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Resident Assistants (RA's) are students who are vital members of the Housing & Residence Life team! In short, they uphold community standards and act as a role model for approximately 20-40 residence hall residents. 

At length, RA's are responsible for creating and maintaining a positive learning community within their residence hall or area. This student leader serves as a primary role model for students on campus. This person is enthusiastic about helping students and is looking for ways to positively give back to their community. Our staff members are connected to Mercer’s campus resources and have the ability to offer referrals to students in need of support. The RA is committed to quality programming and community development efforts that enrich the residence hall environment and create vibrant communities. The RA serves and supports the mission of the Office of Housing and Residence Life in all activities.

Responsibilities include:

COMMUNITY FACILITATOR

• Be visible, available and accessible to all residents on his/her assigned floor and spend quality time with them.
• Actively encourage his/her residents to participate in all floor, hall, and campus activities.
• Effectively address resident and floor conflicts, issues and situations in a timely manner.
• Provide floor and bulletin board decorations on a monthly basis.
• Hold opening and closing floor meetings to welcome residents and discuss policies and procedures
• Encourage residents to get involved in Hall Government, RHA and other campus/community organizations.

REFERRAL AGENT

• Maintain a working knowledge of campus and community resources in order to properly assist residents with issues and concerns.
• Act as a referral agent for residents and assist them in finding appropriate campus and community resources.

TEAM MEMBER

• Attend and participate in fall and spring staff training sessions.
• Participate in mandatory staff development sessions and assigned in-services

• Attend and actively participate in weekly staff meetings; contribute to the efficient functioning of the assigned floor and residence hall.

• Maintain ongoing constructive communication with Area Coordinators, fellow RA's, and other Residence Life staff members. 

• Participate in the recruitment, selection and training of all new staff members.

• Assist with the annual Housing Selection Sign-Up process.

PROGRAMMER

• Develop, plan and implement programs which promote resident learning and skill development outside of the classroom environment. Assess residents' interests and floor issues to develop program ideas.
• Develop and facilitate programs that meet all requirements under the Office of Residence Life Programming Model.
• Complete all programming related forms (proposals, evaluations, etc.), contact guest presenters, and fulfill all other special requests.
• Support the Residence Hall Association and/or hall governments.

ADMINISTRATOR

• Maintain appropriate use of and full control for any/all keys, equipment and supplies assigned to him/her.
• Maintain and keep the Resource Room clean.

• Be available to complete all tasks assigned by the Office of Residence Life and his/her supervising Area Coordinator for official Residence Hall Opening and Closing periods.

• Perform administrative tasks in a accurate and timely fashion, including programing forms, safety and cleaning inspections, and more.

UNIVERSITY REPRESENTATIVE

• Assist in the development of an open, just, caring, and disciplined living environment on his/her assigned floor.
• Serve as a positive role model and effectively confront inappropriate and negative behaviors.
• Act as a positive and appropriate representative of the University and Residence Life at all times.
• Demonstrate behavior and actions that are inclusive to all members of the residence hall community.
• Support and promote diversity in the residence halls as well as in the campus and Macon community at all times.
• Demonstrate exemplary behavior at all times, both on and off campus and even in hometown or permanent residence settings.

SAFETY/SECURITY AGENT

• Immediately confront, document and report all emergencies and serious situations to his/her supervising Area Coordinator or the Professional-On-Call as per crisis protocol.
• Participate in all scheduled duty nights as assigned in-hall.
• Actively confront and document all policy violation situations in a timely manner.
• Reference and enforce all University and Residence Life policies and procedures at all times.
• Know and uphold the policies and procedures of the Office of Residence Life, Mercer University, and local, state, and federal laws.

QUALIFICATIONS

• RA's are required to have a minimum GPA of 2.5 each semester and cumulatively, with full time enrollment in a Mercer University degree program.
• RA's must remain in good standing with the University, academically and judicially. RA's must know, support, implement, and abide by University policies and regulations.

