bridge-resident-assistant-position-description-2017-2018

Bridge to Clemson Residence Life Staff Resident Assistant (RA) Position Description Resident Assistants (RAs) for the Bridge to Clemson program are live-in, part-time, student staff members at the Bridge residential community in Highpointe of Clemson who are chosen through a selection process to create a healthy living and learning environment through community development, programming, and enforcement of policies and procedures Supervision Received: RAs report to and work closely with the Resident Directors (RD) and the Coordinator of Student Life (CSL) who have primary hiring and supervision responsibilities While the Bridge RA position is similar to that of a RA on a university campus, it differs in many ways due to the structure of the Bridge to Clemson program A smaller professional staff structure requires that Bridge RAs have an increased level of responsibility and accountability when it comes to areas such as duty and crisis response Contract Period: The contract period is for one full academic year (consecutive fall and spring semesters) and includes all pre-service and in-service training RAs hired during the academic year are appointed for the remainder of that academic year All RA staff are required to be in-residence and to participate fully in all training and operational activities which commence prior to the opening of the Bridge to Clemson Housing at Highpointe RAs are expected to stay through the day following Bridge closing in the fall and through Bridge closing in the spring, as determined by Tri-County Technical College and Clemson University academic calendars The contract period for the 2017-2018 staff begins July 31, 2017 and ends May 5, 2018 Compensation: RAs for the Bridge to Clemson program will be paid a weekly stipend for 10 hours a week at $7.25 an hour Housing and utilities at Highpointe will also be provided as a condition of employment If RAs are terminated or resign from their position for any reason, their housing at Highpointe will be terminated immediately All Bridge RAs are responsible for their Highpointe security deposit Academic Requirements: Bridge RAs must be Clemson University undergraduate students enrolled in degree granting programs and in good academic and conduct standing with the university with a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA RA cumulative and semester grade point averages will be reviewed prior to hiring and on a semester by semester basis to ensure that this requirement is being met RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES: I) Community Building: A) Assist and encourage residents to develop a healthy and safe living and learning environment through both formal and informal discussions of Bridge to Clemson Policies and Procedures (as outlined in the Bridge to Clemson Handbook) and implementing formal and informal programs to meet the needs of residents B) Conduct periodic meetings in collaboration with the Resident Directors (RDs), Coordinator of Student Life (CSL), and Coordinator of Community Standards (CCS) that covers topics such as community living standards, judicial policies, semester activity plans, and ice breaker/team building activities C) Implement programming model requirements as instructed by RD and CSL D) Serve as a positive role model at all times both inside and outside of the Highpointe community E) Assist in educating residents about the Bridge Policies and Procedures and how to care for themselves and their community F) Respond to negative behavior in the community by enforcing all Bridge to Clemson Policies and Procedures as outlined in the Bridge to Clemson Handbook while on and off duty II) Resource and Referral Agent: A) Communicate pertinent information including Bridge to Clemson programmatic and facilities updates, building and area wide events and regulations to residents through one-on-one interactions, distribution of flyers, building meetings, etc B) Refer residents as appropriate to respective campus and community agencies III) Crisis Intervention: A) Respond appropriately to crisis situations Never respond in a manner which would escalate a situation that could endanger the RA or resident B) Follow crisis protocol guidelines provided by the Resident Directors (RDs), Coordinator of Student Life (CSL), and Coordinator of Community Standards (CCS) IV) Administrative duties: A) Return to Highpointe prior to the opening of the Bridge to Clemson residential area to assist with the opening and check in process B) Work in the Bridge to Clemson office approximately hours per week Schedules are determined based on class availability All hours should be worked consecutively C) Ongoing administrative duties to be performed throughout the semester include: 1) Distribute and collect keys 2) Complete the Roster Verification Process 3) Assist with student check-in and check-out processes 4) Complete designated Health and Safety Inspections 5) Complete staff evaluations D) Check Clemson e-mail accounts at least twice each day (at least morning and night) and respond as requested Check RA mailbox at the Bridge Student Success Center weekly, or upon reasonable request V) Staff Meetings and On-duty Coverage: A) Attend a 2-hour weekly staff meeting as designated by the RDs The major functions of staff meetings are to maintain communication between staff members, provide information, foster a forum for problem solving, create additional RA development experiences, and serve as a support system for staff members The staff meeting time will most likely be on a weeknight and will be scheduled around the entire staff’s class availability during fall training B) Meet with your RD for regular supervision including weekly or bi-weekly 1:1’s and follow-up meetings as requested by your RD, the CSL, or the CCS C) The Bridge residential area at Highpointe is staffed by an “On Duty” Resident Assistant at all times that the Bridge to Clemson Office of Residence Life is not open This is typically from 5pm until am Sunday through Thursday and from 2pm Friday until 2pm Sunday The “RA(s) on Duty” must remain on the Highpointe property and must be available on the duty cell phone at all times while serving on duty The RA(s) on Duty must pick up the duty bag by no later than 4:30pm Monday-Thursday and 1:30pm on Friday from the Bridge to Clemson Residence Life Office The Duty Bag must be returned to the