Reports to: Residence Director
Department/Division: Housing & Residence Life/Student Development
Salary Classification: Part time (20 hours/week), 10 month contract (43-44 weeks)
Compensation: Housing, hourly wage ($15/hour)
Anticipated Start Date: July 22, 2024
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: Residence Hall is a live-in residential education opportunity in a traditional undergraduate residence hall 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 graduaet 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
- Involvement with Students & Residence Hall Responsibilities
- Develop relationships with residents in residence hall community through consistent presence, including two scheduled office hours each week
- Understand and communicate the rationale for Biola University Community Standards and regulations
- Plan two GA programs within the Residence Hall community each semester, with direction from Resident Director
- Support and lead all hall programs within the Residence Hall
- Hold responsibility for student care and conduct in low level conduct and student care, including: roommate conflict, open hours violations, disciplinary warnings, etc.
- Serve as case manager for low level student care and conduct including keeping accurate student records
- Lead occasional team meetings under direction from Resident Director
- Housing & Residence Life Leadership:
- Assist Resident Directors with development and implementation of Resident Advisor training cycle (Spring Training, Fall Training, and In-Service Training)
- Support Resident Advisor selection process
- Serve on Departmental Program Team
- Provide leadership and support for departmental programming and initiatives as requested
- Attend monthly divisional meetings, participate in divisional initiatives as requested
- Administration:
- Help manage the use and upkeep of all physical space within the Residence Hall community
- Assist in overseeing the opening and closing of the Residence Hall 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
- 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)
- Attend and participate in Student Care Cohort (weekly)
- Attend January retreat with department staff
- Schedule regular one-on-one meetings with Resident Director (bi-weekly)
TIME COMMITMENTS
The Graduate Assistant is expected to be present and available for the following:
- Housing & Residence Life staff meetings, retreats and trainings, including program team meetings
- Residence Hall RA Staff Meeting weekly: Mondays, 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
- Bi-weekly one-on-one meetings with their direct supervisor
- Attend and participate in RA Training
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). It is expected that the Graduate Assistant will have a weekly schedule on file with his/her supervisor.