Staff Employment

Assistant Community Director

The Assistant Community Director (ACD) is a full time student and serves as a Resident Advisor who has extra responsibilities within the residence hall and within the Univeristy Student Housing department. Typically, the ACD advises the hall student government and assumes the building responsibilities in the absence of the Community Director, and aids in staff team development. ACDs serve in a campus on call schedule similar to Community Directors.

Resident Advisor

Each community is served by a Resident Advisor (RA), who is a fellow student, employed by University Student Housing who is knowledgeable about MSU and community living. The RAs are responsible for maintaining a healthy environment, which is conducive to student success and can serve as a resource for any questions and concerns. RAs will help organize floor representatives and will aid in planning various recreational, social, and educational activities. A Resident Advisor is a full time student, live-in staff member, who aids in creating a lively community for residents to learn and grown in.

Our application for the Fall 2025 RA Application will open on Tuesday, January 14th at 12 PM, through a link on this page!

You must use your MSU email to complete this application.

Duties & Responsibilities (Last updated 10/3/2024 based on the F24 Process)

The purpose of a Resident Advisor (RA) is to facilitate and promote a positive community within the residence halls, and particularly for the floor and hall assigned. RAs are to be peer “helpers” and assist in the growth and development of students as well as assist them in maximizing their benefits from the college experience. RAs serve as a liaison between the University Student Housing and Culinary Services administration, students in the residence halls, and fellow RAs.

• • Develop community within their area, building, and across campus.
  • Facilitate, and participate in, educational, social, and recreational programs and activities for residents of your floor, hall, and total residence hall system/University Student Housing.
  • Role model, articulate, and enforce rules and regulations.
  • Give complete, accurate, and timely information both to students and your Community Director.
  • Communicate with Community Directors, Senior Assistant Community Directors, Assistant Community Directors, and other Resident Advisors.
  • Participate in a rotational on-call schedule to enhance the safety of the residents, the security of the hall, and the continuing operation of our buildings.
  • Maintain a balance between your job responsibilities and academic requirements.
  • Attend, or assist with, on-going training sessions; including, but not limited to, spring training, fall training, staff retreats, classes, and all-campus staff meetings.
  • Serve as a role model in conduct, attitude, participation, and academics on and off campus.
  • Positively represent hall staff, University Student Housing and Culinary Services, Auxiliary Services, and Montana State University.

Required Qualifications (Last updated 10/3/2024)

1. 1. 2.60 cumulative GPA at the time of application and hire.
   2. 24 credit hours completed by the end of the Spring 2024 semester.
   3. 1 semester of residence hall/other group living experience by the end of the Spring 2024 semester.
   4. 1 semester of attendance at MSU at the time of hire.

Informational Documents (Last updated 10/3/2024 based on the F24 Process)

Please review this document for common questions and answers on the RA selection process. 

Please review this presentation for information on expectations and additional information on the Fall 2024 RA hiring process. 

Fall Process (Last updated 10/24/2024 based on the F24 Process)

Our mid-year process opened, Friday, October 4th, at 12 PM.

Unlike the Spring Process, the Fall Process is much shorter. The current Fall process includes an application (due Oct. 9th at 12PM), a paper screen process (Oct. 10th & 11th), individual interview (Oct 14th - 23rd), and a group interview. Position or postings for the Fall Process is dependent on turn-over or leave of current RA staff at semester. Number of positions vary greatly.

Group Interview will take place on Sunday, November 3rd. Time and location will be communicated to successful candidates from the interview process. There are very limited numbers for the Spring 2025 semester, about 10, and not all who interviewed will make it to group. Decisions on who is moving forward will go out early next week after interviews are finished on Friday. Group Interviews will not be required for candidates but it is encouraged to further showcase their skills to the selection committee members. Individuals who do not attend will be evaluated on their interview and application. An RSVP will be required, in advance, to attend.

Spring Process(Last updated 12/6/2024 for the 25-26 AY )

Our full year selection process for the 2025-2026 Academic Year will open on the first day of class for the Spring Semester on Tuesday, Janaury 14th, 2025 at 12 PM and will close on Sunday, January 25th, 2024 at 8 AM.

• • You will not submit a resume or cover letter for this application. Instead the application is composed of supplemental questions that collect similar information and require long answer responses.
  • There will be a paper screening process of the supplemental questions before candidates are given individual interviews.

Candidates will participate in 4, potentially 5, parts of the selection process. This process includes a info session, an application, an individual interview, a group interview, and a six week resident advisor class. Not all candidates will move through to RA class, as there is only room for 90.  Attendance at one info sessions, an individual interview, one group interview session and all 6 sessions of the RA Class are REQUIRED.

