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Residential Advisors Occupation Detailed Description

Residential Advisors career

General Job Description and Education/Training Levels for Residential Advisors

The main tasks and work activities of Residential Advisors are to enforce rules or regulations, administer first aid, mediate disputes, communicate with management or other staff to resolve problems. In general, for the Residential Advisors, social Perceptiveness, active Listening, monitoring, speaking and other 12 skills are required.
Residential Advisors Job Description
EducationMost occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Related ExperiencePrevious 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.
Job TrainingEmployees 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.
ExampleThese occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include hydroelectric production managers, travel guides, electricians, agricultural technicians, barbers, court reporters, and medical assistants.
The following chart shows the education/training levels for Residential Advisors jobs. 1.45% of Residential Advisors have High School Diploma (or the equivalent) and 40.98% of Residential Advisors have Bachelor's Degree and Above.
Less than a High School Diploma
7.32%
High School Diploma (or the equivalent)
1.45%
Post-Secondary Certificate
0.00%
Some College Courses
50.25%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
0.00%
Bachelor's Degree and Above
40.98%

Tasks and Work Activities of Residential Advisors

  • 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.
  • Assisting and Caring for OthersProviding personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
  • Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkDeveloping specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
  • Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsDeveloping constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesProviding information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and EventsIdentifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
  • Getting InformationObserving, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Monitor Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsMonitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
  • Making Decisions and Solving ProblemsAnalyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Documenting/Recording InformationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
  • Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsUsing relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
  • Enforce rules or regulations.
  • Administer first aid.
  • Mediate disputes.
  • Communicate with management or other staff to resolve problems.
  • Provide counsel, comfort, or encouragement to individuals or families.
  • Monitor environment to ensure safety.
  • Monitor patron activities to identify problems or potential problems.
  • Inspect facilities.
  • Develop plans for programs or services.
  • Develop educational or training programs.
  • Organize recreational activities or events.
  • Assign resources or facilities to patrons or employees.
  • Perform administrative or clerical tasks.
  • Prepare administrative documents.
  • Deliver items.
  • Supervise service workers.
  • Order materials, supplies, or equipment.
  • Accompany individuals or groups to activities.
  • Maintain client information or service records.
  • Provide escort or transportation.

Skills and Abilities for Residential Advisors

  • Social PerceptivenessBeing aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
  • Active ListeningGiving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • MonitoringMonitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
  • SpeakingTalking to others to convey information effectively.
  • CoordinationAdjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  • Critical ThinkingUsing logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • Time ManagementManaging one's own time and the time of others.
  • Service OrientationActively looking for ways to help people.
  • NegotiationBringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.
  • PersuasionPersuading others to change their minds or behavior.
  • Judgment and Decision MakingConsidering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
  • Complex Problem SolvingIdentifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
  • Reading ComprehensionUnderstanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
  • Active LearningUnderstanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
  • WritingCommunicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
  • Problem SensitivityThe ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
  • Oral ExpressionThe ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
  • Oral ComprehensionThe ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • Speech ClarityThe ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
  • Speech RecognitionThe ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
  • Deductive ReasoningThe ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
  • Written ComprehensionThe ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
  • Inductive ReasoningThe ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
  • Written ExpressionThe ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
  • Near VisionThe ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  • Information OrderingThe ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
  • Far VisionThe ability to see details at a distance.
  • Selective AttentionThe ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
  • Desktop calculatore.g. 10-key calculators
  • Security or access control systemse.g. Automated lock systems
  • Cash or ticket boxese.g. Cash drawers
  • Compostere.g. Compost bins
  • Scannerse.g. Computer data input scanners
  • Inkjet printerse.g. Computer inkjet printers
  • Photocopierse.g. Copy machines
  • Desktop computerse.g. Desktop computers
  • Emergency medical services first aid kitse.g. Emergency first aid kits
  • Therapeutic heating or cooling pads or compresses or packse.g. First aid ice packs
  • Notebook computerse.g. Laptop computers
  • Laser fax machinee.g. Laser facsimile machines
  • Special purpose telephonese.g. Multiline telephone systems
  • Minivans or vanse.g. Passenger vans
  • Fire extinguisherse.g. Portable fire extinguishers
  • Mobile phonese.g. Smart phones
  • Smoke detectorse.g. Smoke detectors
  • Staple gunse.g. Staple guns
  • Answering machinese.g. Telephone answering machines
  • Portable computer gaming consolee.g. Video game consoles
  • Customer and Personal ServiceKnowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
  • Administration and ManagementKnowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
  • Public Safety and SecurityKnowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
  • Education and TrainingKnowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
  • English LanguageKnowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  • Sociology and AnthropologyKnowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.
  • ClericalKnowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
  • Personnel and Human ResourcesKnowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.
  • Therapy and CounselingKnowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.
  • PsychologyKnowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
  • Communications and MediaKnowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
  • Computers and ElectronicsKnowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
  • Law and GovernmentKnowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.