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Residence Life plays a significant role in the 17�Թ������� student experience. The Residence Life team consists of full-time professional staff and part-time student leaders who work together to uphold the five core commitments within on-campus student housing:

• Residence is a fun, once in a lifetime experience.
• We co-create respectful and inclusive communities of care and concern.
• Residence feels like a home and focuses on the wellbeing of the community.
• We understand the importance of learning, growth, and transformation.
• We take a realistic approach to harm reduction – because we care about people first. Residence Assistants (RAs) are Student Leaders (SL) living and working in our on-campus student housing communities. RAs are members of an integrated team of student leaders and work collaboratively with nightshift Residence Assistants (RAs), Programming Assistants (PAs), and professional staff from Residence Life and DalSafe to support the residence experience.

RAs strive to identify the needs of their communities, while developing educational and curriculum focused programming, initiatives, and responses that address those needs. RAs are student and community-focused, academically supportive and create inclusive experiences for their community. RAs are seen as mentors, peer role models, and support for students. They are adaptable, flexible and team-orientated to adequately respond to the changing and evolving environment of the community.

To remain eligible for the RA position, individuals must:

• Be a full-time student at 17�Թ�������.
• Be able to work within Canada.
• Hold and maintain a minimum GPA of 2.3 in the term prior to RA selection and while holding this role, with no mark below D.
• Disclose all academic practicums, placements, field school, pre-booked travel tickets, etc. as it must be discussed with and approved by the RLM, prior to appointment.

All RAs are required to obtain/sign the following certifications/documents:

• A valid WHMIS training certificate (provided by 17�Թ������� via Brightspace).
• A valid Emergency First Aid and CPR certification (at own expense and scheduling).
• A valid Naloxone certification (we require yearly refreshers, so the date must reflect the active academic year).
• Complete other assigned documents (not limited to the Professional Standards, and Key Usage Agreements) provided by the Residence Life Management Team.

(This list is not limited to the following)

• Leadership
• Emotional Intelligence
• Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
• Communication & Collaboration
• Time Management
• Professionalism & Role Modeling

RA(s): Residence Assistant (live-in) SRA-L(s): Senior Residence Assistant RA(s): Residence Assistant (night-shift) PA(s): Programming Assistant

SL(s): Student Leaders

RLM: Residence Life Manager

RLMT: Residence Life Management Team RRC: Residence Response Coordinator

RCLG: Residence Community Living Guide RCS: Residence Community Standards

RCSM: Residence Community Safety Managers (Security)

DMCRT: 17�Թ������� Medical Campus Response Team

RPM: Residence Programming Manager SST: Student Support Team

General expectations

• Understanding and knowing the SL Performance Standards document (attached below under “Essential Documents”), Residence Agreement, RCLG, Code of Student Conduct, and all other University Policies.
  • Any violations of these documents/policies, along with the role requirements, may result in termination of the appointment.
• Knowing and respecting/observing the RCLG and other university rules and regulations.
• Not participating in using any substances that may lead to impairment (eg. Alcohol, cannabis, and other drugs), while fulfilling role requirements.
• Participating in performance reflections with their assigned RLM.
  • Should there be significant performance or conduct related concerns, the RLMT reserves the ability to end an appointment.
• Communicating with the RLMT regarding any conflict attending mandatory training dates or role requirements.
  • Scheduled dates include: “Important Dates to Note”, April 3rd 2027 Orientation, August 2027 Training, Fall Moe-In and Orientation Days, January 2028 Training, and residence closure support in December 2027 and April 2028.
  • Be available throughout and participate in 17�Թ������� Orientation week.
  • Be available throughout and participate in building closing, end of year, end of semester, and holiday sessions.
• Being physically present in residence for at least 5 nights each week, with any absence of 3 days or more requiring approval by the RLMT.
  • RAs are expected to be present and engaged with their assigned community for the duration of their employment term
• Living in the assigned building in the assigned room and participating in a meal plan for their role.
  • RAs are to move into their assigned space on August 24, 2026, and start training on August 25, 2027, in person on the Halifax campus.
  • RAs are not permitted to share their assigned living space with another person unless prior written authorization is obtained from the Director of Residence Life.
• Attend all mandatory training dates, including having attended the spring session in March.
• Participating in team socials and retreats when scheduled.
• Completing other duties as assigned to support the overall residence community and RLMT.