office by no later than 10:00am M-F The RA(s) on Duty on Sunday must pick up the bag at 2pm from the RA(s) on duty from the weekend The duty schedule will be determined and distributed during training and may be updated by the RD/CSL throughout the semester, as needed While on duty, the RA(s) must submit a duty log, as well as any additional logs D) The RA(s) on Duty will be required to conduct duty rounds through all the buildings containing Bridge to Clemson residents covering the following times: 8pm-12am Sunday-Wednesday and 8pm-2am on Thursday-Saturday evenings, and possible additional rounds for particular weeknights or weekends, as deemed necessary by the RDs/CSL/CCS The RA(s) on Duty will conduct all rounds with a Security Guard E) RA(s) on Duty are responsible for enforcing policy with Bridge to Clemson students in all Highpointe areas including the Clubhouse and grassy areas, as well as responding to the needs of residents/security guards (i.e lockouts, health emergencies, crises, parent calls, community concerns, etc.) F) It is important that there is RA(s) on Duty coverage during all times that the Bridge to Clemson program buildings are “open.” Please keep in mind that one or more staff members may be asked to be on site and available during emergencies and the following “peak” times: 1) Opening Fall Semester and Spring Semester 2) Halloween and the surrounding weekends 3) Thanksgiving Break 4) Fall Break 5) Spring Break 6) Football Games, both home and away 7) Greek Rush weekends 8) Fall and Spring Closing G) RAs are required to remain in the Bridge to Clemson residential area prior to vacation/break periods long enough to close the buildings RAs are required to stay through Bridge closing in the fall and through Bridge closing in the spring, as determined by Tri-County Technical College and Clemson University academic calendars All residents, including RA staff, vacate for winter and spring break VI) Training: A) RAs are required to participate in Spring (April), Fall (August), and Winter (January) training Dates will be provided at April Training B) RAs will participate in further in-service training throughout the academic year as determined by the RDs, CSL, and/or CCS VII) Performance Appraisal: A) RDs will meet with the RAs initially on an individual and a staff basis to review the job description, establish goals, and outline expectations for the semester RD’s will meet with each RA weekly or biweekly to review progress, performance, skill development, etc B) Mid-year evaluation focuses on feedback from staff and residents, development, completion of goals, and any other projects assigned End-of-the-year evaluation focuses on any progress to date and closure C) As such, evaluations also inform the RAs of their candidacy to return the following year as a Bridge RA VIII) General Expectations: A) Availability: The RA position is a part-time leadership position Over the course of an academic year, the position averages approximately 20 hours per week However, some periods of time will require greater staffing demands (such as training, opening, closing, special activities, crisis, etc.) and all staff are expected to be available and respond as required If RAs have a second job, it should be clearly understood that the RA job is the primary responsibility after academics and must supersede any additional employment or outside commitments Outside commitments/employment must be requested, reviewed, and approved by the CSL B) The RA position is a live-in position and RAs are expected to sleep in their own room each night RAs should generally be in their rooms from 11 p.m through a.m daily Staff members are encouraged to get away at least one weekend per month Time away requests must be submitted to your RD in advance, who will ensure that no more than 50% of the staff is away each weekend C) RA Substance Use Policy: RAs are expected to obey all South Carolina State Laws regarding alcohol and controlled substances RAs should follow all Bridge to Clemson policies as outlined in the Operations Manual and Bridge Handbook RAs 21 and over, assigned to a 1-bedroom unit, are permitted to drink in their private residence RAs in 1-bedroom apartments should NOT host parties in their private residence and should be conscious of the role model they are displaying at all times, both on and off property RAs should never drink in the presence of Bridge to Clemson residents and RAs in 1bedroom apartments should never drink in resident’s view, including the balcony or patio area of their apartment RAs, regardless of age, living in an apartment with Bridge students are NOT permitted to drink alcohol at any time in their bedroom or apartment or anywhere on Highpointe property RAs may not consume alcohol or be under the influence while on duty RAs should not drink in the presence of Bridge residents at any time while at Highpointe as well as off Highpointe property Consumption or possession of alcohol is NOT permitted by RAs in ANY Bridge to Clemson apartments containing Bridge students, grassy or common areas, or the Clubhouse/pool area Any evidence of violation of the alcohol policy will likely result in immediate termination RAs should be conscious of the role model they are displaying at all times D) Pet Policy: Although Highpointe allows pets, there is a no pet policy within the Bridge units This includes student staff apartments RAs are not allowed to have pets No exceptions will be made to this E) Responsibility and Accountability Policy: 1) All RAs are responsible for enforcing policy when they see a violation, regardless of whether they are on duty or not This includes the clubhouse and common areas 2) RAs are held in high esteem and their behavior must follow in accordance This requires that RAs adhere to and live out the policies of the Bridge to Clemson program, Highpointe, Tri-County Technical College, and Clemson University, on the campuses, within Highpointe, and beyond RA behavior, at all times, should be in accordance with policies and expectations provided in training, as Bridge RAs represent Tri-County Technical College, Clemson University, and the Bridge to Clemson program 3) Failure to meet any of the requirements listed above can result in both judicial action and/or termination Termination will result in the RA having to move out of Highpointe immediately F) There may be other responsibilities and duties as assigned by RD/CSL/CCS