Desk Assistant (DA)
The Desk Assistant is a part-time, paraprofessional staff member of the Department of Housing and Residential Life at Florida International University. The Desk Assistant works closely with and is directly responsible to the immediate supervisor, the Assistant Residence Life Coordinator (ARLC) but works in collaboration with the Residence Life Coordinator and the Residence Life Staff in the particular area of placement. The Desk Assistant will enforce Housing & University policies, rules and regulations, serve as a receptionist for the front desk, provide information to desk patrons, and provide excellent customer service. As a Desk Assistant, you will be directly responsible for coordinating a Residential atmosphere conducive to student needs and interests.
Typically, we hire for this position in the Spring for the following Fall Semester, and the end of the Fall Semester for Spring Semester.
Any questions regarding this position should be directed to the Office of Residential Life
Housing Ambassador
The Housing Ambassador is a part-time, paraprofessional staff member of the Department of Housing and Residential Life at Florida International University. The Housing Ambassadors, with the support of the Housing Office Staff, provide outstanding customer service to students, staff, parents and guests while enforcing Housing & University policies, rules and regulations. Duties include greeting customers, answering phone call and e-mail inquiries, giving hall tours and working Housing marketing events.
Typically, we hire for this position when openings occur.
Any questions regarding this position should be directed to the Housing Office
Mail Assistant (MA)
The Mail Assistant is a part-time, undergraduate student, paraprofessional staff member of the Office of Residential Life. Mail Assistants duties include distribution of mail and packages in an orderly fashion, following the guidelines provided by supervisor. The Mail Assistant works closely with Residential Life staff. MAs work at the Housing Package Center (HPC) supervised by the Assistant Director of Conduct & Administration. MAs also work in University Apartments supervised by the Assistant Residence Life Coordinator (ARLC) and the Residence Life Coordinator (RLC) of that area.
Typically, we hire for this position in the Spring for the following Fall Semester, and the end of the Fall Semester for Spring Semester.
Any questions regarding this position should be directed to the Office of Residential Life
Resident Assistant (RA)
The Resident Assistant (RA) position is a part-time job and unique student leadership opportunity in which to get involved in the Department of Housing and Residential Life. The RA lives and works with a community of approximately 30 to 75 students in an assigned housing area on the Modesto A. Maidique Campus (MMC) at Florida International University. The RA serves as a resource, role model, and peer educators to residents. Residential Life Coordinators (RLC) supervise RAs to create an engaged living-learning community, interact in 1on1 conversations with each residents on their floor, and to execute learning strategies to meet departmental goals of student personal development, community, social justice, and global responsibility. Most RA responsibilities occur during evening and weekend hours.
The qualifications, major areas of responsibility, and requirements of the Resident Assistant position are outlined below:
A. Minimum Employment Qualifications
The following criteria must be met in order for a student to be given initial consideration as a candidate for the RA position:
- Meet all Florida International University student employment eligibility requirements, including a Level 2 Background Check and Fingerprinting.
- Enrolled as a full-time (12-18 hours) undergraduate student at FIU.
- Possess a minimum FIU cumulative and FIU semester GPA of 5 (undergraduate). Exceptions to this must be approved by the supervising Residence Life Coordinator and Residential Life leadership.
- Must have lived on-campus at FIU for a minimum of one (1) semester (Fall or Spring) prior to starting the position.
- Have a good student conduct record, defined as not having been involved in serious violations or incidents (including marijuana, alcohol, and physical violence), not be a “repeat offender” of policy violations, and not have received student conduct probation or housing exclusion status.
- Must be available every Thursday from 3:15pm - 5:00pm at MMC during the Fall 2018 and Spring 2019 semesters for departmental meetings and trainings.
- Must submit a resume and cover letter stating their interest in the Resident Assistant position.
- Limit evening commitments and not enroll in classes that start after 4:30pm on more than two (2) evenings per week.
- For “Early Fall (June Start) RAs”
- Must be available for an anticipated start date of June 3, 2019 and be available for all of Early Fall RA Training up to the first day of classes on June 17, 2019; no excused absences from RA training will be granted.
- Must be available during the first 2 weekends of the Early Fall 2018 semester. All RAs are required to perform their duties during these times.
- For “Fall (August Start) RAs”
- Must be available for an anticipated start date of August 4, 2019 and be available for all of Fall RA Training up to the first day of classes on August 26, 2019; no excused absences from RA training will be granted.
- Must be available during the first 2 weekends of the Fall 2018 semester. All RAs are required to perform their duties during these times.
B. Responsibilities and Tasks
1. Academic and Student Success
The RA will demonstrate academic and student support for residents in the following ways:
- Model positive academic behaviors and keep academics as a priority.
