What are the responsibilities and job description for the Student Worker - Summer Resident Assistant position at Ohio Wesleyan University?
Student Worker – Summer Resident Assistant
Number of Openings: 3
Purpose/Objective of the Role:
The summer Resident Assistant is assigned to oversee an area of our residential facilities and is responsible for working closely with the Residential Life professional staff and other Resident Assistants in developing and maintaining a community promoting academic, personal, and social growth in the residence hall. The following provides an overview of the RA responsibilities and terms of employment. Summer RAs will be directly supervised by a Residential Life Coordinator.
Tasks & Responsibilities:
- Community Development and Safety:
- Develop positive relationships with residents and build an inclusive, welcoming community where students feel they belong.
- Be visible, available and approachable to residents.
- Serve as a positive role model for all students (showing other students what it means to be a good student, following all policies found in the OWU Code of Student Conduct, as well as all local, state, and federal laws).
- Participate in the evening duty rotation for assigned hall/area, during this time RAs are to remain in their assigned area and available to respond from 7pm-7am
- While on duty be visible, build community, and complete rounds within assigned area.
- Respond to emergencies that occur within building/area; confront and document behavior that is not in line with OWU community standards and policies.
- Work with residents to develop and enforce a set of community standards
- Use master keys appropriately to assist residents who are locked out
- Facilitate floor/house meetings with residents at building opening and closings throughout the year, in the occurrence of community damage, and whenever additional meetings are necessary to address community needs.
- Programming:
- Support the Residential Experience through individual and community interactions with residents, departmental learning initiatives, and other intentional experiences.
- Host a monthly community event to promote a sense of belonging.
- Promote skill development with residents, such as conflict management.
- Informational and educational bulletin boards.
- Support the Residential Experience through individual and community interactions with residents, departmental learning initiatives, and other intentional experiences.
- Administrative Tasks and Residential Life Support:
- RAs will communicate regularly with supervisor through e-mail, phone, staff mailbox, bi-weekly one-on-one meetings, and weekly staff meetings.
- Maintain strict confidentiality of sensitive information relating to students and staff.
- Attend weekly staff meetings.
- Attend all-staff trainings.
- Complete paperwork, including reports, work requests, housing forms, etc.
- Assist in the opening/closing of residential facilities at the beginning and end of the summer break.
- Participate in job performance reviews/ personal and professional development led by Residential Life professional staff members.
● Terms of Employment:
Summer Session Resident Assistants will be selected with preference given to:
1. Students who have served previously as RAs/Moderators at OWU and are returning as a student in the upcoming fall term.
2. Students who have been selected as RAs/Moderators for the upcoming academic term.
3. Other interested students (Resident Assistants should be sophomores or above). The Resident Assistant must be willing to commit a significant portion of time to their position responsibilities. It is important for the RA to be available to students during the evening hours and appropriate weekend times, especially when scheduled for on-duty responsibilities. Resident Assistants are able to hold other jobs on and off campus over the summer months.
Qualifications/Skills:
- Live on campus for a minimum of one year.
- Strong commitment toward helping students and acting as a role model.
- Must be in good academic standing: minimum GPA 2.75, preferred GPA 3.0.
- Must be in good standing with the Office of Community Standards and Conduct.
- Evidence of good communication skills, organizational and time-management skills, interpersonal skills, reliability and dependability, and leadership potential.
- Successfully pass a background check.
- Must be available for employment for the entire summer break, with the exception of brief summer vacation plans.
- Successfully attend training in August and the Residential Life Leadership Summit in March.
Potential Future Career Benefit:
- This role provides hands-on experience in leadership, crisis response, conflict management, and community development.
- Students gain transferable skills in communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and administrative operations that are valuable in higher education, student affairs, and a wide range of professional fields.
NOTE:
Employment sponsorship is not available for this position. Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States.
Application Instructions:
- Complete the ADP application by selecting "Apply" button and answer all questions.
- Supervisor: Brian Emerick
- Commitment: 10–20 hours/week; includes evening and weekend duty rotation
- Term: Summer 2026