Assistant Resident Director (Graduate Assistant)

Job Title
Assistant Resident Director (Graduate Assistant)

Requisition Number
DU14475

Department Name
1B450:Residence Life

Work Location
Lexington, KY

Salary Range
up to $25,000/year stipend, tuition, on-campus accommodations, meal plan

Type of Position
Student

Position Time Status
Part-Time

Required Education

In order to be eligible for the position, it is preferred that candidates:
1) Have completed a bachelor’s degree
2) Be admitted for candidacy as a full-time student in a graduate program at the University of Kentucky
3) Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0

Required Related Experience

Have at least one year of paid work experience in a residence hall or other group living situation.

Required License/Registration/Certification

None

Physical Requirements

The Assistant Resident Director (ARD) position will require some sitting for periods of time. In addition, some lifting, pushing, or pulling of objects up to 50 lbs may occur, but not on a regular basis.

Shift

20 hours a week distributed during business hours (8 am – 5 pm M-F), Tuesday 7-9 pm; Wtih Some Evenings, Nights, Weekends, On-Call.

Job Summary

Position to begin late July 2026. This is a live-in position. This posting will be open until the position is filled.

General Expectations:

• Support the mission and philosophy of Residence Life, emphasizing a commitment to developing a residential living & learning experience that engages & supports students.
• Become familiar with, follow, and enforce all policies and procedures in the Staff Resource Manual, SharePoint, Student Code, Community Standards, and university governing and administrative regulations.
• Attend and participate appropriately in all Senior Staff Meetings, Area Meetings, and/or Committee Meetings.
• Serve as On Call staff for your assigned area for 2-3 weeks each semester, keeping Leadership On-Call informed of ongoing issues.
• Maintain a professional attitude and behavior while in the position.
• Serve as a role model for residents on and off campus. This includes abiding by all federal, state, & local laws and behaving consistently with the Office of Residence Life’s mission and values on and off campus.
• Accept feedback and be willing to incorporate new ideas.
• Provide visible leadership for staff and residents.
• Assist with supervising Resident Advisors and other student leaders as needed.

Student Conduct

• Serve as a hearing officer for student conduct cases in the residence halls, utilizing a restorative approach.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding all staff and student issues and train staff to do the same.

Wellbeing

• Meet with residential students who may benefit from additional support and resources to support their academic success, social experience, and well-being, such as students who have academic alerts or exhibit need(s) on their CATS UP assessments.

Programming and Events

• Support the residential curriculum by helping plan, organize, and implement Signature programming.
• Work with/advise student leaders and full-time staff to plan and implement area-wide programming that helps foster a sense of community and belonging.
• Assist with Program Budget requests. Follow all funding guidelines and requirements.

Terms of Appointment & Service

This employment agreement is for a single academic year and will remain in effect from the date signed until after the residence halls close at the end of the academic year. Assistant Resident Directors (ARDs) will have to be reappointed for the following year. Reappointment to the position is not guaranteed and will be based on departmental needs, job availability, attitude, and performance.

• Serve in the position for the length of my employment agreement, which begins no earlier than the start of Senior Staff Training in July and concludes after halls are closed and administrative responsibilities are completed in May.
• Be a full-time student and maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 throughout my employment.
• Not seek or accept outside employment while employed as an ARD.
• Have approval from my supervisor before committing to internships or other time-intensive academic program requirements.
• Receive written approval from my supervisor before registering for more than 9 credit hours in a semester or dropping to less than 6 hours.
• Accept additional duties as assigned by my supervisor or other Leadership Team staff.
• GARDs will remain the week after halls close in the Spring to help with closing operations

Skills / Knowledge / Abilities

Leadership & Team Development – Ability to supervise, mentor, and support Resident Advisors while fostering a positive and accountable team environment.

Communication Skills – Strong written and verbal communication, including the ability to convey expectations clearly, facilitate meetings, and address concerns with students and staff.

Crisis Response & Problem-Solving – Ability to assess situations, respond to student concerns, and make sound decisions in high-pressure or sensitive situations.

Organization & Time Management – Ability to manage multiple responsibilities such as student support, administrative tasks, and on-call duties while meeting deadlines.

Student Support & Interpersonal Skills – Demonstrated ability to build relationships, support student well-being, and create inclusive, engaging residential communities.

Does this position have supervisory responsibilities?
Yes

Preferred Education/Experience

Deadline to Apply
06/01/2026

Our University Community

We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors, the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.

The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status.

Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.