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Residential Advisors

Coordinate activities in resident facilities in secondary school and college dormitories, group homes, or similar establishments. Order supplies and determine need for maintenance, repairs, and furnishings. May maintain household records and assign rooms. May assist residents with problem solving or refer them to counseling resources.

What you’d do

  • Communicate with other staff to resolve problems with individual students.
  • Observe students to detect and report unusual behavior.
  • Supervise, train, and evaluate residence hall staff, including resident assistants, participants in work-study programs, and other student workers.
  • Provide emergency first aid and summon medical assistance when necessary.
  • Make regular rounds to ensure that residents and areas are safe and secure.
  • Mediate interpersonal problems between residents.
  • Enforce rules and regulations to ensure the smooth and orderly operation of dormitory programs.
  • Determine the need for facility maintenance and repair, and notify appropriate personnel.

Skills that matter

  • Social Perceptiveness
  • Active Listening
  • Coordination
  • Monitoring
  • Speaking
  • Critical Thinking

How to get there

Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree

Also called

  • Residence Hall Director
  • Residence Life Director
  • Resident Assistant
  • Resident Director
  • Hall Coordinator
  • Residence Director

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