Administrative tasks and reporting

• Completing appropriate documentation including but not limited to:
  • Phase Reports, The Report, Program Proposal & Reports
• Completing and submitting the Reports and follow-up documentation as required or by request from the RLM; Reports are to be completed right away after the incident or matter of concern.
• Regularly checking eRezLife (or similar software if this changes), Microsoft Teams and 17�Թ������� email at minimum every 24 hours to respond to and communicate with the RLMT in an appropriate timeline.
• Hosting and facilitating regular community meetings for assigned students.
• Attending in person and/or facilitating all scheduled meetings which includes the weekly Monday Night Meetings (MNMs) and one-on-ones with RLMs and SRAs
• Reporting all incidents, activities, circumstances, and conditions in the assigned area and, where applicable, within the entire residence community within 12 hours as directed on eRezLife (or similar software if this changes)
• Reporting all emergency situations as directed (RLM On Duty or Security Services).
• RAs may be asked to complete other duties as assigned to support the overall residence community and RLMT.

Peer support

• Being regularly present and available to students as a live-in student leader.
  • Responding to non-urgent student concerns within a minimum of 24 hours.
  • Knowledgeable about on campus resources and refer students, after consulting with RLMs as needed.
• Providing peer support to students living in residence through appropriate referrals with personal, academic, social, or other problems whenever necessary.
• Escalating high-impact concerns to the building RLM or RLM On Call/DalSafe
• Facilitating proactive roommate agreements through eRezLife (or similar software if this changes), for every applicable room or suite in the residence community upon moving in and regularly checking in on roommate experiences.
• Mediating roommate conflicts and floor issues with students in the residence community, while reporting concerns to the RLM via documentation.
• Completing Community Connections with every student in an assigned community once per phase.
• Practicing healthy boundaries and exercise limits support when interacting with peers.

Community management

• Being regularly present and available to students as a live-in student leader.
  • Respond to non-urgent student concerns within 48 hours.
  • Refer students to academic and wellness services on campus.
• Maintain an “open-door” practice for SLs and residents when in your building and be visible regularly on building floors and in the dining room.
• Role modeling and upholding all sections of the RCLG, Code of Student Conduct, and other University policies.
• Supporting harm reduction education and awareness, including explaining the RCLG within their community, and the five (5) core commitments.
• Encouraging and empowering residents to take an active role in building and managing their own community, i.e. co-facilitating meetings/programs or addressing community issues like noise.
• Promoting academic and lifestyle balance in residence through role modeling and programming.
• Work closely with nightshift RAs to help manage and support the community.
• Intervening in and responding to incidents while in residence; this may include speaking with those involved, collecting information, calling for support and creating necessary reports on eRezLife (or similar software if this changes).
• Being a first responder to resolve and document noise complaints in your community immediately.
• Responding consistently, fairly, and appropriately when incidents occur using restorative approaches to ensure that residents understand the situation and the process for follow-up.
• Completing follow-up conversations with students after incidents have occurred to check in on students’ well-being and help the students identify resources.
• Knocking on doors and canvassing to address community concerns with other SLs and/or professional staff.
• Hosting and facilitating regular community meetings.
• Doing regular community rounds to report any facilities or behavior concerns as a way of tending to community needs.
• Facilitating and upholding a Community Charter that encompasses the values and expectations of the assigned community; engage with all students present to create a written/visual document and have this piece visible to all.
• Facilitating responsive community meetings as needed and directed by an RLM
• Facilitating and participating in restorative meetings, where appropriate or when asked by an RLM.
• Developing a sense of community, sense of belonging, and striving to develop a personal rapport with each resident in the assigned community.
  • Building connections with the custodial, facilities management, Front Desk staff, and other professional personnel that work within the building while creating a bridge between the communities and these groups

