Organization of Residence Students (O.R.S.)
Interested in Becoming an RA?
You should find all the answers you need in the items below. If you require more infromation please contact ra.selection@uleth.ca
Term: August 25, 2013 - April 30, 2014
Type: Student Stipend Position
Employer: Housing Services
Hours: On Call Position (Evening & weekend responsibilities) Rotation of RAD shifts with other Residence Assistants
University Hall (9 positions) |
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Stipend: $350.00 per month | |
Kainai House (8 positions) |
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Stipend: $350.00 per month | |
Aperture Park (12 positions) |
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Stipend: $400.00 per month | |
Description:
Under the joint supervision of the Housing Director, Associate Director and the ORS Executive, the Residence Assistants are responsible for:
- Participation on the Resident Dining Plan Advisory Committee
- Acting as a role model to students, upholding University guidelines, ORS Community Standards and Academic Standards
- Conduct security rounds while engaged as the RAD, enforcing rules and assisting residents and Housing Department where required
- Carry the RAD telephone and respond to noise complaints and emergencies
- Respond to minor emergency maintenance problems
- Provide crises intervention assistance until Security arrives
- Serve as a front line resource, referring residents to proper resources
- Develop a supportive community within their residence section
- Develop, promote and deliver residence programs
- Liaison with Campus Security, enforcing residence standards of conduct
- Build community and empower students to develop a strong sense of support in the Residence environment
Qualifications:
- Must have lived a semester in residence at the University of Lethbridge (or served in a similar position in another post-secondary residence) and be willing to live in residence for the duration of their term
- Excellent people skills
- Valid First-Aid Certificate
- Minimum 2.0 GPA is required, must supply transcript
- Mandatory attendance for RA Training Week: August 25th - September 3rd, 2013
APPLICATIONS OPEN: Monday, February 25th, 2013
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: Friday, March 8th, 2013 by 4:00 PM
Please submit a resume with references, cover letter and unnofical transcript to:
Steve Brodrick, Housing Services , C420 University Hall
Only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. All other applicants are thanked in advance for their interest.
RA Selection 2013 Timeline |
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| Feb. 5 | RA Info Night - University Hall 5:00pm |
| Feb. 11 | RA Info Night - Kainai 5:00pm |
| Feb. 25 | Applications open for RA Positions |
| Mar. 8 | Last Day to apply to be an RA - 4:00 PM Deadline |
| Mar. 10 | Group Interviews |
| Mar. 11-15 | New RA Interviews |
| Mar. 16 | Leadership Conference |
| Mar. 29-30 | RA Orientation |
The Selection Process
RA positions are hired by Housing Services administration with consultation from the Organization of Residence Student’s Executive Council. The hiring committee will be comprised of one member of Housing Services Management, Vice President (Elect) Aperture Park, Vice President (Elect) University Hall and the President (Elect) of the Organization of Residence Students.
Information Night - We start the hiring process by hosting an information night to all interested candidates. At the information night, the role of an RA will be explained and we will have current RAs provide testimonials about their experience. Candidates are encouraged to ask any question about the position.
Feb 5th - RA Info Night - University Hall: DE 4 Common Room 5:00-6:00pm Feb 11th - RA Info Night - Kainai House: K300 5:00-6:00pm |
Applications – Interested parties are invited to apply for the position with a cover letter and resume with references. Please also attach a copy of your unofficial U of L transcript (available on the bridge) displaying your current GPA (a GPA of 2.0 is required for all positions).
Group Interview – Qualified candidates will be invited by email (uleth.ca email only) to attend a group interview. This interview will be a chance for candidates to display skills and abilities and get acquainted with members of the hiring committee. The group interview includes but is not limited to: role playing, case studies, behavioral and situational interview questions. Candidates will have an opportunity to ask questions of the hiring committee in regards to the position.
Individual Interview – Outstanding candidates from the group interview will be selected to have an individual interview with the hiring committee. This interview will be a more traditional interview process and will entail a series of questions assessing the candidates fit for the position.
Notification – Successful candidates will be notified in person and offered a position. The offer and placement is not negotiable. Successful candidates who accept the position will be briefed on upcoming training and orientation. Unsuccessful candidates will be notified by email and encouraged to reapply next year.
What we look for in an RA?
RAs need to work well independently and as part of small and large teams. They serve a large and diverse group of students so we strive to hire a diverse team of RAs. Residence Assistants are all different and have varying strengths and abilities that contribute to the teams goals. There is no one particular mold that all RAs would fit into, but the one thing RAs all have in common is leadership.
Approachable – We look for people that students feel comfortable talking to. RAs need to be good listeners and have an ability to gain the trust and respect of those they’re working for.
