Resident Advisor

University of Kentucky; Lexington (KY); Hybrid; USD 14,000 - 19,000; Part time

Job summary

University of Kentucky is seeking Resident Advisors (RAs) to support living communities in our residence halls. You will balance community building, student support, administrative tasks, and leadership development throughout the academic year.

RAs help foster belonging, respond to incidents, cover front desk shifts, and model University values while engaging residents in the Wildcat Way program.

Qualifications

• Be a full time undergraduate student, in good academic standing.
• Be in good disciplinary standing with the university.
• Have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher by the end of the Fall 2026 semester.
• Be a sophomore, junior, or senior in the fall of 2027.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate student engagement opportunities and community standards.
• Serve as a front desk shift volunteer and cover on-call duties.
• Support residence hall operations, including security, mail, and guest reception.
• Model the university values and act as a positive role model.

Skills

Strong communication

Decision making

Self-awareness

Professionalism

Teamwork

Time management

Conflict resolution

Resource knowledge

Leadership potential

Customer service

Education

On-campus housing experience

Undergraduate student status

Job description

Salary Range $12 per hour for eligible front desk shifts

Type of Position

Type of Position Student

Position Time Status

Position Time Status Part-Time

Required Education

In order to be eligible for the position, a candidate must:
1. Be a full time undergraduate student, in good academic standing
2. Be in good disciplinary standing with the university
3. Have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher by the end of the Fall 2026 semester to be considered for placement.
4. Be a sophomore, junior, or senior in the fall of 2027.

Required Related Experience

None

Required License/Registration/Certification

None

Physical Requirements

Sitting for long periods of time while working at the front desk (4-hour shifts), completing rounds of the building during on-call coverage.

Shift

Job Summary

Position to begin in August 2027.

Resident Advisors (RAs) are integral members of the Office of Residence Life who contribute to building vibrant, inclusive communities through our residential curriculum, The Wildcat Way. RAs play a key role in supporting student well-being and cultivating a sense of belonging by fostering engaging living and learning experiences.

The RA position balances community-building, student support, administrative responsibilities, and leadership development. Core responsibilities include facilitating student engagement opportunities, serving as a resource and referral point for residents, covering front desk shifts, responding to incidents as part of the on-call rotation, and serving as a positive role model within the residence hall. RAs also represent the University of Kentucky both inside and outside of the residence halls and are expected to model the values of the institution at all times.

Key Areas of Responsibility

• The Wildcat Way
  Support student well-being and belonging by implementing strategies from the Wildcat Way curriculum. This includes facilitating CATS UP intentional conversations, hosting signature and community events, and encouraging meaningful connections within the hall.
• Leadership Development
  Contribute to a collaborative team environment by engaging in all trainings, meetings, and professional development opportunities. Selected candidates will also complete a leadership development series during the Spring 2026 semester prior to official appointment as an RA.
• Resident Support & Community Standards
  Serve as a role model by promoting positive behavior, addressing concerns, and ensuring safety and security within the hall. RAs uphold University Housing Community Standards and the Code of Student Conduct through education, accountability, and consistent policy enforcement. RAs are also mandated reporters, meaning they are required to share any disclosures of harm, discrimination, or safety concerns with the appropriate university offices to ensure residents are supported and connected with resources.
• Communication & Administration
  Maintain regular communication with the Resident Director and fulfill key administrative tasks such as hall opening/closing, weekly staff meetings, one-on-one check-ins, on-call coverage, and accurate incident reporting. Support residence hall operations by covering assigned front desk shifts. This includes responsibilities such as welcoming residents and guests, managing mail and packages, monitoring building security, and providing excellent customer service

Skills / Knowledge / Abilities

Resident Advisors come from many different backgrounds, but successful RAs often share these skills and qualities:

• Strong communication and listening skills
• Ability to make responsible decisions
• Self-awareness and professionalism
• Comfort working with a dynamic student population
• Desire to help and motivate others
• Solid time management and organization
• Teamwork and collaboration skills
• Confidence in handling conflict and crisis situations
• Knowledge of campus resources
• Commitment to being a leader and positive role model

Does this position have supervisory responsibilities? No

Preferred Education/Experience

At least one semester of experience living on campus either in the UK residence halls or at a previous school.

Deadline to Apply

Deadline to Apply 10/26/2026

Our University Community

We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors, the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.

The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status.

Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * What is your current year in school?
  • No Response
  • Freshman/First year
  • Sophomore/Second year
  • Junior/Third year
  • Senior/Fourth year
  • Senior/More than four years
  • Graduate Student
• * What is your UK Student ID number?

  (Open Ended Question)

• * Do you have a specific need for break housing and would need employment in a break housing hall?

  (Open Ended Question)