- Create a floor/residential community conducive to academic success and studying e.g., enforce quiet/courtesy hours, encourage study groups, maintain community/study hours
- Engage in academic success interventions and intentional one-on-one conversations with residents consistent with departmental requirements and learning outcomes.
- Understand and know university academic support services/resources and refer residents when necessary.
- Identify and offer assistance to residents with academic needs.
- Provide opportunities for residents to interact with faculty members.
- Collaborate with and encourage the use of the Academic Resource Center (ARC) and the tutoring staff.
- Foster residents’ involvement in Living and Learning Communities and other academic programs and services.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
2. Community
The RA will demonstrate building community in the following ways:
- Encourage responsible behavior by demonstrating ethical conduct and enforcing the Florida International University and Housing and Residential Life regulations and policies.
- Interact with residents to gain an awareness of their individual interests/needs, as well as the needs of the community.
- Be visible, available, and accessible to residents.
- Hold community-wide floor meetings when necessary.
- Facilitate intentional interactions with residents and roommate/suite agreements with residents on the floor. Provide opportunities to revisit and revise agreements throughout the year as needed.
- Complete bulletin boards with components as detailed by supervisor.
- Report all concerns with residents to the Residential Life Coordinator (RLC).
- Plan social opportunities for residents on a regular basis throughout the year to encourage interpersonal and inclusive group interactions among residents.
- Encourage residents’ involvement in the planning and implementation of community development learning strategies.
- Collaborate and support with other staff members and/or the Hall Council within the Residence Hall Association (RHA) to create engagement opportunities for residents throughout the year attending events, participating in initiatives, and promoting hall council involvement on the floor.
- Support the National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH) Golden Panther Chapter by recognizing the accomplishments of residents and fellow staff members, as well as supporting chapter-led recognition initiatives (e.g. Of-the-Month nominations, National Residence Hall Month promotions, etc.) and service project opportunities.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
3. Social Justice
The RA will demonstrate a commitment to inclusion in the following ways:
- Accept and encourage the diversity of beliefs, values, and interests of FIU students. The RA must be consistent in behavior towards all students, regardless of race, ethnic background, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, religion, etc.
- Educate residents about diversity issues through, including but not limited to, passive and active means. This may include creating and posting bulletin boards, holding conversations, host/attending cultural events, and supporting campus events.
- Participate and engage in departmental trainings and continued learning on the subject of diversity and inclusion.
- Role model inclusion by engaging in dialogue with residents and staff members and engage in personal reflection.
- Address actions and words that limit our efforts towards creating an environment that supports and encourages the acceptance of diversity.
- Maintain an inclusive floor community environment, including the RA room, which needs to be welcoming to all residents.
- Contact professional staff immediately to report incidents.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
4. Crisis Intervention
The RA will demonstrate counseling and helping skills within crisis situations in the following ways:
- Understand that RAs are mandatory reporters of student incidents and emergency situations for the University.
- Assist residents with conflicts, participate in mediations, and encourage conflict resolution.
- Identify and respond appropriately to student concerns dealing with situations, such as violence, bias, sexual assault, suicidal ideation, depression, anxiety, domestic disputes, etc., and work with your supervisor to resolve them.
- Understand and know all departmental crisis protocols.
- Maintain appropriate confidentiality while assisting Residential Life and University staff (including FIU Police Officers and Detectives, Counseling Center, Victim Empowerment, Dean of Students, Ombudsperson, etc.) during a crisis or emergency.
- Foster a sense of care and compassion when responding to students in crisis and Follow up with residents regarding crisis situations.
- Know appropriate resources and refer students during and after crisis situations (i.e., Counseling Center, the Victim Empowerment Program, etc.). Inform supervisors as directed.
- Immediately report dangerous or life-threatening student behaviors to a supervisor for appropriate and timely intervention.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Duty and On-Call Responsibilities
RAs play a key role in helping to maintain the safety and security of their assigned area. All RAs share responsibility in a rotating duty schedule. While on duty, the RA is expected to:
- Serve on-call duty hours on assigned nights, remaining in the designated housing area (5pm-8am, Sunday through Thursday; and 5pm-5pm, Friday and Saturday; and on university holidays and break periods).
- When serving as a secondary RA on duty, RAs will have front desk responsibilities for the daily 5pm-9pm shift and as needed.
- Conduct rounds of their assigned area a minimum of three (3) times per evening between 9pm-1am.
- Carry the duty cell phone and respond to all calls immediately.
- Confront and document policy violations immediately following the incident.
- Report all incidents and policy violations to the appropriate staff members on call.
- Complete Work Orders and report all damages as necessary.
- Check all exterior and office doors in the evening and lock/unlock as needed.