Confidence – Any RA will tell you that their job can be challenging at times, everyone will find themselves in a situation where they are pushed outside their comfort zone at some point in their term. An effective RA will have the self confidence to perform their duties despite challenges and uncertainty.
Ethical Leadership – We need RAs who do the right thing even when no one is watching. The RA role comes with a great deal of responsibility and is often in the spotlight. An ethical leader is one who has competence, courage, conviction and character.
Fun – Residence is a fun place to live, RAs facilitate a good time by planning events and helping to build relationships. This is a great part of the job and one that is often well paired with a sense of creativity.
Organized – RA’s are busy people, their job can be demanding. In addition to keeping up their grades and balancing a social life, the responsibilities of the RA role require individuals to be well organized. This means the discipline to work hard when required and the time management to get the most out of your day.
Problem Solving- The primary role of an RA is to assist students in being successful in University. There are a myriad of problems and challenges that need to be overcome to do this. Successful candidates are ones who will combine creativity, compassion and determination to find solutions.
Reliable- As ambassadors of the U of L, RAs are given a great deal or responsibility and autonomy in their roles. We need to know that individuals will keep calm and collected under pressure and be there when we need them to be.
Team Work- Each RA at the U of L work in 3 sets of functional teams, RAs have a partner, a facility an overall council team. To meet the goals of our students, RA’s will need to bring a sense of teamwork and collaboration to this team based position.
RA Application Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Residence Assistant?
A Residence Assistant (RA) is responsible for a floor or section of residence. He/she is there to help facilitate the academic and social success of the students in their section. The RA acts as a liaison between students and campus resources to help solve problems and mitigate conflicts. The Residence Assistant also serves as a facilitator to encourage a cooperative and considerate group living environment. The RA is expected to help build a feeling of community that is conducive to academic pursuits by initiating and helping organize floor/section activities and programs. Most of all, the RA is expected to be a person who cares about the people in their section and attempts to make the floor a fun and supportive community to live in.
What are the minimum qualifications for an RA candidate?
RA candidates must have at least a 2.0 GPA and cannot be on academic probation. Additionally, the candidate must be at least a second year at the time that he/she starts the RA position. Applicants who show great leadership potential are preferred.
Where do I go for an application?
No application form necessary, please submit a cover letter and resume with references. If you need help with your resume, Career and Employment Services offers Resume workshops
What is the deadline for applications?
Applications open on Tuesday,February 5th, 2013. All Applications need to be into the Housing Office (C420 University Hall) in hard copy by 4:00 PM on Friday, March 8th, 2013 at the latest. The application consists of the following: resume with references, cover letter and unofficial transcript.
If I am currently on Housing probation, can I still apply?
Yes, candidates currently on Housing probation for poor community conduct may still apply for the RA position. If you are currently on probation you should contact the Associate Director, Housing Services to discuss your individual situation. (ra.selection@uleth.ca)
What if I have participated in the selection process before, Can I reapply?
Yes, you are encouraged to apply again. If you participated in the selection process in the past, you will still need to go through the selection process again. You will still have the same requirements as all other candidates.
Are the Information Sessions mandatory?
Information sessions are not mandatory, but are a great way to learn more about the position, get perspectives from various RAs across campus, and have any questions that you may have answered.
What if I don't get selected for a position?
Unfortunately, we can only accept a limited number of incumbents from the many qualified applicants for the RA position. Please don’t be discouraged, sometimes it takes more than one year of applications to the position for us to offer you a spot. Please apply again next year.
Can I hold another job on/off campus if I am an RA?
Being an RA is a big responsibility and time commitment. Any second job needs to be approved by Housing Management. This approval is not guaranteed and will be based on the RAs job performance and other time commitments.
As an RA, will I have a roommate?
It depends on where you live. In University Hall , RA’s live in single rooms, in Kainai they live with their RA partner. In The rest of Aperture Park, RA’s will likely share an apartment or townhome with another student.
Can I be involved in athletics, clubs, student government, and other activities and still be an RA?
RAs are allowed, and even encouraged, to participate in activities outside of the RA position. However, it is important that the RA understands the time commitment required of the RA position when considering other involvements. We have had RAs who have excelled in their position while being involved in Pronghorn Athletics, Students’ Union etc. The RA must be a good time manager in order to do both successfully, but it is definitely possible.
How does on-call duty work?
