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The Resident Assistant (RA), is a peer mentor and role model responsible for building a strong community, supporting residents, and generating meaningful opportunities for students to connect to campus through intentional interactions. Critical functions of the RA position include community engagement, student support & assistance, on-call & emergency response, administrative responsibility, and providing departmental support. This position will report directly to a Residence Director within Residential Experience. The RA must be able to perform the job’s essential duties, which include but is not limited to regularly accessing all areas of their assigned residential building and work availability. In emergencies, the RA must be able to access all various building areas promptly and appropriately. The RA will frequently utilize a computer and a phone. 

RAs will be directly supervised by a Residence Director and indirectly supervised by an Assistant Director.

Evaluation Process/Timeline: RAs will participate in a supervisor evaluation at the end of the Fall and Spring semester with their direct supervisor each academic year. The evaluation will be based on the Critical functions of the RA position including community engagement, crisis management & student support, administration, and serving as an active department member. In addition, the RA will participate in weekly one-on-one meetings with their direct supervisor to discuss performance, development, and other aspects of the RA position.   

Pay Rate/Compensation:

  • All Resident Assistants within the position will be paid a base rate of $200 per month. Resident Assistants who serve the department for 2 consecutive long semesters will be paid $250 per month.  
  • A bed space free of charge.
  • The Gold 14 Meal Plan (14 meal swipes per week/$300 dining dollars) per semester is provided when campus dining is in operation. 

Anticipated Start Date: January 12, 2026

Job Duties:

Student Success & Community Engagement 

  • Establish, maintain, and support a positive, healthy, living learning environment in the residence halls consistent with the educational mission of the university, the priorities of the Division of Student Success, and the Department of Housing and Residential Life. 
  • Plan, implement, and evaluate RA-led programs, community-led initiatives, and individual interactions throughout the academic year to address community needs and promote student success. 
  • Provide support for student leadership and community engagement through assisting Residence Hall Association (RHA), Hall Council and assigned Living Learning Communities (LLCs/TCs) in programs, events, and initiatives. 
  • Facilitate conversations through individual and group interactions among residents to support community, sense of belonging, and personal development through floor meetings and the establishment of community standards. 
  • Support, assist, and participate in departmental and university initiatives including but not limited to: Welcome Week, Homecoming, departmental programs, hall openings and closings, etc.  

Student Support & Assistance

  • Serve as a role model, resource, and referral agent to campus resources and appropriate organizations. 
  • Facilitate conversations that promote the personal growth of residents and members of the community through building positive rapport and connections. 
  • Actively engage with and seek to resolve issues for students and promote positive interdependence of residents through providing resources and encouraging help-seeking behaviors to support residents personally and academically. 
  • Confront inappropriate behaviors and address concerning actions with residents professionally per departmental expectations and training.  
  • Maintain appropriate staff and student confidentiality with student information, records, and other FERPA related information. 

On Call & Emergency Response

  • Serve on an on-call duty rotation in the assigned hall(s) during weekdays (5 PM – 8 AM), weekends (5 PM – 5 PM), and university breaks/holidays (5 PM – 5 PM) as directed by the supervisor. 
  • Respond to incidents within assigned community, both during the day and after hours, in accordance with Housing and Residential Life policies. 
  • Document student concerns, alleged policy violations, and potential behavioral issues, including violations of the Living on Campus Handbook and student code of conduct in accordance with Texas State reporting expectations. 
  • Assist with building/emergency evacuation and crowd mitigation during fire drills.

Administration 

  •  Respond to e-mails and phone calls within 24 hours. 
  • Document alleged policy violations and/or resident concerns; submit by 8:00AM the following day. 
  • Complete scheduled room inspections in conjunction with Housing colleagues. 
  • Actively participate in recruitment and selection of Housing and Residential Life Staff. 

Department Support

  • Assist with hall opening and closing activities, including returning early and remaining after the halls close as outlined in the Resident Assistant Employment Agreement. 
  • Attend and participate in all staff training programs, including professional development sessions, fall, and spring training. 
  • Maintain an active, positive, and respectful relationship with residents, peers staff, and other departmental members. 
  • Act as a role model, demonstrating good conduct, positive contributions to the campus community, and compliance with applicable rules and policies. 
  • Other duties as assigned by the supervisor of the assigned community and/or DHRL Leadership. 

