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Undergraduate Student Employment

collage of community assistant sitting behind desk and group of four resident assistants

Come work with us!

We have a number of rewarding employment and leadership opportunities for undergraduate students through our community assistant, resident assistant, program assistant, and office assistant positions.

Join Res Life and meet new people, stay involved and gain valuable work and life experience.


two community assistants at a service desk

CAs are undergraduate students who staff 24/7 service desks located in our residence hall communities, manage keys and packages, and complete a number of administrative tasks.

They are typically the first point of contact for many students, faculty, staff, and visitors for support, resources, and emergency assistance. CAs are paid $15.00 per hour. If you have any questions about the CA position, please email drl-adops@umd.edu.

Check back soon for openings! 

Responsibilities include: 

  • Work an average of 10 hours per week, including at least one overnight shift per week between the hours of 12:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m.
  • Work 4-5 shifts (about 15 hours) one weekend a month
  • Attend mandatory weekly staff meetings
  • Work a minimum of one break period (Thanksgiving, Winter, or Spring) throughout the year
  • Available mid-August and mid-January before the halls open and late-May for move out at the end of each semester

Minimum qualifications:

  • Current UMD students (incoming first-year students are welcome and encouraged to apply)
  • Must live on campus or within commuting distance (priority given to students living on campus)

Preferred qualifications:

  • Experience with customer service (Worked for Starbucks, Target, etc.? Ever been to Disney?)
  • Detail-oriented (Enjoy dotting “i”s and crossing “t”s? This might be the position for you!)
  • Independent worker (Thrive collectively and individually?)
  • Problem solver (Enjoy a good mystery? We have some key and package doozies!)
  • Expert multitasker (Never a dull moment at our service desks!)

Benefits:

  • Move in early
    • CAs can move in early because of their required participation in August/January training
  • Work where you live
    • Most service desks are within residence halls (a few steps or elevator ride away)
  • Competitive pay
    • $15.00 per hour (paid bi-weekly on Fridays)
  • Supervision opportunities
    • CAs are eligible to apply for the Desk Operations Supervisor (DOS) position, which is one of very few student supervisor positions on campus

How do I apply to be a Community Assistant?

  1. Complete and submit an application on myDRL.
  2. After your application is reviewed, you will receive an email invitation to complete a video interview using the University's ELMS-Canvas site. Invitations are sent within 24 hours of application submission. Please check your spam/trash folders.

To learn more about the Community Assistant (CA) Position, join us for an information session. Stay tuned for upcoming dates!


group of resident assistants in matching red shirts

RAs live in a community of 45-75 residents and assume responsibility for responding to the personal needs of residents, for shaping an environment that supports academic and personal development, and for managing critical administrative tasks, including duty and crisis management.

All RAs receive remission of housing, dining, and basic telecommunications fees as compensation. If you have questions about the RA position, please contact our Human Resources office at drlhr@umd.edu or (301) 314-5111.

The RA Selection Process for the 2024-2025 academic year is now closed and we are not accepting any new applicants. The process will open for the 2025-2026 academic year in late September 2024. Check back here for updates.

Being an RA provides opportunities to develop valuable leadership and communication skills, to shape an environment that supports students' academic and personal development, to manage critical incidents and administrative tasks, and to make friends that will last a lifetime!

Here are some things to think about if you're considering the RA position:

  • Are you interested in meeting new people and helping to build a community?
  • Are you a good role model and do you enjoy helping others?
  • Would you feel comfortable assisting a diverse group of students?
  • Do you feel you could approach a resident about a personal concern that has been brought to your attention?
  • Can you remain objective and fair when dealing with a conflict involving peers?
  • Are you able to react and express yourself clearly in tense situations?
  • Are you a good team member?
  • Do you project a positive self-image?
  • Will your study habits allow you to balance your academics with a RA position?

If you answered "yes" to these questions, the RA position might be for you! Use the accordion items below to find out more about the RA position and the application process. Information about our buildings on each side of campus is available on our Residence Halls page.


Full Position Description [PDF] Conditions of Employment [PDF]

Please see full position description and conditions of employment documents above


Responsibilities include: 

  • Foster a safe, inclusive, and welcoming atmosphere via community development with resident engagement
  • Promote the development of students by providing social and educational programming
  • Share resources and strategies with residents related to personal and academic student success
  • Respond to personal crises and emergencies of residents through appropriate referral channels and adjudication processes
  • Guide roommate/suitemate/apartment agreement conversations to aid in the creation of a positive living environment that supports students' academic and personal success
  • Involve residents in designing and implementing community activities consistent with assessed interests and needs
  • Attend staff meetings (2-hour weekly time commitment, beginning no later than 8:00 p.m.)
  • Provide on-duty coverage of their building/area and participate in training and staff development activities

Eligibility:

  • Current undergraduate student at the University of Maryland, College Park in the Fall 2023 semester. Students studying abroad or on a leave of absence in the Fall 2023 semester may be eligible depending on circumstances.
  • 2.6 cumulative GPA or better before the application deadline/participant limit. First-semester UMD students who do not yet have a cumulative GPA may still apply.
    • Must maintain at least a 2.6 cumulative GPA until the start of employment in the RA position. Once hired, must maintain at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA during employment.
  • Good judicial and financial standing with the university
  • Expected to hold the position for the entire 2024-2025 academic year, if newly hired
  • Eligible to work in the U.S. and successfully complete payroll requirements at the time beginning the position
  • Register for and complete the “RA Groundwork” in the Spring 2024 semester, if invited. Groundwork requires the ability to attend in-person discussion sessions.
    • Groundwork is a non-credit, blended-learning training course that will include online video content and four 90-minute discussion sessions. The video content and discussion sessions will be launched in the Spring 2024 semester at a date to be determined. The registration process and information will be included in an offer letter.
  • May not student teach during their first year in the position
    • In relation to the RA position, student teaching refers to a student teacher who will spend the majority of a semester, full-time in the classroom. This generally takes place in the final semester(s) of a student’s academic plan. Students who plan to student teach in the 2024-2025 academic year are not eligible to hold the RA position and therefore should not apply. Students who participate in educational field placements or teaching assistantships that are only a few hours a week are still eligible and encouraged to apply.
  • You may feel you have unique circumstances. If in doubt, please contact us to discuss your situation.

We encourage students from across the university to apply for the RA position. 


three community assistants at a service desk

We have several office positions available year-round. Many students find it useful and practical to hold a part-time job on campus that can accommodate academic commitments.

Office assistants engage with residents and office visitors and perform a series of administrative tasks. If you have any questions about the Office Assistant position, please contact our Human Resources Office at (301) 314-5111 or drlhr@umd.edu.


program assistant working at desk in the Residential Engagement office suite

Program Assistants are an integral part in supporting Resident Life's engagement with prospective, admitted, and current students. They help to support administrative elements in the Engagement Suite in Annapolis Hall, represent the student experience at outreach events, and assist with the implementation of large-scale events throughout the academic year.

Consider joining the Program Assistant team to gain valuable experience in fostering community and building professional skills.


Questions?

Contact our Human Resources Office at (301) 314-5111 or drlhr@umd.edu.

 

Additional Resources 

Explore available student positions on campus.

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