Resident Advisor Application Encourage understanding, respect and cooperation among people of all nations Become a leader. Build a global community among residents.
MINIMUM POSITION REQUIREMENTS Must be enrolled and remain in good academic standing in an institutionallysponsored program (graduate program strongly preferred), research initiative, or other scholarly pursuit. Previous residential life, student affairs, or international education strongly preferred. Competency in a foreign language is also desired but not required. BASIC POSITION REQUIREMENTS Residential Advisor positions offer frequent and meaningful interaction with a diverse student population in a variety of settings. Reporting to the Director of Program Development and Engagement and the Leadership and Community Center Manager, each advisor oversees a residential living area of 42 students. Residential Advisors will participate in the on-call rotation, respond to crisis situations, attend weekly staff meetings, counsel students regarding personal and academic concerns, enforce International House policies and community standards, facilitate community building and play a leadership role in program development. Further, each Advisor will collaborate with other IHP departments in areas such as marketing, development, alumni relations, and facility operations. Residential Advisors will have the opportunity to interface with organizational leaders, faculty and staff from a variety of universities, as well as represent the International House Philadelphia in the greater community. COMPENSATION PACKAGE Each Resident Advisor member will receive a majority cost of room coverage compensation package; paying $50 per month for their room rental fee. The value of the room compensation is $840 (based on the long-term room rate for a single room with shared bath and kitchen). Each month, Residential Advisors will be billed $50.00 for room rent, which must be paid by the 10th of each month. Selection Timeline The selection process for Residential Advisor positions begins on April 11th, 2016. Applications with all requested materials and resumes must be completed and sent to Deborah Houda. Group Processes and Interviews will take place during the weeks of May 23rd, June 20th, and July 11th. Candidates are encouraged to keep their schedule available on Thrusday evening, July 14th, for Group Process Night. Successful candidates will be notified by email on Monday, July 25th. Residential Advisor contract begins on August 1st, 2016, and runs through June 1st, 2017. Each Advisor must be available for the entire Fall training session from Thursday, August 25th, through Sunday, August 28th. Those who cannot complete the entire training are not eligible to apply. CONTACT INFORMATION Qualified candidates should submit a completed application (available online at http://ihousephilly.org/student-housing/ resident-life), resume, cover letter and the contact information of three professional references for review. Materials and inquiries should be directed to: Deborah Houda Leadership and Community Center Manager deborah@ihphilly.org
Resident Advisor Job Description Resident Advisor (RA) Responsibilities: Overall responsibilities of a Resident Advisor help to ensure that all residents and overnight guests are warmly welcomed to the International House community, and that their needs are being met to the best ability possible. Resident Advisors create opportunities for people from different cultures and different value systems to meet and live together, and in doing so they encourage understanding, respect, and cooperation among people of all nations. Resident Advisor Responsibilities include but are not limited to: Show presence, availability and involvement in the House Respond to Emergency issues related to the entire House, assisting Staff where and when necessary Respond to Resident issues related to: mediation, conflict resolution, and policy enforcement Follow through on maintenance issues (closets, bathrooms, kitchens, suite area) with Facilities Staff Enforce and abide by House policies Host one suite meeting per month Be on call once a week in the building from 8pm until 8am, completing duties that include: one building round (walk through) in the late evening, and monitoring activities of the Computer Lab and Café during the hours of 8pm to 10pm. Lead 2 Social Hours per year Lead 2 Cultural Celebrations per year Play a leadership role during Welcome Week Be involved in at least one Special Interest Group, e.g., Board of Residents, Conversation Table and the Creative Ensemble Lead at least 1 Educational program during the academic year, e.g., Voices of the House Attend all IHP Cultural Celebrations and major events, e.g., Diwali, Lunar New Year and the Gala Participate in and advocate for spontaneous programs in and outside the building Play a leadership role in the communication with and among residents, and actively participate in the production of IHP s Blog Resident & Language Advisor (RA/LA) Responsibilities: On top of the overall responsibilities of a Resident Advisor, the Resident Advisor & Language Advisor will ensure that all residents and overnight guests are having the necessary linguistic support during their stay at International House Philadelphia. The RA/LA will also help with some of the day to day operations in the Languages Program. Resident & Language Advisor* (RA/LA) Responsibilities: Show presence, availability and involvement in the Languages Program Teach one language course per semester Offer support in the recruitment of qualified volunteer teachers Offer support during teacher orientation sessions prior to the beginning of each semester Offer support in professional development workshops Offer support in the organization of events in the Languages Program *The Resident Advisor & Language Advisor will be excused of some of the Resident Advisor duties in order to work in both positions.
