Can I apply if I haven’t lived in residence?
Yes, we accept applications from all UBC students. However, experience living in residence at UBC is strongly preferred.
If I haven’t lived in residence before, where can I find out more about the different residences?
You can find out more on our website under residences. Additionally, please note that due to operational requirements, almost all new Residence Advisors will be placed in Place Vanier, Totem Park, or Walter Gage Residences.
I’m here on a student visa. Can I apply?
Yes. If selected for a position, you will need a Canadian Social Insurance Number (SIN).
What if I am not currently a UBC student, but am applying to a graduate program for September and do not have a student number or access to Canvas?
While experience living in residence at UBC is strongly preferred, we would be happy to receive your application! As long as you are enrolled at UBC for September of the year which your RA contract begins, you are welcome to apply.
When filling out your application, if you do not have a student number yet, feel free to put a random set of numbers as a place holder when creating an account. You can update the ID to your proper UBC ID once you have it, or you can contact residence.life@ubc.ca and we can update it for you.
For Canvas, you are able to create a guest account and then should be able to gain access to the Canvas course. Please see this link (paying close attention to the section on “Guest Accountsâ€: How to Create an Account | UBC Information Technology.
What should I include in my application?
Incorporate your past work and volunteer experience into your answers in the online application.
How do I access my application answers from last year?
Unfortunately, we are unable to share answers from previous application years. If you wish to keep a copy of your answers from this year, in case you need it in the future, please make sure to save a copy on your own device.
Do I need to complete the Residence Advisor Hiring Information Course?
If you are applying for a new Residence Advisor position, you will need to complete the Residence Advisor Information Course for your application to be considered. It is mandatory for any applicant who is applying for a RA position.
TAKE THE COURSEYou can self-enroll in the course at any time prior to the deadline, but we recommend you complete the course as soon as possible, since it will answer additional questions that you may have and help you submit a higher quality application. The deadline to complete the course is January 19, 2025—the same as the application deadline.
Do I also need to apply to live in residence?
To be considered for a space in residence, either as a Residence Life staff member or a resident, (depending on the outcome of your job application), you need to apply to live in residence. If you are selected for a Residence Life position, you will then be guaranteed a space in residence. If you are selected to be a Residence Life staff member and this is not the first time you have paid a residence application fee on the UBC Vancouver campus, your Student Housing account will be reimbursed for the $50 application fee.
What will the interview process look like this year?
If you are selected to participate in our interview process, we will contact you via email with more information. Interviews will be conducted in person on the UBC Vancouver campus.
While we give consideration to all applications, it is typically our experience that many applicants who are entering their second year of undergraduate study are selected as a Residence Advisor.
If I’m offered a job, can I choose my own residence assignment?
We cannot guarantee placement in a specific residence. Additionally, please note that due to operational requirements, almost all new Residence Advisors will be placed in Place Vanier, Totem Park, or Walter Gage Residences. While we take your application answers into consideration, they may limit your placement and/or ability to be offered a Residence Advisor position. Candidates should be willing and able to accept a position in any residence area that they may be placed into.
If I’m offered a job, when will I receive a job offer?
We anticipate that we will be able to begin sending job offers to successful candidates by the end of May.
Can I have a roommate?
Residence Advisors are not permitted to have roommates. However, if you are married or have a common-law spouse, your spouse is permitted to live with you. Please let us know during the interview process if you have a spouse who will be living with you, so that we can ensure you’re placed in appropriate accommodation.
If my family lives in the Lower Mainland, will I have the opportunity to return home from time to time?
Your schedule will give you the opportunity to visit friends and family from time to time. You are required to stay in residence three nights per week. One of these nights will be a Friday or Saturday each week. You will be planning the schedule with your team on an ongoing basis.
Additionally, you will be required to attend Residence Life staff meetings as follows:
- Every Monday in September and January
- Every second Monday for the remainder of each term.
These staff meetings begin at 7 pm and typically last one hour; they are usually followed by small team meetings (i.e., meetings with a small group of other Residence Advisors that you work closely with).
If I am offered a position, will I have opportunities to take time away (e.g., for holidays, academic events, etc.)?
Residence Advisors are able to take a specified amount of time away during the year. All requests must be approved in advance by a manager.
For more information about vacation time, absences related to illness and examination leave, please review the Residence Advisor Letter of Agreement.
Will I be required to work during Reading Break?
You are expected to be present for scheduled in-nights (work) during Reading Break. The schedule will be determined by your Residence Life team.
Will I be required to work during the holiday break (late-December to early-January)?
Most staff are able to take time off during the holiday break and are required to work until the last day of exams in December.
Where can I find more information about job expectations?
Please refer to the applicable job descriptions.
Are RAs permitted to accept other paid commitments at UBC?
Advisors may be able to take on additional employment, but it cannot exceed a full-time number of paid hours per day or week at UBC. If you are uncertain whether your other paid employment at UBC would result in you exceeding full time hours, please contact residence.life@ubc.ca.
Am I able to hold the Residence Advisor position in addition to being a Jumpstart or Imagine UBC Orientation Leader?
Unfortunately, one may not hold the Residence Advisor and Orientation Leader positions at the same time. This is due to conflicting role-related responsibilities from late-August to early-September.
Are there other jobs available in residence?
We recruit candidates as needed for administrative/support positions such as front desk services and housekeeping. Visit SHCS Careers to learn more. Summer housekeeping jobs are posted in January/February. UBC Food Services also recruits part-time workers as needed. You can also find available SHCS and other UBC positions at UBC Staff Careers.
Are there jobs available at Acadia Park?
Typically, four Community Assistants are employed at Acadia Park, UBC’s student family residence. Contracts end annually on April 30 and are renewed if work performance is satisfactory. Resumés are accepted year-round at the Acadia Park Front Desk and kept on file until a position becomes vacant.
How flexible is my schedule during the mandatory two-week orientation job training in August?
The Residence Advisor job training is a full-time, intensive training period. It is recommended that you schedule any other commitments outside of this time.
Who can I ask if I have additional questions?
New applicants: Please complete the mandatory Residence Advisor Information Course online via Canvas. If you have any remaining questions, contact information is provided at the end of the course.