What are the responsibilities and job description for the 2026-2027 Resident Assistant position at Oberlin College?
Job Summary
The RA role is one of a community facilitator and educator. RAs provide leadership and assist residents in developing a positive learning community environment by building strong, healthy relationships. RAs are responsible for facilitating opportunities for formal and informal faculty and resident interaction, encouraging resident involvement, and creating a sense of investment among residents. This is completed within guidelines established by the College and the Office of Residence Life.
There are multiple communities across campus - each with its own unique history and needs. A list of each community type along with its needs is available below. Please note these communities change each academic year. This is a list of current communities for the 2025-2026 academic year. During interviews, applicants will be given an updated confirmed list of communities for the 2026-2027 academic year.
First Year Residential Experience (FYRE): This community is designated for first year students to live together and adapt to college in a shared living environment. RAs working in this community can expect to provide support to students as they navigate the college environment for the first time and can expect a vibrant social community among residents.
Living Learning Communities (LLCs): This cluster is comprised of language-based houses affiliated with an academic department, Intercultural Exchange program houses, and interest-based houses based on specific needs or interests created yearly by students. LLC Housing includes:
Language Houses
Russia House: Affiliated with Russian and East European Studies, this community is designated for those with interest in Russian culture and in improving Russian linguistically. RAs working in this community are highly encouraged to speak Russian or have past or current coursework in the REES department.
French House: Affiliated with the French and Italian Department, this community is designated for those with interest in French culture and in improving French linguistically. RAs working in this community are encouraged to speak French, but not required to.
Spanish House - La Casa Hispanica: Affiliated with the Department of Hispanic Studies, this community is designated for those with interest in Hispanic culture and in improving Spanish linguistically. RAs working in this community must speak Spanish at an upper intermediate level.
German House - Deutsches House: Affiliated with the German Department, this community is designated for those with interest in German culture and in improving German linguistically. RAs working in this community are highly encouraged to speak German or have past or current coursework in the German department.
Identity Houses
Women & Trans Collective: This community is designated for folks who identify as women or trans.
Lilac Hall: Lilac Hall is a space for trans-identifying individuals and their allies to find community and celebrate their identity as a collective. The hall is advised by professional staff from the Office of Gender and Attraction Initiatives.
Roots in STEM: Affiliated with the STRONG Scholars program, this community is designated for students from underrepresented backgrounds with a dedication to the STEM field.
Jewish Language and Culture House: Affiliated with the Jewish Studies department, this community is designated for folks who identify as Jewish or are interested in Jewish culture and community.
Afrikan Heritage House: Affiliated with the Africana Studies department, this community is designated for folks who are looking to be a part of a community with a shared understanding of cultures, traditions, and issues among African, African American, and African Caribbean societies. RAs in this community will serve as a member of the Afrikan Heritage House Administrative team in conjunction with the Director of Afrikan Heritage House and student Program Assistants for the house. The Administrative team is responsible for helping to plan and coordinate a number of programming activities at Afrikan Heritage House including game nights, sibling program events, the annual Africana Welcome, and a variety of Black History Month events.
Asia House: this community is designated for folks with shared identities and experiences connected to Asian and/or Asian American cultures.
Latinx Heritage House: Connected to the Comparative American Studies department, this community is designated for folks who are interested in discussing, engaging, and mobilizing for the growth and development of Latine/o/a-identifying individuals.
Interest-based Communities (building locations vary by year)
Noise-Reduced: This community is designated for folks who would like to live in a space that is mindful of noise pollution to allow for a quieter environment.
Science Fiction and Fantasy (Sci-Fi): This community is designated for folks who have an interest in science fiction and fantasy and want to live within a community where this interest is celebrated with multimedia methods of engagement.
Cairn Wellness Community: This community is designated for folks with a commitment to living a substance-free lifestyle.
Traditional Housing (TRAD): This community is designated for all class years to engage with each other in a shared living space. RAs working in this community can expect to serve as a resource for folks as they navigate their Oberlin experience and to collaborate with residents to build a cohesive community experience through various forms of engagement.
Responsibilities
Please review the RA Hiring Website which is available online at: https://www.oberlin.edu/housing/employment
Qualifications
Applicants must be current students in good academic and disciplinary standing. Anyone on disciplinary probation may not hold a student staff position, and students may not start the position while on academic probation. The Office of Residence Life will verify each applicant's academic and disciplinary standing as part of the application process.
Due to the time commitments of this role, SSMs are discouraged from holding other student leadership roles or jobs that require a significant time commitment, including but not limited to: PAL, OSCA Leadership, Student Senate Executive Board, SFC Treasurer, etc
Quick Link for Posting https://jobs.oberlin.edu/postings/16972 Compensation
Please be aware that all rooms will not be equal and the Office of Residence Life reserves the right to relocate you if needed to accommodate housing needs.
RAs also receive a stipend twice a semester via direct deposit. The total stipend for the entire academic year is $6,500.
