Resident Advisor (RA) is a student leader who oversees a specific floor section in a residence hall. In this role, the RA acts as a mentor and guide, fostering a supportive and inclusive community among residents. This position is highly people-focused, requiring the RA to be a community builder, educator, conflict resolver, advocate for equity and inclusion, role model, and team player. Ideal candidates will show a strong commitment to engaging effectively with students, faculty, and staff from diverse backgrounds.

Ashton Barylski
Why do you love being an Resident Advisor?

I absolutely love my job as a Resident Advisor. I have been given so many opportunities to meet so many great people. The best part about my job is the connections I get to foster within my community. I have been able to watch my residents form lasting bonds and friendships with each other over the years. As an RA, the residents you get will make you love your job! I have learned just as much from them as they have learned from me!

Lucy Becker
What is your favorite aspect of the job?

My favorite aspect of the job is getting to build community in my floor section by planning fun events. The last event I did was a tote bag painting and pizza event, and over half of my residents showed up. A lot of residents started to build friendships at this event, so it was very rewarding to know that I had fostered an environment in which they felt comfortable to put themselves out there!

Jordan Appelhans
Why do you like working for Housing?
  • I like working for Housing because of all the fun things I get to plan/participate in and learning more about the behind-the-scenes of Housing. I have also been considering working in higher education as my future career because of this experience!
Aidan Kirk
What is your favorite aspect of the job?

My favorite part of being a Resident Advisor is the strong community that I have built so far this year with my residents. I love having the opportunity to connect with fellow Bobcats and provide them with resources and support to help with their transition from high school to college.

Ready to Make a Difference? 

HERE ARE THE 5 STEPS TO APPLY

The student staff selection process has been thoughtfully designed to provide you with comprehensive information about the position, empowering you to make an informed decision about applying for and becoming an in-hall student staff member. This hiring process consists of several key steps, which are outlined below to guide you through each phase and ensure you understand what to expect.

Step 1: Application

A complete application includes the following material:

Our team will review all submissions to ensure they are complete and that candidates meet the minimum qualifications. If your application is incomplete or does not meet the criteria for moving forward, we will notify you of your status via email.

NOTE: Please be aware that the Selection Committee may eliminate applicants before the interview stage. We encourage you to carefully consider your responses to the application questions, as they play a vital role in our evaluation and moving candidates forward to the next step.

 

Step 2: Information Session

Information sessions are not required to be able to apply, but are highly encouraged. These are designated opportunities for you to learn more about the open positions and get any questions you may have answered by our staff overseeing the hiring process.

See the end of this page for a list of upcoming interest sessions!

Step 3: Interview Process

For candidates who proceed to this step, you will participate in an interview with some of our professional staff.

Interviews will be held in person, unless a virtual accommodation is needed. Information on how to sign up for an interview will be included in your invitation to interview. Invitations will be sent to your OHIO email account.

Step 4: Hiring Pool

Candidates who meet our hiring standards will be notified that they have been added to the hiring pool. Those in the hiring pool will be contacted as positions become available. Please see the timeline provided on this page for more specific dates.

Step 5: Housing Contract

All candidates who are required to reside on campus must complete the housing contract and submit the $200.00 deposit. All candidates who are not required to reside on campus should only complete a housing contract, if they have been offered/accepted the position or will reside on campus regardless of the employment offer.

  • If a candidate who is not required to live on campus completes the contract but is not offered a position and wishes to be released from the contract, they will be subject to the cancellation policy.
  • All candidates who complete a housing contract for on campus housing before being hired, and who do not get the position, will only be released from the previously-signed contract if you are not required to live on campus. (See Housing Requirement)
  • Housing will not refund deposits for students who have accepted the position and paid the deposit when completing their contract. Deposits submitted with the housing contract will be applied to the student’s account. The student staff housing credit will be applied to the student’s account in late July. The $200.00 deposit/pre-payment will then be applied to any previous or future balances on the student’s OHIO student account.

Important Dates

EventDateLocationTime
Interest SessionOctober 21Living Learning Center 6-7 p.m.
Application OpensOctober 28 9 a.m.
Interest SessionOctober 28Virtual12-1 p.m.
Interest SessionOctober 30Jefferson 1606-7 p.m.
Interest SessionNovember 5The Den (Boyd Hall)6-7 p.m.
Interest SessionNovember 7Virtual12-1 p.m.
Interest SessionNovember 14Morton 1266-7 p.m.
Interest SessionNovember 19Living Learning Center 6-7 p.m.
Interest SessionDecember 2Jefferson 1606-7 p.m.
Interest SessionDecember 4The Den (Boyd Hall)6-7 p.m.
Interest SessionDecember 10Virtual12-1 p.m.
Application ClosesJanuary 21 11:59 p.m.