- Seek assistance from other student staff, professional staff, Public Safety, or other resources as necessary.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
5. Administration and Building Management
The RA will demonstrate administration in the following ways:
- Know resources available, including the RA Manual, FIU Student Handbook, and FIU website.
- Participate in all staff trainings prior to the start of each semester (Early Fall, Fall, and Spring).
- Participate in University sponsored events, e.g. First-Year Student Convocation, Home Football Games, Homecoming, Parent & Family Weekend, Leadership Summit, Open Houses, departmental luncheons, and other events as assigned.
- Attend all Departmental In-Service sessions (Thursdays from 3:15pm-5:00pm).
- Attend weekly, 2-hour RA staff meetings in assigned area.
- Play a positive role in staff meetings and in staff relationships by providing support, flexibility, and assistance when needed, and actively participating in staff development activities and outings.
- Meet weekly for a 1-hour, one-on-one meeting with the Residence Life Coordinator (RLC) or Assistant Residence Life Coordinator (ARLC).
- Attend, be on time for, and be prepared for all meetings, staff activities, and trainings.
- Complete all administrative tasks fully and punctually. Tasks include, but are not limited to, submitting Work Orders, answering emails, and submitting incident reports.
- Respond to requests for information and resident follow up as requested in a timely manner.
- Check and empty staff mailbox each business day.
- Read and respond to all communications.
- Be aware of facilities needs and submit service requests (Work Orders) promptly for facility-related issues.
- Communicate respectfully and effectively with residents, fellow student staff members, and professional staff.
- Maintain confidentiality with student information at all times. Do not discuss resident issues with peers or other residents. Discuss resident issues with your supervisor.
- Be flexible and willing to do other duties as assigned.
Student Conduct and Policy Enforcement
By accepting employment with the University, a RA has accepted responsibility for understanding, adhering to, and enforcing all Housing and University policies. RAs serve as role models for other students. The RA is expected to:
- Abide by all Florida State Laws and Federal Laws at all times (on and away from campus).
- Assist students in knowing what is expected of them and the reasons for these expectations.
- Confront, report, and document all policy violations.
- Attend administrative hearings and serve as a witness either on or off campus, when necessary, and support the FIU Student Conduct process.
- Understand the limitations of RA authority, and seek further assistance when necessary.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Facilities Management
The RA is expected to perform a variety of duties that contribute to the smooth functioning of a residence hall. The RA is expected to:
- Assist in preparing the residence halls for opening and closing each semester, including check-in/check-out forms and procedures, remembering that the RA is the first to arrive and last to leave their area.
- Be present for and perform all responsibilities associated with check-ins and check-outs.
- Encourage and assist residents with promptly reporting necessary Work Orders and facilities issues.
- Conduct rounds, safety and security checks, fire drills, and assigned health and safety inspections.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Master Key Card/Key Usage
RAs have access to master key cards/keys to assist with resident lock-outs, room inspections, emergency response, or as directed by supervisors. With these master key cards/keys the RA is expected to:
- Never enter a room, suite, or apartment without approval from the Residence Life Coordinator (RLC) On-Duty, except during designated health and safety inspections or fire safety drills.
- MUST be accompanied by another Residential Life staff member when entering a resident’s room when the resident is not present.
- MUST always sign out/in master key card/key when needed. Once signed out, a master key card/key can only be used by that staff member.
- Return master key cards/keys immediately after use, and never leave the residence hall or apartment community with a master key card/key.
Note: Misuse or losing a master key card/key may result in immediate termination from the RA position.
C. Compensation
1. RA Room
By nature of the position, the RA is required to live on campus, and therefore, is provided with private accommodations. The RA will be expected to reside and maintain a presence in this assigned unit while employed in this position. RAs are expected to adhere to all policies including the Guest Policy and Occupancy Policy (as defined in the FIU Student Handbook). RAs may not have other people living in the RA room. The RA room is considered a work environment and should be welcoming to all residents and be able to host work related responsibilities in the room.
RAs are expected to be in their RA room between 11pm -7:30am (Sunday nights - Friday mornings) and 1am - 7:30am (Saturday mornings & Sunday mornings). A RA will not be approved to take leave on weekdays (Sunday - Thursday) while classes are in session. Unused leave cannot accrue and may not be transferred from one semester to another.
2. Stipend
RAs will receive a stipend of approximately $140.00 every two (2) weeks. RAs assigned to rooms without private kitchens may receive additional compensation.
D. Policies/Requirements
1. Agreement Dates
Student housing remains open year-round. The RA appointment begins prior to Early Fall or Fall classes and ends after Spring classes are completed. Specific dates will be provided in the RA Agreement corresponding to the departmental and university calendars. The RA must be available to work during the RA Agreement dates, including assigned holiday/vacation periods. Housing will remain open during Thanksgiving, Winter Break, and Spring Break. During these periods, staff will be expected to remain on campus. The level of staff coverage will be determined prior to each vacation period, although each RA should plan to work during these break times.
