RA Job Description
We currently employ over 230 students in the residence halls at JMU. RAs are dynamic leaders on a floor of residents who create positive communities and coordinate fun and educational events to enhance the campus living experience.
Priority RA Timeline
- RA Recruitment Fair:
- October 30, 2025
- 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
- The Union, Warren 256
- Application Opens:
- October 30, 2025, 7:00 P.M.
- Application Closes:
- November 6, 2025
- Due by 11:59 P.M.
- Interview Info Sent to Candidates:
- November 7, 2025
- Interviews Occur:
- November 10 – 21, 2025
- In-person or Virtual Options available
- Selection Decisions Sent to Candidates:
- December 18, 2025
- Decisions due back through StarRez:
- January 22, 2026
- Due by 11:59 P.M.
Regular RA Timeline
- RA Recruitment Fair:
- October 30, 2025
- 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
- The Union, Warren 256
- Application Opens:
- November 20, 2025
- Application Closes:
- January 22, 2026
- Due by 11:59 P.M.
- Interview Info Sent to Candidates:
- January 23, 2026
- Interviews Occur:
- January 26 – February 6, 2026
- In-person or Virtual Options available
- Selection Decisions Sent to Candidates:
- February 19, 2026
- Decisions due back through StarRez:
- March 5, 2026
- Due by 11:59 P.M.
Mandatory Staff Events
If you have a conflict with any of the events below, you MUST work with your supervisor to obtain an exception/approval to miss an event.
- Community 101:
- Sunday, March 8, 2026
- 6:30 – 9:00 p.m.
- Union Ballroom
- RA Community Sign-Up (Room Selection):
- Returning RAs: March 11, 2026
- New RAs: March 12, 2026
- Staff Kick-Off:
- Sunday, April 19, 2026
- 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.
- Festival Ballroom
- RA Move-In & Training:
- Move-In: August 11, 2026
- Training: August 12 – 20, 2026
- JMU Move-In:
- August 21 - 24, 2026
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Salary:
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1st Year RAs: $4,477
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2nd Year Returning RAs: $4,790
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3rd Year Returning RAs: $5,125
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Room Rent Reduction*:
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$3,000 per semester
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$6,000 per academic year
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*Deducted from the room rate of your specific Residence Hall
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Laundry Stipend*:
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$100 per semester/$200 per academic year
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*Cannot be used for University Cleaners
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Meal Plans (required)
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Any resident meal plan OR the Block 50 commuter plan
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- Single Room* On Campus:
- A/C is included in all RA rooms
- Regardless of the Residence Hall A/C status
- *Dependent on resident occupancy numbers
- Limited Reserved Parking*:
- Specific spaces/lots, labeled for RA use
- *You must still have a valid parking permit with JMU Parking Services
- Lifetime Skills:
- Leadership
- Community building with Residents
- Communication
- Organization/administration
- And more!
Frequently Asked Questions
Resident Advisers
Application/Selection Process
Returning RAs are rehired* IF they:
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Complete an application
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Provide a positive reference from their current supervisor/Hall Director
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Maintain positive performance evaluations throughout the year
*It is HIGHLY recommended that current RAs who want to return the next year, apply during the priority process. Please be aware that we will hire new RAs during this process as well, leaving fewer open positions during the regular process.
Yes, the GPA Requirement is a 2.5 cumulative.
Yes. On the application, list your two references (name, email, phone number)
If you live on campus, one reference MUST be an RA. When you submit the application, your references will receive an automatic message from eRezLife with a unique link to their reference form. Your reference will answer brief questions and upload a letter at that link.
If you live on campus, your first reference MUST be an RA, usually your own current RA.
Other references can be anyone who will be able to provide information regarding your work ethic, personal character, and level of potential success as an RA.
Suggestions for references are current or former employers/supervisors, professors, advisors, coaches, high school teachers, and another RA.
Advice: Always check with individuals BEFORE listing them as a reference. Explain that you are applying for an RA position for next year, and ask if they are comfortable providing a positive reference for you. Provide them with the deadline for the reference as well.
