Peer Leader: Resident Assistant

ABOUT THE PEER LEADER PROGRAM:

The Peer Leader Program serves to synthesize the work of these 11 offices into one developmental experience for students’ current and prospective aspirations. These roles not only allow students the platform to work with staff to create programming, resources, and peer support for the campus community but also offer students opportunities to think critically about and commit diligently to their own development and skill attainment.

General Position Description

The Resident Assistant (RA) position is part of the greater Peer Leader program at Carleton College. The RA position is focused on enhancing the quality of life of residents living in campus housing through regular resident interactions, intentional programming, and monitoring the safety and holistic wellness of community members. Residential Life strives to enhance student growth and educational experience through an emphasis on cultural competency, holistic individual and community development, leadership, advocacy of academic inquiry, and expression in the spirit of mutual respect. These are the hallmarks of the Carleton residential experience and provide the essential foundation for a quality liberal arts education within a diverse and dynamic community. For more information about Residential Life’s commitment to Carleton’s diverse community please read our Inclusivity Statement. 

Application Materials: 
●  Resume 
●  Cover Letter 

Your Cover Letter should address the following: 
1.  What characteristics/skills do you possess that will assist you in the role of a Resident Assistant at Carleton College? 
2.  What impact do you believe the Resident Assistant has on building community at Carleton? 
3.  What do you hope to gain from being a Resident Assistant? 

Compensation 
●  RAs are classified as "salaried, non-exempt," which is different from other Carleton student employees. RAs are paid with a combination of salaried and hourly pay. 
●  Salaried pay by stipend is distributed during the term.
●  During training/development, openings, and closings, RAs are compensated with an hourly wage because these fall outside of the “academic term” work. 
●  The total pay for RAs in 2025-2026 has not yet been determined. It is expected to exceed $7,300 (academic year salary of $TBD over 30 weeks for all hours worked during the academic term + plus break earnings for training/opening/closing hours worked at an hourly rate of $TBD). Please note these are the amounts for RAs who work all three terms, attend all training, and work during all closings and openings. 

Job Requirements
Community Development and Programming

• Develop individual relationships with residents in assigned communities through regular interactions; Know names and information about residents in assigned communities.
• Assist residents whose behavior may be indicative of personal, social, or academic concerns and report concerning behavior to their Area Director supervisor.
• Serve as a mediator in conflicts between community members and refer to Area Director as needed.
• Communicate regularly with residents via study breaks, emails, newsletters, group messages, etc. to ensure residents have current information important to the community.
• Plan, promote, facilitate, and evaluate programs/events each term that appeal to the needs and interests of community members while also encouraging the social, emotional, and intellectual development of residents.
• Foster a positive living environment by consistently communicating and enforcing community living standards.
• Enhance physical residence hall spaces through the creation of door decorations, bulletin boards, flyers, and other promotional/instructional signage, etc. to create a welcoming and aesthetically pleasing space for residents.
• Partner with other offices on campus to meet the needs of the assigned communities.
• Manage a programming budget in alignment with the mission and goals of Residential Life and follow all spending expectations and policies.

Administrative Excellence

• Be knowledgeable about departmental and college policies, procedures, and resources.
• Facilitate administrative procedures (forms, reports, etc.) as required.
• Manage a variety of projects and balance multiple tasks/responsibilities simultaneously throughout the year.
• Meet deadlines set by the Residential Life Office/Area Director supervisor and communicate proactively if deadlines cannot be met.
• Inform supervisor of community happenings including but not limited to: student behavior, facilities, policies, programming, etc. through Weekly Reports, bi-weekly 1-on-1s, program planners/evaluations, and additional communication as needed.
• Arrive and depart from campus as required to participate in Opening and Closings duties and procedures required of Residential Life.

Safety and Well-being

• Refer and connect residents with on-campus resources (e.g. Student Health and Counseling, Academic Success Center, etc.) when they are in need of support.
• Serve in an on-duty rotation (4 - 7 nights per term) requiring presence and availability in the assigned community on evenings in which there are no classes in session the following day.
• Consistently enforce college policies including local & federal laws in all residential areas in order to ensure community safety and well-being of residents.
• Utilize Area Director on-call, Campus Security, and other on-call resources as needed when responding to incidents.
• Appropriately document and report policy violations and crisis situations.
• Maintain privacy when presented with personal and/or sensitive information about members of the Carleton community.
• Serve as a responsible employee of Carleton College (reporting Title IX violations as required).
• Respond to moments of crisis as needed within the community/area one is assigned.
• Monitor conditions of assigned communities and submit Facilities Work Requests as needed.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

• Actively engage in personal development related to diversity, equity, and inclusion through participating in training and educational opportunities offered by Residential Life, Carleton, and beyond.
• Foster a welcoming and inclusive environment in your assigned community by sharing what you have learned in different diversity, equity, and inclusion trainings.
• Promote diversity, equity, and inclusion educational opportunities including events hosted by student organizations and campus offices.
• Apply inclusion and accessibility best practices when engaging with residents.

Leadership and Professional Development

• Actively participate and engage with a spirit of inquiry in activities involving all RAs, including RA selection, staff meetings, and all training and development activities.
• Develop personally and professionally by engaging in opportunities for leadership experiences such as conferences, trainings, and workshops.
• Seek out and attend campus events both as a representative of Residential Life and as an individual committed to their own learning and growth.
• Positively represent Residential Life when collaborating and engaging with other students, staff, and community/campus partners.
• Act as a team member of Residential Life by supporting all departmental initiatives through marketing, attendance, and storytelling.
• Take the initiative to support your team and the College community when assistance is needed (ie: serving on committees, covering duty shifts, and supporting specific area needs).
• Experienced RAs should serve as a role model for New RAs by supporting Residential Life training programs through formal and informal teaching.

Interest House Resident Assistants
Interest Houses provide an opportunity for groups of students to live together for the purpose of exploring a common theme or identity. The group defines goals and objectives, and members of the group agree to work toward achieving these goals. Interest House Resident Assistants help build community among the residents of the house and program internally, while the house collectively provides internal and external programs that fulfill the house’s stated goals, objectives, and interests. Some Interest Houses are operated in collaboration with another College office. These houses work closely to fulfill not only the mission of the house but also the values of the office they are advised by. Some communities may have a program manager who works in tandem with the Resident Assistant to provide programming and support for residents. 

Some Interest Houses are operated in collaboration with another College office. These houses work closely to fulfill not only the mission of the house but also the values of the office they work with. Some communities may have a program manager who works in tandem with the Resident Assistant to provide programming for the
residents.

Application Resources

We recommend applicants make an appointment or visit SCA drop-in hours to review application materials before submitting. Appointments can be made with an SCA or a career coach via Handshake.

Carleton is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation regarding this position, email OAR@carleton.edu, contact Sam Thayer (sthayer@carleton.edu, phone number: 507-222-4464) or Elijah Genheimer (egenheimer@carleton.edu, phone number: 507-222-4500).

Questions: Melaney Kamenick