Resident Assistant at UCF: A Comprehensive Guide to the Role

The Resident Assistant (RA) position at the University of Central Florida (UCF) stands as a prominent and recognizable student leadership job. It offers a unique opportunity for students to develop leadership skills, connect with peers, and positively influence the campus community. This comprehensive guide details the RA role, covering responsibilities, qualifications, terms of employment, and the selection process. We are proud to be one of the largest student employers at the University of Central Florida. Our team offers a variety of opportunities for students to build leadership skills, connect with peers, and make an impact on campus.

Core Responsibilities and Expectations

The RA position is a live-in role, where you are responsible for facilitating a positive community among residents, promoting a safe and comfortable living environment, and serving as a departmental and university representative and role model, all while living in a department assigned unit within a DHRL community. Residential Community Residence life staff provide programs and initiatives that promote student success and well-being. The core focus of our work is connected to the Student Success and Well-Being curriculum. It is expected that RAs will develop positive relationships with each student on their floor and create a sense of belonging in their community.

Key responsibilities include:

Community Building: The RA will be responsible for building a strong community on the floor/building and within the community. This involves developing positive relationships with each student and fostering a sense of belonging.
Facilitating Conversations: Knight to Knight Conversations: One-on-one conversations that RAs facilitate with their residents.
Conflict Resolution: Conflict Mediation: Schedule and facilitate mediations and roommate agreements promptly with residents.
Promoting Engagement: Area Council/RHA: Promote resident engagement in area councils and the Residence Hall Association.
Communication: RAs are responsible for responding to communications as directed by their supervisor.
Duty Responsibilities: RAs are expected to serve on duty year-round, including University holidays, closures, and academic breaks (i.e., winter recess, spring break, and severe/inclement weather). Duty includes, but is not limited to: office hours, rounds (internal and external), lockouts, work orders, and incident response. Weekend Duty: RAs are required to work a predetermined number of 24-hour weekend duty shifts Friday at 4:45 pm to Saturday at 5:00 pm and Saturday at 4:45 pm to Sunday at 5:00 pm. University and Holiday Closure Duty: RAs must be available to work irregular hours, university holidays, university breaks, university weather-related closures, special events, and residence hall opening and closing. RAs must be available to work on-campus before and after the regular academic year cycle. RAs may be required to work during university holidays and closures.
Additional Tasks: Other Duties as Assigned: Other tasks, duties, or expectations may be required by the supervisor(s) or department.

Terms of Employment and Conduct

Maintaining a high standard of conduct is crucial for RAs. Key expectations include:

Substance Use: Alcohol and Other Drugs: If an RA is in possession of, or under the influence of, alcohol (under the age of 21), drugs, illegal substances, and/or any prescription medication that was not prescribed to them, they will be immediately released from their position and referred to the Office of Student Conduct/UCF Police Department.
Confidentiality: Confidentiality/Privacy: RAs must keep all personal information about residents, and other sensitive information private in accordance with FERPA. RAs must not share information about residents or incidents with parents, family members, students, or anyone who is not affiliated with the University. If the RA has questions about specific situations, the RA must discuss it with their supervisor before disclosing any information.
Professional Attire: Attire: While working, RAs are required to wear a department-issued polo or T-Shirt with DHRL logo, appropriate shorts/pants/skirts, name tag, and closed-toed shoes. The RA will be provided with departmental apparel; it is the RA’s responsibility to keep it in good condition.
Appropriate Use of Electronic Media: Electronic Media: All social media and other electronic means of communication are representations of RAs and the overall department.
Media Representation: Media: RAs are not authorized to represent or disseminate statements, positions, or policies of UCF DHRL to any media outlet including campus news. This includes engaging in activity on social media, blogging, or speaking with/responding to inquiries from media outlets. While the RA is free to express their personal opinion, the RA must take reasonable steps to ensure that the expression is recognized by potential recipients as their opinion and not a representation of UCF DHRL.
Adherence to Regulations: All RAs must demonstrate the ability to abide by university regulations, state, and federal laws. The RA must remain in good conduct standing (as determined by DHRL) from the offer date and throughout employment to remain qualified for the RA position. Any prior violations/conduct cases will be reviewed during the application process and eligibility will be determined by the Assistant Director for Residential Conduct and the Associate Director for Residence Life.