First-year students can apply to be an RA in their second year.
It is important to take time in your first year to become acclimated to campus and your academics prior to taking on the responsibility of being an RA.
In order to access the application and apply, you must be an enrolled JMU student. If you have been accepted to JMU and have officially committed to attend, you will be able to access the application.
Start by talking with current RAs about their experience in the job. Find out what it looks like on a “normal” day or week. Read through the position description available on eRezLife or from an RA. Think about the different responsibilities and tasks and imagine yourself in the RA role…what will that look like, how will YOU do the job?
You will receive information to schedule your interview within a week* after the application has closed.
*The Office of Residence Life reserves the right to make changes to the interview timeline at any point.
Priority process candidates are notified* in mid-December, with the goal of before Winter Break.
Regular process candidates are notified* in mid to late February, with the goal of before Spring Break.
*The Office of Residence Life reserves the right to make changes to the date candidates are notified at any point.
All disciplinary records will be reviewed as part of the selection process. It is still possible to be an RA with a strike.
The most important thing is to be upfront with Alexis Plater and/or your interviewer. Think about your specific situation and how it may positively or negatively impact your ability to be an effective RA.
While work experience is important, it is specific skills and attitudes we are looking for…these may have been gained through volunteer activities, clubs, executive positions, etc.
RA Community Sign Up/Housing
RAs receive a substantial discount on their room rent*, which ResLife is always working to improve!
*Please note that JMU has differential room rates depending on the Residence Hall you are living in. The room rent reduction amount does not include board or a meal plan and should be subtracted from the housing rate of your assignment.
If you intend to live on campus for the academic year you are applying for, the Live On Again! Housing Contract process opens annually on October 1.
RAs must complete a Live on Again! contract during the current year for the next academic year when hired.
If you intend to live on campus only if you become an RA, you should wait until selection decisions are finalized before signing a Live on Again! contract, as that contract is binding.
RAs will participate in RA Community Sign-Up in early March.
Based on random lottery numbers, RAs can choose from any available community.
Medical information should be on file with the university as soon as possible in order to prevent complications with community sign-up later.
Make sure to complete the Housing Accommodation Process as soon as possible.
Yes! All RA rooms have a/c regardless of the rest of the building's status.
RA rooms are designated to be spread throughout the building, so two RAs would not be assigned in one suite. It is possible to be on the same floor in some buildings or simply in the same building/area with your friends. Often it is best to sign up separately from your best friends. That allows you to have another place to go when you need time away.
Yes, Apartments on Grace* is an on-campus residence hall that would still require signing a housing contract. Apartments on Grace RAs must still have a meal plan, but have the option of a 50-block plan.
Apartments on Grace RAs have an apartment mate. They can choose that person by May 1st, or Housing will assign someone to that space for them.
*Please note that JMU Residence Halls have differential room rates. Apartments on Grace is +$750 more than the base room rate.
Training
RAs begin training at the beginning of August and train daily until students move in.
Please see the specific move-in date and training start date for your employment year under RA Important Dates, listed above.
Training covers a variety of topics such as:
- Team building
- Community development
- Programming
- Confrontation/behavior management
- Crisis management
- And so much more!
RA training provides a multitude of opportunities to practice skills learned throughout the week. Ideally, you will learn and practice skills that can be applied in nearly any situation.
Yes! PSYC 100 (Interpersonal Skills for Resident Advisers) is a one-credit academic course that all new RAs take in the first 7 weeks of the fall semester.
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Residence Life will register all new RAs for PSYC 100
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There is not a different PSYC class to substitute for PSYC 100 – This course is ONLY for RAs.
RA Duty
Duty will depend on the number of RAs in your rotation and how many RAs sit duty each night.
Yes, duty night exchanges are worked out with the approval of your Hall Director.
RAs do not have office hours or specific times to be available, but it is recommended that RAs spend as much evening and weekend time in the hall as possible in order to interact with residents during the times they are more likely to be in the residence hall.