• • Info Sessions will take place during the week of January 20nd - January 24th from 6 PM to 7 PM in various residence halls across campus. The location and dates are as follows: North Hedges, 1/21, Hyalite 1/22, Yellowstone 1/23, and Hapner 1/24. 
    • Info sessions are a vital step in the selection process as the presentation give will outline the process more in depth, helpful tips/tricks, expectations/overview of the RA role, tentative dates for training/selection process, and much more. Please come with questions!
  • Group Interviews are TBD but there will be two session typically Friday night and Saturday morning.
    • Candidates will attend one day of group interviews and participate in multiple team work exercises and small group actitivites to showcase various skils and abilities such as conflict resolution, communication and problem solving. 
  • RA Class will take place on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 4-6:30PM. You will tentatively sign-up for ONE of these class days (ex. every Monday for 6 weeks) during the info session. 
    • Attendance at all 6 sessions for the RA Class during your assigned course time is required. Class will start on Monday, March 3rd and end on Wednesday, April 14th. There will be no class during Spring Break. Class will consist of homework assignments within the residence hall communities across campus, 
    • The class will be a FREE one credit 400 level leadership course.

Please reach out to our Area Coordinator of Training and Selection, Tristynn Morgan at tristynn.morgan@montana.edu or 406-994-4557 with any questions.

Desk Clerks

The Desk Clerks (DCs) are part-time employees who mostly live on-campus helping residents with anything they may need. Front desks are the hub of services and activity in each residence hall. DCs are the primary customer service agent at the desk, providing administrative support and monitoring the safety and security of the building.

Our Residence Hall front desks are all open 24/7 around the academic year. Therefore, we hire a significant number of student employees to keep the desks fully staffed. Students who have worked this job in the past have greatly appreciated the “commute” to work – a trip down the stairs or a short walk to a nearby hall. They have also enjoyed the tremendous opportunity to become immediately connected to their peers and being able to serve them by issuing packages, checking out spare room keys, and answering their questions about their new home. It is a great way to quickly get to know people and become connected with your new home.

Desk Shifts

• • Most desk shifts are 2-4 hours in length.
  • In addition to some weekday DAY shifts, overnight, early morning and weekend shifts are a required part of the job.
  • Student employees can work up to 20 hours per week
    • Working only 6-10 hours per week works well for those wanting to figure out the school/work balance.
  • Shifts are scheduled around class schedules. Supervisors will consider student requests when making the schedule.
  • Schedules are set to repeat from week to week for the entire semester, making it easy to keep track of when you are scheduled to work.
  • Desk Clerks are encouraged to trade shifts with teammates to accommodate exam schedules, weekends home, etc.
  • Desk Clerks who want maximum hours can earn more by covering shifts for fellow staff members

Wage & Benefits

• • Shifts between 8am -12am are paid $15/hr.
  • Shifts from 12am - 8am are paid $17/hr.
  • Work study is preferred, however not required.
  • In addition to a monetary wage, being a Desk Clerk provides excellent work experiences. Students will learn and develop a variety of skills that will benefit them in future employment opportunities later in college and beyond. These skills include:
    • Multitasking
    • Effective communication
    • Self-direction
    • Taking initiative
    • Decision-making
    • Creative problem-solving

Weekend Student Custodians

The Weekend Student Custodian (WSCs) is an integral member of the residence hall student staff. This student staff member cleans their residence hall on the weekend, serves in an on-call rotation for messes that occur at night, and works with the hall Community Director to ensure a clean environment for all students. Full-Time Weekend Student Custodians are compensated hourly and work a weekend schedule that never interferes with classes. The Weekend Student Custodian position is perfect for the hardworking student who isn't afraid of getting their hands a little dirty!

Summer Positions

For more information visit the Summer Staff positions page!

Summer Resident Advisor

The Summer Resident Advisor (RA) facilitates and promotes a positive community within the residence halls.  RAs are peer “helpers” and assist in the growth and development of students as well as assisting them in maximizing their college experience. RAs serve as a liaison between the University Student Housing and University Food Services administration and students in the residence halls.  Summer RAs have a great deal of administrative responsibilities and deal with an extremely diverse and transitory population. Short-term community development efforts are a focus in the summer due to the nature of the residents. Additionally, summer RAs have the opportunity to work the hall front desk up to 15 paid hours a week and assist with University Student Housing Tours.

Summer Conference Assistant

The Summer Conference Assistant (SCAs) are hired full time to manage the summer housing operations and staff. Summer Conference Assistants work closely with the Program Manager, Conference and Event Services staff, University Student Housing staff, and each other to ensure a high level of customer service is provided. Summer Conference Assistants work full time from May-August, where hours include 8 hour shifts, 5 days a week, for a total of 40 hours per week. There will be additional night/evening hours expected for conference check-ins, on-call duty, etc.

Benefits for Summer Conference Assistants:

• • Work 40 hrs/week
  • Live on campus
  • Convenient work locations on campus
  • Work Study is accepted but not required
  • Meet and interact with many residents and summer guests
  • Active leadership role and job duties

Summer Desk Clerk