Housing Jobs

The Resident Assistant (RA) is an essential figure in the University’s efforts to create inviting, intellectual and inclusive residence halls.  

As an RA, you will have the opportunity to positively influence other students as educators, community leaders and administrators. You are not in charge of your students. Instead, you are responsible for and accountable to them.  

Your goal as an RA is to build, foster and manage an academic community of young adults. You will face and overcome challenges as you take on various duties and responsibilities that serve the needs of your residents and the University.   

You will receive formal training at the beginning of each semester before campus reopens to our residents. During training, Resident Assistants receive information regarding their role and the Department’s expectations found in the Staff Handbook, Residential Life Wiki, University Community Rights and Responsibilities, and the Terms and Conditions of the University Residence Halls & Apartments License. Staff must behave as positive role models for residents both on and off-campus. 

Resident Assistants attend: 

• All-Staff meetings with staff from both Quads in your Residential Community  

• Quad staff meetings also occur during this time 

• Small staff meetings, with the Resident Director, Assistant Resident Director and other Resident Assistants in your section of the Quad 

• One-on-one meetings with your Resident Director

These meetings allow for disseminating information, continuing education and training, mentoring, corrective action planning and staff bonding. 

Resident Assistants participate in the weekday and weekend duty rotation, where you respond to the needs of your community during your office shift and throughout the night when called or you become aware of an issue. You will also regularly visit your residents to develop a cordial, supportive relationship with them and to serve as a resource to them. Based on resident interests and in line with the Department’s programming model, you will host programs to foster an engaged community. 

An RA’s success is measured by how you exceed expectations, not merely by how you meet the minimum competencies required. At the completion of your time as an RA, you will see the impact of your transferrable skills gained by participating in activities related to: 

• public speaking 

• customer service and critical thinking 

• community development and mentoring 

• program creation, budgeting and facilitation 

• conflict resolution and mediation  

• emergency response and crisis management 

This position allows for a wide range of experiential learning, personal growth, networking and career development experiences. 

Outside Employment and Co-curricular Activities

• Resident Assistants must treat their Residential Life position as the top priority after academic-related work. You must appropriately plan around Departmental expectations such as office shifts, meetings, etc. 

  • Academic commitments are the only priority that may supersede one's work responsibilities and expectations.  

  • Co-curricular activities, on or off-campus jobs, and University-related opportunities that are non-academic are considered secondary to the Resident Assistant role.  

• Resident Assistants must understand that employment outside of their position is limited to an additional 10 hours per week.  

  • Your supervisor must approve all outside employment before you commit to an additional job.  

  • If a Resident Assistant has overcommitted to other responsibilities, employment may be subject to termination. 
     

Remuneration

A bed waiver for a room to yourself. The Department will use single occupancy rooms first but, if no single is available, you will be assigned to a standard double.

Note: Resident Assistants are assigned to designated staff rooms. If a Resident Assistant leaves the position, they must move into a different room, as assigned by Residential Life.

Apply for a Residential Assistant position.

Student Assistants work out of the Quad Information Center for 15 hours per week, Monday through Friday, during normal working hours. As a Student Assistant, you are often the first representative a student or other constituents encounter when addressing an issue. This means that, in many situations, you are the face of the institution. Your interaction with our students, parents and other constituents sets the tone for their level of satisfaction. 

Each Uptown Quad employs two Students Assistants who are responsible for working together with the three Assistant Resident Directors to cover office hours during typical working hours. (Resident Assistants on duty cover the office from 5 p.m. until close on weekdays and all day on weekends.)

Office hours will include administrative responsibilities related to managing the Quad, such as, but not limited to:  

• answering phones 

• dispatching staff to emergencies 

• filing 

• assisting customers with requests 

• assisting staff as needed 

• ordering and distributing keys 

• completing check-ins and check-outs 

• updating Quad office bulletin boards 

• responding to emergencies if needed and documenting incidents that require notation 

You will receive formal training at the beginning of each semester before campus reopens to our residents. Student Assistants recognize that individual performance and appropriate behavior are critical to the successful operation of your area and that performance can be reviewed at any time, if deemed necessary by your supervisor.

You must abide by the policies outlined in the Job Description, Residential Life Wiki, Community Rights & Responsibilities, the Terms & Conditions of the University Housing License, and the Student Staff Handbook. Staff must always conduct themselves in conformity to University policies. Staff must behave as positive role models for residents both on and off-campus.  

Student Assistants attend: 

• All-Staff meetings with staff from both Quads in your Residential Community  

• Quad staff meetings also occur during this time 

• Small staff meetings, with the Assistant Resident Director and other Student Assistant on your Quad

• One-on-one meetings with your Assistant Resident Director 

Outside Employment and Co-curricular Activities

• Student Assistants must treat their Residential Life position as the top priority after academic-related work. All staff will appropriately plan around Departmental expectations such as office shifts, meetings, etc. 

  • Academic commitments are the only priority that may supersede one's responsibilities and expectations.  

  • Co-curricular activities, on or off-campus jobs and University-related opportunities that are non-academic are considered secondary to the Student Assistant role.  

• Student Staff Members must understand that employment outside of their position is limited to an additional 10 hours per week.  

  • Your supervisor must approve all outside employment before committing to an additional job.  

• If a Student Assistant has overcommitted to other responsibilities, employment may be subject to termination. 
   