Programming and residence education

• Facilitating at least two (2) active socials, two (2) passive socials, two (2) active educationals, and two (2) passive educationals per semester for their communities.
  • RAs are to submit programming proposals at least 14 calendar days (including weekend days) before a scheduled event and must submit a program report within 24 hours after the event has happened.
• Being aware of accessibility considerations, health and safety conditions and practice risk management when planning and implementing programs.
  • Ensuring that students fill out RL Event Liability Waiver on eRezLife (or similar software if this changes), before taking participants off campus.
• Designing programs to create opportunities for engagement and aligning them with the Residence Curriculum. Through this, events will provide 17�Թ������� campus resources, support to students, and identify the needs/wants of the community.
• Designing and printing pamphlets, posters, digital assets, and other promotional materials.
  • Assisting in promotion of key messages, initiatives, campaigns, information, etc. to support students including (but not limited to) Facilities, RL, SST, and the Residence Office.
• Setting up and taking down promotional material before and after programs as required.
• Facilitating events that take place outside of their communities on behalf of, or in concert with, the RLM or RPM.
• Completing a minimum of 12 total Service Leadership Hours - minimum 6hrs per Fall and Winter terms, RLMT will ask for support within residence communities during high impact time periods beyond your other assigned requirements; this will include tasks like harm reduction programming and support of campus partners.
  • Once scheduled it must be completed or it's your responsibility to get it covered

Building operations support

• Being aware of SL response protocols, health and safety conditions and knowing who to contact in the event of an emergency.
• Facilitating fire safety and evacuation in the event of an alarm.
• Executing Residence Life Storm Protocol and working with the RLMT to support the community.
  • All SLs will be expected to be present in their communities during identified emergency weather conditions and provide additional support as directed by the RLM/DalSafe at the time. Duties could include hosting unscheduled programs to engage with students during this period, doing rounds, putting up posters, and maintaining communication with protocol leads. Round updates will be required on the appropriate Teams channel.
• Communicating with students regarding fire safety, personal safety, etc.
• Identifying and reporting unsafe conditions within residence immediately.
• Documenting damages or vandalism and attempting to identify the individual(s) responsible (as needed); and notify RLMs and DalSafe immediately.
• Submitting Maintenance Request Forms and resubmitting as appropriate; continue communication with RLMT with ongoing maintenance concerns.
• Participating in room checks at the end of the Fall Term, and the Winter Term. In buildings like LMP, there will be mid-semester cleaning inspections to do.
• Participating in Welcome Home Hub shifts – All RAs will be assigned regular Welcome Home Hub shifts throughout both Fall and Winter terms; a minimum of 5 scheduled shifts per term (total of a minimum of 10 shifts for the academic year) – RAs may be assigned to a different building other than where they live
  • Regular Shifts: 9pm-2am on Thursday, Fridays and Saturday
  • High Risk Shifts: 10pm-3am on Friday and Saturday (some additional days may be added as needed)
• Failure to attend shifts (on time or at all)
  • Can expect a follow-up from RLM about performance
  • Next step is a written communication/ documentation
  • Final step is conversation about future shifts and employment
• Participating in harm reduction initiatives and community engagement during various High Risk time periods – these dates include periods that are identified by 17�Թ������� as holidays or long weekends (i.e.: Halloween, Homecoming, Munro Day, etc.)
  • RAs will be scheduled and assigned tasks on each of these days, including potential additional Welcome Home Hub shifts (as needed) or Service Leadership Hours, harm reduction programming, and supporting institutional initiatives in our communities and elsewhere on-campus that may be counted as Service Leadership Hours (i.e.: supporting mini-Care Hubs)

Confidentiality and professional standard expectations

• Maintaining, in the strictest confidence, information accessed in the course of employment with 17�Թ�������.
• Reviewing the current Confidentiality Agreement and 17�Թ������� SL Code of Professional Standards documents for additional details.
• Participating in performance follow-up if behavior and performance do not meet the expectations of professional standards and confidentiality; this may result in termination.

• 17�Թ������� Student Leaders in Residence Code of Professional Standards - to be printed and signed by May 31, 2027
• 17�Թ������� Residence Life Confidentiality Agreement - to be printed and signed by May 31, 2027
• 17�Թ������� Residence Key Access Acknowledgement- to be printed and signed by May 31, 2027

Incorporate your past work and volunteer experience into your answers in the online application.

Please note the use of artificial intelligence (AI) is not permitted in the RA application process. If generative AI is detected in your RA application, it will lead to disqualification in the process.

Unfortunately, we are unable to share answers from previous application years. If you wish to keep a copy of your answers from this year, in case you need it in the future, please make sure to save a copy on your own device.

To be considered for a space in residence, either as a Residence Life staff member or a resident, (depending on the outcome of your job application), you need to apply to live in residence.

If you are selected for a Residence Life position, you will then be guaranteed a space in residence. Then, you must also apply to live in Residence through the Residence Office and pay the $50.00 application fee by March 1st, 2027. This can be found by logging into DalOnline and navigating to “Web for Students” and selecting the Residence Application. When you receive your room offer from the Residence Office, you will be asked to pay a $500 deposit, this will be refunded as part of your first instalment of the SL honorarium

We will screen your application against eligibility requirements and invite you to participate in our hiring carousel.

