WAU Student - Resident Assistant, Morrison Hall (Spring/Summer 2025)

Job Title:               Resident Assistant
Department:          Morrison Hall
Reports to:            Dean of Men
FLSA Status:         Non-Exempt
Hourly Rate:          $17.15/hr.

OVERVIEW OF THE UNIVERSITY
Washington Adventist University (WAU) is a Christ-centered institution of higher education that supports a culture of excellence where all feel valued.  Nestled in a desirable residential community in Takoma Park, Maryland, WAU offers its faculty and staff an environment where professional expertise is valued and lasting connections between co-workers are formed as we work together to ensure the success of our students.  Regardless of title, every employee supports WAU’s vision of producing graduates who bring moral leadership and competence to their communities.

SUMMARY
The Resident Assistant (RA) is an extension of the residence hall dean(s) and assists in the facilitation of all residence hall operations and procedures. The RA is responsible for creating an atmosphere where community and sisterhood can develop in support of Washington Adventist University’s commitment to produce graduates who bring competence and moral leadership to their communities.
 
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The following are the duties and responsibilities for this position. Other duties may be assigned.
Hall Maintenance

• Check residents in and out of rooms at the beginning and ending of semesters and throughout as needed when residents are reassigned to new rooms.
• See to the custodial, housekeeping, and maintenance needs of their respective area including community restrooms and guest rooms.

Nurturing Residents

• Become acquainted with each resident on their hall. Know all residents who are minors.
• Relate well to individuals of all ethnic, racial, cultural, and religious backgrounds, encouraging better understanding of cultural diversity and individual differences on the floor and in the residence hall.
• Interact with residents on the hall and as needed direct residents to campus services.
• Is on duty as scheduled to assist Deans on weekends and check in periodically with Desk Workers during RA shift. Not be more than 10 minutes away from campus during a shift or for longer than 30 minutes and confirm coverage by another team member and notify front desk prior to departure.

Community Building
 

• Control noise on their hallway and other areas of the residence hall during day and night. Control rowdiness and noisy students during day and night.
• Initiate and facilitate conflict resolution sessions with residents.

• Keep abreast of all scheduled residence hall activities and campus activities.
• Maintain bulletin boards in your area noting uplifting and spiritual messages, pictures, devotional or inspirational thoughts. Boards are to be changed regularly.
• Organize hall worships as scheduled.
• Plan monthly hall activity for residents (see Dean for available fund amount and shopping transportation).
• Takes attendance at worship services.
• Assist and participate in residence life activities.

Health Safety Wellness of Residents
 

• Check on sick residents to ensure they are receiving appropriate food, liquids, rest and any medication needed. Get café trays for sick residents.
• Complete thorough and concise nightly room checks and fill in reconciliation sheets.
• Conduct bi-monthly (twice per month) cleanliness hall inspections ensuring any prohibited items are confiscated and health, safety, and wellness issues are addressed. Submit report to Dean on duty promptly.
• Encourages students to maintain attractive, clean rooms as well as maintaining their own room as a role model.
• Know emergency contact information for, Dean on duty, Security, Fire Department, and Police in case of emergency.
• Make referrals (within personal limits) to the Deans, other students specializing in academic skills, Betty Howard Center for Student Success (BHCSS), Instructors, Counselors, Chaplain, etc.
• Open doors for residents who are locked out or are awaiting a replacement key.
• Receive and maintain current CPR and First Aid Certification, FEMA Emergency Response, and Maryland Crowd Manager Certification.
• Report personally to the Dean immediately the smell of alcohol, tobacco, drugs, etc.
• Report to the Dean immediately, any situations occurring with residents which seem imminently serious, i.e., discussion of suicide, endangering other students, inappropriate behaviors, etc.
• Submit a complete schedule (class and work) to the Deans for emergency contact purposes the first week of each semester.

 
Professional/Personal Development
 

• Attend Annual Student Leadership Retreat and all in-service training as scheduled by Residence Life and Student Life.

• Attend weekly RA meetings.
• Maintain a grade point average of 2.50 or higher.
• Comply with WAU policies as outlined in Student Planner/Handbook.
• Personal life should give evidence of spiritual, emotional and social maturity.
• Work the front desk of the residence hall as needed.

Outside Involvement

• Internships/practicums or outside employment must be approved by the Dean(s) before the RA can begin working. The RA should discuss the possibility of an internship/practicum or outside employment before applying for the opportunity, preferably at least one semester prior to beginning the experience.
• RAs may not assume any role of leadership or service that might prevent them to be adequately available to residents and perform RA duties. All extracurricular activities are subject to the approval of the Dean prior to participation. If a RA would like to hold an executive position within an organization, they must first consult with the Dean.

Remuneration

• Single room assignment package includes housing discount. RA only pays $500 of room per semester.
• Regular hourly pay up to 20 hours per week.

 
QUALIFICATIONS
 

• Must be detail oriented, proactive, willing to serve, flexible, respectful.
• Must obtain a GPA of 2.5 or higher

• Ability to follow confidentiality policies.
• Must exhibit dependability and punctuality.
• Must be able to complete room check nightly, unless not on duty.
• Arrive at a maximum of one week before classes begin and remain at a maximum of one week after classes have ended to complete beginning and end of semester duties (Dean’s walkthrough, checkout forms, key returns, performance appraisals, remove decorations, etc. Graduating seniors-3 days after graduation).
• Remove and/or report any items (beds, mattresses, chairs, etc.) in hallways immediately to ensure safety of residents.
• Must be enrolled as a current student at Washington Adventist University.
• Must be a resident of Halcyon Hall and have prior residence life experience. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.

Title VII Exception Notice
Washington Adventist University is a religiously qualified Equal Opportunity Employer under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.  As such the University has the legal right to prefer a member of the Seventh-day Adventist ("SDA") Church in its hiring process. In the event that a qualified SDA candidate is not identified, the University will give the opportunity to candidates who must understand and respect the mission, purpose, and identity of Washington Adventist University as a condition of their employment.