Graduate Assistant, Residence Life RD (Biola University campus)

Reports to: Assistant Director of Housing & Residence Life

Department/Division: Housing & Residence Life/Student Development

Salary Classification: Part time (20 hours/week), 10 month contract (43-44 weeks)

Compensation: Housing (not furnished), hourly wage ($16/hour)

Anticipated Start Date: immediate

About Biola University

Biola University is a nationally ranked Christian university in the heart of Southern California. As a leader in academic quality and innovation, Biola is consistently ranked among the nation's foremost Christian universities.

Founded in 1908, Biola offers biblically centered education, intentional spiritual development and vocational preparation within a unique and diverse learning community where all faculty, staff and students are professing Christians. Biola's eight schools offer more than 150 academic programs at the bachelor's, master's and doctoral levels, enrolling more than 6,000 students at the La Mirada campus, online and in distance programs throughout the world.

About Student Development

Student Development's desire is for every student to leave Biola as a well-rounded person; intellectually, interpersonally, spiritually, and emotionally. Our department plays a role in most of the life residents live outside of the classroom. This includes through Residence Life, orientation services, chapels, ministries, student government & programming, community service, Commuter Life, Global Student Services, Student Care, Learning Assistance, Disability Services and more.

Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion

Biola University affirms its value for and commitment to a diverse and inclusive workforce. The division of Student Development is dedicated to being a diverse and inclusive department that will reflect the diversity of the Biola community and demonstrate intercultural proficiency.

We encourage qualified applicants who are diverse in gender, culture, class, generation, nationality, ethnicity, race, and ability to apply.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The Graduate Assistant: Housing is a live-in residential education opportunity in a traditional undergraduate apartment community. The role is designed based on an apprenticeship model - Graduate Assistants are invited into many departmental processes to not only observe but be active participants. It is expected that they would finish their time in this role at Biola with a broad knowledge of Housing & Residence Life, Student Development, conduct, and student care that will prepare them for a future career in Higher Education.

Required Qualifications:

• Completed Bachelors degree at start of employment.
• Enrolled in an accredited degree-granting masters level graduate program for duration of employment.
• Knowledge of and ability to engage with one's own personal identity and how that informs engagement with concepts and topics surrounding diversity and inclusion
• Experience with university or community college students.
• Willing and able to respond to crisis situations.
• Able to uphold university policies.
• Teachable.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience serving in a leadership role.
• Experience leading undergraduate students.
• Experience planning programs or events.
• Willingness to learn and apply student leadership and student affairs theory and best practices.

RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Involvement with Housing Operations

• Help manage housing software
• Understand and communicate the rationale for Biola University housing policies
• Plan and implement housing strategic curriculum
• Hold responsibility in Housing selection process
• Serve as communication manager for housing emails and phone calls

2. Programming & Student Care:

• Serve on UCE AREA Team throughout the entire year to plan & execute UCE curriculum
• Provide leadership and support for departmental programming and initiatives as requested no more than 2 initiatives a year 
• Attend monthly divisional meetings ( optional)
• Serve in the On Call Rotation approximately 1-2 weekdays a month not to exceed 6 nights of on call in a semester or 11 days a year.
• Serve on Call for 1 holiday date the entire year 
• Priority Scheduling On Call for Midterms and Finals week 

3. Administration:

• Help manage the use and upkeep of all physical space within the Apartment community through communication to campus partners
• Assist in overseeing the opening and closing of the Apartments at the beginning and end of each semester
• Help provide support for housing systems such as room change, move in, move out, and housing selection, including campus presence during opening and closing of halls
• Serve 5 office hours a week in the housing and residence life office

4. Professional Growth: 

• Attend weekly Housing & Residence Life staff meetings to participate in Residence Life planning and staff development
• Attend Student Development Divisional meetings (once a month)(optional)
• Attend Area team meeting led by Director of HRL ( weekly)
• Attend and participate in Student Care Cohort (weekly)
• Attend GA retreat/day away up to once a semester
• Schedule regular one-on-one meetings with Director of Housing and Residence Life (bi-weekly)
• Professional Development Opportunities Available at Discretion of Supervisor

TIME COMMITMENTS

The Graduate Assistant is expected to be present and available for the following:

• Housing & Residence Life staff meetings ( 1 hr)
• Weekly Area Team meeting ( 1 hr)
• Bi-weekly one-on-one meetings with their direct supervisor ( 1hr)
• Attend and participate in Program Team responsibilities ( 2-3 hr )
• Building and Office Hours ( 7 hrs)
• Student Care Cohort & Responsibilities ( 5 hrs)
• Programming ( 3 hrs)

The Graduate Assistant is also expected to be available on weekends during which special events are scheduled (i.e. Check-in, Check-out, and August Training). This may result in going over 20 hours for those pay periods. It is expected that the Graduate Assistant will have a weekly schedule on file with his/her supervisor