Resident Advisor Role

Resident Advisor: Considerations and Frequently Asked Questions

• Is a Resident Advisor position right for me?

  Resident Advisors must meet the following requirements:

  • At least one completed semester at Champlain College and be enrolled as a full-time student (12 credit hours)
  • Demonstrated academic success (Maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5 at the time of application and throughout the entire period of employment)
  • Prior experience living in campus residence halls preferred
  • Desire to help fellow students
  • Skills in problem-solving & conflict resolution
  • Interest in planning activities & events
  • Prior leadership experience and/or campus involvement
  • Strong communication skills and comfort with public speaking

  Outside of academics, the Resident Advisor position is expected to be the top priority of the students in the role. RAs cannot be involved in activities or employment that conflict with training or job responsibilities. Exceptions to participate in other leadership roles on campus are considered on a case-by-case basis. RAs may hold other Student Leadership roles concurrently provided that they are not beginning both roles for the first time in the same semester.

  • RAs are traditionally hired for the academic year, however, consideration will still be given to candidates applying for the fall with plans to graduate in December or study abroad in the spring.
  • Each spring, current Resident Advisors must reapply to the position for the following academic year. Decisions to continue are based on past performance, supervisor evaluation, renewal application, and interview.
  • Any applicant, new or returning, on student-conduct-related probation, will not be considered.
• Are Resident Advisors compensated?

  Resident Advisors are compensated with an assigned single room in the residence hall at no cost and a stipend of $1,000 per semester paid in bi-weekly installments. Resident Advisors are not eligible for college employment benefits such as health insurance, retirement plan, etc.

• What is the hiring timeline?

  For Main Campus and 194 St. Paul:

  • Registration for the RA Class opens mid-September and closes early October.
  • Successful completion of the RA Class is required before being eligible for hire.
  • The registrant must take the RA Class one (1) semester before they hope to begin in the RA position.
  • The RA Class is 6 weeks and runs between October and November.
  • Offer letters are sent via email in early December.
• Are Resident Advisor or other student staff positions available for the summer?

  During the summer, we do employ a small number of Resident Advisors as well as staff to assist in managing operations in the Office of Housing & Residential Life. These opportunities are filled by current Resident Advisors who served on staff during the academic year prior to the summer of employment. Specifically, the available positions include:

  • Resident Advisors – During the summer months (May-August), we employ 8-11 Resident Advisors in 194 St. Paul and in our summer Main Campus buildings to build communities in these facilities, coordinate programming, serve in a duty rotation to respond to emergency and crisis situations, and complete administrative needs such as check-ins and check-outs. Compensation includes a single room at no cost, as well as a stipend of $1,200 which is paid in equal bi-weekly installments over the summer months. Summer positions are not open to new applicants.
• How do I apply?

  Reach out to reslife@champlain.edu for more information on how to apply!

• I’m interested in being a Resident Advisor on campus in Montreal, Canada or Dublin, Ireland. How do I apply?

  Resident Advisors for the campuses in Montreal and Dublin are selected by the Study Abroad Office. They are hired on a different timeline than the Resident Advisors in Vermont. Students interested in these positions should connect with the Study Abroad Office for more information: champlainabroad@champlain.edu.