Time Committments

  • Weekly team staff meetings hosted from 8:00PM – 10:00PM every Monday evening throughout the semester. 
  • Weekday and Weekend on-call availability from 5:00PM – 8:00AM on scheduled days.  
  • Attend mandatory training, in-services, and departmental openings/closing at the at the start and end of each long semester. 
  • Availability to work break periods including Thanksgiving Break, Winter Break, and Spring Break. 
  • May not hold another job during their first semester of the RA position. 

Required Qualifications:

  • Commit to one full academic year within the RA position. 
  • Maintain a minimum 2.5 semester and overall GPA at time of application and throughout position. 
  • Must be enrolled as a full-time undergraduate student (minimum 12 credit hours/semester) and have completed 15 college credits by time of appointment (Dual credit does not apply). 
  • 1 long semester of campus living experience by time of appointment. 
  • No previous, active, or pending conduct record that could create a conflict with the expectations of the role. 
  • Be available to attend training programs before the start of each Academic Semester and work end-of-semester responsibilities after exams are completed before departing from campus. 

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Demonstrate initiative and the ability to think critically and creatively to solve problems and make decisions.  
  • Be able to communicate effectively with a varied student population, understand their unique needs, and help residents build strong social networks.  
  • Be able to work both independently and as part of a team, exhibit self-motivation, and adapt to constantly changing and unpredictable environments.  
  • Demonstrate a commitment to learning and be open to receiving training and feedback from their supervisor(s) and peers. 

Essential Functions of the Position:

Summary: This list is meant to provide an outline of essential job functions for Resident Assistants within the Department of Housing and Residential Life. Throughout the course of the year there will be times where staff will be called to service based on the needs of the community that may not be outlined in a job description. RAs agree to meet and abide by the standards described in this document; the RA Work Agreement; The Living On Campus Handbook; the Housing Contract; the expectations communicated by TXST Housing during trainings and by their supervisor; University policies; and State and Federal Laws. 

Resident Assistants (RAs) are responsible for creating and maintaining a safe and engaging residential community. To fulfill this role, RAs must be able to perform the following essential functions: 

Communication

  • Communicate clearly and effectively with students, staff, and visitors across various settings and times, including late evenings and overnight hours. 
  • Provide and receive verbal and/or visual instructions during emergencies or high-stress situations.  
  • Answer and respond promptly to calls on an on-call mobile phone and multi-line telephone system.  
  • Engage in one-on-one conversations with residents to offer support, guidance, and referrals. 

Emergency and Crisis Response 

  • Be able to respond quickly and appropriately to crisis or emergency situations.  
  • Navigate crowded or high-stress environments and assist residents during evacuations or incidents.  
  • Remain calm, observant, and communicative while providing support during critical situations. 

Physical Requirements 

  • Hear and see clearly to respond to alarms, verbal calls for assistance, and visual emergency cues.  
  • Physically assist residents outside of the building or to areas of refuge in emergency or crisis situations as appropriate.  
  • Use hands and fingers to operate mobile devices, radios, key boxes, locks, and computers for reporting, communication, and facility access.   
  • Perform tasks requiring hand-eye coordination such as filling out forms, organizing supplies, or hanging posters/flyers. 
  • Speak clearly and loudly enough to be understood over the phone, in group settings, emergencies, or while wearing a face covering. 
  • Walk outdoors in varying weather conditions (heat, rain, cold) while assisting with tasks including but not limited to: rounds, move-in operations, community engagement initiatives, and other assigned duties.   
  • Lift and carry up to 20 pounds for distances of up to 200 feet.   
  • Ascend and descend multiple floors without the assistance of an elevator using stairwells; walk indoor and outdoor areas during on-call rounds. 

Availability & Scheduling

  •  Be available to serve in an on-call capacity during all weekday shifts from 5PM – 8AM (Monday through Friday), weekend shifts from 5PM – 5PM (Saturdays and Sundays), and for all university holidays shifts from 5PM-5PM. 
  • Regularly inspect public areas of the hall and complete required reports.   
  • Attend and participate in mandatory training sessions, staff meetings, and departmental events, including those held during evenings or weekends.  
  • Maintain a flexible schedule that allows for reliable availability and consistent engagement within the residential community.  
  • Return early for training and hall opening and remain through hall closing at breaks and after the last scheduled graduation as noted within the RA Work Agreement.   
  • RAs are required to effectively manage time to participate in all dates listed within the RA Work Agreement and the Community Engagement Model as determined by the Department. RAs will need permission in writing if seeking to be absent from any event listed as required by the department.   

