JSA’s Mission:

Junior State of America prepares a diverse community of high school students to participate in our democracy. We offer hands-on, student-led civic programs designed to activate the talents of young people, instilling values of respect and understanding, and inspiring them to be a new generation of American leaders.

The Junior State of America is looking for resident advisors to provide administrative program support and supervision along with mentoring and academic guidance to a talented group of high school students from across the nation.

Position Overview:

The Resident Advisor (RA) is a live-in position. RAs are responsible for creating and maintaining emotionally and physically safe and secure residential communities. RAs are called upon to effectively respond to and manage a variety of crises and emergencies. Full time JSA staff in collaboration with RAs are advocates for an inclusive environment and community through understanding, enhancing, promoting, and celebrating the uniqueness of our student residents and department staff. The position requires a positive attitude towards RA responsibilities and the mission of JSA.

By facilitating a safe and healthy environment, the RA supports the intellectual and emotional development of students. The RA position is one that requires dedication, flexibility, commitment, time management, emotional regulation, and enthusiasm, as RAs are required to respond to changing needs and situations.

In these roles, RAs gain a variety of skills and are integral to the success of the program. RAs should not make additional academic or employment commitments during the period of their summer program. Training for the position will take place virtually before the in-person program begins, and during Staff Orientation onsite. 

Given the nature of the work, we seek strong applicants that demonstrate organization, emotional intelligence, self-awareness, approachability, and a sense of humor!

The following reflects management’s definition of essential functions for this job but does not restrict the tasks that may be assigned. Responsibilities are not listed in any particular order of importance or significance.

Essential Duties

• Support the development of community and a sense of ownership and responsibility among the residents by exerting effort to understand the residents, understand the needs and interests of the community, and create a welcoming atmosphere in the area including, but not limited to, bulletin boards, door decorations, and welcome decorations.
• Design and implement social and educational supplemental experiences that respond to the needs of the community.
• Be available to respond to after-hours or weekend emergencies as needed without prior notice. Perform “on call” duty responsibilities, respond to resident crises and medical emergencies, and assist students, staff, and other authorized personnel in resolving emergencies.
• Be available, visible, and responsive to the program participants.
• Assist with roommate disagreements and community conflict, mediating conflict as necessary.
• Promote a safe and healthy environment using a team approach.
• Assist with the opening and closing of programs/campus housing and the room change process.
• Support the mission of JSA and encourage the development of leadership skills among the residents by facilitating democratic decision-making among the students.
• Promote, uphold, and enforce federal, state, and local laws, JSA, and campus standards of conduct
• Proactively provide resources to residents and address issues that have the potential to become behavioral problems in the community.
• Serve as a support for residents as they work to understand their student rights and responsibilities in the living/learning community.
• Serve as a role model to students through high standards of personal and professional conduct.
• Maintain and uphold standards of strict confidentiality.

The position requires evening and weekend work.

Qualifications: 

• Be available to live in assigned program housing for the duration of assigned program
• Be able to develop and maintain professional and collaborative relationships with students and other staff and faculty
• Be proficient with Google Suite (email, calendar, drive, etc.) 
• Be excellent at multitasking and demonstrated organizational skills with an emphasis on attention to detail 
• Able to handle requests from students, teachers and parents
• Have good judgment with the ability to make timely and sound decisions
• All candidates must be able to pass a background check before hire

Travel: You may be asked to travel to our program sites, and you may be asked to travel during the program itself. You will need to have the proper identification required to travel by commercial airline. 

Compensation and Benefits:

Compensation is a one time stipend paid at the completion of the program. Stipend amounts vary by program. 

All interested candidates should complete this application form: ---------