Resident Assistant

Job Description

Job Description

Resident Assistants (RAs) are integral to the success of KSU’s Housing and Residence Life by fostering a positive, safe, and inclusive community within the residence halls. The RA supports students’ personal, social, and academic growth through direct engagement, programming, and resource facilitation. RAs play a critical role in supporting students' overall well-being and contributing to a thriving campus environment.

Key Responsibilities

Community Engagement & Student Development

• Community Building: Facilitate learning and a positive community among residents, actively promoting a safe and comfortable living environment.
• Resident Interaction: Engage regularly with residents through the Residential Engagement Model, understanding their needs and providing guidance to foster a supportive community.
• Programming & Activities: Design and implement activities that align with the department’s learning goals and cater to residents’ needs and feedback.
• Resource Connection: Inform, refer, and connect residents to KSU resources, promoting academic, personal, and social success.
  

Crisis Response & Conflict Resolution

• On-Call Duty: Participate in an on-call rotation to respond to after-hours crisis situations, which may include weekends and holidays.
• Crisis Management: Follow established crisis response protocols, including escalating issues to professional staff when necessary.
• Conflict Resolution: Adhere to guidelines for de-escalating, confronting, and documenting incidents, assisting residents in resolving conflicts as needed.
  

Inclusivity & Role Modeling

• Promote Inclusivity: Foster an inclusive and welcoming environment for all residents, and develop initiatives that reinforce this inclusivity within the community.
• Professional Conduct: Serve as a representative of KSU and the department, modeling respectful, professional, and positive behavior at all times.
• Personal Development: Exhibit time management skills to balance the demands of the RA role with academic and personal commitments, ensuring these do not interfere with performance.
  

Accountability & Policy Enforcement

• Policy Adherence: Uphold the KSU Student Code of Conduct, PeakMade’s Associate Handbook, Housing Contract, and departmental standards, ensuring residents also adhere to the KSU guidelines.
• Resident Accountability: Address violations of conduct policies within the residence halls, holding residents accountable for their actions while promoting a respectful living environment.
  

Administrative Responsibilities

• Record-Keeping: Complete all required forms, including but not limited to duty logs, floor gathering proposals, owl chat forms, and roommate agreements.
• Room & Space Management: Inspect and assess room conditions during opening and closing periods to maintain a high standard of residential facilities.
• Wellness Checks: Conduct wellness checks as assigned by the Residential Care Team to support resident health and well-being.
• University Events: Support campus-wide events and initiatives, such as Move-In/Move-Out, Weeks of Welcome, Homecoming, Fire Watch, and KSU Athletics, contributing to community-building efforts.
  

Training & Development

• Meeting Attendance: Attend required meetings, including one-on-one check-ins with supervisors, staff meetings, and scheduled training workshops throughout the semester.
• Continuous Learning: Participate in department-led trainings, workshops, and development programs to enhance knowledge and skills related to the RA role.

Required Qualifications

• Enrollment: Must be an enrolled student at Kennesaw State University.
• Leadership & Communication Skills: Demonstrated ability to engage and connect with diverse student populations.
• Conflict Resolution Skills: Competency in managing conflict and crisis situations with calm and professionalism.
• Time Management: Ability to balance multiple responsibilities, including academics, the RA role, and personal interests.
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience in leadership or community-building roles is advantageous.
  

Working Conditions

• RAs must reside in the assigned residence hall and be prepared for irregular hours, including weekends and holidays, as the role requires a commitment to on-call duty and response to after-hours emergencies.