Academic Requirements

As a student leader, academics should be the top priority. Following academics, the RA position should be the top non-academic priority. The RA’s supervisor will work with the RA to make reasonable accommodations for the RA’s academic commitments. All DHRL employees are subject to a background check.

Specific academic requirements include:

Enrollment Status: To hold the RA position, the RA must be a currently enrolled UCF student with full-time student status as defined by the University, which is no less than 12 undergraduate credits. Full-time student status can be achieved through a combination of enrollment at UCF and Valencia or another college/university with approval from the Assistant Director of Residence Life and Education. The RA must have the Assistant Director for Residence Life and Education’s approval to drop below the class registration requirement for one semester during their employment period with DHRL. Summer class registration is not required for summer employment if the RA is enrolled in the subsequent Fall semester.
Credit Hours: Credits: The RA must have completed 24 credit hours by the RA’s employment start date. government throughout the duration of the RA’s employment is required by the University. Any international student hired to be a RA should consult with UCF Global to verify employment eligibility and status.
Good Academic Standing: This is a student leadership position and demonstrating academic progress is expected. The RA must remain in good academic standing with the university during employment. Grade checks will be conducted by the Coordinator of Selection in Summer, Fall, and Spring semesters.
GPA Requirement: All RAs must hold and maintain a minimum 2.50 overall cumulative GPA at the time of job offer and throughout employment. If the RA’s semester GPA drops below 2.50, the RA will be placed on Academic Warning for the following semester of employment. If the RA’s overall cumulative GPA drops below 2.50, the RA will be placed on Academic Probation for the next semester of the RA’s employment. Any repeat of dropping below a cumulative 2.50 GPA will result in immediate termination of the RA’s contract. RAs will be given two weeks to complete grade changes.

The Selection Process

The selection process is designed to identify students who possess the skills and qualities necessary to succeed as an RA. A required component of the Resident Assistant Application is to view the above information session in its entirety. This information session will review the RA position, application process, interview process, give further clarification on the hiring process. Live Q&A Sessions with both in person and live-streamed options.

The typical steps include:

Application: Complete the online application, including providing references. References should be individuals (not relatives) who can speak to your leadership, teamwork, or customer service skills. At least one UCF-affiliated reference is preferred (e.g., professor, advisor, current RA).
Group Process (GP): If you are selected to move forward after the review of your application, this is the next step. Group process is a 2-hour time block (you get to choose) and you will work in a group of other candidates to complete tasks related to the role.
Individual Interview: If you are selected to move forward after the GP, you will then be extended a 1-hour interview (time chosen by you) with two of our professional staff members. Time: Candidate should arrive be prepared at least 15 minutes prior to their scheduled time to check in and get prepared. Attire: This is a job interview, so all candidates should dress appropriately and turn off their cell phones. Business casual or UCF spirit attire is encouraged.

Important Dates

You will be notified on January 19th , 2026 if offered an interview. The candidate will sign up for one individual interview on February 2nd or 3rd, 2026. There will also be a second-round group interview held the week of February 16th.

Hiring Decision

Hired: The candidate demonstrated they were an excellent fit for the position.
Alternate: The candidate was outstanding, but due to a limited number of vacancies, a hire offer was not able to be extended.
No Hire: The candidate will not be extended a hire nor an alternate offer.

Compensation and Benefits

The RA position offers several benefits, including:

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Private Bedroom: Each RA position comes with a private bedroom. You can indicate community preferences on the application, and they are considered when possible.
Stipend: RAs receive a stipend for their work.
Valuable Experience: The role provides valuable leadership and professional development opportunities.

Time Commitment and Work-Life Balance

Being an RA requires a significant time commitment. RAs average 15-20 hours per week, though some weeks may be lighter or heavier depending on community needs. A weekly staff meeting (approx. It is a significant time commitment, but many students balance RA responsibilities with academics and other commitments successfully. Our philosophy is: You are a person first, a student second, and an RA third.

