iLEAD: Residential Advisor

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General purpose: The Residential Advisor (RA) works to assist the Department of Residence Life by providing direct support to on-campus students.

Summary of Essential Functions

• Serve as the primary Residence Life student staff contact for residents 

• Assist with community engagement initiatives and administrative functions for the Office of Residence Life

• Serve in an on-call after hours crisis-response system with professional and student staff multiple times a week

Essential Duties & Responsibilities: 

• Provide direct support to a number of assigned apartments/students and indirect support to a residential hall through community engagement  & service 

• Participate in department led initiatives and functions ranging from opening/closing residential halls, semesterly health and safety apartment inspections, campus wide programming, floor meetings, apartment mate agreements, etc. 

• Hold intentional interactions with residents on a regular basis and maintain adequate recordings of these interactions (general, apartment mate agreements, mediations, etc.)

• Direct students to appropriate resources (Campus Safety, Student Counseling, Facilities Management, etc.) 

• Plan and execute programs and community engagement that aligns with the Curricular Approach

• Serve in an on-call after hours crisis-response system with professional and student staff multiple times a week

• Understand, adhere to, and enforce all campus and residential policies; model appropriate behavior and report incidents to the appropriate chain of command

• Participate in all required meetings including: 1:1s with assigned supervisor, team meetings, fall & winter training, etc.

• Perform other related duties as assignment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 

• Knowledge of: residential needs, in-person engagement, MICA, and community resources

• Skills: community building, engagement, teamwork, problem solving, leadership, documentation, time management 

• Ability to: access technology, communicate effectively, think critically, follow procedure, and complete tasks as assigned

• Ability to: self-start, work independently, and maintain professionalism in challenges 

Minimum qualifications:

• A 3.0 or higher GPA and good academic standing is required for a student to be considered for the position

• Must be a currently enrolled MICA undergraduate student at time of employment 

• Must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0. 

• Able to live on-campus in an ORL assigned RA room through the entire 2026-2027 academic year  

• Complete Fall/Winter RA Training (once hired)

• A desire to serve the MICA community

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous employment as a student leader or equivalent to a Residential Advisor (e.g. Pre-college RA, camp counselor, lifeguard, shift leader, etc.) 

• Has awareness of student’s attitudes as well individual and community concerns 

• Able to remain calm and perform effectively in sensitive situations 

• Experience communicating verbally and electronically in a professional manner 

• Experience in planning and implementing educational and community building initiatives

Compensation Information: 

• Time commitment: 10-15 hours per week 

• Stipend: $1,090 per semester, $2,180 annually

• Meals: 100 meal plan and $135 Dining dollars: $1,515 per semester, $3,030 annually

• A single on-campus room in a residential apartment, Value: $13,000+ annually

Conditions of Employment: 

• RAs are expected to attend mandatory in-person training prior to the beginning of the fall and spring semesters. Training may occur in a hybrid (virtual and/or in-person) format. 

• RAs are required to move into campus prior to the start of fall and winter training. Your supervisor will provide you with the move-in dates for fall training during the summer of 2026 

• Timelines:

  • Fall RA Training:  Saturday, August 8th, 2026 to Wednesday, August 19th, 2026

  • Contractual Pause: Saturday, December 13th, 2026 @ 9 PM

  • Winter RA Training: Monday, January 11th, 2027 to January 16th, 2027 

  • Spring Contract End Date: Wednesday, May 12th, 2027 

    • These dates are tentative and subject to change based on the 2026-2027 academic calendar 

• This position is expected to average 10-15 hours of work per week. During peak busy seasons (opening, closing, etc.), there may be demands closer to the higher end of the range.

• Students are required to serve in an “on-call” capacity several times per week. Students on call are expected to respond to incoming calls between 6 PM and 8 AM on weeknights and between 6 PM and 6 PM the following day on weekends and holidays where the residence halls are open. 

• A background check of the student’s academic & disciplinary history with the College is required. 

• Student employees may work no more than 20 hours per week across all on-campus positions. RAs are permitted to work 5 external hours with the approval of their supervisor. 

• RAs may not hold another iLead position that conflicts with mandatory aspects of the RA role (I.e. training, hall opening/closing, etc.) or has an hour requirement that exceeds 5 hours. 

Application Timeline & Further information

• Applications close on Thursday, February 26th, 2026

• Submit a resume with your application to be considered for an individual interview 

• Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis beginning on Sunday, February 1st, 2026 and ending on Thursday, February 26th, 2026

• Candidates selected for an individual interview will be invited to one of two initial interview dates:

  • Sunday, February 22nd, 2026

  • Sunday, March 1st, 2026

  • Candidates who cannot attend either interview date can be scheduled for an interview at a different date and time on a case by case basis 

• The group interview process will take place on Wednesday, March 4th, 2026

• Offer letters will be sent by Friday, March 13th, 2026

• Declaration of acceptance and housing/apartment mate forms will be due on Sunday, March 22nd, 2026 by midnight

• Please note: This position is contingent on the college’s operational plan, fiscal budget, and the department’s need for student employees. 

• For more information, please contact the Residential Communities team atileadresidencelife@mica.edu.

Physical demands and work environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; balance; stoop; talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift up to 40 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. 

• Work environment: This job is primarily in-person, with minimal remote duties as outlined by your supervisor. While completing the duties of this job, the employee may be required to maintain access to technological devices necessary to complete various tasks. While performing the duties of the job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. The noise level in the work environment is usually minimal.

•  Required training: RA Handbook, Winter and/or Fall RA Training (once hired)

Maryland Institute College of Art is committed to its policy of providing equal opportunity regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability, or veteran status (disabled, Vietnam-era, or otherwise). Furthermore, the College does not tolerate any form of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment or sexual violence. This policy applies to all programs, facilities, and activities provided by Maryland Institute College of Art, including but not limited to admission, educational programs, and employment.

Applicants must apply online for each job in which they are interested. You will not be considered for any job for which you have not specifically applied. We do not accept applications via email, U.S. mail, or fax. Successful candidates for any staff or faculty positions will be subject to a pre-employment background check.

MICA provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact Human Resources at 410-225-2363.