Graduate Resident Advisor (GRA)

Graduate Resident Advisor Position Description

Position Overview: 

GRAs reside in one of MIT’s undergraduate residence halls or one of the 38 fraternities, sororities and independent living groups (FSILGs) located in Cambridge, Boston, and Brookline. It is the role of the Graduate Resident Advisor (GRA) to: 

1. Foster a safe and inclusive community among the undergraduate residents of the house
2. Build relationships with the undergraduate residents of the community, and other stakeholders (e.g., House Team, FSILG House Corporation representatives, MIT staff members)
3. Serve as a supportive mentor and role model for the undergraduate residents
4. Provide undergraduate residents with programming, resources, and positive learning experiences so they can thrive at MIT
5. Solve problems and address urgent matters within the community

Responsibilities: 

• Fostering Community
  • Promote a culture that is safe and inclusive for residents and guests
  • Serve as an active member of the community by regularly attending community-sponsored events and meetings
• Building Relationships
  • Form proactive and enduring relationships with members of the
    • FSILG: FSILG Office staff , student leadership, and the FSILG house corporation
    • Res Hall: House team (Area Director and Head of House) and student leadership
  • Communicate regularly with members of the FSILG Office staff, House team, and FSILG House Corporation if applicable. 
  • Complete administrative responsibilities in a timely manner

• Serving as a Supportive Mentor and Role Model

• Engage in professional behaviors that exemplify the mission of MIT, the values of MIT Residential Education, Undergraduate Residential Life and the  FSILG community, and the values of the house you are selected for 
• Provide mentorship and support to residents to assist them in overcoming challenges

• Providing Programming, Resources, and Positive Learning Experiences

• Be knowledgeable about MIT resources relevant to the needs of  residents (e.g., Area Director, Head of House, FSILG Office, Office of Student Conduct, Student Activities Office, Student Support and Wellbeing, etc.)
• Develop programming relevant to the needs and interests of the residents
• Be knowledgeable of and make organization members aware of MIT policies and regulations, in particular those regarding facility rules and standards of safety, alcohol, drugs, and risk management

• Solving Problems and Addressing Urgent Matters

• Inform relevant MIT staff members and other relevant stakeholders (Head of House, FSILG student leadership, House Corporation members if applicable) about incidents that have or could harm the physical or mental well-being of MIT students or others
• Support residents in solving interpersonal conflicts and personal problems
• Confront incidents that jeopardize the immediate safety or welfare of residents and/or guests
• Report incidents toHead of House/Area Director/FSILG Office staff within 24 hours of an incident occurring 
• Assist students to utilize MIT support resources (e.g., Student Support Services, Undergraduate Advising and Academic Programs, MIT Medical, Mental Health and Counseling, MIT Police, etc.)

Expectations:

The Graduate Resident Advisor will:

• Live in the residential facility throughout their appointment
• Abide by the other terms of the Graduate Resident Advisor Agreement with MIT
• Abide by and advocate for the policies of Residential Education/Undergraduate Residential Life/FSILG Office (e.g., inter/national policies)
• Attend all trainings conducted by Residential Education prior to and throughout the academic term
• Attend regular  staff meetings at a date, time, and cadence to be determined by the House team or FSILG Office team  prior to the beginning of each academic term. 

• In addition to the start of each semester, finals week, and IAP Graduate Resident Advisors are expected to be accessible during the following identified high-risk time periods. Undergraduate Residential Life, and the  FSILG Office reserves= the right to approve/deny any overnight travel during these outlined times of the academic year. Any travel requests made for these time periods must be approved one month in advance of the communicated dates. 

• Work Week, Recruitment, Halloween, Patriots Day/Marathon Monday

• Respond to correspondence from your Area Director, Head of House the  FSILG Office, or other representatives of MIT
• Maintain confidentiality of residents’ academic status and other protected information
• Complete necessary administrative work in a timely manner (e.g. time away request, reimbursements)
• Behave at all times in a professional manner. They may not:

• Engage in romantic or physical relationships with members of the house, organization, or the House Corporation. 
• Engage in activities or behaviors that compromise the professional relationship with members of the organization or the community of the organization. Prohibited activities include, but are not limited to, inappropriate, illegal, or excessive consumption or distribution of alcohol and drugs, hazing or other degrading activities.

Qualifications: 

A qualified candidate must possess an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution of higher education prior to the start of their appointment and be enrolled as a full-time graduate student throughout their appointment period. GRAs in undergraduate residence halls must be enrolled at MIT as a graduate student. A candidate that attended MIT as an undergraduate will not receive an appointment to their own FSILG or a house they have lived in within the past four years. 

Benefits:

A Graduate Resident Advisor receives their own private accommodation free of charge and also receives an annual stipend.

MIT is an equal opportunity employer

We value diversity and strongly encourage applications from individuals from all identities and backgrounds. All qualified applicants will receive equitable consideration for employment based on their experience and qualifications, and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, ancestry, or national or ethnic origin. See MIT's full policy on nondiscrimination. Know your rights.

MIT considers equivalent combinations of experience and education for certain jobs. All candidates who believe they possess equivalent experience and education are encouraged to apply.

MIT is committed to providing for the safety and security of all members of our community. In accordance with the Clery Act, MIT publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. You may obtain the most recent copy of this report here or request a hard copy from the MIT Police.