Facilities & Operational Support

  • Identify, respond to, and report maintenance, custodial, or safety concerns promptly and accurately.  
  • Submit work orders and follow up on facility-related issues to support resident safety and comfort as directed by the Department of Housing and Residential Life. 
  • Prepare written documentation and complete administrative duties thoroughly and on time.  
  • Be able to utilize departmental software platforms to manage records, submit forms, and complete operational tasks. 

Confidentiality and Compliance 

  • Maintain confidentiality in accordance with departmental policies and FERPA privacy laws and handle sensitive information with discretion and professionalism.  
  • Notify supervisors of any events or conditions that could impact a student, floor, hall, or the university.   
  • Act as a Campus Security Authority (CSA), reporting crimes and ensuring compliance with the Clery Act.   
  • Serve as a Mandated Reporter or Responsible Employee (obligated to report all violations of the Community Living Standards, State and Federal law, as well as cases of sexual misconduct, sexual assault, and sexual harassment to supervisor).  

Conditions of Employment:

  • Maintain enrollment for at least twelve semester credit hours in the fall and spring semesters unless specific position requirements designate that the student employee must be enrolled full time.
    • If the student employee wishes to take more than 18 credit hours or less than the minimum credit hours for the given semester, they must receive written approval from the appropriate unit director or their designee.
  • While enrolled with Texas State University, student employees may not work more than a total of 25 hours per week and may not be scheduled to work during class times.
    • International students may work a maximum of 20 hours per week while they are enrolled and attending classes.
  • The student employee must remain in good academic standing and is required to maintain a minimum semester and cumulative GPA of 2.5. The last fall or spring semester (long semester) will be considered for the semester requirement. The overall Texas State GPA will be counted for GPA.
    • This requirement is waived for first semester students.
    • The job agreement may be terminated after one semester of probation if the GPA requirements are not met, or if the student employee’s cumulative and/or semester grade point average falls below a 2.0.
    • Newly hired student employees cannot start their employment on GPA probation.
    • In the event where the student employee is terminated due to low GPA, the student employee must maintain a semester/cumulative GPA higher than 2.5 for at least two long semesters before reapplying for the position.
  • The student employee must complete required university compliance training and other training assigned to the student worker. Compliance requirements must be kept up to date for all annual training.
  • The student employee must act in accordance with all federal, state, and local laws and remain in good judicial standing with TXST.
    • If a student employee is subject to a student conduct or administrative review process, decisions made will be viewed as separate processes from employment performance management.
    • Student employees must act as role models, demonstrating good conduct and positive contributions to the campus community as student employees may be viewed as a representative of the department and institution.
  • Hourly student employees are responsible for submitting working hours in SAP by the Payroll Deadlines for the applicable fiscal year. Payroll Deadlines may be found at https://www.txst.edu/payroll/payroll-calendars.html. Submitting working hours on time is required in order to receive timely pay for hours worked.
    • Student employees in task positions who receive a stipend are not considered hourly student employees and do not submit hourly pay in SAP. Student employees receiving task/stipend pay may receive prorated pay for pay period(s) at the beginning or end of their employment in which they are not employed for the full pay period.
    • The Resident Assistant position is designated as a task position.
  • The student employee position is security-sensitive, and a security screening/background check must be performed before the first day of work. Student employment is contingent on the results of the background check.
  • Resident Assistants may not hold another job during the first semester of their employment as an RA. RA’s may submit an appeal to their supervising Residence Director after 6 weeks of employment. All appeals require approval by the Director of Residential Experience or their designee and will be determined by the appeal rational and positive work performance.
  • Student employees who fail to comply with department and supervisory expectations, training, and guidelines as outlined will be subject to the student employee performance management process.
  • Student employees are not guaranteed reappointment to their student employee position semester-to-semester and academic year to academic year.
    • Student employees’ reappointment will be determined based on performance evaluations completed semesterly.
  • The student employee may be terminated from their positions in accordance with U.P.P.S. 07.07.04: Student Employee Termination, Separation, and Grievance Procedures and with the express approval of the appropriate authorities representing DHRL.