Undergraduate Student Employment

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 undergraduate 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. Attend one of our Community Assistant Job Info Sessions. This is a condition of employment.
2. Complete and submit an application on myDRL.
3. 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.

Note: You’ll need to attend an info session to access the application.

1.) I am interested in the CA position. Can I have more information?

Thank you for your interest in the CA position! Our next application cycle will open on June 1, 2025. Attending an information session is a required step in the application process. These sessions provide important details about the CA role and its requirements. Information session dates will be scheduled during the summer. Check the Resident Life website in early May for updated information on session dates, times, and how to attend.

2.) Why can't I see the written application? When does the CA application open?

The CA application is currently closed. Our next application cycle will open on June 1, 2025.

3.) Are international students eligible to apply?

Yes! International students are welcome to apply for the CA position. However, please be aware that there are specific regulations regarding the number of hours you are allowed to work. Additionally, there are extra steps required to ensure you are eligible for employment. This process can take time, so we encourage you to apply as early as possible and plan accordingly for training dates. For more information on working as an international student, please visit this website. 

4.) I applied for the CA position and I haven't heard back. Can I get an update?

If you applied before June 1, 2025: At this time, all of our vacancies are full, and we are no longer hiring. We only keep applications on file for six months and our applicant pool has been cleared. Our next application cycle opens on June 1, 2025. If you’re still interested in the position, we encourage you to apply again when the application reopens.

5.) When is the next information session?

Check the Resident Life website in early May for updated information on session dates, times, and how to attend.

6.) Do I need to attend an information session again if I attended one last year?

Yes, you will need to attend an information session again. These sessions provide important information regarding the role and responsibilities, training dates, as well as an access code to access the ELMs course application. 

7.) Can I be a CA and have another job?

Yes, you are able to work as a CA and have another job on campus. However, it is important to note that you will not be able to exceed 29 hours per week across both jobs. If you have another job that is off campus  you would not face any restrictions that would impact your ability to work up to 29 hours per week in the CA role.

8.) Can I choose what desk I get to work at?

No, desk assignments are based on creating well-balanced staffs that align with the demographics of each community. Our goal is for CAs to work in the building or community where they reside. However, if you have an extenuating circumstance that prevents you from working at a particular desk, please reach out to drl-adops@umd.edu to discuss your situation. Exceptions are considered on a case-by-case basis.

9.) I went to the information session but can’t see the ELMS course.

Please allow 24-48 hours to gain access to the course. If you are still experiencing issues with accessing the course after 48 hours please reach out to drl-adops@umd.edu for assistance.

10.) What if I cannot make it for August training?

Training is a mandatory part of the CA role, as it helps prepare you for your responsibilities and ensures a smooth transition into the position. If you are unable to attend, we unfortunately cannot offer you a position at this time. However, we still encourage you to apply! We keep applications on file for six months and may reach out with an offer if a vacancy becomes available.

11.) What does move in-look like?

One perk of the CA position is early move-in! All information regarding move-in dates and times will be emailed to you if applicable. CAs receive their housing assignment the same time as all other UMD students. If you are unable to move in during early move in for student staff you are welcome to move-in during resident move-in. However, you will still be required to attend training. 

12.) There are no payroll appointments available before training starts. What should I do?

Unfortunately, you cannot attend training until you have completed your payroll appointment, as training is a paid requirement. Please schedule the earliest available appointment and plan to attend training as soon as it is completed. Be sure to communicate with your DOS and AC about your scheduling conflict so we can account for your attendance and make necessary adjustments.

We’re so excited that you are interested in becoming a Resident Assistant! In order to navigate the selection process successfully, you will have to read, comprehend, and retain a lot of information. It is a complex process with a lot of deadlines, so staying on top of all of the dates and information is very important. There have also been some big changes to our selection process, so even if you participated in the past, it is important that you read everything below to understand what is different this year.

The good news is we have compiled some of the most important information right here on this website. Everything you need to know is here and everything in each section below is important, so please make sure you read it all and reach out to us if you have any questions.

Good luck in the process!

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 that may be different from yourself?
• 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 the 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.

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 2024 semester. Students studying abroad or on a leave of absence in the Fall 2024 semester may not 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 2.60 cumulative GPA until the start of the RA Groundwork course. Once enrolled in RA Groundwork, must maintain at least a 2.50 cumulative GPA during employment.
• Good judicial and financial standing with the university
• Expected to hold the position for the entire 2025-2026 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 2025 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 four 90-minute discussion sessions and online video content. The discussion sessions and video content will be launched in the Spring 2025 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 2025-2026 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 at drlhr@umd.edu.

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

How do I apply to be a Resident Assistant?

