Undergraduate Resident Advisor

• A meal plan during regular residence hall dining service operation.
• Waiver of residence hall room contract costs.
• Room assignment will be in a single room.
• A monthly stipend of $155 for new RA staff, and $175 for returning RA staff.

The daily life of a Resident Advisor includes but is not limited to:

• Developing one-on-one positive relationships with all residents on floor and getting to know each resident on a personal level.
• Fostering a floor environment conducive to academic success and learning.
• Committing to developing a community that is safe, open, inclusive and supportive for a diverse student population.
• Helping floor leaders and concerned residents understand their roles and advising them on policies, procedures, budgets and timelines to carry out their plans or to address their concerns.
• Addressing the needs of underrepresented, international and special interest groups or individual students and working with paraprofessional and professional staff and campus resources to plan strategies to incorporate these students into the floor, hall and university communities. 

This is achieved through:

• Planning and implementing active/passive initiatives each semester a part of the Illinois Residential Experience.
• Participating in floor and hall events.
• Being knowledgeable about and referring students and staff to campus and community resources.
• Serving on Residential Life committees as assigned.
• Attending RA staff development meetings on Wednesday nights from 7 to 9 p.m.
• Negotiating living-learning community responsibilities with the program director and residence hall director of any of our 10 living-learning communities (if applicable). 

Required at the time of application process and throughout the employment term:

• Currently possess and then maintain a minimum 2.3 cumulative AND most recent term grade point average (fall and spring term GPAs) throughout the application process and employment (first-year student grades will be checked after the first fall term). This eligibility requirement is firm.
• Be in good conduct/disciplinary standing at all times from the time of application through employment (not being on active "University Reprimand" or a more severe sanction).
• May not have any active No Trespass directives for any portion of University Housing or other campus facilities.
• Be enrolled in class full time in accordance with university guidelines with no encumbrances.
• Be in good student employment standing if you currently hold another position within University Housing.
• A good understanding of the duties of the RA position and what it entails.
• Readiness to educate residents on achieving academic success, personal growth, community engagement and social justice exploration.
• The desire to build one-on-one relationships with your residents.
• Effective communication skills, both written and oral.
• The desire to lead a community of residents in developing their floor and hall to be an inclusive (safe and welcoming) environment for all students and their unique differences.
• An outward desire to work with and learn from people from all different backgrounds.
• Willingness to accept and follow through with responsibility.
• A sincere interest in working with fellow students.
• The ability to be "counter cultural" regarding alcohol use/abuse on campus; that is, if you are underage, you don't drink; if you are of legal age, you drink responsibly. 

Required at time of appointment: 

• Completion of 30 hours of college credits at the time of appointment. Students in their first semester of school may not be hired for a mid-year position.
• Minimum of two semesters at a college or university with strong preference given to students with at least one semester at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
• May not have been found possessing or using alcohol or drugs or found responsible for any alcohol or drug violation, including participation in an informal resolution process related to alcohol possession/use, being transported for an alcohol overdose and/or receiving a "University Reprimand” or more severe sanction for an alcohol violation from date of position offer throughout employment term.
• For mid-year hires (appointed for the spring 2027 semester): Required to arrive on campus on Tuesday, January 13, 2027 for training and preparation to open halls and stay late to close halls during university holidays and breaks.
• For fall 2027 - spring 2028 hires: Required to arrive on campus on August 3, 2027 for training and preparation to open halls and stay late to close halls during university holidays and breaks.
• Some RAs will be required to work during fall, winter and spring break periods. University Housing seeks RAs in break duty halls to cover these responsibilities before seeking volunteer RAs in other halls. University Housing reserves the right to mandate any RA staff to cover break periods including but not limited to holidays.
• Required to participate in all mandatory training and development programs including weekly evening staff development on Wednesdays from 7 to 9 p.m. 

Required within one semester of employment: 

Successfully complete the required Staff Class, a university academic course for Residential Life paraprofessional staff. Staff earn two credits for this class which takes place over 10 weeks plus a one-day retreat in mid-February. 

The Selection Process consists of the following steps:

Step 1. Attend an Information Session 

Join us at one of our four scheduled Information Sessions to learn more about the RA position.*

*If you are unable to attend one of the Information Sessions above, please return here at the end of September for a link to a recorded session. 

Step 2. Complete RA Online Application

RA applications for the 2027 – 2028 academic year will be accepted beginning Monday, October 5, 2026 at 8 a.m. through Monday, October 19, 2026 at 6:59 p.m.

