Resident Advisor

Overview

2026-27 Resident Advisor (RA) Position Description
Place of Work:
Residential Life

Purpose
:
The primary role of an RA is to build a strong bond with residents, fellow teammates, and the student body as a whole to create a connection that ensures all students are working to create a better community.

• Serve as a member of the on-call team during the evenings, weekends, and breaks, with duty shifts including:
  Weekdays 4pm-8am;
  Weekends 8am-8am. If the following day is a university holiday or classes are canceled, duty continues until 4pm.
• Maintain availability and visibility to students (e.g., posting weekly availability/schedule, spending time in common areas, RA office, and engaging with residents).
• Organize and implement regular programs and bulletin boards, support campus events, encourage participation, and attend various functions.
• Assist residents with personal, social, health, and academic concerns by making appropriate referrals and understanding your own limitations in advising.
• Establish personal contact and rapport with wing/building/community residents; implement corrective or preventive measures as needed.
• Inventory and document resident rooms at the beginning and end of each school year, during breaks or room changes, and report maintenance or facility problems to Facilities and Residential Life.
• Understand and enforce College and Residential Life policies; inform students of these policies and abide by them as a role model.
• Work as a team to solve problems, improve the Residential Life program, and contribute suggestions.
• Participate in fire drills, alarms, and other safety procedures.
• Maintain communication with Residential Life professional staff regarding programming, concerns, incidents, etc.
• Hold wing/apartment meetings monthly or as needed to share information and socialize.
• Develop meaningful relationships with residents and the community through intentional interactions and authentic conversation.
• Assist in responding to resident needs and refer to appropriate services; know when to involve others.

• Must be a current CSS student
• Federal work-study eligibility is NOT required
• Minimum sophomore status
• Enrolled in 12 in-person credits on the Duluth Main Campus
• Must be registered for Fall semester by the last day of Spring semester and for Spring by the last day of Fall semester
• Minimum GPA of 2.5, term and cumulative, for entire application and employment period
• In good standing with the Student Code of Conduct for entire application (after application is submitted) and employment period
• Successful passing of the Kari Koskinen background check and any other background/reference checks as needed or required

Compensation is equivalent to room and meal plan for the area RA is placed in and will cover the amount billed to your student account. In addition, first-year RAs receive a $175 stipend per semester, disbursed at the end of each semester. Returning RAs receive a $325 stipend per semester, disbursed at the end of each semester. Receival of the stipend is contingent on successfully completing all tasks for the semester.

All RAs will be charged on their student accounts for the cost of housing and meal plan based on placement; they will then be paid that same amount over the course of the academic year across approximately 18 pay periods.

Residential Life Employment Guidelines

• General Expectations:
  Fulfill Residential Life requirements and duties; common sense, initiative, and professional conduct apply.
• Show an active interest in the job; the RA role should be a priority after academics.
• Maintain a helpful, professional, and respectful demeanor with colleagues and residents.
• Know and comply with the rules and regulations of Residential Life, the College, and the State of Minnesota.

• Maintain availability and visibility to students; regularly spend time in common areas and engage with residents.
• Serve as a resource for the College and students.
• Serve as a member of the on-call team during evenings, weekends, and breaks, with specified duty hours as described in Responsibilities.
• Work at a 2-hour desk shift at the Somer’s Hall Front Desk (collateral assignments possible with Director’s coordination).
• Maintain communication with Residential Life professional staff regarding all aspects of the residential community.
• Hold wing/apartment meetings at least monthly or as needed.
• Inventory and document rooms; report maintenance problems; assist with safety procedures.
• Enforce College and Residential Life policies; inform students and model appropriate behavior.
• Collaborate with other RAs and staff to improve the Residential Life Program.
• Establish meaningful relationships with residents and the community.
• Organize and implement regular programs and support campus events.

• Serve as a mentor for first-year RAs.
• May lead training sessions in fall/wall to share experience and knowledge.
• Assist the…