Residence Assistant (RA) Job Description and Agreement

2018-2019

A Residence Assistant(RA) is a member of the Brescia University College(The “University”) community appointed by the Ancillary Services, Residence Life Department (“Residence Life”) to mentor, support and compassionately challenge residents, while also serving as a resource to them. This is an eight-month, live-in position and the role consists of, but is not limited to:

  • Advising students on personal and academic matters, and making appropriate referrals to university or community services;
  • Ensuring that Residence Community Standards are communicated and upheld, which includes conducting front-line intervention and reporting;
  • Maintaining building safety and security by participating in a rotational, evening/overnight on-call system;
  • Providing a first response to emergency or crisis situations;
  • Working at the front desk during scheduled shifts,duty shifts and when required during emergencies;
  • Facilitating educational and social programming that meets the needs of students in residence;
  • Attending and participating in community wide events at Clare Hall and Brescia wide
  • Promoting a sense of belonging and facilitating inclusive community development;
  • Supporting Residence Life team members;
  • Performing additional duties, or participating in events or projects as directed by Residence Life; and
  • Arranging and attending one to one meetings with the Residence Manager and RA Team.

Eligibility

To be eligible an RA must:

  • Be a full-time student
  • Have an academic average of 70% or higher
  • Live in residence for the duration of the term of employment: August 19, 2018 to May 1, 2019 (date to be finalized in summer);
  • provide evidence of certification in CPR-C and Standard first Aid to the Residence Life Department by August 19, 2017;
  • Provide police check to Residence Manager before beginning the role of RA
  • Complete AODA and Health and Safety Awareness Training;
  • Successfully complete RA training and have full attendance and punctuality at all sessions in order to continue employment as an RA;
  • Consider this position the principal extra-curricular activity. The RA may participate in a reasonable number of activities, but major leadership roles, or more than 10 hours per week of part-time employment, may conflict with the performance of residence duties. Approval of the Residence Manager is required prior to accepting other responsibilities or positions;
  • Be eligible to work in Canada.

The RA has a variety of responsibilities that fall into several inter-related areas described below:

Community Management

Community Development

Each RA has the responsibility to:

  1. Plan and implement educational programming, as assigned by the Residence Manager;
  2. Plan and implement a wide variety of social programs for the floor to build community

Program Planning requirements are;

  1. To facilitate and document community development programming initiatives on a regular / ongoing basis as described in the Programming Model; the program may consist of (but is not limited to) passive components, multiple events, speakers, etc.;
  2. To co-host one community dinner per term for all Clare Hall residents in the Mercato
  3. To be discussed and approved by the Residence Manager in advance;
  1. Promote and attend Orientation Week programs as well as promote and attend other University orientation programs;
  2. Attend and participate in community wide events;
  3. Be available and able to participate in all visit days;
  4. Develop and promote community expectations, using approved protocols, regarding:respect, equality, noise, use and cleanliness of lounge, garbage and recycling disposal, and any other matter deemed important to the floor community;
  5. Conduct bi-weekly floor meetings at a time mutually agreed upon by the community;
  6. Teach residents how to disagree with each other in respectful ways;
  7. Other duties as assigned by Residence Manager.

Student Development and Support

The RA is expected to:

  1. Act as a support for students, referring them to appropriate information sources or resources when necessary;
  2. Know each community member by name and strive to establish and maintain open relationships with the students on the floor;
  3. Recognize and report to the RM any changes in, or concerns with behaviour displayed by a resident;
  4. Dialoguing with students about academic and career development progress.

Communication

The RA is expected to:

  1. Report all emergency and other relevant situations and events to the RM immediately and complete reports for each incident within 24-hours;
  2. Communicate any concerning student behavioural situations to the RM within 24 hours so that an appropriate support plan can be developed for the student’s wellbeing;
  3. Communicate openly as a Residence Life team member in order to promote consistency, solve mutual problems, and provide personal and professional support;
  4. Relay student concerns about the quality of residence life to the RM;
  5. Manage confidential information regarding students and staff members with the RM;
  6. Follow the reporting and documentation procedures as outlined by the Residence Life Department;
  7. Provide information to discipline proceedings as necessary (e.g. information concerning an incident); and,
  8. Follow the recommendations for the use of social media as a means of personal communication, and communication within their role. Recognizing that RAs are representatives of Brescia University College at Western University, each RA’s social media content also reflects upon the University. RAs may not:
  9. Encourage the consumption of illegal substances or alcohol to first year students through social media;
  10. Subscribe to or make visible material (including language, images, music, videos) that is defamatory, discriminatory, hate promoting, or contrary to the values and mission of the University;
  11. Post material on social media venues that could lead to legal, financial, or reputational liability for the University.

