Senior Resident Assistant - Residential Life

Senior Resident Assistant, Academic Year 2023-2024

This application will open on December 12th at 1 PM. Click here for the application.

Applications are due January 19th at 5 PM.

Please note that this position is only available for current hall staff.

Please read the job description before submitting your application. Read more about the application procedure here and the requirements for working with us.

Job Description 2023-2024

The mission of Residential Life is to facilitate student transitions into the intellectual and social communities of the University of California, Berkeley and to promote personal wellbeing and respect for the community needs of all residents. Residential Life’s vision reflects a commitment to the intentional creation of effective and innovative programs aimed to empower students with the skills to become engaged campus and global citizens, and active agents of social change. The Senior Resident Directors (SRD), Resident Directors (RD), and the Live-In Student Staff will accomplish this mission through a combination of community building activities, student empowerment programs, and personal conversations.

The Senior Resident Assistant (SRA) is responsible for developing and maintaining an atmosphere that promotes residential communities through excellence in academic integration and personal development opportunities for students. As an employee of Residential Life, each SRA will adhere to, administer, and enforce policies and procedures as outlined in the Residential Life Student Staff Manual, the Residential Code of Conduct, the UC Berkeley Campus Code of Conduct, University of California Personnel Policies and Procedures, and the University of California Policies applying to Campus Activities, Organizations, and Students.

The SRA’s role is to connect with the members of the residential community, as directed by the Residential Student Experience Model. The Residential Student Experience Model outlines the framework used by the residential staff that will engage students through one-on-one conversations, community meetings, and programs that target the needs of the community. The SRA serves as a resource to both residents and staff while upholding the goals and policies of Residential Life. All responsibilities listed will be carried out under the supervision of the RD or SRD. The SRA serves as an advisor to the leadership programs of the Unit, including, but not limited to Hall Association, Theme Programs, as well as promoting and supporting the strategy efforts of the Resident Assistant (RA) and Theme Program Resident Assistant (TPRA). All responsibilities listed will be carried out under the supervision of the Resident Director (RD) or Senior Resident Director (SRD).

Ethics Statement

As a representative of the University of California, Berkeley and a member of the Residential Life staﬀ, the Resident Assistant is expected to respect the personal integrity of all community members and assure they be treated in a manner that is fundamentally fair. Staﬀ should refrain from engaging in any behaviors, attitudes, relationships, or actions that:

Would be considered harassment on the basis of gender, race, sex, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, citizenship, age, and / or ability
Would impinge on a resident’s or another staﬀ member’s dignity, moral code, privacy, self‐worth, and academic, physical, psychological, and / or emotional well‐being
Would seek unjustiﬁed personal gains, unfair advantage, unearned goods or services

Essential Duties

The expectations of the Resident Assistant job description serves as a foundation for the Senior Resident Assistant role. Reference the RA job description for context and see below for the additional responsibilities of Senior Resident Assistants:

Mentorship & Leadership (40%)

Serve as a peer mentor and resource for Resident Assistants and Theme Program Resident Assistants to support their responsibilities of community development and Residential Student Experience Model implementation
Coordinate and support unit-wide programs and events in alignment with the Residential Student Experience Model, under the supervision of the Resident Director or Senior Resident Director. These include, but are not limited to:
- Supporting Move-In / Move-Out, Residential Life welcome programs during Golden Bear Orientation (GBO), Homecoming, and other unit wide programs throughout the academic year
- Serve as a peer mentor during GBO programming efforts by assisting in creating and distributing marketing materials with residential staff
Co-facilitate and attend weekly hall staff meetings which will take place every Tuesday from 7PM – 9PM.
Attend the Senior Residential Student Leaders Council Meeting once a month on Tuesday from 5pm-6:15pm
In partnership with the Resident Director or Senior Resident Director, assist with facilitating ongoing community needs assessments in support of the Residential Student Experience Model
Assist with planning, facilitating and/or presenting Student Staff Training including: Fall, Spring, and any scheduled continuing education professional development sessions
Support Resident Assistants with lower-level roommate conflict mediation, community issues, and/or concerns at the discretion of the Resident Director or Senior Resident Director.