TIME COMMITMENT

• The appointment is an academic year appointment (beginning with pre-fall training and ending following the administrative responsibilities for hall closing as directed by your supervisor).
• RA's return to campus early to participate in training, building preparation, and early arrival check-in. RA's remain on campus until after the residence halls close in December and May to assist with check-outs and building closing.
• Some work periods are more busy and demanding, such as RA Training, Opening, and the first week of classes. These periods must be given proper priority, second only to academics.
• RA's are not permitted to enter into an employment situation, internship, student leadership role, or other significant commitment (paid or un-paid, full-time or part-time) without approval from their Area Coordinator.
• RA's are expected to be on campus and available to residence hall/area students during the following times: Fall Semester Opening Weekend; Fall Semester Closing Weekend; Homecoming Weekend; Spring Semester Opening Weekend; Spring Semester Closing Weekend.

REMUNERATION

• Each RA will be compensated with a single room or double as a single in the area/building he/she is assigned. Utilities, cable and Internet service are provided during the appointment term.

Resident Assistant Application 2025-2026  

RA hiring tentative timeline for the 2025-2026 Academic Year is below:

• RA Applications will go live on Friday, October 25, 2024, at 5:00 p.m.
• Applications will be due on Tuesday, December 3, 2024.
• The RA Applicant Canvas Course will be open from Tuesday, December 10, 2024, to Sunday, January 26, 2025. 
• Individual Interviews will be held Monday, February 10, 2025, to Thursday, February 13, 2025. 
• Group Process Interviews will be held on Friday, February 7, 2025.
• RA Hiring Decision Letters will be emailed out on Friday, February 21, 2025.

Conference Assistants (CA's) live on campus during the summer and help out with the variety of camps and conferences that use Mercer University Housing!

• Prep buildings with information and signage
• Distribute, collect, maintain, and organize keys
• Assist with conference/camp group check-ins and check-outs
• Inspect rooms prior to and after conferences/camps
• Provide service in a pleasant, helpful, and effective manner to staff, participants, and other conference constituents
• Complete scheduled office hours each week
• Complete other tasks from supervisor as assigned

• Minimum of a 2.5 GPA (semester and cumulative)
• Conduct Background Check
• Completed CA Application
• Must be present for scheduled trainings (TBA)

MyMercer → Macon Housing → Student Employment

• CA Applications will go live April
• Applications will be due late April
• CA hiring decision letters will be emailed out in early May

Resident Directors are students pursuing their Master of Education in the Higher Education Leadership program at Mercer University.

The Resident Director will report to the Area Coordinator (AC) of their assigned community. The RD position is a supervisory position, and serves as a role model and leader for their area. The position requires leadership skills, good judgment, energy, commitment, self-discipline, knowledge of campus resources, and sensitivity to cultural differences. The RD works collaboratively with an AC, supervises the area staff, advises the hall governments, and serves as a resource to residents to develop a strong, positive, and respectful community in their area.

• Community Facilitator
  • Supervise a staff of 10-15 Resident Assistants & 1 Senior Resident Assistant.
  • Oversee programming efforts & programming budget of a residential area
  • Encourage student involvement on campus
• Safety & Security Agent
  • Serve in a professional on-call crisis management rotation
  • Serve as a Housing & Residence Life conduct hearing officer
• Administrator
  • Assist Area Coordinator(s) with the daily operations such as maintaining a programming budget, facilities & maintenance concerns, facilitating room changes, administrative tasks, etc.

• Bachelor's degree from a four year accredited institution
• Entrance into Mercer University's MEd Higher Educational Leadership program
• Strong written & verbal communication skills
• Preferred: Housing and Residence Life experience, experience handling crisis situations, and experience with programing.

• E-mail the office at housing.macon@mercer.edu or Dr. Christian Wells at wells_c@mercer.edu.

Check out our RD brochure.