Resident Assistant Selection: Academic Year 2024-2025

The online application can be found in your DataVU.  Once in Data VU, log into your Housing Self Service.  Under the Application dropdown, you will see the RA application, Resident Assistant Job Application (Spring 2024). The application consists of three steps: Resident Assistant Position Description Review, General Information, and Discussion Questions.

You will complete the Resident Assistant Position Description Review and General Information Application in your Student Self-Service. Following the completion of these parts, you will receive a confirmation e-mail and be provided the link to a google form where you will complete the Discussion Questions.

If you are interested in Sorority Housing Complex staff position, please contact Shelby Hanselman at shelby.hanselman@valpo.edu. Additional note regarding sorority housing: If you sign up to live in sorority housing during room selection for the 2024-25 academic year, you will no longer be eligible for the RA position. 

Resident Assistant Position Overview 2024-2025

German House Resident Assistant Position Overview 2024-2025

Available Applications:

• New Resident Assistant (application due Monday, January 22, 2024, at 5 pm)
• Returning Resident Assistant (application due Monday, January 8, 2024, at 5 pm)

Your room will be provided with a 100% discount off the current rate for the building to which you have been assigned, as space permits. 

This room will be provided during the length of your employment. You are required to complete a Housing Agreement form and are subject to all conditions outlined in the agreement regardless of your employment status.  A stipend will be paid in the amount of $1200 per semester (semesters 1-2) or $1300 per semester (semesters 3+) unless otherwise noted in your appointment letter. This stipend is subject to review each semester in accordance with the merit salary guidelines as printed in the current Resident Assistant Manual, and final approval of the Director of Residential Life.

Thank you for your interest in the Resident Assistant position in the Office of Residential Life. Below you will find the timeline of events related to the application process and selection process.

Below you will find the timeline of events related to the application process and selection process.

Individual Interview

After a review of candidate applications and discussion question responses, applicants who we feel will be successful RA candidates will be offered the opportunity to interview with members of the Residential Learning Coordinator team. Should a candidate be invited to participate in the individual interview, candidates are interviewed on an individual basis by a panel of current Residential Learning Coordinators. During this interview, candidates will be asked a variety of questions assessing their knowledge of the Resident Assistant position and the skills and abilities each candidate possesses. There will be anywhere from one to three Residential Learning Coordinators present, please be prepared to speak with a small group of current professional staff members during the interview.

If offered an interview, you will be e-mailed with instructions to sign up for a 30-minute individual interview. Individual interviews will take place from Thursday, February 8 – Wednesday, February 14, 2024.

Group Process

RA group process is a 1-2 hour session where you participate in activities with groups of other students. Group process is another formal part of the selection process and is mandatory for you to attend if you wish to be considered for the RA position. Group process is a time where we are able to observe you interacting with other candidates. This portion of the process gives insight into teamwork, leadership, and critical thinking as current RLCs observe the small groups.

Please save the Group Process date in your calendar (Friday, February 23, 2024).  Those selected to move onto Group Process will receive an email on Friday, February 16 specifying the directions on registering for a time. Candidates will have until Monday, February 19, 2024, at 5 pm to register.

Thank you for your interest in becoming a German House Resident Assistant in the Office of Residential Life. The Kade-Duesenberg German House brings the education German majors and minors receive into their living environment through an intensive immersion program. The RA position within the German House uniquely works with both the Office of Residential Life and the German faculty.

Additionally, we encourage any interested students to meet with their German faculty and Katie Bye, Director of Residential Life, to discuss the position.

Below you will find the timeline of events related to the application process and selection process.

Individual Interview

After a review of candidate applications and discussion question responses, applicants who we feel will be successful RA candidates will be offered the opportunity to interview with members of the Residential Learning Coordinator team. Should a candidate be invited to participate in the individual interview, candidates are interviewed on an individual basis by a panel of current Residential Learning Coordinators. During this interview, candidates will be asked a variety of questions assessing their knowledge of the Resident Assistant position and the skills and abilities each candidate possesses. There will be anywhere from one to three Residential Learning Coordinators present, please be prepared to speak with a small group of current professional staff members during the interview.

If offered an interview, you will be e-mailed with instructions to sign up for a 30-minute individual interview. Individual interviews will take place from Thursday, February 8 – Wednesday, February 14, 2024.

Group Process

RA group process is a 1-2 hour session where you participate in activities with groups of other students. Group process is another formal part of the selection process and is mandatory for you to attend if you wish to be considered for the RA position. Group process is a time where we are able to observe you interacting with other candidates. This portion of the process gives insight into teamwork, leadership, and critical thinking as current RLCs observe the small groups.

Please save the Group Process date in your calendar (Friday, February 23, 2024).  Those selected to move onto Group Process will receive an email on Friday, February 16 specifying the directions on registering for a time. Candidates will have until Monday, February 19, 2024, at 5 pm to register.

Frequently Asked Questions

Interview Tips

We encourage all RA candidates to utilize resources available through the Career and Alumni Network. In addition, the Career and Alumni Network will be hosting an Interview Workshop on Wednesday, Jan 17 at 6PM in the Harre Union’s Career Center.

To help you prepare for the selection process, listed below are some ideas to reflect upon before your interview:

• What is your concept of the RA position and knowledge of the job expectations?
• What is your attitude toward the RA position, the benefits of residence hall living, and helping students?
• RAs create experiences and activities on their floor and in the hall. Why are these experiences and activities important? What are some ideas that you have?
• Why do you feel you would be a good RA? What are your strengths and areas of improvement?
• RAs act as referral sources for other residents. How much knowledge of the University do you have? Examples?
• RAs are required to enforce University and residence hall policies. What is your attitude towards policy enforcement? How would you handle this aspect of the job?
• Be able to discuss your leadership capabilities.
• Be able to discuss the impact the job would have on your studies and current extracurricular activities.
• Be familiar with the job description.

Other interviewing tips:

• Read the job description on the Residential Life website so that you are very familiar with the position and its requirements.
• Attend an information session.
• Set up a meeting with your Residential Learning Coordinator (RLC) to talk about the position.
• Spend time talking with current RAs about what their job entails.
• Dress neatly and be on time for your interview.
• Be sure to answer all questions with more than a “yes” or “no.” Hall Staff want to hear what you think.
• Be yourself!

Summer Resident Position Application can be found on the Student Life Summer Employment Application. Applications go live on January 15, 2024 and are due on March 22, 2024 and interviews will take place on Thursday, April 4 and Friday, April 5 between 1-5pm.

Position Description

Please remember to be checking your Valparaiso University e-mail account through the Summer RA selection process. Your university email will be our primary form of communication and you will receive important emails and updates related to the process.

If you have any questions about the positions or the selection process, feel free to contact Residential Life at reslife@valpo.edu.

Thank you again for your interest, and good luck throughout the selection process!