Non-Represented, Resident Advisor

About The College

Whatcom Community College (WCC) is a public associate and applied baccalaureate degree granting institution with an accomplished faculty and staff who serve 7,604 students annually on its beautiful 72-acre campus in Bellingham, Washington.

Whatcom offers transfer degrees, applied baccalaureate degrees, professional and technical training programs, basic education, job skills, and community and continuing education classes. Programs and courses are offered through in-person, hybrid, and online modalities to promote access for a diverse student population.

The College is committed to equal opportunity and believes diversity of experiences and cultures enrich our campus community. The College is accredited by The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. For more information about WCC, please visit www.whatcom.edu

About Our Community

Whatcoms campus is located in Bellingham (population 95,960). Bellingham showcases a strong commitment to education and is regularly rated on "best of the Northwest" lists. Bellingham is midway between Seattle, WA and Vancouver, B.C. Canada.

The city is surrounded by the rural landscape of Whatcom County (population 226,850), which is home to a thriving network of farms and scenic wilderness. As you explore our community, youll discover historic neighborhoods, waterfront cities, farmlands and mountain towns all within a few dozen miles of each other. Bellingham and Whatcom County are known for their outdoor activities. Whether your idea of fun is visiting galleries, watching live theater, kayaking, hiking, snowboarding, or unwinding with a good book, youll love Bellingham and Whatcom County. To learn more about Bellingham, please visit: http://www.bellingham.org

General Description of Work

Position Title: Resident Advisor (RA)

Classification: Non-Represented

FTE: RAs work 19 hours per week, the maximum allowed for student employees during the academic year. No other paid on-campus employment is permitted.

Schedule: See Time Commitment Section

FLSA Status: Overtime Eligible

Grant Funded: No

Job Summary

The Residence Life program is committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and supportive living-learning environment where all students can thrive. The Housing and Residence Life Education Program fosters a dynamic residential experience by encouraging students to build meaningful connections, engage with their peers, and contribute to a welcoming and respectful community.

Resident Advisors (RAs) support residents academic and personal development, build community through intentional engagement and educational programming, and help create a culture grounded in inclusion, respect, sustainability, and shared accountability. RAs recognize and value each students unique identity, background, and experiences while helping residents develop the skills and confidence to navigate community living.

Through relationship-building, community engagement, conflict support, and collaboration with Residence Life staff, RAs help create a residential community where students feel a sense of belonging, connection, and responsibility to themselves and one another.

Reporting Structure/Supervisory Relationship

• These positions report to the Program Coordinator for Residence Life.

Responsibilities

Essential Functions

Administrative and Community Operations

• Supports the day-to-day operation of Cedar Hall by responding to resident needs, following up on maintenance requests, assisting with front desk operations, and communicating concerns to Residence Life staff.

• Completes required housing processes, including pre-move-in inspections, move-out/unit inspections, and other assigned community or facility inspections.

• Welcomes and orients new residents to Cedar Hall, community living expectations, Residence Life resources, policies, and procedures.

• Maintains accurate and timely documentation, including maintenance follow-up, program documentation, incident reports, and other required records.

Community Development and Resident Support

• Builds and maintains positive, professional relationships with residents through regular interaction, intentional engagement, floor meetings, and community activities.

• Fosters a welcoming, inclusive, and respectful residential community that encourages connection, involvement, and shared responsibility.

• Facilitates opportunities for residents to establish community standards and develop a sense of belonging and accountability.

• Supports residents academic, personal, and social development by providing intentional engagement, connecting residents with appropriate campus and community resources, and encouraging participation in opportunities that contribute to student success.

• Recognizes and responds appropriately to individual and community needs, including periods of increased stress, academic challenges, personal difficulties, or other circumstances that may affect a residents well-being.

• Collaborates with Residence Life staff and campus partners to support resident success, community engagement, advocacy, and educational initiatives.

Educational Programming

• Plans, coordinates, and facilitates ongoing educational, social, and community-building programs, including Residence Life orientation, based on the identified needs and interests of residents.

• Engages residents in planning and implementing programs and connects programming to topics such as community engagement, health and wellness, academic success, inclusion, and campus resources.

• Develops effective promotional materials and completes required program proposals, assessments, and reports.

• Collaborates with campus departments and community partners to expand educational and engagement opportunities for residents.

Policy, Safety, and Emergency Response

• Understands and consistently applies the resident housing contract, resident handbook, Cedar Hall Operations Manual, and applicable Residence Life policies and procedures.

• Educates residents about community expectations, policies, and procedures and addresses policy concerns in a fair, consistent, and proactive manner.

• Conducts required safety, security, and unit inspections and promptly communicates concerns through established reporting processes.

• Participates in the Residence Life on-call rotation and responds to resident needs, emergencies, policy concerns, maintenance issues, and other community concerns in accordance with established procedures and under the direction of Residence Life professional staff.

• Follows established College procedures for reporting incidents, disclosures, safety concerns, and other situations requiring notification to appropriate College officials.

• Documents and communicates incidents, safety concerns, and resident needs accurately and in a timely manner.

• Maintains appropriate confidentiality and professionalism when handling resident concerns and information and when participating in Residence Life staff communications.

• Performs other related work of a similar nature and level.

