Resident Advisor (RA) & Apartment Advisor (AA)

2026-2027 Academic Year

Position Summary

Resident Advisors and Apartment Advisors play an integral, elevated role in which it is expected that they serve as peer mentors and leaders amongst their staff and peers. Their experiences and abilities will be utilized to role model positive and ethical behavior within the position. RAs and AAs are held to high standards of accountability, productivity, autonomy, and independence.

The RA and AA play an important role in community development, relationship building, providing general support, and in helping to achieve the mission of University Residences. The RA and AA position requires ongoing communication with the Assistant Resident Director and Resident Director, departmental staff and students, as well as participation in ongoing training and development. It is the expectation of University Residences that RAs and AAs adhere to the highest standards of ethical and role-modeling behaviors throughout all their functions and areas of responsibilities.

Through their role modeling and position responsibilities RAs/AAs will contribute to residents’ success through a focus on:

Sense of belonging in residential communities and on campus
Knowledge of and comfortability with utilizing campus resources
Academic and personal development
Supporting safe residential environments

Resident Advisors/Apartment Advisors will be active participants in:

Building inclusive residential communities
Making meaningful connections with and between residents and staff
Ongoing intentional outreach
Supporting resident academic success and personal development
Working collaboratively with partners to maintain safe communities
Advocating for the needs of residents

There are a couple of differences between the RA and AA role, which are outlined below:

	Resident Advisor	Apartment Advisor
Communities Served	All residential communities, except Birnam Wood	Birnam Wood Apartments
Meal Plan We strive to have our RAs and AAs living experience match that of the other residents living in their communities.	Since residence hall students are required to have a meal plan, RAs are required to have a meal plan and it is included as a part of compensation.	Since Birnam Wood Apartment residents are not required to have a meal plan, we don't require it of our Apartment Advisors either.

Required Application Materials

All of the following must be uploaded in order to be considered for the position. PDF format is preferred.

1. Cover Letter

Please upload a cover letter file that is titled FirstName.LastName.CoverLetter
Submit a one-page cover letter addressing the following prompt (at least 300 words, no more than one-page single spaced):
- How do your past experiences pair with the required qualifications to make you an ideal candidate for the RA/AA position?
- Examples could include: leadership experience club involvement, sports, community engagement, and event planning

2. Resume

3. Equity and Inclusion Reflection

Equity and inclusion is central to the work of Residence Life at WWU; therefore, we ask that you address these three components in your equity statement:
- Reflect on your commitment to equity and inclusion.
- Share how you plan to engage with residents from historically marginalized communities.
- Share how you plan to support residents from historically marginalized communities (such as BIPOC students, LGBTQ+, and First-Generation students, etc.) through the RA/AA role.
Please upload an Equity and Inclusion statement that is titled FirstName.LastName.Reflection
This statement should be in a separate document from the cover letter and should not exceed 500 words.

For assistance creating your application materials, we recommend utilizing the WWU Career Center and SkillsFirst.

Timeline

Applications will be initially reviewed to ensure that all required qualifications are met.

Depending on the outcome of the review you may be offered an interview. Those who are offered an interview will be notified by email.

The Career Services Center has resources to help you prepare.

Application opens: Nov. 17, 2025
Application closes: Jan. 19, 2026 at 11:59pm
Interviews: Feb. 23-27, 2026
Position offers sent: by end of winter quarter 2026

Position Learning Outcomes

Our goal is to develop each RA or AA and give valuable training and on the job experiences that will enhance their personal and professional development. Examples of outcomes achieved by successful RAs and AAs include the following:

Communication
Self-awareness
Public speaking and group facilitation
Collaboration
Accountability

Relationship building
Civility
Conflict management
Social perspective taking

Teamwork
Time management
Program and event planning

Critical thinking
Cultural competencies
Ethical decision-making
Problem-solving
Knowledge of campus resources

Assessing what resource(s) is needed
Communicating resource information to residents
Providing tailored support to encourage residents to use resources
Following up on referral(s)

Primary Responsibilities

Serve as a peer advisor and educator to an assigned community of 30–120 students within your residence hall or apartment community
Develop a healthy and inclusive community by making connections and building strong relationships with residents and between residents
Create and maintain an atmosphere that stimulates residents' academic, social, personal growth and development
Establish and maintain open relationships with diverse individuals in the hall community, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, creed, marital status, and sexual orientation
Encourage involvement on campus (residential programming board (RPB), AS clubs, intramurals, etc.)
Provide support for the operation of a Living Learning Community (LLC) program, if assigned to work in an LLC.

