Resident Assistant

This position is a part of the Non-Academic Staff Association (NASA).

Term length

Spring & Summer Semesters: April 29, 2023 - August 13, 2023

Academic Year 2023-24 (Fall/Winter) August 1, 2023 - May 1, 2024

Note: In-person training on campus begins August 14. 2023. The contract begins on August 1st, 2023 to allow two weeks to complete approximately 8 hours of online training modules.

Hours of works will vary: Approximately 10 hours/week*

*Will include evening and weekend work

*Includes a combination of scheduled and flexible/self-scheduled hours

**Note that training weeks will be full-time weeks of approximately 40 hours each, and Orientation will require availability above this average

Location - Work primarily takes place at North Campus and Campus Saint-Jean Edmonton. This role is hybrid with a mix of remote and in-person.

Positions Available

This posting is for RAs in all North Campus (Lister Centre and East Campus) residence communities and Résidence Saint-Jean for the 2023-24 Academic Year, including positions for Spring/Summer 2023 and Fall/Winter 2023-24. Applicants will be asked to indicate the communities in which they are willing to work on the application form.

• 18 positions available at North Campus for Spring/Summer 2023
• 153 positions available at North Campus in Fall/Winter 2023-24
• 3 positions available at Résidence Saint-Jean for Fall/Winter 2023-24

Applicants will be asked to indicate whether they are interested in working Spring/Summer, Fall/Winter or both terms on the application form.

If you are applying for a Senior Resident Assistant (SRA) position and are interested in being considered for an RA position in the event you are unsuccessful in the SRA competition, you only need to submit an SRA application. You will be asked to indicate your interest in being an RA on your SRA application form.

Department Summary

The University of Alberta residence life program is centered on a constant process of inclusive community building, and we strive to maintain an environment that supports, emphasizes, and inspires academic learning and personal growth.

Position Summary

Within this context, the Resident Assistant (RA) is a part-time, paid student leadership position for full-time students at the University of Alberta to work for Residence Services while living in residence. They are supervised by one or more Senior Resident Assistant(s) (SRA) and the Coordinator, Residence Community Life for their residence area. These student leaders act as role-models, community builders, and peer supporters who embody the residence community’s values of dignity, respect, safety, equity, learning and community.

Each successful candidate will be assigned to a group of students who live in the same residence building to whom they are responsible for building community and providing support. The University of Alberta Residences provides housing to students of diverse race, gender, sexuality, ability, nationality, and religion; and RAs are trained to provide inclusive, quality customer service and support to all members of the community in which they live.

RAs support community building, as well as student learning and development by planning and executing engaging programs and involvement opportunities for their community’s residents. RAs also help to ensure that residence is an inclusive environment conducive to academic success through role-modeling, conflict resolution, and addressing behavior that negatively impacts the community. Furthermore, RAs help to ensure the safety of students and residence facilities through Community Support Shifts where they respond to various issues and incidents with the support of a network of residence and University staff when the University is closed (evenings and weekends). Finally, RAs assist residents in navigating the complex network of supports and services available to students in residence, on the University campus, and in the Edmonton community to support their well-being and success.

Note: RAs are expected to live on-campus in community assigned for duration of employment. All residents, including RAs, are responsible for the associated costs of their community (i.e. rent, and where appropriate, a meal plan).

