Resident Assistant

Current RA's have the ability to rent items for use of programming from the RA programming closet. Use the forms link below to request items. Items must be reserved at least ONE week in advance of the program date. For questions please email hrlmarketing@uncw.edu 

Reserve items from the RA Closet

Application Opens on September 1

• RA Information Sessions:
  
  • 9/1- 8:00pm- Pelican Classroom
  • 9/9- 5:30pm-Graham-Hewlett Classroom
  • 9/24-6:00pm- Cornerstone Classroom
  • 10/22- 6:00pm- Suite Services Multipurpose Room
• Opportunities to Chat with Us:
  • August 25 via the Involvement Carnival 10 AM- 2 PM
  • August 26 via the On-Campus Job Fair 11 AM- 3 PM
• Workshop on Interviewing Skills:
  • 10/12- 11:30-1:30- Loggerhead Multipurpose Room

• Application Deadline: October 25th at 11:59 PM

For questions about the submission and interview process please contact Victoria Valdes, Brandon Davis, Chris King

Submit an application.

Big Interview Participation: In order for your application to be considered complete, you must also complete and submit a Big Interview video interview by the application deadline. 

To complete this part of your application, follow the instructions below:

1. Follow this link to register for a Big Interview Account*
2. Login using your UNCW email address and password
3. Use code 14e3ba under the "Assignments" tab to submit your response

*As a note, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and Microsoft Edge are the preferred browsers. If you encounter any technical difficulties, please visit the big interview support page for assistance.

• Newly hired RAs must attend & complete an 8-week RA Seminar February 2027- April 2027
• RA Training: August 2027
• Move In/Out, including semester transitions – August 2027, December 2027, January 2028 & May 2028
• Monthly In-Service Meeting (Wednesdays) and Programming Requirements
• Spring Training - January 2027 (Dates TBD - typically a few days prior to opening)
• Weekly Staff Meetings (Wednesdays) and 1/1 meetings per Residence Coordinator
• Special Events such as Seahawk Preview Day, Seahawk Saturday, and others

The Resident Assistant's participation in training/education is a firm requirement and is crucial to the smooth functioning of the halls. Other opportunities for growth as a staff member will be provided and participation is strongly encouraged.

The Resident Assistant (RA) is responsible for a floor, wing, pod/section, or area. The RA is there to help with the personal and academic concerns of the student and to help work out any group conflicts that may arise. The Resident 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 togetherness and community by initiating and helping to organize floor, wing, pod or section and hall activities and programs. The RA serves as an information resource about the campus and residence halls. Most of all, the RA is expected to be a person who cares about people and attempts to make the residence hall a valuable place to live. 

Because of the demanding nature of the Resident Assistant position, the Department of Housing and Residence Life places the following stipulations on those hired as Resident Assistants:

• Residence hall living experience
• Available for a full academic year
• Have been a student for at least one academic year
• Good academic standing at UNCW, with at least a 2.50 cumulative and term GPA.
• In good conduct standing at time of application review, contract start date, and during employment
• A maximum load of 18 undergraduate or 12 graduate credit hours
• No outside jobs without prior permission from their Residence Coordinator. All significant time commitments require the prior approval of the Residence Coordinator or Assistant Director Examples of such commitments include, but are not limited to:
  • Internships
  • Student teaching
  • Executive office in an organization
  • Rush/pledging of a fraternity or sorority

Read about Anchor

Read about RA position description and responsibilities below: 

Career & Self Development: 

Learning Goals: 

• Engage in constructive feedback exchanges that support healthy communication, and continuous improvement within a team and residential community. 
• Create and maintain a welcoming, respectful, and engaging living environment by building relationships, facilitating intentional conversations, and promoting a sense of belonging. 
• Reflect on personal experiences, recognize strengths and areas for growth, make intentional choices aligned with goals, and develop an understanding of one’s own thoughts, emotions, values, and behaviors. 

Learning Objectives: 

• Resident Assistants will be able to provide constructive feedback to peers and supervisors through effective communication and guidance that supports personal growth, ownership, and positive change.
• Resident Assistants will be able to build relationships through the facilitation of the co-curricular model, by creating a sense of belonging and opportunities for engagement. 
• Resident Assistants will be able to demonstrate self-awareness by reflecting on their values, behaviors, and emotional responses, identifying areas for growth, and setting intentional goals that align with their personal development. 