Special Instructions to Applicants
The RA role is one of a community facilitator and educator. RAs provide leadership and assist residents in developing a positive learning community environment by building strong, healthy relationships. RAs are responsible for facilitating opportunities for formal and informal faculty and resident interaction, encouraging resident involvement, and creating a sense of investment among residents. This is completed within guidelines established by the College and the Office of Residence Life.
There are multiple communities across campus - each with its own unique history and needs. A list of each community type along with its needs is available below. Please note these communities change each academic year. This is a list of current communities for the 2025-2026 academic year. During interviews, applicants will be given an updated confirmed list of communities for the 2026-2027 academic year.
First Year Residential Experience (FYRE): This community is designated for first year students to live together and adapt to college in a shared living environment. RAs working in this community can expect to provide support to students as they navigate the college environment for the first time and can expect a vibrant social community among residents.
Living Learning Communities (LLCs): This cluster is comprised of language-based houses affiliated with an academic department, Intercultural Exchange program houses, and interest-based houses based on specific needs or interests created yearly by students. LLC Housing includes:
Language Houses
Russia House: Affiliated with Russian and East European Studies, this community is designated for those with interest in Russian culture and in improving Russian linguistically. RAs working in this community are highly encouraged to speak Russian or have past or current coursework in the REES department.
French House: Affiliated with the French and Italian Department, this community is designated for those with interest in French culture and in improving French linguistically. RAs working in this community are encouraged to speak French, but not required to.
Spanish House - La Casa Hispanica: Affiliated with the Department of Hispanic Studies, this community is designated for those with interest in Hispanic culture and in improving Spanish linguistically. RAs working in this community must speak Spanish at an upper intermediate level.
German House - Deutsches House: Affiliated with the German Department, this community is designated for those with interest in German culture and in improving German linguistically. RAs working in this community are highly encouraged to speak German or have past or current coursework in the German department.
Identity Houses
Women & Trans Collective: This community is designated for folks who identify as women or trans.
Lilac Hall: Lilac Hall is a space for trans-identifying individuals and their allies to find community and celebrate their identity as a collective. The hall is advised by professional staff from the Office of Gender and Attraction Initiatives.
Roots in STEM: Affiliated with the STRONG Scholars program, this community is designated for students from underrepresented backgrounds with a dedication to the STEM field.
Jewish Language and Culture House: Affiliated with the Jewish Studies department, this community is designated for folks who identify as Jewish or are interested in Jewish culture and community.
Afrikan Heritage House: Affiliated with the Africana Studies department, this community is designated for folks who are looking to be a part of a community with a shared understanding of cultures, traditions, and issues among African, African American, and African Caribbean societies. RAs in this community will serve as a member of the Afrikan Heritage House Administrative team in conjunction with the Director of Afrikan Heritage House and student Program Assistants for the house. The Administrative team is responsible for helping to plan and coordinate a number of programming activities at Afrikan Heritage House including game nights, sibling program events, the annual Africana Welcome, and a variety of Black History Month events.
Asia House: this community is designated for folks with shared identities and experiences connected to Asian and/or Asian American cultures.
Latinx Heritage House: Connected to the Comparative American Studies department, this community is designated for folks who are interested in discussing, engaging, and mobilizing for the growth and development of Latine/o/a-identifying individuals.
Interest-based Communities (building locations vary by year)
Noise-Reduced: This community is designated for folks who would like to live in a space that is mindful of noise pollution to allow for a quieter environment.
Science Fiction and Fantasy (Sci-Fi): This community is designated for folks who have an interest in science fiction and fantasy and want to live within a community where this interest is celebrated with multimedia methods of engagement.
Cairn Wellness Community: This community is designated for folks with a commitment to living a substance-free lifestyle.
Traditional Housing (TRAD): This community is designated for all class years to engage with each other in a shared living space. RAs working in this community can expect to serve as a resource for folks as they navigate their Oberlin experience and to collaborate with residents to build a cohesive community experience through various forms of engagement.
Responsibilities
Please review the RA Hiring Website which is available online at: https://www.oberlin.edu/housing/employment
Qualifications
Applicants must be current students in good academic and disciplinary standing. Anyone on disciplinary probation may not hold a student staff position, and students may not start the position while on academic probation. The Office of Residence Life will verify each applicant's academic and disciplinary standing as part of the application process.
Due to the time commitments of this role, SSMs are discouraged from holding other student leadership roles or jobs that require a significant time commitment, including but not limited to: PAL, OSCA Leadership, Student Senate Executive Board, SFC Treasurer, etc
Quick Link for Posting https://jobs.oberlin.edu/postings/16972 Compensation
Please be aware that all rooms will not be equal and the Office of Residence Life reserves the right to relocate you if needed to accommodate housing needs.
RAs also receive a stipend twice a semester via direct deposit. The total stipend for the entire academic year is $6,500.
Special Instructions to Applicants
Salary : $6,500