Graduate Resident Advisors

The Graduate RA (GRA) is a live-on graduate leadership opportunity to provide support, guidance and resource referrals to students residing in RIT Housing. This role builds and maintains a community presence by offering events, supporting departmental initiatives. In addition the GRA is responsible for supporting our residential students by facilitating mediation and roommate agreements to help address and resolve conflicts within our communities.

• Enrolled in a graduate program of study at RIT.
• Bachelor’s degree in psychology, the social sciences, human relations, education, or a related field preferred.
• Experience in Residence Life, Orientation, Student Activities, Fraternity & Sorority Life/Greek Affairs, Student Government and/or campus leadership is highly desirable.
• Strong interpersonal skills. Demonstrated skills and abilities for conflict resolution, crisis management, and student outreach.
• Knowledge of American Sign Language or a willingness to learn.
   

• Approximately 8-10 hours per week supporting the development of students residing in
• RIT’s on-campus apartment communities.
• Two weeks of training, 40 hours per week, prior to the start of the academic year (in August) and one week mid-year in January prior to the start of the spring semester.
• Ten month position, August through May. Opportunity for possible summer employment as well.
• Renewable on an annual basis based on interest, vacancies, and performance evaluation.
• Must maintain a 3.0 or higher GPA in your graduate program.
• Compensation is reported to the Office of Financial Aid, and may impact eligibility for and/or financial aid awards. Grad RAs can not hold another paid campus position in excess of 10 hours per week due to RIT Student Employment Policy.

• Administrative duties supporting the daily operations of the residential community at the Residence Life Service Desk.
• Facilitate educational and social events working collaboratively with other Grad RAs and Residence Life Staff.
• Demonstrate integrity, uphold core values, and policies of RIT and the Center for Residence Life in order to be effective liaisons and support for students living on campus.
• Participate in Grad RA duty rotation, act as a crisis response resource during emergencies for the apartment community. Assess and resolve immediate student needs and refer students accordingly.
• Facilitate the resolution of roommate and neighbor conflicts within the area you oversee. Proactively reach out to the students to help them learn to manage these types of conflicts.
• Act as an advocate for students who are dealing with a variety of issues and concerns including personal and academic concerns and connect them to appropriate resources.
   

• Annual stipend of $6,500 for first-year Grad RAs (dispersed bi-weekly); Grad RAs returning to the role for a second year receive $7,100 annually (dispersed bi-weekly).
• One bedroom apartment or double as a single room (RIT Inn only), utilities and local phone service included (approximate value ranging from $11,000-$13,500) *based off rates for the 2021-2022 academic year
• Partial meal plan (approximate value - $2,300); all Dining Dollar meal plan for RIT Inn Grad RA

Explain how you would approach community development and support students living on campus beyond their first year. Expand on how you will leverage your prior experiences to serve as a peer leader. Carefully consider what you hope to achieve as a Grad RA, and how this position aligns with your future goals and plans.