Events

Below are the upcoming events. Visit the Calendar of University Events (CUE) for a full list of dates and details.

Tuesday, November 5 Resident Advisor (RA) Information Sessions 6:00 PM — 7:00 PM Various Locations- See 'Event Description' for Locations

Thursday, November 7 Resident Advisor (RA) Information Sessions- VIRTUAL 1:00 PM — 2:00 PM

Thursday, November 14 Resident Advisor (RA) Information Sessions 6:00 PM — 7:00 PM Various Locations- See 'Event Description' for Locations

Frequently Asked Questions

Welcome to our FAQ section for the Resident Advisor (RA) position! Here, you'll find answers to common questions about the role, responsibilities, and application process. Whether you're considering applying or just want to learn more about what it means to be an RA, this section aims to provide you with all the information you need. If you have any additional questions, feel free to reach out to our team!

 

What are the minimum qualifications for the Resident Advisor positions?
  • Completion of the student staff training class
  • Minimum of two (2) completed semesters of college prior to employment start date
  • Must be enrolled as a full-time student for the upcoming academic year
  • Must be in good standing with The Office of Community Standards and Student Responsibility and Housing and Residence Life
  • Must maintain a 2.50 cumulative grade point average at time of application and throughout the employment period
What are the expectations of a Resident Advisor?

Below are some of the responsibilities of the role: 

  • The period of employment is August  – May. These dates may be revised and communicated to all successful candidates at the earliest possibility.
  • Staff members may engage in 5 hours of on-campus OR 10 hours of off-campus in additional employment during the period of employment.
  • Staff members cannot hold both a Federal Work Study, Graduate appointment, or an AmeriCorp position and an RA position.
What if I have a study aboard opportunity or an internship?

If you are studying abroad or interning during the semester before you would like to be an RA and will not be on campus while interviews are being conducted, you should still apply. We will conduct your interviews virtually and work with you throughout the process.

What is the job description of a Resident Advisor?

A Resident Advisor (RA) is a student staff member responsible for a community within a residence hall. As the front-line staff member in the assigned area, the RA is responsible for serving as a mentor and guide to their residents while also cultivating a welcoming and inclusive community. Resident Advisors are employed for one academic year, beginning in August and ending in May. Compensation includes a room on campus at no cost (while the University is open), a monetary stipend, and OHIO gear. Resident Advisors have diverse responsibilities and roles; all are tied to developing communities where residents engage, learn, and thrive. RAs help make OHIO home.

Team Member and Role Model

  • Abide by departmental, university, local, state, and federal laws 
  • Promote the mission, vision, and values of OHIO University and the Department of Housing and Residence Life 
  • Cultivate positive working relationships with all members of the department and residential community, including Business Operations, housekeeping, and maintenance staff 
  • Communicate effectively, appropriately, and timely while maintaining strict confidentiality and sensitivity regarding student information 
  • Demonstrate ethical behavior, act with integrity, and treat others with respect 
  • Commit to continual improvement by attending trainings, meetings, and professional development opportunities. 
  • Assist with the recruitment and selection of student and professional staff when necessary.

Community Builder and Advocate

  • Cultivate communities that are inclusive of all lived experiences and advocate for students of diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and identities 
  • Assist and support residents experiencing roommate conflict and room change requests 
  • Appropriately address all bias-related incidents and comments in the community and refer to appropriate campus resources 
  • Build positive and long-lasting relationships with student staff through visibility, and availability, and frequent personal contact 
  • Promote Hall Council, RHA, and NRHH as opportunities for resident leadership in the community 

Resource and Educator

  • Partner with professional staff to implement learning goals of Bobcat Living Experience 
  • Share university and departmental resources with student staff to promote resident academic success and holistic well-being 
  • Accurately answer resident questions and refer to additional resources or campus partners when appropriate 
  • Educate residents on university and departmental policies and procedures, including those found in the Code of Conduct and Student Housing Handbook 

Safety and Policy Monitor

  • Assist with emergency management and facility issues according to department and university protocol 
  • Respond to and document policy violations according to departmental and university standards 
  • Participate in duty coverage (hold hall phone, conduct rounds, address concerns per protocol, etc.) in assigned community residence hall to ensure safety and security of residential community

Questions?

For more information contact the Student Staff Recruitment and Selection team.