Location:
Office of Residence Life, Curtis Institute of Music
Modality:
In-Person
Position Length:
Academic Year (Fall - Spring)
Work Hours and Commitment:
25 hours per week
Application Deadline:
Pay Rate:
$1200.00/month
Additional Compensation:
Housing, Meal Plan
Overview
Functional Title: Residence Life Associate
Reports to: Coordinator of Residence Life and Off-Campus Housing
Department: Student Services
Status: One-Year Appointment, Part-Time; Non-Exempt
Position Description:
This position is open to Curtis students graduating in Spring 2026, Curtis alumni, and current graduate or doctoral students enrolled in higher education programs at local colleges and universities in the Philadelphia area. Due to the time commitment required, current Curtis graduate students are not eligible for this role, and the position is not available to undergraduate students. This is a one-year position with a mandatory term from August 2026 to May 2027. Current incumbents may reapply, but all applicants will be considered competitively.
The Residence Life Associate is a live-in position responsible for overseeing and supporting students residing in Lenfest Hall. Additionally, the RLA will assist with various day-to-day projects and tasks, including facilities management support, policy enforcement, safety management, program management and support, customer service, room and building preparation, and other administrative projects and duties.
Mandatory start date/ move-in date: August 3, 2026
Part-time: 25 hours per week (flexible), including some evening and weekend hours and participation in Tier 2 on-call duty rotation.
Supervisor/Contact
Devan DePue - Coordinator of Residence Life and Off-Campus Housing
devan.depue@curtis.edu
Required Duties
Major Duties and Responsibilities
A. Resident Support and Community Development:
1. Be present and available to residents, administrators, and the Coordinator of Residence Life and Off-Campus Housing.
2. Maintain a positive and supportive attitude toward the Residence Life department, Curtis dining staff, maintenance staff, security, and other offices.
3. Inform and update the Coordinator of Residence Life and Off-Campus Housing of any important building or community occurrences and of students with possible emotional, physical, or mental health concerns.
4. Exhibit effective communication and listening skills.
5. Support residents with sensitivity, understanding, and respect for confidentiality.
B. Programming/Curricular Responsibilities:
1. The RLA is required to support the programming/curricular responsibilities set forth by the Office of Residence Life and the Coordinator of Residence Life and Off-Campus Housing.
2. Suggest, support, and assist with developing and implementing age- and interest-appropriate programs and activities for residents, considering residents’ needs, cultures, academic and performance schedules, and recreational abilities.
3. Maintain bulletin boards on the 2nd–4th floors, ensuring they are neat, updated with approved materials, and reflective of relevant initiatives.
4. Assist with cultural appreciation initiatives throughout the year and Thrift Swap events in the Spring.
5. Assist with the administrative follow-up for Residence Life events, including marketing, supply preparation, and other related tasks.
C. Administrative Responsibilities:
1. Assist with administrative details for the Coordinator of Residence Life and residents, including RA training, meetings, orientation, check-in/check-out, key distribution, support with student mail and package distribution, monthly health and safety suite/room inspections, room condition reports, room selection, occupancy verification, etc.
2. Assist with maintenance of databases, including master rosters (digital and paper format), MyCampus, and Asimut.
3. Document incidents or disciplinary concerns immediately. Using Residence Life protocols, report and document any incidents or situations that compromise residents’ health, safety, or security.
4. Report needed maintenance and repair work promptly.
5. Attend Residence Life staff training, one-on-one meetings, and professional development or training opportunities.
6. Participate in Tier 2 on-call duty rotation shared with the Head Resident Assistant on an alternating-week basis, including coverage during fall and spring breaks.
7. Complete assigned paperwork and administrative tasks promptly, efficiently, and correctly.
8. Maintain organization of common areas and storage/supplies in Lenfest Hall.
9. Other duties, projects, and tasks as assigned by the Coordinator of Residence Life.
Preferred Qualification and Essential Skills
Qualifications:
- Prior Residence Life experience is preferred, though comparable experience in leadership, student support, or crisis response roles may substitute.
- Must have the ability to work within a group and independently to achieve department and institutional goals.
- Must be proactive in taking initiative to support and develop the student experience, program operations, and the Coordinator of Residence Life and Off-Campus Housing.
- Strong, positive communication skills are required.
- Understanding of and a commitment to the mission and purpose of Curtis and the Office of Residence Life.
- Must be able to role-model and enforce the policies of Curtis and the Office of Residence Life.
Required Core Values:
The ideal candidate must exhibit qualities consistent with Curtis' core values:
- Pursuit of Excellence
- Learn by Doing
- Community
- Collaboration
Working Conditions and Physical Demands:
- Exertional requirements are consistent with routine office environment.
- This is an onsite position in Philadelphia, PA.
- Some night and weekend work will be required.
- Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States for any employer at the time of hire.
- The final candidate will be required to successfully pass a background check and obtain PA Act 153 clearances.
Compensation:
- Housing (single room within a shared suite) in Lenfest Hall, located near Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, is provided as part of the compensation for this position.
- Full meal plan providing 19 meals per week during the academic semesters.
- Monthly stipend of $1,200.00 (gross).
- This position is not benefits-eligible.
Application Instructions
For best consideration, interested and qualified applicants should electronically submit a cover letter outlining specific interest in the role, any relevant experience, and what is hoped to be gained from the position, a resume, and the names and contact information for three (3) professional references to: human.resources@curtis.edu. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis through early May 2026.