2. Weather Emergencies/Hurricanes
In the event of a hurricane or other weather-related emergency, RAs are essential personnel and will be expected to work in the on-campus student evacuation center and/or accompany residents to a shelter. RAs will be responsible for communicating information to students and assisting students in the residence hall, FIU evacuation center, or shelter.
3. Time Off
A RA may request weekend leave for up to four (4) weekends per semester. RAs must communicate all personal travel plans where they will be away from FIU with their supervisor. When requesting nights, weekends, or holidays away from campus for personal travel reasons, RAs must not purchase airfare, train tickets, or make hotel reservations for their personal trips until after they have received written supervisor approval. RAs are not allowed to be away from campus for more than three (3) consecutive nights. The weekend period starts Friday at 5pm and goes through Sunday at 9pm. The RA will be expected to maintain presence in their assigned room/apartment overnight during the week and weekend, except during approved weekends off.
4. Outside Employment
The RA may not be employed or hold position outside of the RA position, unless granted written approval by the Residence Life Coordinator and Associate Director of Residential Life. The RA will be expected to request such approval in writing each semester, indicating their desired work schedule. If granted permission for outside employment, the RA may be permitted to work up to a maximum of eight (8) hours per week. The RA’s performance, visibility, availability, GPA, and other commitments outside of the RA position will be considered in determining whether approval is granted. If approval is granted, the RA will be expected to limit or discontinue their outside employment if the Residence Life Coordinator deems it necessary.
5. Extracurricular Involvement
The RA position requires a high amount of visibility and availability. Therefore, the RA is expected to carefully consider his/her involvement in other university or community organizations. RAs will not be approved to participate in activities or positions that require more than eight (8) hours each week.
RAs are not permitted to go through new member intake processes including, but not limited to, Greek recruitment, informal/formal rush, new member pledge processes, snap-bids, etc. Only RAs who were already members of Greek organizations before June 1, 2019 will be permitted to be members of Greek organizations.
During the employment period, RAs will not be approved to hold other leadership positions on campus (i.e., SGA Executive Board, President of a student organization, or other leadership obligations that would exceed eight [8] hours per week of involvement).
The RA may not hold an elected office in a Community Council, the Residence Hall Association (RHA), or the National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH).
Each semester, the RA will be required to submit a schedule of their activities, including all regularly scheduled classes, work hours, meetings, outside involvements, etc. to the Residence Life Coordinator (RLC). Changes to this schedule throughout the semester must be discussed and approved by the Residence Life Coordinator.
The RA will be expected to limit or discontinue their involvement in outside activities and organizations if the Residence Life Coordinator deems it necessary. Such determinations would be based on the RA’s ability to perform their responsibilities in the RA position, concerns with academics, and possible conflicts of interest that could conflict with the RA position and their position as an employee of Housing and Residential Life, the Division of Student Affairs, and Florida International University.
RAs will not be permitted to hold a student assistantship, student teaching position, or an internship exceeding eight (8) hours per week during the RA contract dates.
6. Staff Conduct
As an employee of Housing and Residential Life, the Division of Student Affairs, and Florida International University, RAs are expected to represent the department, division, and University in a positive manner. The RAs are expected to conduct themselves in a fashion that demonstrates support for supervisors, other RAs, Housing and Residential Life employees, Student Affairs administrators, and other university staff. The RA may not become involved in activities that impede the official business of the university, or inappropriately demonstrate a lack of support for university staff, policies, or procedures.
If a RA is involved in a violation of the Student Code of Conduct, their employment as a RA may be terminated immediately, and the RA would be required to check out of the RA Room within 24 hours.
The RA serves as a university employee and representative of the Department of Housing and Residential Life; and as such it is expected that their online representations through social media outlets such as Snapchat, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. are in no way viewed as offensive by the university community, department, or staff. Additionally, violations of the FIU Residential Life Social Media Policy may result in immediate termination (for example, underage RAs holding what appears to be alcohol, a video showing a RA exhaling smoke, a RA commenting on a resident’s room inspection or a resident’s behavior, or sharing confidential information).
E. Employer Information
If you have questions or concerns about the Resident Assistant position, please contact the Office of Residential Life. The office is open Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 5:00pm.
Residential Life tutors are undergraduate students who demonstrate vast knowledge and understanding of a variety of subjects ranging from math, sciences, business and writing. The tutors work evenings Sunday through Thursday between the hours of 5pm to 11pm at the Academic Resource Center in Lakeview South 133. The tutoring center is a free resource to all residential students.
Typically, we hire for this position at the end of each semester for the following semester.
Any questions regarding this position should be directed to Brian Tu, Assistant Director of Residential Life.