Support Hall Association in partnership with the Resident Director or Senior Resident Director and fellow unit Senior Resident Assistants (if applicable). Support measures consist of the following responsibilities, but are not limited to:
- Recruitment of residents to engage in Hall Association
- Support the Resident Director or Senior Resident Director with Hall Association elections under the guidelines set forth by the Residence Hall Assembly (RHA)
- Co-facilitation of Hall Association weekly evening meetings Tuesdays from 9PM – 10PM, provide Hall Association members with guidance and mentorship, and ongoing leadership development opportunities.
- Support and promote system-wide programs / initiatives from the Residence Hall Assembly (RHA)

Community Development & Residential Student Experience Model Implementation (35%)

Mentor the Resident Assistants and Theme Program Resident Assistants in financial management related to program strategy implementation. These include, but are not limited to:
- Review Event Purchasing Forms and provide Feedback as necessary
- Providing programming and financial updates to the Resident Director/ Senior Resident Directors
Support and promote programs offered by Health Workers, Resident Faculty, Theme Programs, and other departments
Provide context and knowledge of Residential Student Experience Model standards and curriculums to hall staff team

Crisis Response & Safety/Risk Management Responsibilities (20%)

Senior Resident Assistants are expected to serve on the regular duty rotation and heavily impacted duty shifts during peak times (opening/closing/holidays/campus events/etc.) and in a backfill capacity for emergency management.
- Senior Resident Assistants may be expected to provide additional support and staffing during times of emergency management and crisis response.
Follow and respond to all emergency procedures as directed by the Resident Director or Senior Resident Director or outlined in the Hall Staff Manual.
Demonstrate knowledge in mentoring regarding safety and liability for unit programs. Report all concerns directly to the Resident Director or Senior Resident Director.
Support the Resident Director or Senior Resident Director in facilitating the scheduling of evening, day, and holiday duty.

Administrative Responsibilities & Additional Duties (5%)

Ensure that the RD or SRD is informed and updated on all aspects of your work as an SRA. This includes phone and / or email contact and meeting regularly with the RD or SRD to share job-related information, give / receive constructive feedback, and develop job-related skills.
Attend and actively participate in fall and spring student staff training sessions, and all scheduled in-service training
Participate in all individual, staff, and group evaluation processes
Senior Resident Assistants must be available every Tuesday from 7-10pm for weekly hall staff / unit meetings and Hall Association Meetings
Complete additional duties as assigned to meet the evolving needs of the residential community
- Community Collaterals as assigned by RD: Custodial Appreciation, Resident Faculty program, Recognition, Team Development, to meet the evolving needs of the residential community, team development

Expectations

Senior Resident Assistants are expected to model ethical behavior for all residence hall policies and procedures. Failure to demonstrate ethical behavior may result in personnel action up to and including dismissal.

Share feedback with peers and RD or SRD that is appropriate, constructive and solution oriented.
Communicate and demonstrate an ability to hold self, peers, professional staff accountable that contributes to a solution based resolution.
Adequately able to balance academic demands and other commitments with the duties and responsibilities of the hall staff position that contributes to the success of the team dynamic.

Qualifications

Required:

Undergraduate student possessing a minimum 2.300 cumulative GPA and good standing with the University at the start of position and throughout the period of employment. Please note that GPA does not round up, any GPA below a 2.300 (2.299 or below) will make you ineligible for this position
Full-time academic status (12-13 units per semester) during the period of employment
Previous experience as a Residential Life Live-In Staff member (RA / TPRA / SRA) in UC Berkeley Residential Life

Preferred:

Previous leadership experience in the university environment

Strong communication and interpersonal skills
The ability to utilize residential tools to facilitate community among individuals
Understanding or willingness to learn about the principles of an inclusive, socially-just community

Terms of Employment

Expectations

SRA positions are non-renewable positions through one academic year. Candidates who wish to continue with the Department of Residential Life must apply through a distinct position’s process.
Abide by all Housing and Residential Policies as outlined by the Residential and Campus Code of Conduct. Failure to abide by these policies may result in personnel action up to and including dismissal
Maintain the required 2.300 minimum GPA throughout the term of employment. SRAs must submit a copy of an official grade report to Residential Life. Spring 2020 grade report must be submitted by July 1, 2020 while the Fall 2020 grade report must be submitted within the first week of classes of the Spring 2021 semester in order to ensure compliance with the academic requirements of the position
Maintain full-time academic status (12-13 units per semester) throughout the term of employment. Exceptions must have prior approval of the RD or SRD and Assistant Director
Senior Resident Assistants are expected to model ethical behavior for all residence hall policies and procedures. Failure to demonstrate ethical behavior may result in personnel action up to and including dismissal.
Share feedback with peers and RD or SRD that is appropriate, constructive and solution oriented.
Communicate and demonstrate an ability to hold self, peers, professional staff accountable that contributes to a solution based resolution.
Adequately able to balance academic demands and other commitments with the duties and responsibilities of the hall staff position that contributes to the success of the team dynamic.
Active participation in all ongoing system-wide and area staff continued training programs is mandatory for all student staff
The SRA is expected to work during some evenings, weekends and holidays. A commitment of approximately 19 hours / week is expected (some weeks may be more, whereas others may be less, depending on time of year, events, issues in the hall, etc.), which includes but is not limited to required meetings, meeting with Hall Association, meeting and training preparation, attending hall programs, advising Hall Association program implementation and attendance, and addressing the specific needs of the community
Assist with and be present for the implementation of Cal Day and Hall Association Executive Events
All extended hall absences (more than 24 hours) must be arranged in advance with the RD or SRD. Absences will not be approved the first and last two weeks of each semester