Time Commitment

The Resident Advisor position is a part-time student employment position that requires consistent engagement with the residential community. The position is designed to support students academic success while providing meaningful opportunities for leadership, community building, and professional development

• Workload: The Resident Advisor position is scheduled for an average of 19 hours per week during the academic year, including scheduled community engagement, administrative responsibilities, meetings, training, programming, and on-call responsibilities. Actual schedules may vary based on community needs and the academic calendar.
• Required Meetings and Training: Attend and participate in required staff meetings, individual supervision meetings, orientation, training, and professional development activities. Required meetings and training are considered work time and will be scheduled within the applicable work-hour limits.
• Evenings, Weekends, Holidays, and Break Periods: The position requires scheduled availability during some evenings, weekends, holidays, and academic break periods. On-call responsibilities will be assigned through a rotating schedule. Specific schedules and expectations will be communicated in advance whenever practicable.
• On-Call Responsibilities: Participate in the Residence Life on-call rotation and respond to resident needs, emergencies, and other assigned responsibilities during scheduled on-call periods. Time spent performing work-related duties while on call must be recorded and will count toward the RAs weekly 19-hour work limit.
• Community Presence: Maintain a visible, approachable, and supportive presence in the residential community and establish regular availability times for residents. Community presence and resident engagement will be incorporated into the assigned work schedule.
• Academic and Other Commitments: Residents Advisors are expected to balance their employment responsibilities with academic, personal, and extracurricular commitments. Other employment or activities are permitted when they do not conflict with scheduled RA responsibilities or prevent the RA from meeting the essential functions of the position. Any additional employment or commitments should be discussed with the supervisor when they may affect availability.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of principles and practices of community development, inclusive engagement, and student support within a residential learning environment.
• Skill in building and maintaining positive, professional relationships with residents and student staff across diverse backgrounds, identities, and experiences.
• Ability to engage residents in intentional conversations, active listening, and supportive interactions that promote belonging, connection, and student success.
• Ability to communicate effectively, navigate challenging conversations, and address conflict in a respectful, equitable, and solution-focused manner.
• Ability to model ethical decision-making, sound judgment, appropriate professional boundaries, and behaviors that support the values and expectations of the college.
• Skill in responding to emerging situations, identifying appropriate resources, and taking timely and appropriate action to support resident safety, well-being, and community needs.
• Ability to work independently, demonstrate initiative, manage competing responsibilities, and collaborate effectively with Residence Life staff and campus partners to support community and program goals.
• The ability to actively contribute to a work and learning environment that treats everyone with respect and dignity, while engaging diverse perspectives, backgrounds and experiences to enhance the Colleges mission, vision, and promise.

Working Conditions/Environment

• Work is performed in a residential and office environment and involves frequent interaction with students, staff, and campus partners. The position requires regular movement throughout the residence hall and occasional work during evenings, weekends, holidays, and academic breaks. Duties may include periods of computer and other technology use for communication, documentation, scheduling, and administrative tasks; facilitating meetings, programs, and group discussions; and responding to routine and emergency situations within the residential community. The position requires the ability to maintain a professional and supportive presence in a dynamic, student-centered environment.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Must be 18 years of age or older at the time of appointment.

• Must be currently enrolled as a student at Whatcom Community College (WCC), Western Washington University (WWU), Bellingham Technical College (BRC) or Northwest Indian College (NIC) and remain enrolled for the duration of the appointment.

• Must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 at the time of application and throughout the appointment, or, for students new to college without an established GPA, meet an equivalent standard of satisfactory academic standing. Students below the minimum GPA may qualify if they have an approved academic improvement plan in place.

• Must be in good standing with the College and not be subject to disciplinary probation or an active housing-related sanction that would prevent participation in the Resident Advisor role.

Preferred Qualifications

• Current First Aid, CPR, and AED certifications from a recognized training provider.
• Previous experience in student leadership, peer mentoring, residence life, student activities, or other campus/community-based leadership roles.
• Experience planning, coordinating, or supporting events, programs, or activities that engage participants and contribute to a sense of community.
• Experience working or volunteering in educational, community, or service-oriented settings, particularly with populations representing diverse backgrounds, identities, and experiences.
• The ability to take action to learn and grow.
• The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.

Licensure, Certification & Other Necessary Requirements

• Employment contingent upon passing a criminal background check and sexual misconduct review
• Occasional travel to meetings, conferences and training sessions may be required.

Salary

Salary:

• This is a 12-month stipend, non-permanent, non-represented position with stipend of $500.00 per month. This position includes compensated assigned housing in a studio suite. Apartment reassignment might occur based on student and departmental needs.

Start Date:

• As soon as can be arranged with the successful candidate.

Application Due Date:

• For guaranteed consideration, applications should be received by Monday, October 5th, 2026, at 5:00pm. Position open until filled.

How To Apply

A completed application consists of an online application and:

• Cover letter detailing relevant experience and how the applicant is prepared to meet the duties of the position.

• Current resume.

• Values statement that responds to the following prompt:

Short Reflection (1 page max): One of the core values of this institution is building an inclusive and supportive campus. This core value is reflected in our strategic plan, goals and in the work that we do every day. Please describe your experience in building an inclusive environment that supports a sense of belonging.

Mission, Vision & Promise

Mission: Whatcom Community College contributes to the vitality of its communities by providing quality education in academic transfer, professional-technical, and lifelong learning, preparing students for active citizenship in a global society.

Vision: Whatcom is a supportive community, empowering lives through education.

Promise: We transform lives through education. We accomplish this by supporting student growth, respecting student investment, embracing diversity, promoting excellence and creating opportunities.

EEO Statement

Whatcom Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender presentation, ancestry, ethnicity, family status, immigration status, citizenship, socioeconomic status, genetic information or age in its programs and activities.

The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Executive Director for Human Resources, by phone: 360.383.3400 or email: hr@whatcom.edu , 237 W. Kellogg Road, Bellingham, WA 98226.

For Title IX compliance: Title IX Coordinator, by phone: 360.383.3400 or email: titleIX@whatcom.edu , 237 W. Kellogg Road, Bellingham, WA 98226.

WCC publications are available in alternate formats upon request by contacting the Access & Disability Services office by phone: 360.383.3139, email: ADS@whatcom.edu, or Washington Relay: 711