Review the position information, job requirements and minimum qualifications.

Applications are scored on the following criteria: accuracy, thoroughness, a well-prepared resume highlighting residence hall involvement and leadership (utilizing the template provided), current and past campus involvements and the quality of the cover letter essay response (utilizing the template provided). 

You will be notified via your Illinois email account if you are released from the pool for any reason. Please make sure you are checking this email account on a regular basis during the selection process as our correspondence will be via your Illinois email account only.

Step 3. Formal Interview 

All qualified candidates will be notified by email on Friday, October 30, 2026 with their scheduled interview time on Friday, November 6, 2026 based on the availability you indicated on your online application.

We are evaluating the candidate's understanding of the RA job as well as their ability to think critically and provide resources to residents. We are seeking candidates who can articulate their experiences and ideas in the areas of community building and standards, leadership, inclusivity, involvement in the residence hall community, meeting student needs, wellness and academic success.

Fall 2026 Paraprofessional Selection Process

For Spring 2026 Mid-year and Fall 2026 - Spring 2027 Academic Year Positions

Orientation, Training & Opening Dates

What is the Illinois Residential Experience (IRE)?

The IRE is divided into five Learning Goals (Community Engagement, Cultural and Identity Exploration, Lifelong Learning, Promoting Well-being and Social Responsibility) and multiple learning outcomes that state clearly the educational experience that residence hall students can expect while living in University Housing. Resident Advisors are a critical component of implementing the Illinois Residential Experience.

For the fall 2026 - spring 2027 academic year we will be using newly updated learning goals and outcomes. More information will be shared with incoming RAs in spring 2027. 

What is the Staff Class and do you have to take it?

The Staff Class (EDUC 199) is an exploratory course to introduce RAs and Inclusion and Leadership Mentors to the Illinois Residential Experience curriculum, community building, wellness and identity development. Students in EDUC 199 will… 

• Develop skills in dialogue, perspective taking, civil discourse and critical inquiry.
• Understand the basic aspects of a Residential Curriculum and the specific components of the Illinois Residential Experience.
• Learn skills for managing personal wellness, including identifying campus and community resources to develop wellbeing strategies for themselves and others.
• Explore cultures and identities similar and different from their own in order to build strong communities. 

This course is required for all RAs and Inclusion and Leadership Education Mentors working in the undergraduate residence halls by their first semester of employment.  Staff members receive one opportunity to enroll and successfully complete the Residential Life Paraprofessional Staff Course. This course is 2 credits, meets for ten weeks and includes a full-day retreat.

For those hired in January 2027 to start working in January 2027 or for the 2027–2028 academic year, the course begins in mid-February 2027. For those hired after January 2027 for the 2027-2028 academic year, the course begins in mid-September 2027. Missing the retreat means you forfeit your offer and must withdraw from the course.

The course is only available to those who have been offered and accepted a position with us at this time. Further information about the staff class registration will be sent following candidate offer letters. Permission to register for the course will be granted to eligible individuals at this time.

Can I become a staff member in my current building or specify a building I prefer to work in?

It is possible to work in your current building, but keep in mind employment decisions are made to benefit the entire residence hall system. During the application process, you may indicate a preference for one of our Living Learning Communities and/or Theme Communities. If we offer you a position, it will be for a specific building. If you decline this offer, you are out of the process.  All placements are subject to change.

I plan on studying abroad and would like to be a RA. When should I apply?

Applicants are encouraged to apply while on campus. Candidates will have a better experience during the process because they will be able to interact with current staff members in person.

If you are looking for a position that begins in January 2027 or August 2027 and you will be studying abroad at any time between now and December 2026, apply now. When applying, indicate that you are or may be studying abroad. This will prompt the selection committee to make arrangements that will allow you to continue to participate in the process from abroad.

While studying abroad, you should maintain regular email contact with us at reslifejobs@illinois.edu. 

Can International students apply for RA positions in the undergraduate halls?

International student eligibility for employment depends on particular conditions and circumstances. Please visit the International Student and Scholar Services website section on Student Employment to research the conditions/circumstances that apply to your status.

Can graduate students apply for RA positions in the undergraduate halls?

Yes, however, many graduate students may also be interested in assistantship opportunities related to their graduate program which are considered additional employment beyond the RA position. Please note that requests for additional employment must be approved by the Associate Director for Development and Staffing and there are limitations on the types of additional employment that can be approved for graduate students (please contact reslifejobs@illinois.edu with specific inquiries).