Typical time commitments include:

Office Hours: Weekdays (Sun-Thurs): 4:45pm-8pm in the office, assisting residents (lockouts, check-ins, rounds, incidents).
On-Call Duty: Weekends & Holidays: On-call 24 hours (4:45pm-4:45pm).

Balancing the RA Role with Academics and Personal Life

As a student leader, academics should be the top priority, followed by the RA position as the top non-academic priority. The RA’s supervisor will work with the RA to make reasonable accommodations for the RA’s academic commitments. Yes, with approval from the DHRL leadership team, and as long as the outside job does not exceed 15 hours per week.

Additional Opportunities within DHRL

The Department of Housing and Residence Life employs Conference Assistants (CA) to work with the conference groups that reside in the UCF residence halls and apartments during the Summer. The CA position is a ‘live in’ position that requires the CA to live in an assigned on-campus efficiency for the summer. The CA is responsible for assisting with the functioning of the conference program, including: assisting with group logistics, promoting a safe and comfortable building environment, providing excellent customer service, and serving as a departmental and university role model. CAs are expected to work an average of 20 hours per week.

Conference Assistant (CA) Role

The Housing Conferences Services (HCS) Program provides a valuable service for the university as we partner with other departments, as well as the community, in order to reach out and provide educational ‘live-in’ opportunities for various camps and conferences. This also serves to utilize the facilities in order to generate revenue for the department, as HCS operates out of communities that would otherwise be mostly unoccupied for the summer term (Libra, Apollo, Lake Claire, and Nike).Our program is designed to provide a safe, clean, and inclusive housing environment for the conference guests while delivering professional services. This will create a positive impact on potential UCF students as well as the community.

Read also: The Cost of Non-Resident Education

CA Selection and Requirements:

The department will consider candidates for interviews based upon application information and qualifications. Records such as GPA, class standing, and university records are used in this process. All new hires will be subject to a background check. All hires are dependent on a clear background check. Any serious concerns brought to the attention of the Department of Housing and Residence Life by means of a background check could prevent official hire. All CA hires must maintain a 2.5 GPA throughout employment. Summer class enrollment is not required. If choosing to enroll in summer classes, no more than 6 credits are recommended.

CA Responsibilities:

Leadership: CAs are expected to be the presence of leadership within the building.
Team Partnering: The CA is expected to work with staff members to partner on conference logistics.
Duty: Duty requires that the CA staff are able to observe safety and security risks in the community, document written reports, operate radios and phones, appropriately respond according to departmental protocols, and complete a visual inspection of the community (rounds). Typically, each CA will be on duty one night per week (Sunday-Thursday) and have approximately four to six weekend shifts during the Summer, depending on the needs of business (Friday-Sunday). the following morning (Sunday-Thursday). Sunday. CA’s are not required to sit in the office during Weekend duty, but are required to complete two sets of rounds.
Check-Ins/Outs: Conference Assistants are responsible for working Miscellaneous shifts, such as check ins and check outs of the conference guests. These shifts are assigned 1-2 weeks in advance based on class schedules, and are evenly divided among the CA team.
Breaks and Holidays: Conference attendees are living in the halls the entire Summer. Therefore, some CAs will be on duty during breaks and holidays.
Residence Requirements: CAs must reside in the accommodation no later than 3:00am each night. If unable, CAs will be required to request “Knights Away”.
Administrative Tasks: Additional Requirements: CAs are required to complete other administrative tasks including but not limited to the following: room inventory forms, room checks, damage reports, incident reports, and key inventories. While serving in the CA role, staff will be expected to lift boxes, arrange furniture, place linen, walk stairwells and corridors, and perform other miscellaneous duties.

CA Application Process:

All qualified candidates will complete the online application on eRezLife. Please be accurate in all of your application information. Application for Housing: The CA online application has nothing to do with your intended application for future housing with the Department of Housing and Residence Life. If you wish to still live on campus in the event you are not offered a CA position, you will need to follow those procedures in place for those separate processes. You will be notified on January 19th , 2026 if offered an interview. The candidate will sign up for one individual interview on February 2nd or 3rd, 2026. There will also be a second-round group interview held the week of February 16th. Time: It is strongly encouraged that on the day of the actual interview, the candidate should be ready for their interview at least 15 minutes before it starts. If performing a virtual interview, candidates should ensure their technology is working prior to it.

