Work Opportunities with Residential Life and Learning

Resident Assistant (RA)

2026-2027 Resident Assistant Application Information

The 2026-2027 Resident Assistant application opens at 12:00pm EST (NOON) on Monday, March 2, 2026.

Applications will be accepted through 12:00pm EST (NOON) on Wednesday, March 25, 2026. 

Apply Here

For application support and/or general inquiry, please contact Zach Tepper, Associate Director for Residential Education. 

Timeline

  • The 2026-2027 Resident Assistant application is open from 12:00pm EST (NOON) on Monday, March 2, 2026 through 12:00ppm EST (NOON) on Wednesday, March 25, 2026.
  • Applications will be reviewed between March 25, 2026 through March 27, 2026.
  • Successful applicants will be invited to interviews on Friday, March 27, 2026. Interviews will take place between Monday, March 30, 2026 through Friday, April 10, 2026.
  • Final decisions will be shared on Friday, April 17, 2026.

General Statement of Duties

Resident Assistants (“RAs”) are live-in, part-time, student employees in residence halls at Tufts University. Primary responsibilities of the position include stewarding community development, facilitating student learning, providing incident response through on-duty coverage, role modeling active and positive campus community leadership, and active and contributive staff team membership. Review the 2026-2027 Resident Assistant position description.

Qualifications and Eligibility

Resident Assistants must be Tufts University AS&E undergraduate or graduate students enrolled in a degree-granting program and must maintain a full-time course load each semester. Resident Assistants must maintain a minimum cumulative and semester grade point average of 2.50 at the time of application, 30 days prior to the beginning of the contract period, and 14 days prior to the commencement of duties if hired at any other time during the year. 

Resident Assistants must be in good behavioral standing with Tufts University as determined by The Office of Community Standards and the Office of Equal Opportunity and must resolve any outstanding or pending student conduct sanctions and have resolved any pending conduct charges within 14 days prior to the beginning of the contract period, or within seven days of the first day of classes.

Application Information

The Resident Assistant application consists of four (4) written response questions, each of which have a minimum character count of 1,750 characters per response. Applicants are encouraged to write responses in a separate document and paste their responses into the application.

Application questions:

  • Residential Life and Learning strives to create inclusive spaces for residents. What actions might you take during the first few weeks of each semester to facilitate a sense of inclusion in your living environment for residents?
  • Resident Assistants are expected to support residents within their residential community. What steps might you take to support residents whose experiences and identities differ from your own?
  • Resident Assistants help residents develop conflict resolution skills. What do you think are the top three priorities to achieve when managing a conflict? How will you help residents learn to achieve those priorities when in disagreement?
  • Resident Assistants uphold and enforce the Student Code of Conduct and other Tufts University policies related to the upkeep and maintenance of a respectful community. How might you approach enforcing a policy with which you disagree?

Applicants must be logged into their Tufts University account to access the application. Only one application may be submitted per person. Upon submitting your application, you may select an option to receive an email confirmation that your application has been submitted. This confirmation includes a link to edit your responses. Responses may be edited until 12:00pm EST (NOON) on Wednesday, March 25, 2026.

Resident Assistant Application

Common Questions

How can I apply to be a Resident Assistant?

Candidates interested in applying for the Resident Assistant role may do so using the Resident Assistant application.

Where can I find important dates pertaining to the Resident Assistant role?

Important dates, eligibility criteria, and a robust description of responsibilities associated with the Resident Assistant role are all available for review in the 2026-2027 Resident Assistant position description.

Which buildings are available for Resident Assistant placement for the 2026-2027 academic year?

Resident Assistants are assigned to residential communities to support the first-year or second-year student experience. Resident Assistant placement locations correspond with the class year of students to which the Resident Assistant is assigned.

How do I preference a specific building or part of campus?

Residential Life and Learning does not solicit preferences for Resident Assistant placement; instead, our team places candidates in rooms and/or buildings where we assess their skills and strengths may be most needed. Additionally, Residential Life and Learning places candidates in specific rooms and/or buildings in accordance with active, documented, and verified accommodations.

What if I don’t like my Resident Assistant placement?

Candidates dissatisfied with their room and/or building placement are advised to decline their conditional and contingent offer.

If I am assigned to an apartment (i.e., Hillside Apartments or Latin Way Apartments), will I be able to select my roommates?

Candidates will not be able to select or “pull in” roommates into Hillside Apartments or Latin Way Apartments.

Graduate Assistant (GA)

Residential Life and Learning offers a Graduate Assistant role for graduate students at Tufts University to engage with the campus community during the 2026-2027 academic year and support Residential Life and Learning. Learn more about the Graduate Assistant role.

Apply Now

Timeline

  • Applications are open until 12:00pm EST (NOON) on Monday, March 16, 2026.
  • Select applicants will be invited to an interview between March 25, 2026 and March 27, 2026.
  • Final decisions will be shared between April 1, 2026 and April 3, 2026.

Support and Assistance

Please direct any questions about working with Residential Life and Learning as a Graduate Assistant or any challenges you encounter with your application to Christina Alch, Director of Residential Life and Learning.

Summer Opportunities

Residential Life and Learning offers two dynamic roles for Tufts University students to engage with the campus community during the summer. Click the links below to visit the position description for each role.

Summer Operations and Response Team (SORT)

Summer Operations and Response Team (SORT) are live-in, part-time student employees in university housing at Tufts University. Primary responsibilities of the position include performing lockouts, responding to situations where summer residents need support, supporting emergencies and crisis situations, supporting high-volume move-in and move-out periods, and performing walkthroughs to assess and report community conditions.

This role begins May 19, 2026 and ends August 15, 2026.

This role is compensated with a single-occupancy bedspace in Tufts University housing, an 80-meal meal plan for the summer, and $100 in JumboCash for times when the dining hall is closed.

Click here to submit an application for Summer Operations and Response Team!

Summer Residential Life Assistant (SRLA)

Summer Residential Life Assistants (SRLA) are part-time student employees who support university housing operations at Tufts University. Primary responsibilities of the position include performing lockouts, supporting Residential Life and Learning office coverage for walk-in visitors, and assessing room and building conditions.

This role begins May 9, 2026 and ends September 11, 2026.

This role is compensated at $15.00/hour.

Click here to submit an application for Summer Residential Life Assistant!

Timeline

  • Applications are open from 12:00pm on Wednesday, February 18, 2026 through 12:00pm on Wednesday, March 11, 2026.
  • Applications will be reviewed between Wednesday, March 11, 2026 and Friday, March 13, 2026.
  • Successful applicants will be invited to an interview between Monday, March 16, 2026 and Wednesday, March 26, 2026.
  • Final decisions will be shared on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.

Support and Assistance

Please direct any questions about working with Residential Life and Learning this summer or any challenges you encounter with your application to Zach Tepper, Associate Director of Residential Education.