Resident Assistant

by the state of Georgia in 1785, the University of Georgia is the birthplace of public higher education in America and is the state’s flagship university ( https://www.uga.edu/ ). The proof is in our more than 240 years of academic and professional achievements and our continual commitment to higher education. UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University’s main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 3,100 faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University’s enrollment exceeds 41,000 students including over 31,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 19 schools and colleges, including our newly established School of Medicine. About the College/Unit/Department: Part of the Division of Student Affairs, University Housing consists of nearly 2.9 million square feet of facilities and is home to more than 9,000 students. The department employs over 250 full-time staff members, 16 graduate assistants and 500 undergraduate student workers. As a self-supporting auxiliary, University Housing operates a nearly $75 million budget derived only from student housing fees and other non-state sources. In support of its mission to provide comfortable, affordable and secure housing options where the academic success and personal growth of residents are encouraged and supported, University Housing engages staff members in competency-based training and students in curriculum-based engagement focused on community building, interpersonal skills, social awareness and responsibility, and well-being. College/Unit/Department website: housing.uga.edu Employment Type: Employee Anticipated Start Date: 08/02/2027 Posting Date: 10/01/2026 Closing Date: 11/13/2026 Open Until Filled: No Special Instructions to Applicants: CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: This position is classified as a 20-hour per week position. Students in this position may not hold any additional assistantship, paid campus leadership positions, fellowship or other employment, including work-study either within or outside of the University of Georgia. Live on campus in a space that is assigned by University Housing based on departmental needs and RAs may be reassigned as necessary. Be enrolled as a full-time student at the University of Georgia and carry an academic load of no more than 18 hours per semester during employment. Maintain both a minimum semester and cumulative University of Georgia grade point average of 2.75 during the period of employment. Attend and participate fully in all required training and meetings. This includes returning to campus prior to halls opening for training and staying after halls close until all closing tasks are completed. Some academic and leadership opportunities, such as but not limited to student teaching, nursing clinicals, leadership roles for fraternity and sorority recruitment, internships, leadership roles for student government association, orientation leader and study abroad programs, have conflicting time commitments with training; and thus, are not permitted. Attend weekly staff meetings on Wednesdays from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. RAs are also required to attend a series of additional training sessions throughout the academic year. Continued employment is based on job performance and evaluation. Location of Vacancy: Athens Area EOO Statement: The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status or other protected status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR ( hrweb@uga.edu ). USG Core Values Statement: The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning, as well the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 08.02.18.01.02 . Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 06.05 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom . Duties/Responsibilities: The responsibilities listed below do not comprise an exhaustive list but indicate a range of duties typical for the RA position. Other duties may be assigned to RAs by their supervisor as necessary on a temporary and infrequent basis. Community Building and Belonging Strive to achieve a sense of belonging among residents by creating a thriving community through individual and collective interactions. Support the development of a thriving community through intentional interactions and conversations among residents using strategies outlined in the residential curriculum. Foster a community environment where academic success, belonging and well-being are valued and supported by assisting residents in identifying behaviors and campus resources to achieve their goals. Develop and utilize skills to work with all student populations. Plan and implement events that facilitate a sense of community and belonging. Incident and Crisis Management RAs serve in a weekday and weekend on-call shifts responding to issues, emergencies and resident concerns. Provide leadership and model appropriate behavior in response to incidents. Fulfill on-call responsibilities as communicated by the supervisor and outlined in the RA Procedural Manual. This will include some nights, weekends, breaks and holidays. Demonstrate care and concern by following up with students involved in crisis situations. Confront alleged policy violations, behavioral concerns and facility issues. Consult up and work with supervisor and/or the professional staff member on call when developing a plan to respond to issues within the community. Maintain the appropriate level of confidentiality when approaching sensitive student and staff concerns. Report community concerns immediately. Interpersonal Skills Interact with residents on a consistent basis to build a relationship based in concern and care. Demonstrate active listening skills when interacting with residents and team members. Model and promote an environment belonging. Communicate in a courteous manner with staff, residents and campus partners Support residents as they manage conflict with each other. Administrative Skills Complete administrative tasks in a thorough and timely manner. Report incidents, policy violations and facility concerns as encountered through the appropriate system. Meet deadlines set by supervisor and/or department. Attend and be punctual to scheduled meetings, trainings and events. Percentage of time: 100 Classification Title: Temporary Professional FLSA: Exempt FTE: .50 Position Summary: Resident Assistants (RA) shape the learning experience of 30 to 75 students in their residential community. Through a multidimensional approach to learning in the residence halls, RAs support the personal development and well-being of residents by facilitating community-building events focused on interpersonal skills, belonging, and student success. As a peer leader, RAs assist in managing student concerns, promoting community engagement and fostering a sense of responsibility among residents. By emphasizing comfort, affordability, security and personal growth, RAs develop individual connections with residents through educational experiences and by connecting them to campus resources. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: Completed two post-high school semesters in college. Be in good standing with the Office of Student Conduct. Good standing is defined as not being on disciplinary probation or noncompliant with directives issued by University Housing and/or the Office of Student Conduct. Have a cumulative GPA of 2.75 at both the time of application and start date. Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies: UNIVERSITY HOUSING EXPECTATIONS: Commit to a University Housing-first philosophy by promoting student success and supporting University Housing, Division of Student Affairs and University of Georgia missions and goals. Safeguard the physical security of University Housing facilities, protect sensitive information through adherence to cybersecurity policies and best practices, promptly report any security concerns or incidents, and promote a culture of security awareness to ensure secure on-campus residential communities. Embrace an entrepreneurial spirit by sharing opportunities to protect departmental resources and find cost savings. Be present and on time for all scheduled work, communicating proactively for unavoidable absences and adhering to policies and procedures for leave requests, as these are crucial for overall productivity, team morale and operational efficiency. Provide a positive student experience by being courteous, caring, patient, flexible and working to resolve issues or problems in a timely manner. Collaborate with team members across University Housing, as needed, and communicate issues to supervisors. Maintain a positive and productive environment by consistently following department, campus and USG policies and procedures. Designated as Essential Personnel Pool (meaning may be asked to report to work) for the purposes of maintaining critical operations during inclement weather or other emergency situations. Employees in this role may be required to report to work when the University is closed or operating under modified conditions. The employee will be contacted by their supervisor (or designee) with instructions on when and where to report and what duties will be necessary. Communication will occur via the employee’s primary contact information on file (phone, email, or other agreed-upon method). The designation of Essential Personnel Pool will be reviewed annually during the performance evaluation period to ensure alignment with operational needs. Participate in departmental “all hands-on deck” events (e.g., move-in, move-out, residence hall emergencies). Physical Demands: Is this a Position of Trust?: Yes Does this position have operation, access, or control of financial resources?: No Does this position require a P-Card?: No Is having a P-Card an essential function of this position?: No Is driving a requirement of this position?: No Does this position have direct interaction or care of children under the age of 18 or direct patient care?: Yes Does this position have Security Access (e.g., public safety, IT security, personnel records, patient records, or access to chemicals and medications): Yes Background Investigation Policy: Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including, a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of Georgia; confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials (including reference checks) as they relate to the job-based requirements of the position applied for; and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. You may also be subject to a pre-employment drug test for positions with high-risk responsibilities, if applicable. Please visit the UGA Background Check website . Contact Details: For questions concerning this position or recruitment progression, please refer to the Recruitment Contact listed below. Recruitment Contact Name: Carrie Chitwood Recruitment Contact Email: cachitwo@uga.edu