University Student Assistant - Resident Assistant (Spring 2026 - Summer 2026 - Fall 2026)

Salary: $225 monthly stipend (Max 26 hours per week)

Schedule

• On-call rotation (weekdays 4:30 p.m. – 8:00 a.m.; weekends 24 hours, University closures, and emergencies)
• Weekday and weekend desk shifts
• Required to arrive early or stay later for University closures, holidays, move-in day, training, etc.

About the Role

The Resident Assistant (RA) is a vital student member of the Office of Residence Life staff. The Office of Residence Life is committed to a comprehensive residence hall program — one that blends the curricular with the academic to create a total educational environment in which all residents are assisted in achieving their unique potential. RAs are essential in creating this environment. The quality of their efforts has a significant, direct bearing upon the quality of life experienced by all members of the university community. The RA serves as a liaison between the offices of Housing Operations and Residence Life and the residents. Under the supervision of the Residence Life Coordinator (RLC), the RA will fulfill the general requirements and responsibilities in this job description. Positions may be filled based on individual applicants’ skills, qualifications, and departmental needs. Adheres to all department and University policies and procedures.

Responsibilities

Resident Education/Support

• Meet and become acquainted with each resident and their academic needs.
• Help to create and maintain an atmosphere conducive to studying within the residential facilities.
• Offer students the opportunity to learn how to manage time, maintain good study habits, and take tests efficiently.
• Provide opportunities for faculty involvement in floor/hall programming.
• Initiate, plan, and organize educational programs that respond to the needs and interests of all residents.

Student Conduct

• Respond to student behavior to maintain an atmosphere conducive to study and protect the physical facilities for future student use.
• Maintain consistent policies throughout the residential facilities by:
  • Developing a sense of community among residents on the floor/area.
  • Encouraging self-discipline, self-government, and respect for individual rights among residents.
  • Encouraging individual assertiveness.
  • Completing Incident reports in a timely manner.

Helping Skills

• Serve as a concerned, non-judgmental peer advisor to assist residents in resolving problems; mediate conflicts among residents.
• Maintain confidentiality of sensitive information when ethical and appropriate.
• Display interest and sensitivity to the concerns of minority groups.
• Respond positively to crisis situations.
• Refer residents, when necessary, to university and community resources.
• Demonstrate effective listening skills.
• Treat residents fairly and impartially.
• Identify and assist residents with personal, social, academic, or health-related concerns.

Safety/Security

• Be familiar with the building fire alarm system and familiarize students with building evacuation and other emergency procedures.
• Regularly report repair requests that affect the safety and security of residents (e.g., stairway/breezeway lights, damage to door lock mechanisms).
• Educate students on safety and security guidelines as listed in the Guide to Residence Living and Gamecock Guidelines.
• Monitor door access.
• Conduct monthly health and safety inspections of rooms/apartments in your assigned area.

Policy Education

• Educate students on the need for safety and security; encourage compliance with university policy by discussing and enforcing regulations.
• Encourage residents to confront policy violations and bring them to the attention of Housing Operations and Residence Life staff.
• Serve as a positive role model for all residents by complying with JSU and Housing Operations and Residence Life policies and procedures.
• Communicate policies and their rationale to residents, even if you do not necessarily agree with them.
• Confront students who fail to comply with policies or violate other residents’ rights; refer these students to the RLC.
• Support other staff members in the education of hall policies.

Administrative

• Be on call (weekdays 4:30 p.m.–8:00 a.m.; weekends and University holidays/closings 24 hours) for the residential community on an assigned, rotating basis, and in emergency situations.
• Assist in the opening and closing of the hall (and apartments when applicable) each semester and at every break period.
• Complete all assigned administrative assignments/reports in a timely manner at the discretion of supervisor.
• Attend training starting late July/early August (see supervisor for exact date) of the academic year hired.
• First-time RAs will register for and attend Resident Assistant Seminar class (see supervisor for CRN).
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Applicants must be enrolled as a JSU student taking at least three (3) hours per fall or spring semester.
• If not a first-time student, the applicant must have a GPA of 2.5 or higher.
• Selected applicants must provide evidence of student enrollment and GPA (unofficial transcript or printout of enrollment/GPA from MyJSU).

Qualifications for International Students

• Must be in a valid immigration status.
• Must be enrolled as a full-time JSU student.
• Possess the following:
  • Passport from their respective country.
  • F-1 Student Visa or J-1 Exchange Student Visa.
  • U.S. Customs Form I-94.
  • Official photo identification.
  • Official Social Security Card imprinted with “Valid for Work Only” or similar statement.

Required Documents

• Cover Letter
• Resume
• Unofficial Transcript