Fall 2024 Graduate Assistant - Major Initiatives

Department of Housing and Residence Life

Summary Job Function:
Reporting to Assistant Director of Residence Life or an Area Director, the Graduate Assistant (GA) for Major
Initiatives supports the Department of Housing and Residence Life in its efforts to help providing a residential
experience for undergraduate students that is unique among living options and important to student growth and
success. The GA will assist in developing communities that will be catalysts for citizenship and student
engagement, providing a sense of belonging that will create an unbreakable bond between students and the
university. The GA provides leadership for large scale programs as well as major initiatives within the department.
A live-in position, the GA provides leadership for student staff in an assigned area. The GA helps educate residents
on University policies and builds community in the community of oversight. By maintaining visibility and being
approachable to student staff and residents, the GA helps educate residents via programmatic efforts.
Student learning/educational activities performed by the Graduate Assistant: (Please check all that apply and
provide detail if needed.)
X Advising Students
X Program Development and Planning
X_ Instruction
X Mentoring
X Advising student organizations
X Responding to student conduct situations
_X Teaching or instructing courses
X Other (Administrative, Supervision)
Learning Outcomes:
 Administration
o Utilize effective communication, planning, scheduling, and organizational skills as they relate to
position responsibilities.
o Manage time away requests from student staff to ensure that adequate coverage is always
present in the area
o Facilitate weekly staff meetings
o Hold designated office hours daily throughout the week, totaling 20 hours of coverage
o Responsible for creating and maintaining staff on-call and evening desk schedules as it relates to
the Resident Assistant duties within the community
o Oversee regular audits of hard keys and electronic FOB keys
o Administer Health and Safety checks as directed by the Residential Life Leadership Team
o Maintain accurate record of building occupancy and current vacancies at all times and report any
inaccuracies to the central office/Residential Leadership Team
o Oversight of area programming budget and office supply budgets
o Manage all Hall Opening and Closing tasks during the beginning and end of each semester
o Participate in recruitment and selection activities for the student, graduate, and professional
staff positions as directed by the Residential Life Leadership Team.

 Advising
o Serve as Graduate Co-Advisor to a Reslife student organization (MOD/WOD).
o Attend all general body and executive board meetings.
o Attend organization functions/events

 Awareness
o Identify the unique needs of and be an advocate for diverse groups of students.
o Have knowledge and awareness of all residents living in the community and possible areas of
concern
 Communication
o Model clear, direct, and honest communication
o Know your audience, and how best to reach them
 Community Development
o Describe the role of housing leadership organizations and Community Councils in a residence hall
setting and how to promote a positive community environment
o Respond to any incidents or issues that arise within your area while you are present
 Customer Service
o Identify housing and university services available to students, parents, faculty, and staff.
o Conduct regular walkthroughs of the community to engage with students and monitor facilities
o Always provide premier customer service to students, families, and personnel according to the
university ICARE model
 Program Development-
o Model and teach eight dimensions of wellness
o Manage, track, and hold staff accountable for residential curriculum expectations
o Responsible for all Residence Education Model (REM) program tracking data, providing weekly
updates to supervisors and department
o Look at trend data from program tracking to help RAs do needs-based programming for their
floor
o Attend REM and other campus-wide programs to provide support and presence
o Provide resources for students, staff, and organizations that support community and student
development in the housing community

 Training
o Develop facilitation and training skills for HFPP, RHA, and Community Councils.
o Provide resources for training and development for student leaders to perform effectively and to
their highest potential.
o Attend all Graduate Assistant and Professional staff training sessions as directed by the
Residential Life Leadership Team

Duties and Responsibilities:
 Develop, manage, and promote Office of Residence Life major programs that promote holistic student
development and community engagement (Life Skills Academy, MADE, Pumpkin Palooza Halloween
Alternative)
 Work closely with campus and community partners to provide supports and resources for student
development
 Assist in development of online resources for students and staff
 Assist in the development and management of webpage that educates about Residence Life major
initiatives
 Assists the ADRL with all aspects of staff orientation and training (Graduate Assistant, RA, SA), including
committee prep-work, scheduling, retreat, etc. and staff development for each semester. Participate in
paraprofessional staff orientation, training, and staff development. **This may require work during
evenings, weekends and holidays.
 Consults with graduate staff, Resident Assistant, and Student Assistant staff regarding training and staff
development needs.
 Directly supervise 1-12 Resident Assistants
 Hold one on one meetings with student staff members.

 Conduct weekly staff meetings
 Plan and implement staff and team development for student staff and student groups
 Conduct RA performance appraisal process
 Serve on departmental committees
 Role model and enforce all university and housing policies at all times
 Train RAs on Residential Curriculum model and expectations
 Manage, track, and hold staff accountable for residential curriculum expectations
 Look at trend data from program tracking to help RAs do needs-based programming for their floor
 Serve as a student conduct hearing officer
 Opportunity to advise Community council student organization
 Mediate students in conflict and provide resources
 Participate in On-call duty rotation
 Respond to critical situations as needed as a member of the Residential Life staff
 Maintain confidentiality
Qualifications for the position:
 Acceptance into the University of Maryland Eastern Shore or Salisbury University Master’s degree
program. Applicants who are pursuing a Master’s in Higher Education Leadership and Counseling
Education are preferred
 Ability to work well independently and as part of a team
 Advanced written and verbal communication skills
 Willingness to work nights and weekends
 Experience in Residence Life is strongly preferred
 Proficiency with Microsoft Office
Additional Information:
The Graduate Assistant will receive an Assistantship compensation package that includes:
 Tuition Scholarship (up to 9 graduate credit hours)
 Bi-Weekly stipend
 Housing accommodations
 The graduate assistantship is a one year position (fall and spring semester). Graduate assistants
are eligible to reapply to this position