Job Responsibilities: 

• Act as a community facilitator by developing an atmosphere that promotes a sense of belonging, support and affiliation. 
• Become acquainted with each student in the living unit as soon as possible, as well as with other residents of the hall. 
• Encourage and support students in their involvement in Area Council, programming, and campus activities. 
• Help students adjust to their roommates, floor mates, suitemates, residence hall and University community. 
• Support and participate in the evaluation of residence hall staff personnel. 
• Participate in all 1-on-1 meetings with Supervisor on a weekly or bi-weekly basis.  

Critical Thinking 

Learning Goals: 

• Recognize, address, and facilitate the resolution of interpersonal conflicts by remaining neutral, encouraging dialogue, and helping residents reach agreement. 
• Assess incidents by following established response and communication protocols, prioritizing safety and well-being, and serving as a mandated reporter. 
• Identify challenges, utilize deductive reasoning, and implement an action plan while promoting resources that address challenges within the residential community. 

Learning Objectives: 

• Resident Assistants will be able to mediate conflicts by listening to all perspectives, identifying and de-escalating core concerns and guiding residents when creating solutions. 
• Resident Assistants will be able to respond to incidents by assessing situations, applying relevant policies and procedures, and following through with communication and documentation protocol. 
• Resident Assistants will be able to identify challenges within the residential community and utilize deductive reasoning skills to implement action steps. 

Job Responsibilities: 

• Know and understand the rationale for University and Residence Hall policies and procedures and interpret and enforce them effectively.
• Assist in maintaining order in emergency situations. 
• Report hall emergencies regardless of a duty night. 
• Know and understand the philosophy of the Office of Housing and Residence Life and is familiar with the resource material in the HRL Office and its documents (i.e. manuals). 
• Act as a referral agent for the residents in serious or emergency situations. 
• Share responsibility of duty nights and hall security.  
• RAs are expected to be in their respective hall most evenings and nights of each week and available to meet student needs.  
• Official RA duty guidelines set by HRL and the Residence Coordinator.  
• These guidelines include duty rounds, security checks, professional behavior, etc. 

Leadership

Learning Goals:

• Support the needs of self and others to build an empowering community where everyone has the opportunity to live and thrive. 
• Influence, motivate, and build trust with others by upholding community standards and maintaining positive attitude. 
• Contribute to a collaborative work environment by building strong peer and supervisory relationships through participation in team and departmental meetings, and initiatives.  

Learning Objectives: 

• Resident Assistants will be able to address individual and community needs by referring residents to campus resources and setting appropriate boundaries.   
• Resident Assistants will be able to motivate and influence others by modeling community standards and values that build trust in an approachable manner. 
• Resident Assistants will be able to build positive working relationships with their staff, supervisor, and department through collaboration, and participating in Residence Life activities. 

Job Responsibilities: 

• Is familiar with campus and community resources. 
• Develop a positive working relationship with Residence Coordinator, Assistant Residence Coordinator and with peer staff members. 
• As paraprofessional members of the Office of Housing and Residence Life, RAs are expected to maintain a high level of ethical standards whether on duty or not. 
• Participate in recruitment, selection, and training of all new staff members. 
• Maintain a professional attitude and manner while employed as a University employee for the Office of Housing and Residence Life. 
• Inform the Residence Coordinator of living unit situations (incidents, needs, behavioral changes, and unknown whereabouts of members) through individual consultations, unscheduled conversations and staff meetings. 
• Is available to assist students with their personal and group concerns within limits of training and capability. 
• Work with Housekeepers, maintenance personnel, etc. to promote efficient facility support and respectful understanding of the responsibilities of both the residents and UNCW personnel. 
• Help develop a positive and supportive relationship with University Police, University Dining Services staff, Recreation Services staff, and all other staff who work in conjunction with the Office of Housing and Residence Life. 

Professionalism 

Learning Goals: 

• Take ownership of responsibilities, follow through on commitments, and uphold expectations in all aspects of the RA role. 
• Complete tasks with accuracy, and maintains thorough documentation while facilitating the co-curricular experience. 
• Articulate and listen effectively by utilizing various formats to tailor messages to the appropriate audience. 

Learning Outcomes: 

• Resident Assistants will be able to demonstrate accountability by taking ownership of their responsibilities, following through on commitments, and upholding expectations in all aspects of their role. 
• Resident Assistants will demonstrate the ability to complete administrative responsibilities accurately and on time, and support the co-curricular experience through program implementation, bulletin board creation, and resident engagement. 
• Resident Assistants will be able to demonstrate strong communication skills by conveying information through various formats, effectively listening, and adapting their message to the audience. 

