Gonzaga University
Department of Housing and Residence Life
Job Description: Resident Assistant (RA)
Prologue
A significant amount of the education one receives while a college student takes place outside the formal
classroom setting. Therefore, Gonzaga University is strongly committed to providing an intentional and significant
residential experience for students. Residence Life staff members are selected based on their maturity, leadership
qualities, experience and interest in maximizing the experience of GU students and staff.
As a part time member of the Division of Student Development, the residence hall staff member is a representative
of the University and a resource for campus students. The role of each staff member is to work collaboratively to
develop a living experience in their assigned community, block, and across campus. This role compliments and
enhances the academic life of our residents while operating a values-based system of student accountability, and
demonstrating a caring concern for all students
It is the role of Residence Life staff is to provide residents with opportunities to CONNECT to their community,
INTERACT with various residents, deeply ENGAGE with the Gonzaga and Spokane communities, and REFLECT on
their experiences.
Position Description
CONNECTION
RAs help residents build a connection with the environment in which they live. This sense of community allows
students and Residence Life staff to find their place at Gonzaga and provides a sense of importance for each
individual. Beyond the community with residents, RAs are also a part of their block staff community and the larger
Residence Life community.
These residential connections are built through:
1. Gaining an understanding of the Jesuit history, legacy and mission of Gonzaga University
2. A minimum of two community-wide meetings per semester that initiate and reflect upon ways of being in
the community.
3. The implementation of theme builders throughout the hall and block community.
4. Actively participating in weekly staff meetings, development opportunities and evaluative processes.
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5. Enrolling in RA Class in Spring Semester prior to 1 semester on-staff.
6. Attending mandatory Fall Training in August, Winter Retreat in January, and on-going training opportunities
provided to staff throughout the fall and spring semesters.
7. Assisting the RD and other staff members in building openings and closings each semester.
8. Maintaining in-semester resident check-in and check-out information as needed.
9. Overseeing hall facilities and amenities during the academic year.
INTERACTION
RAs must maintain an understanding of diverse situations and assist their residents in the development of
experiences where individuals interact with those who have different personalities, beliefs, and cultures from their
own. Residence Life staff will provide their residents with intentional conversations with other students, residence
life staff, and leaders throughout the Gonzaga community.
These interactions are built through:
1. Conducting 1:1 interactions with all residents throughout each semester.
2. Effective verbal, non-verbal, and written communication.
a. Meeting regularly in a 1-1 setting with supervising RD/GRD and ARD.
b. Responding articulately and promptly to email communication.
3. Openness to diversity of all kinds and a willingness to engage others in dialogue about issues of diversity.
a. Building personal relationships with a diverse population of residents.
b. Showing a curiosity and desire to know residents of all backgrounds, experiences, beliefs or culture.
4. An ability to challenge biased and other unacceptable behavior toward others.
a. Actively confronting and reporting all incidents of bias.
5. An understanding of, and an ability to implement, positive and respectful conflict resolution techniques.
a. Working proactively to mediate roommate and interpersonal conflicts among residents.
b. Working to mediate conflicts within the RA staff team.
c. Recognizing students in crisis or those who exhibit concerning behaviors.
d. Synthesizing and reporting student issues or building wide concerns to appropriate University
officials.
ENGAGEMENT
RAs must build a community where members take ownership of, and are invested in, the creation of a space that is
welcoming and inviting for all. RAs provide opportunities for their residents to actively participate in their
community and develop meaningful relationships with other students.
This engagement is built through:
1. Confronting violations of the Ethos statement and Code of Conduct in an unbiased and caring manner.
a. Working collaboratively with students in actual and perceived crisis and communicating with
appropriate persons.
b. Completing rounds on designated duty weekday and weekend nights.
2. Collaborating with on-campus departments and the Gonzaga community to provide events for residents to
attend outside of the residence hall.
3. Coordinating community events inside the residence hall which attends to the various needs of the
residents.
4. Developing special events which address specific community concerns.
REFLECTION
RAs must participate in regular activities which promote inquiry and critical thinking. These reflective moments
provide student staff with the opportunity to process and make meaning of their on-campus living experience. RAs
must also provide reflective activities for their residents to understand how their individual decisions and actions
impact the overall sense of community.
This reflection is built through:
1. The completion of a monthly community report which summarizes the needs of the hall community, any
staff devos that were attended, and any facility needs or concerns.
a. Develop events for residents which attend to the identified needs of the community.
2. Effectively managing time commitments and successfully navigating the expectations of each of these
commitments whether they are academic, personal, co-curricular, or position related.
a. Committing to less than 10 hours per week in non-RA leadership positions or outside employment
on or off campus.
3. An ability to maintain personal balance in mind, body, and spirit.
4. An acute sense of self-awareness that reflects the ability to identify how ones personal strengths and
weaknesses may positively or negatively impact relationships and work situations.
5. An ethical congruency between stated personal values and actions.
a. Role modeling community standards, strong personal values, and positive relationships.
OTHER INFORMATION
Minimum Qualifications
 Be in good standing (academically and behaviorally) with the University,
 Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.50 or higher throughout the hiring process and while on staff,
 Live in assigned on-campus residence for full academic year (excluding Winter Break),
 Be enrolled as a full-time student (12 undergraduate credits or 6 graduate credits),
 Follow all guidelines and expectations found in the GU Student Handbook, Housing Agreement, RA Working
Agreement and RA Manual.
Preferred Qualifications
 Complete 2 semesters as a residential student at Gonzaga or other University prior to beginning work as an
RA.
Supervision Received
A designated Residence Director (RD) or Graduate Residence Director (GRD) supervises each RA staff member.
There are a set number of blocks on campus that have a corresponding RD, Assistant Residence Director (ARD), and
Resident Assistants (RAs). The RD and ARD work collaboratively in the management and supervision of facilities,
residents, and RAs. Because each block has different needs and different people bring unique skills and passions to
the position, the duties of a RA may vary slightly across blocks.