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Resident Advisor (Bellingham)
Whatcom Community College
237 W Kellogg Rd
compensation:
This is a 12-month stipend, non-permanent, non-represented position with stipend of $500.00 per month. This position includes compensated assigned housing in a studio suite. Apartment reassignment might occur based on student and departmental needs.
employment type:
part-time
experience level:
entry level
job title:
Resident Advisor
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Classification: Non-Represented
FTE: RA's work 19 hours per week, the maximum allowed for student employees during the academic year. No other paid on-campus employment is permitted.
Schedule: See Time Commitment Section
FLSA Status: Overtime Eligible
Grant Funded: No
Job Summary
The Residence Life program is committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and supportive living-learning environment where all students can thrive. The Housing and Residence Life Education Program fosters a dynamic residential experience by encouraging students to build meaningful connections, engage with their peers, and contribute to a welcoming and respectful community.
Resident Advisors (RAs) support residents' academic and personal development, build community through intentional engagement and educational programming, and help create a culture grounded in inclusion, respect, sustainability, and shared accountability. RAs recognize and value each student's unique identity, background, and experiences while helping residents develop the skills and confidence to navigate community living.
Through relationship-building, community engagement, conflict support, and collaboration with Residence Life staff, RAs help create a residential community where students feel a sense of belonging, connection, and responsibility to themselves and one another.
Reporting Structure/Supervisory Relationship
These positions report to the Program Coordinator for Residence Life.
Responsibilities
Essential Functions
Administrative and Community Operations
-Supports the day-to-day operation of Cedar Hall by responding to resident needs, following up on maintenance requests, assisting with front desk operations, and communicating concerns to Residence Life staff.
-Completes required housing processes, including pre-move-in inspections, move-out/unit inspections, and other assigned community or facility inspections.
-Welcomes and orients new residents to Cedar Hall, community living expectations, Residence Life resources, policies, and procedures.
-Maintains accurate and timely documentation, including maintenance follow-up, program documentation, incident reports, and other required records.
Community Development and Resident Support
-Builds and maintains positive, professional relationships with residents through regular interaction, intentional engagement, floor meetings, and community activities.
-Fosters a welcoming, inclusive, and respectful residential community that encourages connection, involvement, and shared responsibility.
-Facilitates opportunities for residents to establish community standards and develop a sense of belonging and accountability.
-Supports residents' academic, personal, and social development by providing intentional engagement, connecting residents with appropriate campus and community resources, and encouraging participation in opportunities that contribute to student success.
-Recognizes and responds appropriately to individual and community needs, including periods of increased stress, academic challenges, personal difficulties, or other circumstances that may affect a resident's well-being.
-Collaborates with Residence Life staff and campus partners to support resident success, community engagement, advocacy, and educational initiatives.
Educational Programming
-Plans, coordinates, and facilitates ongoing educational, social, and community-building programs, including Residence Life orientation, based on the identified needs and interests of residents.
-Engages residents in planning and implementing programs and connects programming to topics such as community engagement, health and wellness, academic success, inclusion, and campus resources.
-Develops effective promotional materials and completes required program proposals, assessments, and reports.
-Collaborates with campus departments and community partners to expand educational and engagement opportunities for residents.
Policy, Safety, and Emergency Response
-Understands and consistently applies the resident housing contract, resident handbook, Cedar Hall Operations Manual, and applicable Residence Life policies and procedures.
-Educates residents about community expectations, policies, and procedures and addresses policy concerns in a fair, consistent, and proactive manner.
-Conducts required safety, security, and unit inspections and promptly communicates concerns through established reporting processes.
-Participates in the Residence Life on-call rotation and responds to resident needs, emergencies, policy concerns, maintenance issues, and other community concerns in accordance with established procedures and under the direction of Residence Life professional staff.
-Follows established College procedures for reporting incidents, disclosures, safety concerns, and other situations requiring notification to appropriate College officials.
-Documents and communicates incidents, safety concerns, and resident needs accurately and in a timely manner.
-Maintains appropriate confidentiality and professionalism when handling resident concerns and information and when participating in Residence Life staff communications.
-Performs other related work of a similar nature and level.
Time Commitment
-The Resident Advisor position is a part-time student employment position that requires consistent engagement with the residential community. The position is designed to support students' academic success while providing meaningful opportunities for leadership, community building, and professional development
Workload
-The Resident Advisor position is scheduled for an average of 19 hours per week during the academic year, including scheduled community engagement, administrative responsibilities, meetings, training, programming, and on-call responsibilities. Actual schedules may vary based on community needs and the academic calendar.
Required Meetings and Training: Attend and participate in required staff meetings, individual supervision meetings, orientation, training, and professional development activities. Required meetings and training are considered work time and will be scheduled within the applicable work-hour limits.
