INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS HOUSE
RESIDENT ADVISOR 2015-16
INFORMATION SHEET AND JOB DESCRIPTION
The job of the Resident Advisor (RA) involves multiple roles and responsibilities: The RA is a
trained paraprofessional who must work closely with student resident, club members and
professional staff, to ensure the success of a unique multicultural environment. Since the RA is
often the first line of contact between the student and ISH administration and staff it is vital
that the individuals selected for the role are genuine, energetic, sensitive, ‘people
orientated’, and wholly committed to working within a dynamic international community.
The goals of the RA Programme are:
1.
To promote the development of a community where there is friendliness and
consideration for others; understanding and acceptance of cultural and individual
differences; a balance between freedom and order; and a sense of mutual
responsibility; all within a culturally diverse environment.
2.
To encourage students to learn about themselves, to grow and develop, through
participation in extracurricular activities and social programmes.
3.
To contribute to the implementation of ISH’s policies and procedures, rules and
regulations, in particular those relating to the health and safety of student residents
and club members.
JOB DESCRIPTION
The RA is expected:
1.
To become personally acquainted with all students in their area.
2.
To assist students in developing a sense of community responsibility for the conduct of
themselves and others, and to assist in the enforcement of ISH rules and regulations.
In this respect it is expected that RAs will set the best example in terms of their
behaviour.
3.
To act as a source of support for students and, with appropriate training, to be a
source of referral for students with personal, educational or vocational problems.
4.
To liaise with the Events Office over ISH events and to organise social events for
students in their area. To encourage residents to develop and implement their own
ideas for events and activities that will bring residents together.
5.
To maintain a notice board in their area, keeping students informed about all
Programme events and other activities and dates of interest.
6.
To be responsible for administrative functions relating to student residents in their area;
for reporting room changes and vacancies; and for ensuring that the Dean of Student
Life or Warden is kept informed of unusual events or conditions affecting the students
in their area.
KC/Resident Assistants/Information – Job Description
7.
To be familiar with Health and Safety emergency procedures and to assist with their
implementation in the case of an emergency. To be fully trained in fire evacuation
procedures and act as fire wardens during all test drills.
SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES
The RA will be required:
1.
To participate in the RA training programme, including attending the compulsory
residential training event.
2.
To be available on duty one evening per week at ISH, on a rota basis with other RAs,
and to ensure that checks according to the ‘RA Duty Checklist’ are completed.
3.
To attend regular fortnightly meetings with staff during term time, and to report any
issues arising in their area.
4.
To participate in the ISH Orientation Programme and to represent ISH at other key
events during the year (to be agreed with the Dean of Student Life or Warden). To act
as an ambassador for International Students House and will host special guests and
visitors to the house as requested by the Dean or Executive Director.
5.
To ensure that publicity material & information is displayed on notice boards in their
area and that students on their floor are well informed about ISH facilities, services,
events and activities.
6.
To be formally trained in Fire safety and evacuation procedures and will serve as Fire
Wardens in the case of an emergency or practice evacuation.
7.
To participate in the ISH Student Forum.
8.
To focus on a specific interest or support area for residents e.g. Green issues, Sport, The
International festival and other events. Also to take the lead in developing events and
interest in this area for the academic year. A budget will be provided for these events.
9.
Ra’s based at Mary Trevelyan Hall will be asked to be on-call to provide emergency
assistance to the Night Duty Manager, on rota, approximately 1 Saturday evening in
6. The RA will be compensated with an on-call payment, and would be required to be
present in the residence between 11:00 pm and 6:30 am in a sober state to assist with
emergencies if required.
Failure to satisfy these minimum requirements of the RA Programme will result in a RA being
asked to resign from the programme.
The benefits of participation
In return for their effort and commitment RA’s will gain valuable skills and experience which
will be of use in their personal and professional lives.
You remuneration will include:
a) £2,300 TOTAL (£150 in September, £250 (monthly) from October to May and £150 in June)
b) Performance related bonus to a maximum of £200 per year based on the following
criteria:
 Meeting attendance
 RA log sheet reporting
 Marketing/publicity
 Event attendance by you and your fellow students
 Floor parties
 Mid-year evaluations
c) £300 meal voucher for the year will be uploaded on your smart card on the 1st
October(non-transferable)
d) Special single room
e) Fridge in your room