Commitments

The period of employment for this live-in position commences with the start of SRA training (see below for details) and concludes Sunday, May 14th, 2023 with the closing of the residence halls
Active participation in Fall and Spring Training. SRA Fall Training will begin, as early as Tuesday, August 1st, 2023. Spring Training for all hall staff begins as early as Monday, January 8th, 2024. Please note we are including the earliest possible training start dates. Any changes to training dates will be communicated in advance
- Academic exemptions will be considered and granted on a needs basis, please communicate with your supervisor to confirm your eligibility for training exemptions.
Senior Resident Assistants will receive room and board during the period of employment as compensation
Living arrangements may range from a single room in traditional residence halls, a single room in a suit or an apartment, or a shared apartment space, depending on the departmental need
Senior Resident Assistants will receive a meal plan. Unused points after the vacancy of the position will not be transferred to the student
Senior Resident Assistants are restricted to no more than 15 hours of outside commitments (i.e. running for ASUC, club participation, additional employment, both on and off campus). Exceptions must be discussed and approved in advance by the RD or SRD
Continued employment is contingent upon a satisfactory job performance evaluation by the supervisor. Satisfactory job performance evaluation is defined as meeting expectations as defined by the job evaluation in all areas of the job description. Failure to meet expectations on your evaluation may result in release from your employment

Living Arrangements/ Compensation

Senior Resident Assistants will receive room and board during the period of employment as compensation
Living arrangements may range from a single room in traditional residence halls, a single room in a suit or an apartment, or a shared apartment space, depending on the departmental need
Senior Resident Assistants will receive a meal plan. Unused points after the vacancy of the position will not be transferred to the student

Background Check Requirement

This position is subject to a criminal background check. This position meets the following background check criteria:

Possession of building master or sub-master key access to residences and certain other facilities
Works in a safe and responsible manner while not putting self or others at risk. This includes complying with applicable policies and regulations; using personal safety gear; observing warning signs; learning about potential hazards; and reporting unsafe conditions

COVID-19 Specific

Due to COVID-19, hall staff may be asked to adjust job responsibilities at any point to remain in alignment with public health and campus guidelines, which may become virtual or resume to normal operations over the year. Additionally, all student staff will be subject to any requirements, restrictions, policies, or changes that apply to the general student resident population.

Nondiscrimination Policy Statement for University of California

The University of California, in accordance with applicable Federal and State law and University policy, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, medical condition (cancer related or genetic characteristics), ancestry, marital status, age, sexual orientation, citizenship, or service in the uniformed services. The University also prohibits sexual harassment. This nondiscrimination policy covers admission, access, and treatment in University programs and activities.

Inquiries regarding the University’s student-related nondiscrimination policies may be directed to the Director of the Office for the Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination (OPHD). Email: ask_ophd@berkeley.edu, or telephone: 510 643-7985. Complaints of discrimination should be directed to OPHD, as above.

Student-related discrimination complaints can also be brought to the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, San Francisco Regional Office, 50 United Nations Plaza, Mail Box 1200, Room 1545, San Francisco, CA 94102, Email: ocr.sanfrancisco@ed.gov(link sends e-mail); Telephone: 415-486-5555, FAX: 415-486-5570; TDD: 800-877-8339

*/IIPP Requirements/*

Provides health and safety training, guidance on safe work practices, provides proper equipment, observes work practices and correct methods, and investigates accidents. Works in a safe and responsible manner while not putting self or others at risk. This includes complying with applicable policies and regulations; using personal safety gear; observing warning signs; learning about potential hazards; and reporting unsafe conditions.