1. Attend an Information Session (between September 5 - 27). This is a mandatory requirement of the application process
2. Submit the application. The RA selection process has a maximum capacity of 500 participants. The application will close after 500 applications are completed OR by 4:00 p.m. on September 26, 2024 (whichever comes first). Be sure to plan ahead and allow enough time to complete the entire application before the deadline.
3. We are no longer collecting references for the RA role at all.
4. Your completed application will be screened and evaluated by two professional staff members in the Department of Resident Life between September 27 through October 25.
5. Successful candidates will be notified on November 1 to sign up for their interview by November 4. Interviews will take place during business hours between November 7 - 15.
6. Applicants will be notified via email of their status in the RA selection process on November 26.
7. Selected applicants participate in the Groundwork course in the Spring 2025.
8. It is important to understand that successful candidates could be offered a placement and start their RA role at any point between January 2025 and January 2026.

Mandatory Information Sessions

All applicants MUST attend an Information Session as part of the application process. Information Sessions will be offered on Zoom and in person.. You must be on time and stay for the duration of the Information Session. Your attendance is tracked carefully in both virtual and in person sessions . We do not provide any exceptions to this application requirement. Please plan accordingly if you plan to apply for the RA position.

At the Information Session, you will learn more about the RA position and selection process. Resident Life staff will also be available to answer your questions. You may submit your application before attending an Information Session; however, we strongly suggest you wait and submit the application after attending an Information Session.

Pre-registration is not required. Zoom sessions will be camera on and your attendance will be monitored for the duration of the session.

Optional Interviewing Workshops

These informative and interactive workshops will cover all the basics with regard to RA selection interviews. You'll get information on interview tips, best practices, and what to expect. Topics covered will include how the RA interviewing process works, the types of questions to expect and ask and how to prepare. You will also get a chance to ask any questions you might have about the RA position and the selection process.

On November 1, 2024, we will notify all candidates whether or not they are invited to an interview. Successful candidates will have until November 4, 2024 to schedule their interview.

Interviews will be conducted over Zoom by a two person team consisting of a professional or graduate staff member and a current RA. Each interview will be approximately 50 minutes in length. Applicants will be asked a variety of questions assessing their knowledge of the RA position and the skills and abilities they possess. To prepare for the interview, applicants should read all available material thoroughly.

Applicants should also consider attending an optional interviewing workshop. Additional tips on preparing for interviews may be found on the website for the University Career Center & the President’s Promise.

Be sure to communicate with roommates/household members about when you will be interviewing to discuss distractions and noise level expectations during your interview time. You should not conduct your interview in any public space with other people around. If you are seeking a distraction-free space to interview in, consider utilizing the following resources on/near campus:

• Prince George’s County Memorial Library System offers Wi-Fi access, small study room spaces, and technology borrowing programs. For more information on the availability of these services at each location, as well as how to access these resources, please visit their website.
• Huddle rooms are available at various locations around campus. Consult your Resident Assistant or academic college about where these spaces are located within your residence hall or academic buildings.

After the conclusion of all interviews, applicants will be notified via email on November 26 of their status in the RA selection process. Selected applicants will participate in the Groundwork course and continue in the RA applicant pool.

We believe the RA position is one of the most crucial positions in our Department. For this reason, we want to select individuals whose skills, interests, and experiences are best suited for this challenging and enjoyable position. Selection decisions are based on information from the application, interview process, and references.

After the conclusion of all interviews, applicants will be notified on November 26 via email of their status in the RA selection process. 

Groundwork Course

Selected applicants will participate in the Groundwork course and continue in the RA applicant pool. Groundwork is a non-credit, blended-learning training course that will include four 90-minute in-person discussion sessions and online video content. and. The video content and discussion sessions will take place in the Spring 2025 semester beginning the second week of classes. The registration process and information will be included in an offer letter. There are no virtual options for the in-person discussion sessions.

The Job Offer

Job offers and placement into an RA position begin midway through the spring semester. Many but not all applicants will receive an offer at this time. Applicants remaining in the candidate pool will continue to be considered for RA positions that come available through Spring 2026. In short, successful RA candidates can receive their placement offer at any point between January 2025 through January 2026.

We highly encourage applicants to look at all of our different housing styles. We employ 290 RAs in all of our spaces across campus. This includes buildings that are currently without air conditioning, buildings with no elevators, buildings with no ground floor entrances and many variations, ages, and types of buildings.

If you have any medical needs that would require specific accommodations to be considered in your placement, you should work with our Accessibility & Disability Services Office (ADS) on campus to be approved for those accommodations. Visit the Accessibility & Disability Service website to learn more. 

You should explain to your ADS consultant that you are applying for an RA position and they will notify us if your accommodations are approved. As this process can take time, we recommend that you begin the process as soon as possible, even before you interview to be an RA. Once you receive an approved accommodation, it will not expire. We will communicate our deadline for RA placement accommodations with all candidates later in the process, but we suggest completing the ADS approval process prior to the last day of classes (December 9, 2024).

To ensure a fair and equitable placement process, we cannot consider medical accommodations that have not been approved by our colleagues in the ADS office.