Resident Advisors

  • RA hands student a package
2023-2024 Resident Advisors

Residence Halls and Residential Life is recruiting new Resident Advisors (RAs) for the next academic year! Being an RA is a unique leadership experience that provides you with marketable skills and life lessons, but also an opportunity to impact and positively influence your fellow students’ experience at Big Bend Community College.

What is a Resident Advisor?

Resident Advisors (RAs) are student mentors that work and live in the Residence Halls. During a typical year, they will work with about 20-50 residents. RAs work to create a supportive and safe living and learning environment for students living in the residence halls. Their work varies from administrative tasks and supporting students experiencing a crisis, to keeping residents engaged with on-campus events.

RAs can be an important resource to college students as they help support their academic success, social development, and personal growth by creating programs and experiences within their community.

The unique nature of the RA position does not always correlate to a set work schedule but rather this position requires a genuine personal commitment.

Responsibilities

  • Develop Community
  • Provides Initial Support
  • Build relationships with the residents in the community.
  • Assist residents in developing relationships with each other.
  • Hold residents accountable for their behavior.
  • Educate residents on the policies and procedures of BBCC Residential Life.
  • Promote student involvement in the campus community, activities, and events.
  • Role model positive attitudes and behaviors.
  • Help to facilitate an environment that allows students to meet their academic goals.
  • Provide opportunities for residents to look at the world from different perspectives.
  • Serve as a resource.
  • Provide helping skills for residents in need.
  • Report maintenance and facility concerns and conduct health and safety inspections.
  • Responsible for documenting policy violations.
Apply for the Head RA position
Apply for an RA position
Apply for a summer RA position
Who should apply?

We seek individuals who display sensitivity to and interest in people, neutrality, respect for the dignity and worth of the individual, open-mindedness on issues, degree of empathy, ability to handle autonomy, make decisions, and the individual’s success within an academic community. The Resident Advisor position is a 9-month position (September through June). Summer RA position is a 4-month position (June-September)

Application Process and Deadlines

We are excited that you are considering being a student leader and working as a Resident Advisor! This position is among the more important, influential and rewarding opportunities available to students.

Below is the outline for the 2023-2024 Academic Year

The application deadline is May 3, 2023. All materials should be completed on NeoGov before the deadline.

https://www.schooljobs.com/careers/bigbend/promotionaljobs

Materials should include:

  • Online application
  • Cover letter
  • Resume

Individual interviews May 1-19 – conducted via Zoom

*Applicants selected for an interview will be notified via NeoGov and/or Email.

New Resident Advisor hiring notification: June 14

Employment notification will be sent via NeoGov and/or Email

Minimum Job Qualifications

  • Commitment to being a Resident Advisor for the full academic year (Excluding summer quarter)
  • Be in good academic standing, must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50 and minimum quarter GPA of 2.00.
  • Live in the BBCC Residence Halls
  • Be available to attend training programs prior to the start of each Academic Quarter

Frequently Asked Questions about Resident Advisors:

What do you look for in a successful RA candidate?

Candidates will have a variety of skills that they can use to aid in their ability to perform as an RA. Skills include but are not limited to: communication both written and verbal, positivity, willingness to learn and lead others, ability to work with a diverse group of people, ability to handle difficult and stressful situations, considerate and passionate, critical thinking and open-mindedness.

If hired, when do I find out where I am assigned?

Letters concerning placement for the academic year are expected to go out the week of Graduation, typically June 16th

Where is the Residence Life Office?

The main office for Residence Life is located in Philips hall. Room 5119

How many positions are there?

Depending on the academic year, there will be 1-5 staff and 1 Head Resident Advisor (HRA)

Can I have a second on campus job?

Due to the time commitment of this role staff are expected not to hold other employment.

What is the time commitment of being an RA?

Resident Advisors can expect to work 16 hours a week.

If I am a returning RA do I need to go through/attend training again?

Training is required and will take place at the beginning of each quarter. If you have a time conflict with the training, please contact ResLife office at 509-793-2291.

How do I apply?

You can apply for the Resident Advisor positions by clicking the following links:

Summer Resident Advisor

Head Resident Advisor

Resident Advisor

How often does the staff meet?

There is a weekly staff meeting that is rescheduled quarterly to fit with schedules. Additionally, RAs meet with the Director bi-weekly.

What happens if I signed up to live off-campus?

Residence Halls and Residential Life is not responsible in aiding your return to campus. Future RA’s will need to make arrangements with their landlords or building managers to get out of leases. A requirement of the position is to live on campus

What do I do if I am no longer interested in becoming an RA?

Contact the Residence Hall and Residential Life Office at 509.793.2291.

What if I want to resign during the academic year?

Once the academic year has begun, a resident assistant who chooses not to continue in the position or who is removed from the Resident Advisor position for any reason will be required to move to a new room, floor and possibly the hall in which the student was employed as an RA.  Should this happen, Residence Life will notify the Business Office and the student’s aid/bill will be adjusted accordingly.