Undergraduate Student Employment | Department of Resident Life (2024)

Undergraduate Student Employment | Department of Resident Life (1)

We have a number of rewarding employment and leadership opportunities for undergraduate students, including community assistant, resident assistant, program assistant, and office assistant positions. Join Res Life and meet new people, stay involved and gain valuable work and life experience.

  • Community Assistant
  • Resident Assistant
  • Office Assistant
  • Program Assistant
Undergraduate Student Employment | Department of Resident Life (2)

CAs are undergraduate students who staff 24/7 service desks located in our residence hall communities, manage keys and packages, and complete a number of administrative tasks.

They are typically the first point of contact for many students, faculty, staff, and visitors for support, resources, and emergency assistance. CAs are paid $15.00 per hour. If you have any questions about the CA position, please emaildrl-adops@umd.edu.

We’re currently hiring on a rolling basis. Priority will be given to applicants residing in the building or community where we have openings

Undergraduate Student Employment | Department of Resident Life (3)

RAs live in a community of 45-75 residents and assume responsibility for responding to the personal needs of residents, for shaping an environment that supports academic and personal development, and for managing critical administrative tasks, including duty and crisis management.

All RAs receive remission of housing and dining fees as compensation. If you have questions about the RA position, please contact our Human Resources office atdrlhr@umd.eduor 301-314-5111.

The RA Selection process is now closed.

We’re so excited that you are interested in becoming a Resident Assistant! In order to navigate the selection process successfully, you will have to read, comprehend, and retain a lot of information. It is a complex process with a lot of deadlines, so staying on top of all of the dates and information is very important. There have also been some big changes to our selection process, so even if you participated in the past, it is important that you read everything below to understand what is different this year.

The good news is we have compiled some of the most important information right here on this website. Everything you need to know is here and everything in each section below is important, so please make sure you read it all and reach out to us if you have any questions.

Good luck in the process!

Being an RA provides opportunities to develop valuable leadership and communication skills, to shape an environment that supports students' academic and personal development, to manage critical incidents and administrative tasks, and to make friends that will last a lifetime!

Here are some things to think about if you're considering the RA position:

  • Are you interested in meeting new people and helping to build a community?
  • Are you a good role model and do you enjoy helping others?
  • Would you feel comfortable assisting a diverse group of students that may be different from yourself?
  • Do you feel you could approach a resident about a personal concern that has been brought to your attention?
  • Can you remain objective and fair when dealing with a conflict involving peers?
  • Are you able to react and express yourself clearly in tense situations?
  • Are you a good team member?
  • Do you project a positive self-image?
  • Will your study habits allow you to balance your academics with the RA position?

If you answered "yes" to these questions, the RA position might be for you! Use the accordion items below to find out more about the RA position and the application process. Information about our buildings on each side of campus is available on our Residence Halls page.

Full Position Description [PDF] Conditions of Employment [PDF]

Please see full position description and conditions of employment documents above.

Responsibilities include:

  • Foster a safe, inclusive, and welcoming atmosphere via community development with resident engagement
  • Promote the development of students by providing social and educational programming
  • Share resources and strategies with residents related to personal and academic student success
  • Respond to personal crises and emergencies of residents through appropriate referral channels and adjudication processes
  • Guide roommate/suitemate/apartment agreement conversations to aid in the creation of a positive living environment that supports students' academic and personal success
  • Involve residents in designing and implementing community activities consistent with assessed interests and needs
  • Attend staff meetings (2-hour weekly time commitment, beginning no later than 8:00 p.m.)
  • Provide on-duty coverage of their building/area and participate in training and staff development activities

Eligibility:

