Summer Residential Advisor

Overview

The starting range for this position is $17.75 - $20.00 per hour.

The San Diego State University Institute for Transformative Education promotes college access and completion for low-income and/or first-generation-college students through excellence and innovation in education. SDSU Upward Bound (UB) educational programs are funded by the U.S. Department of Education to assist eligible high school students to pursue and complete postsecondary education. There are 6 staff members in the Academic Year and approximately 15 during the Six-Week Summer Academy. UB is funded to serve 167 students (93 UB Classic and 4 UB STAR) during the Academic Year and 51 students (31 UB Classic and 20 UB STAR) during the Six-Week Summer Academy.

The SDSU Institute for Transformative Education, supported by the SDSU Research Foundation, is seeking Residential Advisors to supervise, advise, and support high school students during our 6-week summer academy. The Institute’s goal is to assist low-income and/or first-generation college-going students currently in high school to prepare for success in college. The six-week summer academy is delivered to participants in two phases. Phase 1 is a four-week, fast-paced, intensive academic coursework and enrichment activities program. Phase 1 uses a hybrid delivery system consisting of online and commuter days. It is during Phase 2 that Residential Advisors are needed. Each Residential Advisor is assigned 10-12 students and lives in the residence hall for the duration of the residential component; Resident Advisors receive room and board during this time. During the Phase 1, non-residential component of the academy, the Residential Advisors will support the students either online or in the classroom for their academic needs and social/emotional needs. The Residential Advisors are expected to get to know their students and provide guidance through enrichment and team-bonding activities. During the residential component of the academy, the Residential Advisors will closely supervise and schedule residential activities and study halls.

Responsibilities

SPECIFIC DUTIES (95%)

• Live in residence halls
• Complete and pass a certified CPR/First Aid/AED Training course before the start of the Summer A
• Contribute and work toward building collective and harmonious working relationships among Resident Advisors, Head Resident Advisors, Instructors, Academic Coordinator, Tutors, Program Director, Program Staff and the students.
• Male RA’s will oversee male students, and female RA’s will oversee female students for gender-based or physical complaints/problems.
• Assess students’ academic, emotional and social needs. Guide students on a daily basis regarding progress on summer academy internship projects and their management of the fast-paced program.
• Review the application packet of assigned students to know their interests in order to develop a strong advising relationship with them.
• Attend pre-program staff training and daily and weekly staff meetings.
• Participate and assist in the planning, coordination, communication, and implementation of all enrichment and recreational events.
• Collaborate with the Tutors and Instructors to assist students with the completion of daily classroom assignments, projects, and homework during supervised-study hall during commuter and residential components.
• Under the guidance of the Head Residential Advisors, supervise and assist small-group study halls and maintain a conducive study atmosphere.
• Report to HRA regarding problems, functions, and disciplinary measures during program activities and field experiences.
• Provide academic and personal guidance to assigned students.
• Maintain student discipline and enforce all program rules and regulations.
• Supervise students at all times to ensure their safety and well-being.
• Monitor students at mealtime for Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) requirements and maintain data logs.
• When scheduled on a rotation, be on-call during the residential component of the program.
• Maintain constant communication with program staff and students to ensure efficient program operation.
• Report any problems relating to staff or students to the HRA or administrative staff.
• Report immediately to the HRA in the event of serious student misbehavior or any time-sensitive issues, critical incidents/emergencies.

OTHER DUTIES AS ASSIGNED (5%)

Qualifications

MINIMUM EDUCATION:

• None

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE:

• One or more years of previous experience as a youth leader, camp counselor, or equivalent

QUALIFICATIONS AND SPECIAL SKILLS:

Knowledge and Abilities:

• Must be able to communicate constructively and effectively.
• Must be sensitive, respectful, and understanding of the needs of low-income and/ or first-generation-college high school students.
• Must be able to establish and maintain a trusting and productive working relationship with program students and staff.
• Must possess the commitment and stamina to participate constructively in potentially stressful interactions and situations.
• Interact effectively with co-workers.
• Understand and follow posted work rules and procedures.
• Ability to relate well to others within the environment.
• Highly motivated self-starter with strong interpersonal skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Well organized, ability to meet deadlines, detail-oriented; possess good judgment and common sense.
• Demonstrate a high level of sensitivity to the needs of the student communities we serve.
• Background check and Fingerprint clearance results are required before starting the job.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS AND SPECIAL SKILLS:

• Valid California Driver’s License is preferred.
• Experience with Upward Bound and/ or other TRIO Programs is highly desirable.
• Experience with early outreach programs.
• Experience working with students from different backgrounds.
• Experience working at a camp or in a residential setting.
• Fluency in a language other than English that the UB student population speaks.

ADDITIONAL APPLICANT INFORMATION:

Training (must be available): Friday, May 29 - Friday, June 6, 2026 (schedule provided at a later time)

Parent/Student Mandatory Orientation: Saturday, May 30, 2026 (Onsite SDSU Campus)

Phase 1 Dates:

         Online: Monday, June 8, 2025 - Friday, July 2, 2026

Tentative College Trip: Monday, June 15 - Thursday, June 18, 2026

Phase 2 Dates:

         Residential: Sunday, July 5 - Thursday, July 16, 2026 (Dates may change by one day)

Staff Debrief and Awards Banquet:  Friday, July 17, 2026

Research Symposium: July 16, 2026

*Dates are subject to change

• Candidate must reside in California and live within a commutable distance from SDSU at time of hire.
• Job offer is contingent upon satisfactory clearance based on background check results (including a criminal record check).
• San Diego State University Research Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, SDSU Research Foundation provides equal opportunity in employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin or any other categories protected by federal or state law.  
• Employment decisions are based on an individual’s qualifications as they relate to the job under consideration. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every employee has equal access to resources and support. 
• SDSU Research Foundation complies with Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), and other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws including grant or contract terms and conditions related to funded program activities. Further the SDSU Research Foundation maintains a Nondiscrimination Policy that prohibits discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of unlawful discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all programs, policies, and practices.  
• SDSU Research Foundation makes all employment decisions including, but not limited to, applicant screening, hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation, benefits, disciplinary actions, and terminations on the basis of merit.