Housing Ambassador

Lead housing tours during Open House dates. The selection process for the Housing Ambassador position generally takes place each spring, but positions are filled as needed every semester. The first step of the process will be filling out an online application. Please refer to this page for updates.

Office Assistant (OA)

An OA is a student employee for the Department of Housing and Residence Life who works at the front desk in each of the community offices. An OA is responsible for greeting and assisting students, parents, and guests with their concerns and assisting with the day-to-day operations of the community office. All application files will be reviewed and all candidates will be contacted, in regards to whether or not they are offered an interview. Not all applicants will be offered an interview. Applications will be available as needed at ucf.erezlife.com.

The RA Experience: A Personal Perspective

Working for the Department of Housing and Residence Life at the University of Central Florida is more than a job - it’s a commitment to personal growth and pro… This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at UCF chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus. In January 2024, I was hired as a Resident Assistant at UCF’s Rosen College Apartments. I took the opportunity blindly, thinking, how hard could being an RA be? Turns out, it’s a lot more difficult - and rewarding - than I expected. Over this past year, the RA role has taught me more than any job I have ever held, all while challenging me in ways I never anticipated.

The Perks

Let’s start with the perks of being an RA and what you might already know about the role. I live in an apartment by myself, completely free of charge, which is something that I think every college student dreams of. I also get paid a stipend (although it isn’t great), which allows me to support myself and my cat. This role also gives me valuable experience that I can carry into future jobs, even if they aren’t directly related to student success and well-being.

The Challenges

Being an RA means having to go through constant training. developmental training. This can be incredibly draining, especially since sometimes you must move into a new space after a long day of training sessions. On top of those training pieces, I must attend one in-service training day each month. While this time can be incredibly exhausting and frustrating, it is the perfect opportunity to bond with your staff and learn essential skills valuable to the RA role and your personal life. Some of my best stories come from training days, and despite the exhaustion, I’ve had some of the most fun moments of my RA experience during them.

Your Residents:

As an RA, my residents are my number one priority. This means that I’m expected to try my best to connect with each and every one of them on my floor. This can be hard, especially at the Rosen campus, because - like every other college student - they’re busy! Between my already jampacked schedule and theirs, trying to find a time to connect with your residents can be frustrating, especially when upper housing staff constantly reminds me to do so. However, it’s incredibly rewarding when I can connect with and assist my residents. I have encountered residents who have faced situations that many of us can’t even imagine. I love it when residents can see me as more of a friend than an RA, though this can create issues when it’s time to lay down the rules. Even if you want to be ‘the cool RA,’ sometimes you must be serious and strict with your residents. Whether confronting them for noise violations, underage drinking, or addressing roommate issues, your residents might not like you in the end, and that’s something you need to learn to accept.

Becoming the Middleman:

There will be times when upper housing implements policies that your residents may disagree with. Most of the time, you will be the one to tell your residents about these policies. The only way I have been able to overcome this challenge is by remembering that they’re people, too. Residents are often just overwhelmed college students who want a comfortable place to live. When they are told that the roommate who’s making their life miserable can’t be kicked out, it’s no surprise they will have some strong emotions. You’re also the first point of contact during emergencies. If you’re on call and a situation arises, you are sometimes one of the first people on the scene. During my first month as an RA, I still remember discovering a massive flood that overtook nearly the entire first-floor hallway of one of our buildings. It was a very scary experience and taught me a lot about quick thinking and problem-solving.

It’s Not Just a Job, It’s a Lifestyle:

The role of an RA is not a job you simply clock in and out of - it’s a job that slowly blends into your life. My coworkers quickly become my friends, and my apartment becomes my office. It’s a job that, if you’re not careful, can slowly blend into your personal life, and before you know it, you’re overwhelmed trying to balance work, school, and your personal life all at once. While this can be challenging, it has taught me valuable lessons in time management and setting boundaries between school, work, and personal life.

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