Approximately 3-4 times a month each RA acts as the Residence Assistant on Duty (RAD). RAD shifts start at 4:30 PM and run until 8:30 AM the next morning. The RAD in each facility holds an on-call phone and makes themselves available to assist other residents during the shift. The RAD is a service provided to residents for noise complaints, lock outs and other issues. The RAD does rounds of the facility during the shift and locks doors and turns off lights etc. The RAD is required to be sober and on campus during the shift. The RAD is not required to stay up all night or to stay in the building at all times. If you have any questions about RAD shifts, ask one of your RAs to let you go with them on rounds one evening.
Can I go home for a weekend? Can I take vacation?
Yes, part of the RA’s duty is to build a community in their section and obviously being a strong presence in their area has a direct impact on that success. That said RA’s are free to come and go as they please as long as they are present for RAD shifts and are available to their residents. RA’s work with their partner’s and their facility teams to ensure proper building coverage.
Do I already need to know how to confront people or deal with emergencies?
RAs receive a great deal of training before and during their time as a RA, so you don’t already need to know everything. However, it is important that you understand that confrontation and crisis management are a part of your position and you should feel confident in your abilities to learn more about this if you are going to be a RA.
What is the duration of the RA contract? What happens over holidays?
RAs generally return one week before move-in for the Fall semester. This week is used for training and preparing for the arrival of students. RA’s then stay until the end of contract in Spring semester. For Thanksgiving and Reading Week, there is at least one RAD in each facility on duty. RA’s are not expected to stay over Christmas holidays while the University is closed.
How many hours do RAs work each week?
In short, it depends. Some parts of an RA’s job are predictable, such as running a floor meeting or doing an on-duty shift. Other parts are unpredictable, such as dealing with roommate conflicts or spontaneous floor bonding. Generally, RAs will have one on-call shift a week in rotation with their fellow staff members. RAs also attend their weekly facility (30 min) and weekly Council meeting (about 1 hour) and meet one-on-one with Housing Services (20 min) every other week. Finally, RAs host events and programs (4/semester), decorate their floor, serve on an ORS committee and perform various other tasks throughout the semester. Some weeks will require more work than others, but our office works hard to ensure that RAs are aware of their commitments as far in advance as possible to help the RA in his/her planning.
What is the compensation for the position?
U of L Housing Services provides RA’s with a monthly stipend of $350-$400 depending on which facility they work in. RA’s living in 1st Year Buildings also receives a dining plan in exchange for participating on Food Service’s Focus Groups. Additionally RA’s get a complimentary enhanced package for telecom services when they pay a basic rate. In addition to direct compensation, RA’s also enjoy personal and professional development opportunities and free ORS events.
Can I choose what building I am placed in?
Housing Services recognizes the unique needs and personality of different areas of Residence and works to ensure the best overall fit between RA staff characteristics and facility needs. The hiring committee considers a number of factors in the placement of staff. You will be asked to provide your preferences for building and age groups but that does not necessarily ensure a placement in your preferred area.
I still have questions, who can I contact?
If you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact the Associate Director of Housing Services, Steve Brodrick (ra.selection@uleth.ca). Additionally, your own RA’s are also great people to contact if you have questions specific to the position.
Training Requirements
We see to it that all Residence Life staff command the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in their positions. Although many facets of the RA role are highly intuitive, effective RA’s possess a substantial base of knowledge in regards to available student resources and Housing Services operations. In an effort to build our team, sharpen our skills and to share with our teammates we train all year round. All formal training is required as a condition of employment and is provided at no expense to the employee.
April Training – When RAs are first hired, we set aside one weekend in April to meet as a team and get oriented and acquainted before exams. This weekend will focus on getting familiar with teammates and gaining a strong foundational understanding of some of the major roles of the RA position.
CPR/First Aid Training – CPR and Basic First Aid Training is a requirement of the role. Individuals who currently possess valid CPR/First Aid will not be required to repeat the course providing they can produce a valid certificate displaying validity until at least the end of their employment contract. For those who need to take the course or to do a refresher, a course will be offered the two days prior to August training week. If RA’s cannot attend this date, they will be responsible to get certified at their own expense at a prior occasion.
August Training – The bulk of training occurs the last week of august before students move back to Residence. At this time, students will engage in a variety of classroom and hands on training specific to their role. RAs will become familiar with relevant on and off campus resources and practice skills required to be an effective community builder and problem solver in Residence. This is a fun and action packed week that sets the tone for the first semester.
January Training – One Saturday in January will be set aside to engage in team building activities and skills refreshers. This day will involve RA participation in case studies and activities to sharpen skills and clarify roles and procedures.
Ongoing Training – Several times a semester we will bring in subject matter experts to present on relevant topics within residence life. These training sessions are typically an hour or two every month or so to focus on a specific topic.
For more information please send your inqueries to ra.selection@uleth.ca