I want to be an RA in Sherman or Daniels Hall (these are Graduate/Upper-Division halls). Should I apply through this process? 

The Graduate and Upper-Division Halls (Sherman and Daniels) conduct their own search process. You can find out more information about that process by contacting the Graduate and Upper-Division Hall Staff in Sherman or Daniels Hall. The number of available positions in Sherman and Daniels is typically very small, and candidates who already reside or work in those halls are given preference during the application process. Therefore, candidates who live in the undergraduate halls are encouraged to apply for a RA position through the Residential Life selection process during their undergraduate years. 

If my GPA is just under 2.3, does Residential Life round GPAs up, or is there any way I can still apply?

Sophomores, juniors and seniors must have a 2.3 or above GPA for spring 2026 term AND a 2.3 cumulative GPA at the time of application. First-year applicants won't have a GPA until the fall 2026 semester is complete. Residential Life will check applicants' GPAs upon receipt of their applications and again in January 2027 when fall term grades are posted by the Registrar's Office. Offers for positions or offers to be in the alternate pool will be rescinded accordingly, and the candidate will be notified. Once hired, all paraprofessionals must maintain a cumulative AND term GPA of 2.3 during the course of their employment as a paraprofessional (this includes the spring term prior to their fall official start date in August). 

I'm a new first-year or transfer student and don't have an Illinois GPA yet. What should I put down for my current GPA? 

First years can leave this section blank. Transfer students can put their GPA from their previous institution. We will confirm your Illinois GPA in January 2027 after grades are posted and that GPA will be used to determine your eligibility to continue in our process. 

What if I cannot attend the required components of the selection process?

You will be cut from the process. For academic conflicts, please let us know as soon as possible at reslifejobs@illinois.edu.

Should I sign a University Housing Contract for the 2027 - 2028 academic year while I am a RA candidate?

Once you complete a University Housing Contract you have 14 days to cancel the contract with no charge. If you are offered and accept a RA position and already have a University Housing Contract we will assign you to a RA room and allow you to cancel your University Housing Contract. If you are not offered a position, decline a position offer or are in the alternate pool and are either never offered or decline a position and have a University Housing Contract, you are held to all of the terms and conditions of this legally binding document, including the 14-day contract cancellation clause.

So, if you plan to live-on campus, whether you get a RA position or not, signing a University Housing Contract is recommended. If you are uncertain as to whether you plan to live-on campus, we do not recommend signing a University Housing Contract.

If I am planning on transferring to Illinois or returning after taking time off and am not currently enrolled as a student at Illinois, can I apply to be a paraprofessional?

No. You must be currently enrolled at Illinois to apply. Hiring for our process happens in December and you must be a current student to be hired.

How time-consuming is the RA job? Will I have time for my academics/extra-curricular activities?  

RAs work with their RD supervisors to determine feasibility of and strategies to manage academic and extra-curricular activities in addition to their RA job. RAs do need to maintain evening and weekend flexibility for resident contact and interaction. They cannot run for, accept or serve in a major campus activity position during the term of employment (i.e. Student Senate meetings typically conflict with required weekly meetings for the Paraprofessional position, Marching Illini practices and events conflict with required training and duty responsibilities, etc.). What qualifies as a “Major Campus Post” in a Registered Student Organization, campus or community group will be interpreted by University Housing.

Can you have a second job as a paraprofessional? 

Contractually, Paraprofessionals must request approval to take on additional employment beyond the Paraprofessional position on or off campus.

• Domestic students can work no more than an additional eight hours/week with another on-campus employer beyond the RA position (with permission from their supervisor).
• International students cannot hold another on-campus job beyond their RA position.
• For graduate students, requests for additional employment must be approved by the Associate Director for Development and Staffing and there are limitations on the types of additional employment that can be approved for (please contact reslifejobs@illinois.edu with specific inquiries).

What does it mean to be offered a spot in the alternate pool?

Candidates who have been offered a spot in the alternate pool have demonstrated skills needed to be an RA, however, we do not have a position for you at this time. If a position becomes available, we will review the candidates in the alternate pool and may reach out to you to see if you are interested. Being in the alternate pool does not guarantee that you will be offered a position. It does let us know that you continue to be interested in the position and are eligible to be hired. If you are offered a spot in the alternate pool additional information will be provided about being in the pool.