Evenings, Weekends, Holidays, and Break Periods: The position requires scheduled availability during some evenings, weekends, holidays, and academic break periods. On-call responsibilities will be assigned through a rotating schedule. Specific schedules and expectations will be communicated in advance whenever practicable.
On-Call Responsibilities: Participate in the Residence Life on-call rotation and respond to resident needs, emergencies, and other assigned responsibilities during scheduled on-call periods. Time spent performing work-related duties while on call must be recorded and will count toward the RA's weekly 19-hour work limit.
Community Presence: Maintain a visible, approachable, and supportive presence in the residential community and establish regular availability times for residents. Community presence and resident engagement will be incorporated into the assigned work schedule.
Academic and Other Commitments: Residents Advisors are expected to balance their employment responsibilities with academic, personal, and extracurricular commitments. Other employment or activities are permitted when they do not conflict with scheduled RA responsibilities or prevent the RA from meeting the essential functions of the position. Any additional employment or commitments should be discussed with the supervisor when they may affect availability.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
-Knowledge of principles and practices of community development, inclusive engagement, and student support within a residential learning environment.
-Skill in building and maintaining positive, professional relationships with residents and student staff across diverse backgrounds, identities, and experiences.
-Ability to engage residents in intentional conversations, active listening, and supportive interactions that promote belonging, connection, and student success.
-Ability to communicate effectively, navigate challenging conversations, and address conflict in a respectful, equitable, and solution-focused manner.
-Ability to model ethical decision-making, sound judgment, appropriate professional boundaries, and behaviors that support the values and expectations of the college.
-Skill in responding to emerging situations, identifying appropriate resources, and taking timely and appropriate action to support resident safety, well-being, and community needs.
-Ability to work independently, demonstrate initiative, manage competing responsibilities, and collaborate effectively with Residence Life staff and campus partners to support community and program goals.
-The ability to actively contribute to a work and learning environment that treats everyone with respect and dignity, while engaging diverse perspectives, backgrounds and experiences to enhance the College's mission, vision, and promise.
Working Conditions/Environment
-Work is performed in a residential and office environment and involves frequent interaction with students, staff, and campus partners. The position requires regular movement throughout the residence hall and occasional work during evenings, weekends, holidays, and academic breaks. Duties may include periods of computer and other technology use for communication, documentation, scheduling, and administrative tasks; facilitating meetings, programs, and group discussions; and responding to routine and emergency situations within the residential community. The position requires the ability to maintain a professional and supportive presence in a dynamic, student-centered environment.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications
-Must be 18 years of age or older at the time of appointment.
-Must be currently enrolled as a student at Whatcom Community College (WCC), Western Washington University (WWU), Bellingham Technical College (BRC) or Northwest Indian College (NIC) and remain enrolled for the duration of the appointment.
-Must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 at the time of application and throughout the appointment, or, for students new to college without an established GPA, meet an equivalent standard of satisfactory academic standing. Students below the minimum GPA may qualify if they have an approved academic improvement plan in place.
-Must be in good standing with the College and not be subject to disciplinary probation or an active housing-related sanction that would prevent participation in the Resident Advisor role.
Preferred Qualifications
-Current First Aid, CPR, and AED certifications from a recognized training provider.
-Previous experience in student leadership, peer mentoring, residence life, student activities, or other campus/community-based leadership roles.
-Experience planning, coordinating, or supporting events, programs, or activities that engage participants and contribute to a sense of community.
-Experience working or volunteering in educational, community, or service-oriented settings, particularly with populations representing diverse backgrounds, identities, and experiences.
-The ability to take action to learn and grow.
-The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.
Licensure, Certification & Other Necessary Requirements
-Employment contingent upon passing a criminal background check and sexual misconduct review
-Occasional travel to meetings, conferences and training sessions may be required.
Salary:
-This is a 12-month stipend, non-permanent, non-represented position with stipend of $500.00 per month. This position includes compensated assigned housing in a studio suite. Apartment reassignment might occur based on student and departmental needs.
Start Date:
-As soon as can be arranged with the successful candidate.
Application Due Date:
-For guaranteed consideration, applications should be received by Monday, October 5th, 2026, at 5:00pm. Position open until filled.
How To Apply
A completed application consists of an online application and:
-Cover letter detailing relevant experience and how the applicant is prepared to meet the duties of the position.
-Current resume.
-Values statement that responds to the following prompt:
Short Reflection (1 page max): One of the core values of this institution is building an inclusive and supportive campus. This core value is reflected in our strategic plan, goals and in the work that we do every day. Please describe your experience in building an inclusive environment that supports a sense of belonging.
To apply please visit us at:
https://www.whatcom.edu/job-info
- Principals only. Recruiters, please don't contact this job poster.