  • Current undergraduate student at the University of Maryland, College Park in the Fall 2024 semester. Students studying abroad or on a leave of absence in the Fall 2024 semester may not be eligible depending on circumstances.
  • 2.6 cumulative GPA or better before the application deadline/participant limit. First-semester UMD students who do not yet have a cumulative GPA may still apply.
    • Must maintain at least a 2.60 cumulative GPA until the start of the RA Groundwork course. Once enrolled in RA Groundwork, must maintain at least a 2.50 cumulative GPA during employment.
  • Good judicial and financial standing with the university
  • Expected to hold the position for the entire 2025-2026academic year, if newly hired
  • Eligible to work in the U.S. and successfully complete payroll requirements at the time beginning the position.
  • Register for and complete the “RA Groundwork” in the Spring 2025 semester, if invited. Groundwork requires the ability to attend in-person discussion sessions.
    • Groundwork is a non-credit, blended-learning training course that will include four 90-minute discussion sessions and online video content. The discussion sessions and video content will be launched in the Spring 2025 semester at a date to be determined. The registration process and information will be included in an offer letter.
  • May not student teach during their first year in the position
    • In relation to the RA position, student teaching refers to a student teacher who will spend the majority of a semester, full-time in the classroom. This generally takes place in the final semester(s) of a student’s academic plan. Students who plan to student teach in the 2025-2026academic year are not eligible to hold the RA position and therefore should not apply. Students who participate in educational field placements or teaching assistantships that are only a few hours a week are still eligible and encouraged to apply.
  • You may feel you have unique circumstances. If in doubt, please contact us to discuss your situation at drlhr@umd.edu.

We encourage students from across the university to apply for the RA position.

How do I apply to be a Resident Assistant?

  1. Attend an Information Session (between September 5 - 27). This is a mandatory requirement of the application process
  2. Submit the application. The RA selection process has a maximum capacity of 500 participants. The application will close after 500 applications are completed OR by 4:00 p.m. on September 26, 2024 (whichever comes first). Be sure to plan ahead and allow enough time to complete the entire application before the deadline.
  3. We are no longer collecting references for the RA role at all.
  4. Your completed application will be screened and evaluated by two professional staff members in the Department of Resident Life between September 27 through October 25.
  5. Successful candidates will be notified on November 1 to sign up for their interview by November 4. Interviews will take place during business hours between November 7 - 15.
  6. Applicants will be notified via email of their status in the RA selection process on November 26.
  7. Selected applicants participate in the Groundwork course in the Spring 2025.
  8. It is important to understand that successful candidates could be offered a placement and start their RA role at any point between January 2025 and January 2026.

Mandatory Information Sessions

All applicants MUST attend an Information Session as part of the application process. Information Sessions will be offered on Zoom and in person.. You must be on time and stay for the duration of the Information Session. Your attendance is tracked carefully in both virtual and in person sessions . We do not provide any exceptions to this application requirement. Please plan accordingly if you plan to apply for the RA position.

At the Information Session, you will learn more about the RA position and selection process. Resident Life staff will also be available to answer your questions. You may submit your application before attending an Information Session; however, we strongly suggest you wait and submit the application after attending an Information Session.

Pre-registration is not required. Zoom sessions will be camera on and your attendance will be monitored for the duration of the session.

DateStart TimeEnd TimeLocation
Thursday, September 5, 202411 a.m.Noon1217 Pyon-Chen
Thursday, September 5, 20246 p.m.7 p.m.1102 South Campus Commons
Friday, September 6, 202410 a.m.11 a.m.Zoom
Tuesday, September 10, 20246 p.m.7 p.m.1217 Pyon-Chen
Thursday, September 12, 20246 p.m.7 p.m.1217 Pyon-Chen
Friday, September 13, 202411 a.m.NoonZoom
Monday September 16, 20246 p.m.7 p.m.1102 South Campus Commons
Wednesday, September 18, 20247 p.m.8 p.m.1111 Prince Frederick
Thursday, September 19, 20241 p.m.2 p.m.1217 Pyon-Chen
Friday, September 20, 20242 p.m.3 p.m.1102 South Campus Commons
Monday, September 23, 20247 p.m.8 p.m.1111 Prince Frederick
Wednesday, September 25, 20244 p.m.5 p.m.1217 Pyon-Chen
Thursday, September 26, 20246 p.m.7 p.m.1102 South Campus Commons
Friday, September 27, 202411 a.m.Noon1217 Pyon Chen
Friday September 27, 20241 p.m.2 p.m.Zoom
Friday September 27, 20243 p.m.4 p.m.Zoom

Optional Interviewing Workshops

These informative and interactive workshops will cover all the basics with regard to RA selection interviews. You'll get information on interview tips, best practices, and what to expect. Topics covered will include how the RA interviewing process works, the types of questions to expect and ask and how to prepare. You will also get a chance to ask any questions you might have about the RA position and the selection process.

