Residence Hall Graduate Assistant

Life & Career Studies Program | Calvin University

Reports to: Life & Career Studies Program Coordinator
Position: Part-time, live-in | Average of 16 hours per week | 34-week contract (August–May)

Position Overview

Calvin University’s Life & Career Studies (LCS) Program is seeking a caring, dependable, and enthusiastic Residence Hall Graduate Assistant to join our team. This is a unique opportunity to build meaningful relationships with college students while gaining valuable experience in mentoring, student support, and inclusive postsecondary education.

The Residence Hall Graduate Assistant serves as a friendly and supportive presence for LCS students living on campus. The role combines relationship-building, mentoring, social coaching, and occasional problem-solving to help students feel connected, confident, and successful in their residential experience.

This is a structured, flexible, and highly relational position. Rather than managing a large residential community, you will work closely with a small group of LCS students and the LCS team. Much of the role involves being present, getting to know students, encouraging participation, helping students navigate everyday situations, and creating opportunities for connection.

The ideal candidate enjoys working with college students, values inclusion, communicates well, and is comfortable being a positive and dependable presence in a residence hall community.

About the Life & Career Studies Program

Calvin University’s Life & Career Studies Program is committed to supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities as they develop the skills, confidence, and experiences needed to live meaningful, increasingly independent lives.

Our work centers on belonging, independence, employment preparation, personal growth, and meaningful relationships. We are looking for someone who shares our belief that every student deserves opportunities to grow, contribute, and be an active part of their college community.

What You’ll Do

As a Residence Hall Graduate Assistant, you will:

• Serve as a positive role model and supportive presence for LCS students living on campus.
• Conduct periodic in-person check-ins with students to promote safety, connection, and overall well-being.
• Be available on assigned days to respond to occasional emergency or student-support calls, including evenings and rotating weekends.
• Meet individually with students as needed to help them navigate common challenges associated with living in a residence hall.
• Help students identify campus activities, events, and social opportunities that match their interests.
• Encourage students to build friendships and connections with peers across campus.
• Provide informal social coaching and support as students develop greater independence.
• Encourage and help facilitate LCS student participation in residence hall activities and campus life.
• Assist students with roommate communication and problem-solving when challenges arise.
• Help coordinate safe transportation when needed.
• Collaborate with the LCS Resident Director and Program Coordinator to support student success, engagement, and retention.
• Attend regular meetings with the LCS Resident Director and Program Coordinator.
• Participate in relevant meetings with Residence Life, Student Conduct, and LCS staff as schedules permit.
• Take part in professional development and learning opportunities with Graduate Assistants and colleagues.

The Experience

This position offers a great balance of responsibility, flexibility, and meaningful interaction. You will have the opportunity to make a genuine difference in students’ college experiences while also developing skills that can benefit your future career.

Because you will work primarily with LCS students and a small program team, the position allows you to develop strong individual relationships rather than managing a large caseload or extensive residential program. Hours are flexible within assigned responsibilities, making this an excellent opportunity for a graduate student looking for meaningful campus employment that can complement their academic experience.

The position requires assigned evening availability and approximately two to three weekends per month, but the overall schedule averages approximately 16 hours per week.

Compensation & Benefits

This is a 34-week, part-time, live-in position beginning in August.

The position includes:

• Private suite in the staff residence hall at no cost
• Meal allowance
• Shared office space in the assigned residence hall
• Flexible scheduling within assigned responsibilities
• Valuable experience in student development, mentoring, inclusive education, and residential life
• Opportunities for professional development and collaboration with campus colleagues

FAITH and EDUCATIONAL COMMITMENT

1. Commitment to the educational mission of Calvin as a Christian liberal arts University affiliated with the Christian Reformed Church.

2. A commitment to the Christian faith and to the integration of faith, learning, and student development.

DIVERSITY COMMITMENT

Demonstrated awareness and commitment to effectively establishing relationships and positive communication across multiple dimensions of diversity including, but not limited to, race, gender, physical limitations, class, or religious perspectives.