Duties

• Regularly plan, facilitate and report on the success of programming (such as events, educational bulletin boards, etc.) that builds community, and supports student learning and development as outlined in training
• Addresses student behavior by responding to, documenting, and--where possible, resolving cases of negative, impactful, disruptive or inappropriate behaviour in residence, by using educational and restorative processes as outlined in training
• Demonstrate positive role modeling in academics and all aspects of community living (as outlined in the Residence Community Standards ) and maintain visible presence in community
• Planning and leading regular community meetings with residents to communicate important residence and university information, and build relationships amongst residents
• Build relationships and have supportive conversations with residents. This includes assisting residents in navigating resources and services on campus, and at times, in the Edmonton community. Supportive conversations may focus on topics including, but not limited to: academic success, well-being and mental health, stress, homesickness, transitioning to university, loneliness, getting involved in extracurricular activities, etc.
• Work regular Community Support Shifts (CSS) in their residence area (evenings and weekends). During these shifts, RAs—with the support of their supervisors and the training provided, respond to student issues and safety concerns including (but not limited to): facility issues, life emergencies, disruptive community community behavior, lockouts and lost keys, first aid, and mental health concerns.
• Collaborate and communicate with the area Residence Association to ensure educational and social needs of residents are met. The area’s Residence Association is a university student group responsible for advocating to the University on issues and concerns important to students in residence, and providing programming.
• Plays a key role in the delivery of Residence Orientation (BaseCamp and Ascent) to their community. This includes (but is not limited to) facilitating community building activities, tours, leading community discussions and guiding students to planned presentations and events.
• Assist with residence move-in and move-out events.
• Administers first aid to students in residence as required according to Standard First Aid training
• Assist with the recruitment and hiring of future residence staff as needed
• Identifies and report health and safety issues in residence facilities based on training received
• Write and submit objective reports to supervisor as required and in a timely manner, including but not limited to incident reports, program proposals and programming logs
• Attend meetings as required, such as regular meetings with their team and their supervisor(s)
• Perform checkpoint shifts by being the first point-of-contact for residents entering Lister Centre on high traffic nights to support the safety of residents and the residence building (only applies to Lister Centre staff)
• Other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

• Full-time student status at the University of Alberta in Fall 2023 and Winter 2024
• Cumulative GPA of 2.3 in the 2022-23 Fall/Winter semesters
• Interpersonal and communication (verbal and written) skills, and ability to demonstrate professionalism
• RAs for Résidence St. Jean must be able to communicate in both English and French (verbal and written)
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a team environment
• Ability to self-manage, and work independently with low supervision
• Time management and organizational skills, and ability to prioritize work effectively
• Strong problem solving and critical thinking skills, and professionalism to facilitate conflict resolution, and handle confidential matters
• Demonstrated understanding of the importance of residence communities and creating inclusive spaces
• Ability to lead a community and provide equitable support to any student irrespective of race, gender, sexuality, ability, nationality, and religion
• Have or be willing to obtain Standard First Aid with CPR Level C certification or recertification from the Canadian Red Cross Society or St. John Ambulance before your term of employment begins. (You will be reimbursed up to $160 of that cost by Residence Services once you begin your employment.)

Preferred Qualifications

• Residence Life work experience is an asset but not required
• Experience living in residence is an asset but not required
• Event planning or programming experience is an asset but not required
• Leadership and support experience with students or youth is considered an asset, but is not required
• Experience providing first aid ensuring safety and/or emergency response is considered an asset, but is not required

Expectations in the Role

The successful candidate will:

• Must live on-campus in community assigned for duration of employment.
• Care for one’s own health and wellness, and be open to continued learning and development
• Maintain full-time student status at the University of Alberta in Fall 2023 and Winter 2024 with a minimum 2.3 GPA.
• Agree to behave according to the expectations listed above, the Community Standards , the Residence Agreement , the House Rules , and the Code of Student Behaviour . Failure to do so will result in the possible termination of the role.
• Not engage in any behavior or activity while living in residence that damages the reputation of the residence community, Residence Services or the University of Alberta.
• Be available for dates of employment, including Residence Orientation, move-in/move-out events, and attending training sessions.
• Abstain from student teaching or participating in co-op work terms that take place outside of Edmonton city limits and/or that reduce availability for responsibilities.
• Maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information
• Must maintain valid Standard First Aid with CPR Level C certification for term of employment.

How to Apply: Please submit your resume by clicking the "Apply Online" button below, AND Complete this Google Form application form.

This posting is for RAs in all North Campus (Lister Centre and East Campus) residence communitiesand Résidence Saint-Jean for the 2023-24 Academic Year, including positions for Spring/Summer2023andFall/Winter2023-24.Applicantswillbeaskedtoindicatethecommunitiesinwhichtheyarewillingtoworkontheapplicationform.

18positionsavailableatNorthCampusforSpring/Summer2023

153positionsavailableatNorthCampusinFall/Winter2023-24

3positionsavailableatRésidenceSaint-JeanforFall/Winter2023-24

ApplicantswillbeaskedtoindicatewhethertheyareinterestedinworkingSpring/Summer,Fall/Winterorbothtermsontheapplicationform.

Note: Online applications are accepted until midnight Mountain Standard Time of the closing date.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those individuals selected for an interview will be contacted.