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Residence Assistant Jobs in Boston, MA (NOW HIRING)

NorthEastern

Residence Director

Boston, MA · On-site

$48K - $66K/yr

Reporting to one of the Senior Assistant Directors, Residence Directors (RDs) at Northeastern University, plays a critical role in fostering a vibrant, inclusive, and supportive community for all ...

Emerson College

Residence Director

Boston, MA · On-site

Summary The Residence Director (RD) is responsible for the overall management of a residential ... Hire, train and supervise Resident Assistant staff. Review applications, conduct candidate ...

Emerson College

Residence Director

Boston, MA · On-site

Summary The Residence Director (RD) is responsible for the overall management of a residential ... Hire, train and supervise Resident Assistant staff. Review applications, conduct candidate ...

Seven Hills Foundation

Residence Director I

Waltham, MA · On-site

$55 - $67/hr

Residence Director IPay: $60,632 Annually ($29.15/hour; additional $1.00/hour differential for ... or Assistant Vice PresidentWhy Join Seven Hills Foundation?Be part of a mission-driven team ...

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Residence Assistant information

See Boston, MA salary details

$12

$17

$22

How much do residence assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average hourly pay for residence assistant in Boston, MA is $17.60, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.67 and $19.09 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a residence assistant?

Residence Assistants (RAs) are student leaders who live in university or college residence halls and serve as a resource for students living on campus. They help foster a positive and inclusive community, provide support and guidance to residents, and enforce residence policies. RAs also organize events and programs, mediate conflicts, and act as a liaison between residents and university administration. Their role is crucial in promoting student well-being and creating a safe, welcoming environment in campus housing.

What are some common challenges residence assistants face when supporting residents, and how can they effectively address them?

Residence Assistants often encounter challenges such as mediating roommate conflicts, managing time between academic and job responsibilities, and responding to emergencies or crises. Effectively addressing these challenges requires strong communication skills, empathy, and a solid understanding of campus resources. Regular training, proactive engagement with residents, and collaborating with other staff members help RAs create a supportive and safe living environment while also maintaining their own well-being.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a residence assistant, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Residence Assistant, you need strong interpersonal skills, conflict resolution abilities, and a solid understanding of campus policies, often supported by prior leadership or peer mentoring experience. Familiarity with incident reporting systems, scheduling tools, and campus safety protocols is typically required. Exceptional communication, empathy, and problem-solving skills help Residence Assistants build community and support diverse student needs. These skills are crucial for fostering a safe, inclusive, and supportive living environment while effectively managing emergencies and student concerns.

What is the difference between Residence Assistant vs Resident Advisor?

AspectResidence AssistantResident Advisor
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; some positions may require college courseworkHigh school diploma or equivalent; often college students
Work EnvironmentOn-campus housing, dormitories, student residencesOn-campus housing, dormitories, student residences
Employer & IndustryColleges and universitiesColleges and universities
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

Both Residence Assistants and Resident Advisors work in college housing environments, often sharing similar responsibilities like supporting students and enforcing residence policies. The main difference is that 'Residence Assistant' is a broader term used by some institutions, while 'Resident Advisor' is more common in others. Both roles typically require similar credentials and are employed by colleges and universities to foster a safe and supportive living environment for students.

How do you become a residence assistant?

To become a residence assistant, applicants typically need to be enrolled as students at the institution, demonstrate strong communication and leadership skills, and complete an application process that may include interviews and references. Some positions require prior experience in customer service or peer mentoring, and candidates often undergo training before starting their duties.

Is it hard to get a residence assistant position?

Getting a residence assistant position can be competitive, as it often requires relevant experience, good communication skills, and sometimes prior involvement in student activities or leadership roles. Applicants typically need to complete an application process, which may include interviews and background checks, and some positions may prefer or require certification in areas like conflict resolution or first aid.

What are the most commonly searched types of Residence jobs in Boston, MA?

The most popular types of Residence jobs in Boston, MA are:

What cities near Boston, MA are hiring for Residence Assistant jobs?

Cities near Boston, MA with the most Residence Assistant job openings:

Residence Assistant jobs near you
Infographic showing various Residence Assistant job openings in Boston, MA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 72% Full Time, 23% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $36,611 per year, or $17.6 per hour.

Residence Director

NorthEastern

Boston, MA • On-site

$48K - $66K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

This job post has expired 1 day ago. Applications are no longer accepted.

Job description

About the Opportunity

Summary:

Reporting to one of the Senior Assistant Directors, Residence Directors (RDs) at Northeastern University, plays a critical role in fostering a vibrant, inclusive, and supportive community for all students. This position's critical emphasis is being a highly visible and strong presence in your residential communities. This position is student-facing and requires a dynamic individual with excellent communication skills, a passion for student development, and the ability to manage crises effectively. The RDs will work closely with students, staff, and faculty, to create a welcoming environment that promotes student engagement and a sense of belonging.

Due to the live-in requirements of the Residence Director position, it is required that the on-campus apartment provided must be the individual's primary residence and that person must maintain a high visibility within their residential areas of responsibility. Offices are also located in the residence area. All RDs participate in an on-call duty rotation and require the individual to work untraditional hours, including evening hours and weekends.

The Residence Director is a 12-month, full-time position. Summer responsibilities include working on special projects, with conferences, orientation, and summer students.

The Residence Director can serve in this role for five years.

Qualifications:

  • Education: Skills and knowledge are normally acquired through a Bachelor's Degree. Master's degree in Student Affairs, Social Work, Education, or a related field preferred.
  • Experience: A minimum of 2 years of experience in student affairs, community engagement, and/or a related field. Student supervision experience is required.
  • Skills: Strong interpersonal and communication skills, crisis management abilities, event planning experience, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Responsibilities Include:

  • Organize and facilitate events, programs, and activities that foster community engagement and build a sense of belonging among students.

  • In conjunction with campus partners develop and implement leadership training and development programs for student leaders and mentors.

  • Serve as a hearing officer for Residential Life- hold administrative hearings with students regarding alleged policy violations, adjudicate cases, assign sanctions and make referrals when necessary.

  • Serve in a scheduled on-call rotation to respond to student emergencies and crises, providing immediate support and intervention as needed.

  • Mediate conflicts between students, facilitating discussions to resolve disputes and promote an inclusive and supportive living environment.

  • Collect and analyze student feedback to continuously improve community engagement efforts and address student needs.

  • Supervise a team of Resident Assistants.

  • Assist in managing budgets for community engagement programs and events.

Position Type

Student Services

Additional Information

Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate work experience, education and skills when extending an offer.

Northeastern has a comprehensive benefits package for benefit eligible employees. This includes medical, vision, dental, paid time off, tuition assistance, wellness & life, retirement- as well as commuting & transportation. Visit https://hr.northeastern.edu/benefits/ for more information.

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Compensation Grade/Pay Type:

106S

Expected Hiring Range:

$48,610.00 - $66,838.75

With the pay range(s) shown above, the starting salary will depend on several factors, which may include your education, experience, location, knowledge and expertise, and skills as well as a pay comparison to similarly-situated employees already in the role. Salary ranges are reviewed regularly and are subject to change.

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