A carousel is a series of short, interactive conversations and scenarios that give candidates the opportunity to share their experiences, perspectives, and approach to supporting students in residence. Candidates will rotate through different stations, meet with members of the hiring team, and engage in activities designed to highlight skills that are important for the RA role.

Option 1: 1:00-4:00pm Saturday, 21 November

Option 2: 1:00-4:00pm Sunday, 22 November

Location information will be communicated with applicants directly.

Unfortunately, we will not be able to move forward with your application in this case

These optional sessions are designed to help you prepare for the Carousel hiring process and learn what to expect. Please attend one session only.

Carousel Prep Sessions will be offered on Wednesday, November 18��at the following times:

• 10 - 11:30 a.m. in McCain Arts & Social Sciences Building room 1002
• 2 - 3:30 p.m. in Kenneth C Rowe Management Building room 5001
• 5 - 6:30 p.m. in Kenneth C Rowe Management Building room 5001

No. Attendance is optional, but highly encouraged for anyone participating in the hiring process. Please attend one session only.

We anticipate that we will be able to begin sending job offers to successful candidates by the first week of December.

These are mandatory in-person job training dates:

• Spring Orientation: Saturday, April 3rd, 2027, 1pm-5pm Room 1028, Kenneth C. Rowe Management Building on Studley Campus, Halifax
• Full team training takes place August 25, 2027, to September 1, 2027, from 9am to 6pm each day on Studley Campus, Halifax
• January Training: 9am to 6pm on the Sunday that residence re-opens in 2028 on Studley Campus, Halifax

Yes, we accept applications from all Dal students. However, experience living in residence at Dal is strongly preferred.

You can find out more on our website here.

Yes. If selected for a position, you will need a Canadian Social Insurance Number (SIN).

While experience living in residence at Dal is strongly preferred, we would be happy to receive your application! As long as you are enrolled at Dal for September of the year which your RA contract begins, you are welcome to apply.

When filling out your application, if you do not have a student number yet, feel free to put a random set of numbers as a place holder when creating an account. You can update the ID to your proper Dal ID once you have it, or you can contact residencelife@dal.ca and we can update it for you.

To be eligible for the RA position, individuals must:

• Be a full-time student at 17�Թ�������.
• Be able to work within Canada.
• Hold and maintain a minimum GPA of 2.3 in the term prior to RA selection and while holding this role, with no mark below D.
• Have completed a minimum of 4 months of 17�Թ������� post-secondary studies or equivalent life experience and previous leadership experience.
• Disclose all academic practicums, placements, field school, pre-booked travel tickets, etc. as it must be discussed with and approved by the RLM, prior to appointment.

Yes. As part of the application process, candidates are asked to disclose whether they have been involved in a process under the Sexualized Violence Policy, the Code of Student Conduct, Residence Community Standards Process, or academic or non-academic misconduct procedures.

Candidates' responses may be verified through the appropriate 17�Թ������� offices as part of the hiring process. Disclosure of past involvement does not automatically disqualify a candidate; information is reviewed within the context of the position and selection process.

We cannot guarantee placement in a specific residence. While we take your application answers into consideration, they may limit your placement and/or ability to be offered a Residence Advisor position. Candidates should be willing and able to accept a position in any residence area that they may be placed into.

Residence Assistants are not permitted to have roommates. You will be assigned a single room in residence.

Yes. Successful applicants are expected to fulfill the full contract period, which runs from August 2027 to April 2028.

The Residence Assistant job training is a full-time, intensive training period. It is recommended that you schedule any other commitments outside of this time.

Residence Assistants are able to take a specified amount of time away during the year. All requests must be approved in advance by the manager.

No. You can be away during reading week. All requests must be approved in advance by your Residence Life Manager.

All staff are able to take time off during the holiday break and are required to work until the day residence closes in December.

Please refer to the applicable job descriptions on this page.

RAs may be able to take on additional employment but must disclose this to their Residence Life Manager.

Unfortunately, one may not hold these positions at the same time. This is due to conflicting role-related responsibilities from late-August to early-September.

If you live in residence, please reach out to your Residence Life Manager, your RA or please email residencelife@dal.ca.