Residential Advisors
SOC: 39-9041.00

Description:

Coordinate activities in residential facilities in secondary and college dormitories, group homes, or similar establishments. Order supplies and determine need for maintenance, repairs, and furnishings. May maintain household records and assign rooms. May assist residents with problem solving or refer them to counseling resources.

National Salary Information:

Hourly Statistics:

Annual Statistics:

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2015 wage data.

Employment Projections:

Employment (2014):
103,700 employed

Projected (2024):
117,900 employed

Projected growth (2014-2024)


Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2015 2014-2024 employment projections external site. "Projected growth" represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2014-2024). "Projected job openings" represent openings due to growth and replacement.

Alternate Titles:

  • Area Coordinator
  • Area Director
  • Assistant Dean of Students
  • Assistant Director of Residence Life
  • Assistant Director of Student Activities and Housing
  • Assistant Hall Director
  • Associate Dean of Students
  • Associate Dean of Women
  • Community Educator
  • Coordinator for Fraternity and Sorority Life
  • Cottage Parent
  • Cottage Supervisor
  • Director of Residence Life
  • Dormitory Counselor
  • Dormitory Supervisor
  • Hall Coordinator
  • Hall Director
  • Head Resident
  • House Father
  • House Fellow
  • House Mother
  • House Parent
  • Housefellow
  • Housing and Residence Life Director
  • Housing Assistant
  • Housing Director
  • Program Coordinator for Residence Life
  • Residence Director
  • Residence Hall Director
  • Residence Life Coordinator
  • Residence Life Director
  • Residence Supervisor
  • Resident Advisor
  • Resident Assistant
  • Resident Director
  • Residential Advisor
  • Residential Assistant
  • Residential Counselor
  • Residential Director
  • Residential Life Director
  • Residential Supervisor
  • Shelter Case Manager
  • Sorority Mother
  • Sorority Supervisor
  • Student Development Coordinator
  • Unit Coordinator

    • Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed

    Experience:

    Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.

    Education:

    Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.

    Job Training:

    Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

    Required Skills:

  • Reading Comprehension
  • Active Listening
  • Writing
  • Speaking
  • Mathematics
  • Science
  • Critical Thinking
  • Active Learning
  • Learning Strategies
  • Monitoring
  • Social Perceptiveness
  • Coordination
  • Persuasion
  • Negotiation
  • Instructing
  • Service Orientation
  • Complex Problem Solving
  • Operations Analysis
  • Technology Design
  • Operation Monitoring
  • Operation and Control
  • Troubleshooting
  • Quality Control Analysis
  • Judgment and Decision Making
  • Systems Analysis
  • Systems Evaluation
  • Time Management
  • Management of Financial Resources
  • Management of Material Resources
  • Management of Personnel Resources

    • Knowledge Used:

  • Administration and Management
  • Clerical
  • Economics and Accounting
  • Sales and Marketing
  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Personnel and Human Resources
  • Production and Processing
  • Computers and Electronics
  • Engineering and Technology
  • Building and Construction
  • Mechanical
  • Mathematics
  • Physics
  • Chemistry
  • Biology
  • Psychology
  • Sociology and Anthropology
  • Geography
  • Medicine and Dentistry
  • Therapy and Counseling
  • Education and Training
  • English Language
  • Foreign Language
  • Fine Arts
  • Philosophy and Theology
  • Public Safety and Security
  • Law and Government
  • Telecommunications
  • Communications and Media
  • Transportation

    • Tasks:

  • Enforce rules and regulations to ensure the smooth and orderly operation of dormitory programs.
  • Provide emergency first aid and summon medical assistance when necessary.
  • Mediate interpersonal problems between residents.
  • Administer, coordinate, or recommend disciplinary and corrective actions.
  • Communicate with other staff to resolve problems with individual students.
  • Counsel students in the handling of issues such as family, financial, and educational problems.
  • Make regular rounds to ensure that residents and areas are safe and secure.
  • Observe students to detect and report unusual behavior.
  • Determine the need for facility maintenance and repair, and notify appropriate personnel.
  • Collaborate with counselors to develop counseling programs that address the needs of individual students.
  • Develop program plans for individuals or assist in plan development.
  • Hold regular meetings with each assigned unit.
  • Direct and participate in on- and off-campus recreational activities for residents of institutions, boarding schools, fraternities or sororities, children's homes, or similar establishments.
  • Assign rooms to students.
  • Provide requested information on students' progress and the development of case plans.
  • Confer with medical personnel to better understand the backgrounds and needs of individual residents.
  • Answer telephones, and route calls or deliver messages.
  • Process contract cancellations for students who are unable to follow residence hall policies and procedures.
  • Sort and distribute mail.
  • Supervise the activities of housekeeping personnel.
  • Order supplies for facilities.
  • Supervise students' housekeeping work to ensure that it is done properly.
  • Chaperone group-sponsored trips and social functions.
  • Compile information such as residents' daily activities and the quantities of supplies used to prepare required reports.
  • Accompany and supervise students during meals.
  • Provide transportation or escort for expeditions such as shopping trips or visits to doctors or dentists.
  • Inventory, pack, and remove items left behind by former residents.
  • Develop and coordinate educational programs for residents.
  • Supervise, train, and evaluate residence hall staff, including resident assistants, participants in work-study programs and other student workers.
  • Oversee departmental budget.

    • Tools & Technology:

  • 10-key calculators
  • Automated lock systems
  • Cash drawers
  • Compost bins
  • Computer data input scanners
  • Computer inkjet printers
  • Copy machines
  • Desktop computers
  • Emergency first aid kits
  • First aid ice packs
  • Laptop computers
  • Laser facsimile machines
  • Multiline telephone systems
  • Passenger vans
  • Portable fire extinguishers
  • Smart phones
  • Smoke detectors
  • Staple guns
  • Telephone answering machines
  • Video game consoles
  • Wet-dry vacuums
  • Whiteboards
  • Budgeting software
  • Data entry software
  • Email software
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Word
  • Survey software
  • Web browser software
  • Website development software
  • Word processing software

    • personal care and service

    industry stats

    SOC: 39-0000

    Total Employed: 4,307,500

    Average Annual Salary: $25,650