University Student Assistant - Resident Assistant (Fall 2026 - Spring 2027)

Weekday and weekend desk shifts, required to arrive early or stay later for University closures, holidays, move-in day, training, etc.

Position Summary

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 Residents 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.

Duties & 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
  • RAs are responsible for responding to student behavior so that an atmosphere conducive to study is maintained and the physical facilities are protected for student use in the future.
  • RAs are responsible for maintaining consistent policies throughout the residential facilities. The RA should:
    • Strive to develop a sense of community among residents on the floor/area.
    • Encourage self-discipline, self-government, and a respect for individual rights among residents; encourage individual assertiveness
    • Complete Incident reports in a timely manner
• Helping Skills
  • Serve as a concerned, non-judgmental peer advisor, whose goal is to assist residents in resolving problems; serve as mediator for residents in conflict with one another.
  • 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 (i.e., stairway/breezeway lights, damage to door lock mechanisms).
  • Educate students on the safety and security guidelines as listed in the Guide to Residence Living and Gamecock Guidelines
  • Monitor door access
  • Conduct monthly health and safety inspection 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 bringing 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.
  • Completes all assigned administrative assignments/reports in a timely manner at the discretion of supervisor
  • Resident Assistants MUST 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

Minimum Qualifications

• Applicants must be enrolled as a JSU student taking at least three (3) hours per fall or spring semester. (Requirements for international students below. *)
• 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.

Notice Regarding International Students

• All international students must be in a valid immigration status.
• Please visit the International Programs website for additional information: http://www.jsu.edu/international/index.html
• Due to Visa requirements international students must be enrolled as a full-time JSU student and possess each of the following:
  1. Passport from their respective country.
  2. F-1 Student Visa or J-1 Exchange Student Visa.
  3. U.S. Customs Form I-94.
  4. Official photo identification.
  5. Official Social Security Card imprinted with “Valid for Work Only” or similar statement

Required Documents

1. Cover Letter
2. Resume
3. Unofficial Transcript

Clery Notice: In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act, https://www.clerycenter.org/the-clery-act the Jacksonville State University Police provide information on crimes statistics, crime prevention, law enforcement, crime reporting, and other related issues for the past three calendar years. The JSU Annual Campus Security and Fire Report is available online at: https://www.jsu.edu/police/docs/cleryannualreport.pdf

Equal Employment Opportunity: Jax State is an Equal Employment and Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, genetic information, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

About the Organization

Located in the Appalachian foothills of northeast Alabama, midway between Birmingham and Atlanta, Jacksonville State University is home to more than 9,900 students representing 63 countries. As a learning-centered university, it strives to challenge students academically in a responsive environment, meeting their educational, career and personal goals. As an academic institution, it seeks to produce broadly educated graduates prepared for global engagement. As a public, comprehensive university, it promotes excellence in scholarly and service activities consistent with its academic and professional strengths.

Academically Jax State offers 113 academic programs and concentrations, including bachelor's, master's, post-baccalaureate, doctoral and advanced certificate programs in a variety of disciplines that prepare graduates for meaningful careers and ongoing education. More than 40 online programs are offered. The University features six colleges on its 459-acre campus – Arts, Humanities and Sciences; Business and Industry; Education and Professional Studies; Health Professions and Wellness; Social and Behavioral Sciences; and Library. Most academic programs have discipline-specific accreditations, a reflection of their quality and JSU’s commitment to excellence.