Remuneration 

A bed waiver for space in a double occupancy room. If staff choose a room that costs more than the standard double rate, they must pay the balance.

Overall Responsibilities 

Housing Managers are responsible for assisting in the overall management and daily operations of their assigned living areas. This includes, but is not limited to:  

• regularly visiting the apartments within their area (and recording these interactions) 

• disseminating information and programming updates 

• performing health and safety checks of residents and apartments 

Housing Managers must be positive role models who create, facilitate and maintain a living and learning atmosphere that is conducive for both individual student growth and community development. 

Housing Managers participate in weeknight and weekend duty rotation for their apartment complex, serving as Housing Manager on Duty. The Housing Manager on Duty responds to all incidents in their designated area.  

Housing Managers are expected to staff their respective office (Empire Commons, Freedom Apartments or Liberty Terrace) on a weekly basis while on duty. You must be available for two weekday duties every week. Weekend duty responsibilities are rotated among the staff. 

A Housing Manager’s administrative and operational duties for their apartment complex include, but are not limited to: 

• check-in and checkout procedures 

• continuing student housing sign-up 

• staff selection 

• handling facilities-related duties with Apartments Maintenance personnel 

These duties may require staffing complex offices during operational hours. 

Housing Managers are required to attend all staff meetings, training sessions, one-on-one meetings, staff development activities, in-services, workshops and other departmental events, unless their absence is approved in advance by their direct supervisor or an Assistant Director. 

Housing Managers must complete all departmental assessment surveys and all programming requirements as outlined in the University Apartments Programming Manual. 

Housing Managers are expected to abide by the policies outlined in this Job Description, Community Rights & Responsibilities, the University Housing License and the Student Staff Handbook. Staff must always conduct themselves in conformity to UAlbany policies, behaving as positive role models for residences while on and off campus.  

As you make personal and professional decisions, please remember that you are not only a UAlbany student but also a representative of the Department of Residential Life. We expect you to make decisions that best represent the Department of Residential Life and the University at Albany. 

Staff must always follow all outlined policies and procedures. Abusing your authority, privileges and/or benefits will not be tolerated. 

The University Apartments do not close during UAlbany’s recess periods (Thanksgiving, Intersession and Spring Recess), during which Housing Managers are expected to work. 
 

Summer Responsibilities 

Note: These responsibilities do not apply to 10-month Housing Managers. 

Housing Managers participate in weeknight and weekend duty rotation for their apartment complex, serving as Housing Manager on Duty. The Housing Manager on Duty responds to all incidents in their designated area. 

Housing Managers are expected to staff their respective office (Empire Commons, Freedom Apartments or Liberty Terrace) on a weekly basis while on duty. Weekend duty responsibilities are rotated among the staff.  

Housing Managers are also responsible for staffing the complex offices during summer operational hours. 

Housing Managers play an integral role in the Summer Conference Housing operations on Empire Commons and Liberty Terrace. Student staff members are responsible for the delivery of bed linens, setting up rooms, managing guest check-in and check-out, and other concierge duties as assigned. 
 

Performance Reviews 

A Housing Manager’s satisfactory performance and appropriate behavior is critical to the successful operation of their area, so you may be reviewed at any time by your supervisor. 

The Department of Residential Life can terminate your service as a staff member before the end of the appointment end date based on poor performance, academic status or violations of the University’s Community Rights & Responsibilities.  

If your performance as a Housing Manager does not meet these expectations, you will be subject to consequences ranging from a verbal warning to termination.  
 

Outside Employment and Co-curricular Activities 

Housing Managers agree to treat their Residential Life position as their top priority, after academic-related work. You must appropriately plan for their work expectations, such as duty, programming, meetings, etc.  

Academic commitments are the only priority that may supersede a Housing Manager’s responsibilities and expectations. Co-curricular activities, on- or off-campus jobs, and University-related opportunities that are not academic are considered secondary in relation to the Housing Manager’s role. 

Housing Managers must understand that employment outside of the Housing Manager’s position is limited to an additional 10 hours per week. All outside employment must be approved by your direct supervisor before you commit to the additional job.  

If a Housing Manager has overcommitted to other responsibilities, employment may be subject to termination. 
 

Qualifications  

• Applicants must be enrolled full-time (at least 12 credits for undergraduates) in a degree program for the duration of the position. 

• Experience working with the Department of Residential Life is required. You must have satisfactorily completed an introductory course (ECPY 301 or ECPY 302) or be currently registered for one of these courses. 

• Applicants must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better. 

• Applicants must be in good disciplinary standing with the University at Albany. 

• Applicants are expected to understand and appreciate the environmental factors that impact students living in a multi-cultural community. 

• Applicants must be a team player willing to support other Residential Life student and professional staff and to work together to establish a positive atmosphere in the living area. 

• Applicants must have a good work ethic and excellent communication skills, the ability to work as part of a team, and an understanding of the importance of good customer service. Your success and personal growth in the position is directly related to your attitude and commitment to the position. 
   

Remuneration 

Remuneration for the 12-month and 10-month positions include a furnished, single bedroom in an apartment.

Housing Managers are assigned to designated staff rooms. If a Housing Manager leaves the position or is terminated, they must move into a different room, as assigned by a University Apartments professional staff member. 
 

Apply for a Housing Manager position.