Serve as a positive role model and educate students regarding University policies and procedures
Intervene with individuals or groups allegedly involved in policy violations.
Provide referrals to academic and personal support services available to students
Participate in rotating on-call shifts with other staff members
Assist with hall opening and closing procedures as directed by the supervisor
Attend weekly staff and individual meetings with supervisor and participate in ongoing training sessions

Facilitate conversations around a variety of pre-determined topics as outlined through a lesson plan
Encourage involvement on campus (RHA/NRHH, Residential Programming Boards, AS clubs, intramurals, etc.)
Provide educational material via bulletin boards
Implement lesson plans, supplemental materials and system-wide activities developed as a part of University Residences Initiative for Student Engagement (URISE)
Utilize educational strategies to focus on the three learning goals of URISE: inclusive community building, academic success, and personal wellness through lesson plans
Actively participate in training and discussion around the URISE framework including, but not limited to, mattering, belonging, and community responsibility principles
Coordinate community specific special assignments assigned by the supervisor

Participate in a rotating on-call system serving as the emergency responder, trouble-shooter, and problem solver for the community. This requires communicating to and following up with appropriate students and staff regarding needs, problems, and concerns in a timely manner under the supervision and direction of your supervisor or the (A)RD on-call.
The RA/AA-on-call submits incident reports and maintenance requests as necessary (within 24 hours at the latest) under the direction given by your supervisor or the (A)RD on-call.
RAs and AAs are expected to participate in the on-call rotation during holidays, three-day weekends and all break periods, as listed in the position summary, including Thanksgiving break, winter break, and spring break. RAs and AAs must obtain supervisory approval before making any travel plans for holidays or break periods.

Serve as a role model and act in congruence with WWU standards and code of conduct.
Maintain confidentiality and use appropriate discretion.
Understands that they are a role model for residents and peers and takes actions that uphold their ability to create spaces for authenticity and connection between community members.
Understands their responsibility to the community and team, and considers the impact of their decisions on residents, peer staff, and the department.
Maintains fairness and acts respectfully including during challenging situations.
Takes accountability for their actions and the impact, whether the impact is positive or negative; is open to feedback from others to continue developing and improving as an RA/AA.
Exercise good judgment in upholding established policies of the University (such as sexual harassment policy) and the University Residences system; support and abide by all federal, state, and local laws and ordinances; follow all University regulations
Serve as an academic role model and support students' academic success.
Communicate professionally and respectfully with other staff members (Residence Life, University Residences, Division of Business and Financial Affairs, WWU staff).

The RA and AA position is a significant time commitment, requiring a max of 19 hours a week, including time on evenings and weekends. The 19 hours a week in the RA/AA role may adjust depending upon community needs, but will generally consist of:

5 hours Resident Relationship Building
3 hours community development hours
4 hours on call response and documentation
1 hour events and community engagement initiatives
1 hour academic initiatives
2 hours staff meeting
1 hour supervisor one on one meeting
1 hour administration
1 hour collateral assignment

Candidate Eligibility

In order to apply for this position, candidates must meet the following criteria:

Candidate must be currently enrolled at WWU.
Candidates must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5. If a Fairhaven College student, the candidate must be in good academic standing with the Fairhaven College administration. Please contact Residence Life for more information at 360-650-2960 or ResLife@wwu.edu.
Candidates must not be on disciplinary probation or in deferred-eviction/eviction status.
Candidates must successfully complete all Human Resources on boarding paperwork and requirements, including but not limited to: passing a criminal conviction verification, I-9, W-2/W-4, etc.