Health, Safety, and Security

The RA is expected to:

  1. Perform scheduled duty and call shifts and address any concerning behaviour;
  2. Perform scheduled front desk shifts (60hrs throughout the year) and address any concerning behaviour;
  3. Inform floor members of their rights and responsibilities relating to the Residence Community Standards, Residence Agreement, the University Student Code of Conduct, and other such University policies and procedures as are in place or shall be put in place;
  4. Address individuals or groups violating the Residence Community Standards Residence Agreement, or the University Student Code of Conduct;
  5. Monitor behaviour and immediately take appropriate actions when behaviour and/or activities are identified that places students’ or staff’s health or safety at risk (i.e. unsafe or unhealthy living or working conditions);
  6. Be present in residence during peak times as determined by the Residence Life Department;
  7. Obtain approval from the RM when planning to be away longer than 48-hours with no more than one weekend away a month.

RA Conduct Expectations

Expectations for the RA:

  1. The University intends to eliminate any possibility of liability as a result of staff members’ actions, should alcohol or illegal substances be involved. As such, Residence Life Staff must not drink irresponsibly, to excess, in contravention of the laws of the land, or in violation of the Residence Community Standards or the Brescia University Alcohol Policy. RAs must not be in possession of, or be found to be using, illegal substances during their contract period;
  2. Residence Life Staff should not behave in such a way as to bring discredit or disrespect to their fellow staff team or other members of the University community;
  3. Residence Life Staff are to abstain from acting in any “official” capacity when they are under the influence of alcohol or an illegal substance.

“Official” capacity is not limited to being on-call or other designated duties. Residence Life Staff who are under the influence of alcohol or an illegal substance must remove themselves from any situation where they are acting as a representative of the Residence Life Program and Brescia University College. It is expected that Residence Life Staff call for assistance if necessary. This applies to all general responsibilities including floor events, activities off-campus, and while living in the Residence environment.

Evaluation

Since a RA is also a resident, they are not only subject to all residence terms and conditions, but will be held accountable to a higher standard from the time of selection, through the term of the contract. The RA is in a position of authority and is to act as a role model for all residents at all times. Any violation of residence terms and conditions, negligence in enforcing community standards or University policies, negligence in abiding by the terms of this agreement, or conduct unbecoming of a RA is considered dereliction of a RA’s duties. Dereliction of duties may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination of the appointment.

The performance of anRA, both individually and as a team, will be regularly evaluated. This evaluation process will include, at a minimum, a survey(s) and an assessment of performance by the RM.

When performance is perceived to be below standard, the matter will be addressed confidentially, in a timely manner, between the RA and the RM. Together an action plan to improve performance is developed and assessed as deemed necessary.

Dismissal

An RAmay be relieved of their duties regardless of the time of year, and will be given one week’s notice of the termination of contract. In addition to the end of employment, the RAs’ residence accommodations and meal plan will be terminated. No payments will be owing for any time after the contract is terminated.

  1. AnRA may be dismissed for a number of reasons, including:
  1. inappropriate conduct (e.g. physical assault, criminal activity or charges, etc.);
  2. failure to meet expectations as outlined in a probationary letter;
  3. being in violation of a Community Standard or a disruption to the Residence Community;
  4. failure to meet or maintain the eligibility criteria;
  5. Should it become necessary to examine the possibility of termination or reassignment of an RA, the Residence Manager along with the Vice-Principal, Students will make the decision according to the Residence Assistant Dismissal Policy.

Confidentiality

An RA is in a position of trust and on many occasions will become apprised of information that is private and confidential. Such private and confidential information includes, but is not limited to, personal and educational information relating to students and staff of the University, information relating to the affairs and operation of the residence and the University, and other such information that comes to their knowledge by virtue of being a RA.

Except for disclosing information to the Residence Life Department, or designate, a RA agrees to not use, copy, communicate or disclose such private and confidential information for such time as they are an RA, and thereafter, regardless of the reason that the employment contract came to end, other than the following circumstances:

  1. Where it is necessary for the performance oftheir duties as an RA;
  2. Where Officers, employees, consultants or agents of the University require information to perform his or her duties and the use of disclosure is necessary for the discharge of the University’s functions; or
  3. Where an RA is required by law to disclose such information.

An RA agrees that this does not prevent them from disclosing private and confidential information to the London or Campus Police, and any such information shared will be communicated to the Residence Manager as well.

An RA agrees that at any time during their employment upon request, or immediately upon termination of employment, they will immediately return any and all private and confidential information to the Residence Life Department. ______

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