DateStart TimeEnd TimeLocation
Thursday, October 24, 20245 p.m.6 p.m.1111 Prince Frederick
Monday, October 28, 20242 p.m.3 p.m.Zoom
Tuesday, October 29, 20246 p.m.7 p.m.1217 Pyon-Chen
Monday, November 4, 20244 p.m.5 p.m.Zoom
Wednesday, November 6, 20241 p.m.2 p.m.1111 Prince Frederick

On November 1, 2024, we will notify all candidates whether or not they are invited to an interview. Successful candidates will have until November 4, 2024 to schedule their interview.

Interviews will be conducted over Zoom by a two person team consisting of a professional or graduate staff member and a current RA. Each interview will be approximately 50 minutes in length. Applicants will be asked a variety of questions assessing their knowledge of the RA position and the skills and abilities they possess. To prepare for the interview, applicants should read all available material thoroughly.

Applicants should also consider attending an optional interviewing workshop. Additional tips on preparing for interviews may be found on the website for the University Career Center & the President’s Promise.

Be sure to communicate with roommates/household members about when you will be interviewing to discuss distractions and noise level expectations during your interview time. You should not conduct your interview in any public space with other people around. If you are seeking a distraction-free space to interview in, consider utilizing the following resources on/near campus:

  • Prince George’s County Memorial Library System offers Wi-Fi access, small study room spaces, and technology borrowing programs. For more information on the availability of these services at each location, as well as how to access these resources, please visit their website.
  • Huddle rooms are available at various locations around campus. Consult your Resident Assistant or academic college about where these spaces are located within your residence hall or academic buildings.

After the conclusion of all interviews, applicants will be notified via email on November 26 of their status in the RA selection process. Selected applicants will participate in the Groundwork course and continue in the RA applicant pool.

We believe the RA position is one of the most crucial positions in our Department. For this reason, we want to select individuals whose skills, interests, and experiences are best suited for this challenging and enjoyable position. Selection decisions are based on information from the application, interview process, and references.

After the conclusion of all interviews, applicants will be notified on November 26 via email of their status in the RA selection process.

Groundwork Course

Selected applicants will participate in the Groundwork course and continue in the RA applicant pool. Groundwork is a non-credit, blended-learning training course that will include four 90-minute in-person discussion sessions and online video content. and. The video content and discussion sessions will take place in the Spring 2025 semester beginning the second week of classes. The registration process and information will be included in an offer letter. There are no virtual options for the in-person discussion sessions.

The Job Offer

Job offers and placement into an RA position begin midway through the spring semester. Many but not all applicants will receive an offer at this time. Applicants remaining in the candidate pool will continue to be considered for RA positions that come available through Spring 2026. In short, successful RA candidates can receive their placement offer at any point between January 2025 through January 2026.

We highly encourage applicants to look at all of our different housing styles. We employ 290 RAs in all of our spaces across campus. This includes buildings that are currently without air conditioning, buildings with no elevators, buildings with no ground floor entrances and many variations, ages, and types of buildings.

If you have any medical needs that would require specific accommodations to be considered in your placement, you should work with our Accessibility & Disability Services Office (ADS) on campus to be approved for those accommodations. Visit the Accessibility & Disability Service website to learn more.

You should explain to your ADS consultant that you are applying for an RA position and they will notify us if your accommodations are approved. As this process can take time, we recommend that you begin the process as soon as possible, even before you interview to be an RA. Once you receive an approved accommodation, it will not expire. We will communicate our deadline for RA placement accommodations with all candidates later in the process, but we suggest completing the ADS approval process prior to the last day of classes (December 9, 2024).

To ensure a fair and equitable placement process, we cannot consider medical accommodations that have not been approved by our colleagues in the ADS office.

Undergraduate Student Employment | Department of Resident Life (4)

We have several office positions available year-round. Many students find it useful and practical to hold a part-time job on campus that can accommodate academic commitments.

Office assistants engage with residents and office visitors and perform a series of administrative tasks. If you have any questions about the Office Assistant position, please contact our Human Resources Office at (301) 314-5111 or drlhr@umd.edu.

Undergraduate Student Employment | Department of Resident Life (5)

Program Assistants are an integral part in supporting Resident Life's engagement with prospective, admitted, and current students. They help to support administrative elements in the Engagement Suite in Annapolis Hall, represent the student experience at outreach events, and assist with the implementation of large-scale events throughout the academic year.

Consider joining the Program Assistant team to gain valuable experience in fostering community and building professional skills.

Questions?

Contact our Human Resources Office at (301) 314-5111 or drlhr@umd.edu.

Additional Resources

Explore available student positions on campus.

Undergraduate Student Employment | Department of Resident Life (2024)

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