Operations Graduate Assistant Jobs in Des Moines, IA

Iowa State University is seeking Residence Hall Coordinators to support on-campus residential communities. These live-in positions play an essential role in creating engaging, and supportive living environments where students can thrive academically, socially, and personally.

Residence Hall Coordinator serve as front-line student affairs professionals, working directly with residents, student staff, and campus partners to support student success, uphold community standards, and ensure smooth day-to-day residence life operations. This role blends student support, staff supervision, crisis response, and operational coordination within a dynamic residential setting.

What You'll Do

• Support student success and well-being by fostering a residential environment that promotes academic achievement, personal development, and community connection. You'll advise students as they navigate academic, social, and personal challenges.

• Administer the residential conduct process by addressing policy concerns, hearing conduct cases, and applying appropriate educational sanctions while ensuring fairness, consistency, and care.

• Supervise and develop student staff by hiring, training, evaluating, and supporting undergraduate Resident Assistants (and Graduate Assistants, when applicable). You'll provide ongoing feedback, lead regular meetings, and promote accountability and development.

• Collaborate with campus partners including academic departments, Learning Communities, and student support services to enhance student engagement and connect residents with appropriate resources.

• Coordinate residence life operations by overseeing opening, closing, break and transition periods, and move-in and move-out processes to ensure smooth transitions for residents and staff.

• Manage administrative and operational responsibilities such as supervising desk operations, reviewing schedules, completing reports, supporting occupancy processes, and ensuring residence life procedures are followed consistently.

• Respond to emergencies and serve on a duty rotation by providing on-call leadership for student concerns, facilities issues, and crisis situations while remaining accessible during evenings and weekends as scheduled.

• Maintain strong working relationships with facilities and service teams including dining, custodial, maintenance, and administrative services to support safe, well-functioning residential environments.

• Contribute to departmental initiatives and summer operations by assisting with training development, desk operations, conferences, and housing support as needed throughout the year.

• Demonstrate strong verbal and written communication skills and the ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.

What You'll Get

• On-campus housing and a meal plan provided as part of this live-in position - partners and pets welcome!

• Insurance benefits beginning on your first day, with timely enrollment.

• Retirement benefits with strong university contributions.

• Paid vacation, sick leave, and holiday pay.

• Tuition reimbursement available after one year of employment.

• Professional development opportunities to support continued growth.

This is a fixed term position, with expectation for renewal based on funding

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship. Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position.

Preferred Qualifications:
Demonstrated leadership experience within a college or university environment.
Experience serving as a Resident Assistant (RA) or Graduate Assistant (GA).
Proven experience supervising staff and students, including recruitment, selection, and training.
Experience engaging with and supporting student populations, including involvement with academic initiatives, student organization advising, and student conduct processes.
Experience in crisis intervention and/or serving as a front-line responder to complex or high-impact incidents.

Department/Program & College Description:
With over 400 full-time, part-time and student employees, the Department of Residence is one of the largest non-academic departments on campus. Our residence life, facilities, administrative, business, marketing, conference and technology staff work to ensure a supportive learning and social environment where students can thrive as they pursue their Iowa State adventure.

Department Unit/Website: https://www.housing.iastate.edu/about/

Application Instructions:
To apply for this position, please click on "Apply" and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:

Resume/Curriculum Vitae

Letter of Application/Cover Letter

Why Choose Iowa State University?
Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental, as well as:

• Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans
• Generous vacation, holiday, and sick time and leave plans
• Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)
• Life insurance and long-term disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Various voluntary benefits and discounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellbeing program
• Iowa State offers WorkFlex options for some positions. WorkFlex offers flexibility on when, where, and how you do your work. For more information, please speak with the Hiring Manager.

If you have questions regarding this application process, please email employment@iastate.edu, or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.

Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. 515-294-7612, email eooffice@iastate.edu.

General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.