REQUIREMENT & QUALIFICATIONS: Including, but not limited to: Meet all international House residency eligibility requirements as stated in the Housing application. Provide proof of education standing Meet all the terms of their Housing Agreement with International House during their time as an RA, including prompt and full payment of occupancy fees Reside in the U.S. under an F-Visa or a J-Visa (if not a U.S. Citizen or green card holder) Reside in an International House suite of single shared room Additional qualities include: an outgoing, friendly personality excellent interpersonal skills ability to assume a leadership role among the community ability to work as a part of a team conflict resolution and mediation skills preferred good problem solving skills HOURS OF SERVICE: The RAs supervisors, the Director of Development and Engagement and the Leadership and Community Center Manager, must approve in advance any hours in excess of their regularly scheduled hours. (Note: under the terms of an F-Visa or a J-Visa, non-u.s. citizens may not work more than twenty (20) hours per week during the academic year). It is the responsibility of the RA serving under an F-Visa or a J-Visa to ensure that other work on or off-campus, and work at International House Philadelphia, does not exceed twenty (20) hours per week. IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE ACADEMIC YEAR 2016-2017 RESIDENT ADVISOR PROGRAM: Resident Advisor Program starts: Monday, August 1st, 2016 June 1st, 2017. Resident Advisors are required to attend a mandatory orientation and training program beginning on Thursday morning, August 25th, through Sunday, August 28th. In order to build a cohesive RA team, it is essential that all team members be present for all parts of the orientation. Accepted applicants should make no other plans during those days. Trainees, interns and those on co-op placements should request time off from their employer during those dates in order to attend all orientation sessions. The Leadership and Community Center (LEAD) will provide any necessary documentation for your employer in support of this request. Applicants who are not available for the orientation period are not eligible for the program.
For Office Use Only (Do Not Complete Section) LEAD Applicant Name Received Check all that apply: In-House Outside Summer Fall Interviews: first: staff: second: staff: Group Process: Final Decision / Hire: Y / N ALT Address Cell Phone Email Country of Birth Native Language(s) T-Shirt Size Dietary Needs Country of Citizenship Other Languages ACADEMIC Information College or University in Philadelphia Degree Sought: Undergraduate Graduate Doctoral Other Field of Study Length of Program Start Date End Date
PROGRAM-RELATED INFORMATION Check all that apply: I am interested in a summer 2016 RA position only and can be available as of (date) I am interested in a 2016/2017 RA academic year position (August 15, 2016 to June 1, 2017). How did you hear about the RA position (website, resident, another RA please state). ESSAY QUESTIONS (Please attach responses on a separate page) (1) Why do you want to serve as a Resident Advisor? Describe your familiarity with the International House mission? (2) What qualifications and experiences do you have that make you a good candidate for this position? (3) Describe any extracurricular and/or volunteer activities you have been involved with over the past three years, including leadership positions, club memberships, honors, etc. Be specific to share the time commitment you can give to the Resident Advisor position. (4) Describe any international or intercultural living and/or working experiences you have had. What did you learn from those experiences? (5) Describe any experiences of you have had in group process, group facilitation, or team building that you could use as a resource within the RA team and with residents. Please provide the names of two professional (non-family) references (an RA or Resident is strongly encouraged): Reference 1 Name Occupation Telephone # Email Relationship Reference 2 Name Occupation Telephone # Email Relationship Send completed application with attachments to: Deborah Houda Leadership and Community Center Manager deborah@ihphilly.org