Join the Team
The application process for Fall 2025 is currently closed.
What Is a Resident Advisor
- Complete floor requirements such as decorations
Advise individual residents in personal, social, and academic matters - Employ conflict resolution skills and strategies when conflict arises
- Intervene in crisis situations
- Communicate resident and facilities concerns to Hall Directors
- Be available and interact with residents on a regular basis
- Address behavioral concerns and document appropriately
- Plan and promote programs that engage residents, build community, and meet the expectations of the department and needs of the resident
- Assist in the staff selection process by writing professional applicant evaluations
- Prepare an average of 1-2 hours of community reporting on a weekly basis
- Sit 2 office hours each week
- Assist in the opening and closing of the residence halls which may require staying in the residence halls after breaks begin
- Attend and participate in all trainings and meetings as directed by supervisor or department
- Respond timely and appropriate to policy violations within the residential community
- Make appropriate referrals to on campus and off campus resources
- Keep official floor postings up to date
- Serve a predetermined number of weekday coverage nights and weekend coverages throughout the semester
- Be responsible for all keys/equipment issued to you by Residential Living
- Communicate and collaborate with RA partner and Hall Directors on a regular basis
- Serve as a role model to the floor, fellow staff members, and the university
- Foster an environment of inclusion and belonging in the residence halls where every resident feels valued
- Adhere to Bradley University Standards of Conduct, Residential Living and Student Conduct policies, supervisor expectations, and local state and federal laws.
- Collaborate with and support your fellow staff members
- Demonstrate receptivity to feedback and a willingness to grow in the position
- Exemplify an effective attitude towards the position and communicate any concerns regarding performance with your hall directors
- Communicate with Hall Directors regarding all aspects of the position and anything that may affect performance
- Maintain the privacy of staff and residents
- Staff members are expected to maintain a cumulative 2.50 GPA
- RAs are expected to make reasonable progress towards a degree each semester.
- Undergraduate students must take no less than 12 credit hours, and graduate students must take no less than 6 credit hours
- Students must be in good standing with student conduct, meaning not on disciplinary probation or a more severe sanction.
- Any additional practicums, graduate assistantships, or major time commitments should be discussed with the Director of Residential Living
- Any staff member taking a leave of absence may be rehired depending on availability of positions and the job performance of the staff member at the time of their leave of absence
Resident Advisors receive room and board as compensation
How to Become a Resident Advisor
Structured Interview
In March, the applicant will receive an email invitation to schedule an interview with one of our Hall Director Teams. The Structured Interview is held with two Hall Directors and the applicant. This interview will be held during the month of March/April and lasts approximately 30 to 40 minutes. No missed interviews will be rescheduled.
Group Interview
In April the applicant will receive an email invitation to schedule an interview with a Hall Director Panel and group of fellow applicants. This interview is only held April 11 from 4 – 8 p.m. and lasts 30 – 40 minutes.
Every RA applicant must have a current or previous employer, college professor or high school teacher submit a completed reference form.
Each applicant is expected to reach out via email or in person to their RA and request they fill out an RA Reference Form. Your staff member has the form to complete and the due date for this submission. In the email, we encourage you to include any questions you have about the position or ask for feedback that might help you through the process. This form is not the same as the employer reference form below.
Sign up for a specific workshop through the Smith Career Center to prepare your resume and practice your interview skills.
Join one our RA information sessions to prepare for your role.
Frequently Asked Questions
To apply for a Bradley RA position, you must be a current Bradley student. First semester first-year students are eligible to apply without a GPA. All other Bradley students must have a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA to apply. Students must be in good standing with student conduct, meaning not on disciplinary probation or a more severe sanction.
Res Life Staff employees are required to maintain a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA throughout their term of employment. To begin employment, new employees must meet the minimum 2.5 GPA requirement.
Resident Advisors (RAs) serve as liaisons between university housing and the residents. They develop a sense of belonging among residents by building community, planning events, and connecting students to resources on campus. RAs must be able to identify the needs of their residents both on the individual and community level and be willing to assist the resident in meeting these needs. RAs work with their Hall Directors under the supervision of the Director of Residential Living to best support residents in the residence hall community.
New and returning staff members are assigned to buildings. RAs are not able to pick their building.
Resident Advisors receive room and board as compensation.
RA’s are expected to make reasonable progress towards a degree each semester. Undergraduate students must maintain enrollment in no less than 12 credit hours and graduate students must maintain enrollment in no less than 6 credit hours. Exceptions to this must be approved in advance by the Director of Residential Living & Student Conduct.
Being on duty consists of the RA carrying a cell phone for the night and responding to any issues that may arise including, but not limited to, policy violations, student concerns, and/or facility & maintenance issues. The RAs also walk the building and report any facility, safety or security concerns that may not be called in by the resident. During these “building rounds” is one of the best times for RAs to interact with residents not only on their floor, but in the whole building. How often they are on duty will depend on how many people are on the building’s staff.
RAs will not have roommates.
Staff training is conducted twice a year and is mandatory for all staff. Once in spring semester several days prior to the residence halls opening and in fall a week before the halls open.
During this week, Staff Training will have to be the priority! If you have commitments that conflict with training, you must consult the Director of Residential Living by submitting a request to miss training. This request will be approved or denied depending on the nature of the request.
RAs are required to stay until the dorms formally close in order to close the building properly. For Thanksgiving, Winter, Spring and Summer Break, the RA will be required to stay until the day after the last day of classes in order to close the building.