Job Responsibilities: 

• Participate in required RA Training sessions, and in-service training sessions throughout the year. 
  Advance notification to your Residence Coordinator is required if unable to attend due to academic reasons. 
  Attend and participate in all meetings called by the Residence Coordinator or Office of Housing and Residence Life.
• Communicates consistently, effectively, and efficiently with other RAs, the Desk Receptionists, Assistant Residence Coordinator, and Residence Coordinator. 
• Hold periodic meetings with the living unit for general communication, sharing information, or generating enthusiasm. 
• Facilitate programming individually and in cooperation with other Resident Assistants and with residents of the living unit following the co-curricular model, Anchor. 
• Provide an information floor bulletin board for academic information, social events, maintenance, policies and procedures. 
• Maintain records concerning room inventory and damages in student's rooms. 
• Assist in student room check-in and room check-out procedures. 
• Assist in surveys and special projects as requested by the Residence Coordinator or the Office of Housing and Residence Life. 
• Remain in the residence hall until all students have left for vacation periods (Thanksgiving, Winter, Spring and Summer breaks) and returns early to open the hall after vacation periods.  
• Resident Assistants must participate in opening, closing and inspection procedures and may not leave until dismissed by the Residence Coordinator. 
• Complete administrative tasks assigned by the Residence Coordinator or the Office of Housing and Residence Life. 
• Assist in additional responsibilities that occur concerning hall functions. 

• Monthly compensation provided to all Resident Assistants. Stipend amount is under review.
• RA scholarship value to cover the costs associated with room rates and meal plan.
  
  • Single room when available within a residence hall, apartment, or suite.
  • Meal plan options may be selected up to defined price point.

*RA's in double occupancy rooms may be assigned a temporary roommate at any given time during the academic semester.

Consideration for Selection

RA candidates are evaluated based off of submitted application materials and participation in the Big interview process. Candidates may then be invited to participate in an individual interview process.

Helpful Tips

• Review the job description and responsibilities carefully so you are familiar with the position and requirements.
• Spend time talking with current Resident Assistants about job responsibilities and requirements. 
• Practice asking the questions you would like to pose to your interviewers.
• Get a good night of sleep the night before your interviews and eat balanced meals the day of your interviews.
• Come up with a list of questions you think you might be asked to answer, and have your friends help you practice.
• Most important: Be yourself! The purpose of the interview is so that you and the Housing and Residence Life staff can get to know one another better. It is difficult to do that if you are pretending to be someone you are not.
• Dress neatly and professionally for your interviews.

Resume, Interview, and Short Answer Resources

As a part of the RA application process the video essay, short answer questions, and interview process are essential to a successful candidacy. As a means of helping individuals gain support in accomplishing these steps we highly suggest candidates take advantage of individual appointments and online resources with the Career Center and Writing Center. They will be very pleased to help you. Be proactive and courteous by scheduling in a timely fashion as outlined on the respective websites.

• UNCW Career Center - FUU 2035
• UNCW Writing Center - DePaolo Hall 1056

UNCW Housing & Residence Life Non-Discrimination Statement

The University of North Carolina at Wilmington is committed to and will provide equal educational and employment opportunity for all persons regardless of race, sex, age, color, gender, national origin, ethnicity, creed, religion, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation, marital status, veteran status or relationship to other university constituents - except where sex, age or ability represent bona fide educational or occupational qualifications or where marital status is a statutorily established eligibility criterion for state-funded employee benefit programs.

Questions regarding program access may be directed to the Compliance Officer, UNCW Chancellor's Office, (910) 962-3000, or fax (910) 962-3483.

UNCW residence halls allow all students the opportunity to become actively involved in campus life. UNCW Housing and Residence Life provides a variety of programs and activities in and around the residence halls to enhance students' total educational experience. All of the residence halls are accessible in that they have elevators and adapted restrooms.

Further, entrances to all buildings are either ramp-accessible or located on the ground floor. The first floor of each residence hall has all the services that are available on higher-level floors to allow students with disabilities equal access to services. University Suites has some first-floor units that have been designed to accommodate students with disabilities.

For further information, contact UNCW Housing and Residence Life at (910) 962-3241.