Resident Assistants

• RAs are required to be a full-time, matriculated, undergraduate UNH student (taking a minimum of 12 credits every semester).  This information is verified through the Registrar’s office.
• RAs are required to have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5. This information is verified through the Registrar's office.
• RAs are required to have completed at least two semesters of college (either at UNH or other college) by the time you are in the position.  This information is verified through the Registrar’s office. (current first year students who plan to complete a full academic year are encouraged to apply as they would have two semesters of college prior to an August start date)
• RAs are required to commit 20 hours per week to the position. This information is verified through you upon employment.
• RA discipline records are also checked through the Office of Community Standards at time of application.  Having a prior violation will not necessarily make you ineligible, but the nature of the violation could.

• Foster a welcoming and inclusive community through social programming
• Effectively communicate residential needs with Hall Director and provide campus resources
• Supervise a floor community of 30-50 students
• Serve in an on-call duty rotation to enforce university policy and ensure community safety
• Act as a mandated reporter
• Manage various administrative duties

The University of New Hampshire is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access/Affirmative Action institution. The university seeks excellence through diversity among its administrators, faculty, staff and students. The university prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, or marital status. Application by members of all underrepresented groups is encouraged.

Residential Life values the contributions that each member of our diverse community has to offer, holding a firm commitment regarding the creation of an environment where students with a disability can become successful Resident Assistants, while being able to fully participate in campus life. Residential Life is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Reasonable accommodation can be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the above described essential responsibilities of the position.  Please contact Katie Bartholomew, Assistant Director of Residential Life for more information (katie.bartholomew@unh.edu).

The application will be available from November 20, 2023 to December 20, 2023 in the UNH Housing Portal. After logging into your portal, click the “Employment” tab at the top menu and select the “RA Application 2024-2025.” Learn how to apply below:

• What if I am studying abroad or away from campus during the application process?  That’s okay!  We are conducting individual interviews via Zoom, so we can accommodate you anywhere you have Wi-Fi.  If you are studying away in a place that will be difficult to connect, please email Katie Bartholomew to share your needs.
• Can I study abroad during the year I want to be an RA?  No, sorry – the RA position is a full academic year commitment.
• Interested in a mid-year position?  If you are interested in a mid-year (starting January 2024) position, please email Katie Bartholomew.  Positions are not guaranteed to become available (we likely will only hire a few).  You should also note that this option is not available for current first year students.  This would also mean that you are required a return to campus a few days early in January.
• If I am hired, what is next?
  • If you are hired as an RA, you are required to participate in further trainings and activities in the Spring 2024 semester and in Summer 2024.  Here is what you can look forward to:
  • Meet with your new Residence Hall Director and staff in April or May.
  • Attend 2024-2025 all RA staff welcome event in April or May.
  • Participate in a 9-10 day all RA training in August before first-year and upper-division students arrive back to campus.
• Is this also where I apply to be an CA in the on-campus apartments? This position is only for our residence halls on campus, not for our apartment communities or Housing run communities.  If you are interested in working as a Community Assistant in the Gables or Woodside apartments or in Adams Tower or Babcock, please visit ‘Work Here’ on the Housing website and click ‘Community Assistant’ for more information.
• What is the compensation? Compensation for the RA position within the period of employment includes a single furnished room and a base (“Campus Core”) meal plan. A waiver will be placed on the RA's student account as a credit for both the room and meal plan. 
• Can I choose where I am placed? Through the interview process, we will get to know your strengths, skills, and learn where we best think you would fit as an RA.  We will ask for your preferences and interests, but ultimately Residential Life will make the determination as to where to place you in the role.  When we offer a candidate a position, the offer is specific to the building.
• I am a graduate student…can I be an RA?  Unfortunately, we only hire undergraduate students to be RAs in our residence halls.  The Housing Department does hire graduate students to be Community Assistants (CAs).  If you are interested in working as a Community Assistant in the Gables or Woodside apartments or in Adams Tower or Babcock, please visit ‘Work Here’ on the Housing website and click ‘Community Assistant’ for more information.

Housing Information and the RA Selection Process

• Should I still fill out a Housing application? Yes!  Please do.  As an RA, we will ask you to still fil out a Housing application and contract.  If you are selected as an RA, we will take care of your housing placement for you.  If you are not selected, then you can continue in the housing process and select a room on campus.
• If I am not selected or decide I don’t want the position, is there still time to apply for Housing? We encourage all RA candidates to still apply for on campus Housing if that is something you are interested in if you don’t get the RA position.  You can still participate in the on-campus Housing selection at the same time you are applying to be an RA.   
  • For rising junior and senior students, you can choose if you’d like to participate in the Fall room selection process or wait until after the RA selection process to sign up for Housing.  Although your signup window for on campus housing is in the Fall 2023, we will try to prioritize your housing needs in the Spring 2024 semester if not selected or decide not to become an RA.
  • For rising sophomores, you are required to live on campus and being an RA meets your on campus living requirement.  If you are not selected or choose not to be an RA, you will be able to choose your housing after the RA selection process has concluded.
  • How can I balance the RA selection process with potential roommates?  This is difficult for sure!  We encourage good conversation with your potential roommate(s) about your plans.
• When will I find out my room assignment as an RA?  If selected to be an RA, you would find out your hall community in February with your offer letter.  Room placement usually will be made a few weeks later and your RHD would let you know the placement.

Interested in learning more about the RA position and how to successfully navigate the application process?  We hope you will attend one of our Candidate Success and Information Sessions!  You will have the opportunity to talk to current RAs, learn more about the position and get any questions you have answered.  These sessions will be hosted in each residence hall, so be on the lookout for information advertised in the halls soon!  If you don’t live in a residence hall, no worries.  We will post an information session for you here on this site to view soon.  If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to ask!  Reach out to Katie Bartholomew at Katie.Bartholomew@unh.edu.

Here is a resume template and career guides to help you get started.  UNH Career and Professional Success is there to help! https://www.unh.edu/career/resources

Should you have any questions about the RA Selection process or experience difficulties scheduling your interviews, please let us know. We are happy to help along the way and wish you the best of luck as you embark on this journey.

For any questions about the RA Selection process, please contact Katie Bartholomew at Katie.Bartholomew@unh.edu.