Placement Information

Gender is a Bona Fide Occupational Qualification (BFOQ) for RA/AA assignments to gender-specific living spaces, for which there are legitimate resident privacy interests. In order to ensure that we respect student privacy interests in such gender-specific living areas, applicants who wish to be considered for such positions will need to confirm whether their gender identity corresponds with that of the gender-specific living space (male or female) or will otherwise be considered only for placements in gender-neutral living spaces. Applicants’ gender identity responses will only be used by Residence Life to determine RA/AA assignments to female, male, or gender-neutral living spaces.

Terms of Employment

Be able to serve in the role during the tentative agreement dates, which are September 2026 through June 2027
Must be willing to work evenings, weekends, holidays and breaks
RAs and AAs work a max of 19 hours per week, the maximum allowed for student employees during the academic year. According to University guidelines, no other paid on-campus employment is permitted.
Any off-campus employment or extra-curricular activities should be discussed with your supervisor.
Compensation package includes housing, stipend, and a meal plan (or increased stipend for AAs). Candidates must live on campus for the 2026-2027 academic year. Accommodations consist of your own room in a residence hall/apartment complex.
1. It is possible for RAs and AAs to temporarily host a roommate for overflow purposes during the year. RAs and AAs are compensated appropriately while they host.
Move into your assigned residence hall/apartment at the beginning position agreement to begin mandatory training
Be available on Tuesdays 6:30pm-8:30pm for scheduled weekly staff meetings and additional trainings (entire academic year)
Maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5 while enrolled in 12–18 credits per quarter; obtain supervisory approval to enroll in less than 12 credits or more than 18 credits; maintain full time enrollment status in fall, winter, and spring quarters
Fulfill position requirements as described in this document, the position agreement, and as assigned while in the position

Required Qualifications

Demonstrated enthusiasm for learning and ability to be open and resilient to new experiences
An ability to lead intentional conversations with a diverse range of residents
Build and maintain relationships that support an inclusive and diverse community
Promote and sustain positive peer leader relationships that support the goals of residents and student staff
An ability to role model ethical decision-making that upholds the values of the university
Serve as a first responder, problem solver, and peer support for the community
Demonstrates ability to work autonomously and take appropriate initiative in supporting staff and community development

Compensation

The compensation package for Resident Advisors and Apartment Advisors is equal in value but is packaged differently due to several components. Training hours are paid separately, details of which are included in the position agreements:

	Resident Advisor	Apartment Advisor
Housing	Room in assigned community (all RA room rents are compensated at the value super single rate)	Room in apartment in assigned community (all AA room rents are compensated at the BW super single rate)
Meal plan	Choice of student staff meal plan, all valued at $1,850 per quarter	AAs receive the value of meal plan via additional stipend dollars ($1,850 per quarter)
Annual stipend total	~$2,200 across the academic year	~$2,200 across the academic year

Please note that the exact makeup of the compensation package varies slightly from year to year. The exact payment for our staff is established in their position agreements for the specific year, the above information is only to serve as a general example of compensation.

About Us

University Residences engages students in diverse and inclusive, healthy, safe and sustainable communities that foster academic success and personal growth. Through 16 residence halls and one apartment community, University Residences provides on-campus housing for over 4,000 of Western’s 15,000 students. More than 165 students are employed by University Residences in part-time positions ranging from entry level to paraprofessional. Questions about this job posting can be directed to Residence Life (EH 113), ResLife@wwu.edu or 360-650-2960.

Equal Opportunity

Western Washington University (WWU) is an equal opportunity employer. In compliance with applicable laws, WWU does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, age, citizenship or immigration status, pregnancy, use of protective leave, genetic status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, creed, religion, veteran or military status, disability or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal (including a service animal in training) by a person with a disability, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law, in its programs or activities, including employment, admissions, and educational programs. See WWU’s Policies on Prohibiting Discrimination Based on A Protected Class and Prohibiting Discrimination Based on Sex. Inquiries may be directed to the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance, Title IX and ADA Coordinator, Western Washington University, Old Main 126 (MS 9021), 516 High Street, Bellingham, WA 98225; 360.650.3307 (voice) or 711 (Washington Relay); crtc@wwu.edu.

WWU is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. To request this document in an alternate format or to request an accommodation, please contact Human Resources Disability Services, 360-650-3751 or 711 (Washington Relay).