Resident Assistant (Fall 2027/Spring 2028)

Description

The Resident Assistant (RA) is responsible for fostering a positive, inclusive, and engaging living environment for Campus Town residents. The RA supports students' academic success, personal growth, and overall residential experience by serving as a positive role model, resource, and visible member of the Campus Town community.

Resident Assistants build relationships with residents, support community engagement, assist with programming and residential operations, promote compliance with Campus Town policies, and respond appropriately to resident concerns and emergencies.

• Employment Start Date: Thursday, August 19, 2027
• Employment End Date: Saturday, May 20, 2028

NOTE: Your application will require the following:

• A resume
• A minimum of 3 professional references
• Answers to the following questions, approximately 150 words per question in a separate document and uploaded to the Cover Letter section of this application. 
• 1. How would you describe a Resident Assistant to a parent? 2. Define an apartment-style college community and how you believe an RA can impact the community. 3. If hired, what goals would you set for yourself and your community (floor and larger Campus Town community)? How will you complete these goals? 4. What issues do you think sophomore and upper-class students will face living at Campus Town? How will you bring awareness and conquer these issues? 5. What have you learned from your experience through college up until this point? What do you hope to gain from your RA experience?

Community Development

• Build relationships with residents and become familiar with residents within the assigned community during the first three weeks of the semester.
• Maintain a visible and approachable presence within the residential community and serve as a resource for residents.
• Promote a positive and respectful community through open communication, engagement, and programming.
• Encourage residents to take responsibility for their conduct and actions within the community.
• Assist residents with roommate conflicts and notify the supervisor of concerns requiring additional support or intervention.
• Provide appropriate support and referrals for residents experiencing personal, academic, wellness, relationship, or social concerns.
• Promptly report inappropriate, discriminatory, harassing, or other concerning behavior in accordance with Campus Town policies and procedures.

Programming & Resident Engagement

• Coordinate and implement a welcome social during the first week of the fall semester.
• Plan and complete at least four programs per semester for the assigned building and assist with at least two Campus Town community programs.
• Encourage resident participation in the development and implementation of community programs and activities.
• Complete required program proposals, marketing materials, and program evaluations within established deadlines.
• Obtain supervisor approval before making program-related purchases and submit required receipts and purchasing documentation.

Facility & Building Support

• Assist with room condition assessments before resident move-in in August and following move-out in May.
• Assist with the opening and closing of residential buildings.
• Encourage residents to complete required Room Condition Reports following check-in.
• Conduct scheduled health, safety, and maintenance inspections and complete appropriate follow-up.
• Identify and promptly report maintenance, facility, and safety concerns within assigned areas.

On-Call & Duty Responsibilities

• Participate in the Resident Assistant on-call rotation, including evening and weekend coverage.
• Conduct scheduled rounds of Campus Town residential buildings while on duty between 7:00pm – 1:00am.
• Respond appropriately to calls, incidents, emergencies, and other situations requiring assistance during assigned duty periods, including calls received after regular duty-round hours.
• Provide staff coverage during academic calendar break periods, including holidays and extended breaks, as assigned.
• Maintain a professional presence during scheduled desk and office coverage.
• Use Campus Town duty phones and other assigned equipment responsibly and for authorized business purposes.
• Pick up and return duty equipment in accordance with established procedures.
• Provide weekend office/package coverage as scheduled.
• Duty schedules and coverage requirements are subject to change based on operational and resident needs.
• Safety, Security & Policy Compliance
• Become familiar with and consistently apply Campus Town lease requirements, policies, procedures, emergency protocols, and the Resident Assistant Manual.
• Maintain familiarity with applicable TCNJ guidelines and policies affecting Campus Town residents.
• Promote compliance with Campus Town community standards and residential policies.
• Learn and implement building-wide emergency response procedures.
• Respond appropriately to incidents and situations requiring immediate attention.
• Complete and submit Incident Reports promptly and accurately following an incident.
• Recognize residents who may be experiencing emotional, relationship, psychological, academic, or social concerns and respond, refer, or escalate the matter as appropriate.

Administrative Responsibilities

• Provide approximately four to five hours of scheduled office coverage per week during established business hours.
• Participate in required training and administrative responsibilities before classes begin and after classes end.
• Complete assigned administrative duties accurately and within established deadlines, including incident reports, occupancy reports, damage billing documentation, surveys, and maintenance reporting.
• Participate in RA selection, training, Open House, and other Campus Town activities and events as assigned.
• Attend required staff meetings, in-service programs, individual meetings with supervisors, and other scheduled meetings and events.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding resident, employee, and Campus Town information and promptly bring concerns or potential problems to the attention of the appropriate supervisor.
• Demonstrate professional and responsible conduct in person and through social media and other online platforms.
• Refer media or press inquiries regarding Campus Town or community-related matters to the appropriate supervisor.

RA HOUSING BENEFIT

• Resident Assistants receive a private bedroom in a four-bedroom Campus Town apartment at no cost as a benefit associated with the RA position.
• The value of the housing benefit is $7,544 per semester, or $15,088 for the 2027–2028 academic year.
• The RA apartment and room assignment is contingent upon continued service as a Resident Assistant in good standing.
• If an RA resigns or is terminated from the position, eligibility for the RA housing benefit will end, and the individual will be required to secure alternate housing.
• Resident Assistants do not receive regular hourly or salaried pay for the position. RAs may periodically receive a stipend or other payment when applicable.
• Resident Assistant apartments will be utilized as show apartments for Open Houses and tours as needed.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a satisfactory background check.
• Participation in Resident Assistant training is mandatory.
• RAs must be available for the full scheduled training period and should not schedule vacations, classes/exams, appointments, or other commitments that conflict with required training.
• Resident Assistants are expected to remain in good standing and comply with Campus Town policies, procedures, performance expectations, and the Resident Assistant Manual throughout the employment period.

Requirements

• Sophomore class standing required prior to commencement of RA term.
• Must have completed one academic year at The College of New Jersey before the commencement of employment.
• Maintain cumulative GPA of 2.5 prior to and during RA term- RAs will provide unofficial transcript copies to supervisor at the beginning of each semester.
• Maintain full-time enrollment and "good standing" with the college.
• RA office hours and on-call shifts are priority after scheduled classes. Maintain less than 18 credit hours (12 hours for grads) unless the supervisor has granted prior approval.
• The following are considered secondary to the RA position and obligations, and may not exceed a collective 25 hours per week. Secondary responsibilities should not significantly impact RA scheduling, and must work around RA requirements:
  • Additional employment, supervisor approval required.
  • Academic research (not listed in your syllabus) outside of scheduled class time.
  • Participation in clubs and organizations
  • This is not an all-inclusive list. You must speak to your supervisor if hired.
• May not participate in full-time internship/student teaching.
• May not hold a significant office in student government without prior approval from a supervisor.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Expectations

• Continuously build knowledge base and enhance skills.
• Respond promptly to residents' needs, requests for service, and assistance.
• Show respect and sensitivity for cultural differences; promote a harassment-free environment.
• Treat residents and colleagues with respect; work with integrity; uphold organizational values.
• Prioritize and plan work activities, use time efficiently and complete tasks on time.
• Manage competing demands and priorities, handle frequent changes, delays, or unexpected events.
• Be available and on time when required; Volunteer readily; commit to additional work hours as needed.
• Respond to management direction
• Resident Assistants are expected to have a regular presence in their building during the week and on weekends. Time away for more than 24 hours should be coordinated in advance with the supervisor.
• RA Move-In: Thursday August 19, 2027, and RA Move-Out: Saturday May 20, 2028