Resident Assistant Selection

Resident Assistant Selection Process (for 2024-2025 academic year)

The Resident Assistants (RAs) are selected sophomores, juniors, and seniors who serve in the residence halls as peer advisors and community buildings. They are available to provide general information, answer questions, and to make appropriate referrals as needed. RAs also have responsibility for security, fire protection, and general safety within the residential communities. Further RAs function as liaisons between students and the administration. There are six primary areas of responsibility for the RA position:

  1. Promote and Support the Health and Safety of Residents
  2. Facilitate the Development of a Sense of Community
  3. Develop Individual Relationships with Residents
  4. Be a Productive Member of the Staff Team
  5. Foster Intentional Learning & Development Among Residents
  6. Develop and Demonstrate Ethical Leadership and Professional Skills

RAs are actively supervised by an Area Coordinator (AC) and serve on a "neighborhood" staff with 12-16 other RAs.  Some of the day-to-day responsibilities of the RA position include:

  • Attend Weekly staff meetings that typically occur on Monday-Thursday evenings (typically last one hour)
  • Attend regularly-scheduled one-on-one meetings between the RA and the AC
  • Serving "on-call" for your community on weeknights and weekends, as well as performing walkthroughs of the community in order to promote health, safety, and welfare of all residents
  • Completing administrative responsibilities, such as assisting with Move-In and Move-Out room inspections, RA Concern Reports, program request forms, and attend ongoing in-service trainings
  • Facilitating floor, building, and community programs that focus on wellness, community building, and safety
  • Collaborate with campus partners to bring programs into the residential community (e.g. working with Health & Wellness to create a "Wellness Relaxation Day")
  • Working closely with Student Academic Mentors (SAMs) and Green Advisors (GAs) within the community
  • Serve as a CSA (Campus Security Authority) and Required Reporter for the college
Questions and Contacts

For specific questions about the selection process, please reach out to ac@swarthmore.edu or housing@swarthmore.edu.

Requirements to Serve as an RA
  • Candidates must have a class standing of sophomore, junior, or senior for the next academic year.

  • To be considered for employment and to serve in any type of Residential Peer Leader role, which includes the RA position, students must be in and remain in good standing throughout their employment. A student is not in good standing when the student has been found responsible for a student conduct policy violation and as a result is serving a sanction of probation, suspension, or expulsion. In addition, students are not in good standing if they are on academic probation. Please consult with the Student Handbook for more information about policies related to academics and student conduct

Information Sessions

Any student who is interested in the RA position is suggested to attend one of the four informational sessions, in which candidates can learn more about the RA position and ask specific questions regarding the process. Information session dates, times, and locations are listed above.

Remuneration
  • Remuneration for the in-person RA position equates to the total cost of room at Swarthmore College. In-person RAs spend, on average, 15-20 per week being available to their residents and performing the duties and responsibilities described in the resident assistant job description. Candidates will be notified of this amount, once the college has set the room rate for 2024-2025. RAs receive the entire RA stipend through the student payroll system.
  • Please note that the compensation received for work as a Resident Assistant is considered taxable income by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). RAs will need to inquire with Human Resources with any questions regarding how their compensation may be taxes.
  • This compensation includes spring training, fall training, orientation week, winter break training and on-going in-service opportunities. The stipend will be disbursed 4 times each semester in even quarters.
How to Apply

Candidates will need to complete the following steps to successfully apply for the position:

  1. The RA Application utilizes JobX. Please note that if you are on a leave of absence or abroad for Spring 2024 but will be an enrolled sophomore, junior, or senior in Fall 2024, you are eligible to apply.
  2. To be able to submit your RA Application, you will need to upload all required documents in the application. The application requires each candidate to upload a recent copy of their resume. Please utilize the Career Center for assistance with developing your resume. Candidates can email cpa@swarthmore.edu for resume reviews and interview preparation. You may wish to schedule a mock interview with a career counselor in Handshake.
  3. New RA Candidates: Identify one person that can complete an RA Recommendation for you. We strongly encourage your recommendation be from a previous supervisor, mentor, or coach who can speak to your leadership potential, teamwork skills, and community building abilities. The RA Recommendation form can here. Please share it with your recommender.
  4. Candidates who are selected to be RAs will be notified March 15. Candidates who are offered the RA position will learn of their general community placement in their offer letter. Individual floor placements will be determined over the summer.
Application Materials and Links
  • RA Application via JobX Student Employment Portal (search for Resident Assistant job position)
  • RA interviews will be scheduled the weekend of March 1-3. If you are selected for an interview, you will be contacted with details on scheduling.
  • JobX Instructions
  • RA Recommendation Form (due before an offer can be made)
Important Dates for RAs

The following are tentative dates and times of required trainings that candidates selected as RAs must attend. If you cannot fully attend these trainings, you cannot serve as an RA, as they are a requirement of the position. These dates and times are based off of last year's required trainings. These dates and times will be finalized at a later time and will be communicated in a timely fashion to all candidates who are offered positions. We ask that you do not finalize travel plans until you receive confirmed dates of trainings, specifically Fall RA Training:

Fall RA Training:
August 20, 2024 (move-in on August 19) - August 26, 2024. The Office of Student Engagement reserves the ability to modify Fall RA Training dates.

Fall Closing:
December 22: Residence Halls Close for Fall Semester - RAs should plan to depart from campus on this day by 2:00pm. Your supervisor would have to approve any earlier departures, so do not plan your travel until you've spoken with your supervisor.

Winter RA Training:
January 2025 Exact dates to be determined at a later date. If hired, your supervisor will have to approve any arrivals after this time.

Selection Timeline
  • ​​​RA Info Sessions
  • RA Application Due: Friday, February 16th, 11:59pm EST
  • Candidate names submitted to Office of Student Conduct for review: February 22nd
  • Individual Interviews: March 1st-3rd
  • RA Hire Decisions Sent: March 15th
  • Offer Acceptance Due: March 22nd