Paraprofessional Employment

The paraprofessional role is an essential position that provides opportunities to positively impact the student experience as an educator, community developer, role model, campus resource, and peer mentor. The relationship between the paraprofessional and residents will change with each person and each situation to help residents achieve academic and personal success through exploration and engagement. This position provides an opportunity to develop skills that are essential to career readiness, and absolutely enhance paraprofessional’s personal and academic success.

Career readiness is the attainment and demonstration of the skills within competency areas that broadly prepare college graduates for a successful transition into the workplace. Campus Living has identified the following competencies aligned with our paraprofessional positions:

• Critical Thinking/Problem Solving
• Oral/Written Communication
• Teamwork/Collaboration
• Leadership
• Professionalism
• Career Management
• Global/Intercultural Fluency

Resident Advisor (RA)
Community Assistant (CA)
Academic Assistant (AA)

Resident advisors are student leaders, hired based on their high level of maturity, interpersonal skills, empathy, and work ethic. These student leaders work to provide support, refer residents to campus resources, and build inclusive communities within our residence halls. As remuneration, RAs receive the waiver of the cost of a single room in the residence halls, and choice of a discounted meal plan.

RA Responsibilities:

• Community Development
• Needs Based Programming
• Administrative Tasks
• Training and Meeting Attendance
• On Duty and Emergency Response
• Role Modeling
• Provide personal and academic support

Community Assistants are upper class student leaders, hired based on their high level of maturity, interpersonal skills, empathy, and work ethic. These student leaders work to provide support, refer residents to campus resources, and build inclusive communities within our apartment complexes. As remuneration, CAs receive a full rent waiver for a single bedroom located in a 2 bedroom or 4 bedroom unit (depending on village and need), the option to pull in one additional roommate, and a $500 stipend per semester.

CA Responsibilities:

• Community Development
• Needs Based Programming
• Administrative Tasks
• Training and Meeting Attendance
• On Duty and Emergency Response
• Role Modeling
• Provide personal and academic support
• Working office shifts in assigned village community building

Academic Assistants are student leaders, hired based on their high level of maturity, interpersonal skills, empathy, and work ethic. These student leaders work to provide support, refer residents to campus resources, build inclusive communities and provide direct academic support within living learning communities or special interest housing in our residence halls. As remuneration, AAs receive the waiver of the cost of a single room in the residence halls, and choice of a discounted meal plan.

AA Responsibilities:

• Community Development Responsibilities in Collaboration with RAs
• Needs Based Academic Programming
• Administrative Tasks
• Training and Meeting Attendance
• Role Modeling
• Provide personal and academic support
• Assist academically in a certain academic program or subject

Please note that the paraprofessional positions are under review. The specific position expectations and roles may change for the 2024-2025 academic year. Any updates will be announced to all candidates prior to the selection weekend, scheduled for February 9-11, 2024.

Below are specific eligibility requirements. Unfortunately, if you do not meet the minimum requirements for employment, we cannot accept your application for the position.

Resident Advisor (RA)

• Possess a 2.5 minimum UB QPA
• Availability for mandatory Fall and Spring training
• Maintain full-time enrollment (12 credits for undergrad, 9 credits for grad)
• Be in positive Campus Living conduct standing

Community Assistant (CA)

• Possess a 2.5 minimum UB QPA
• Must be eligible to live in UB's on-campus apartments
• Availability for mandatory Fall and Spring training
• Maintain full-time enrollment (12 credits for undergrad, 9 credits for grad)
• Be in positive Campus Living conduct standing

Academic Assistant (AA)

• Possess a 3.0 minimum UB QPA
• Availability for mandatory Fall and Spring training
• Maintain full-time enrollment (12 credits for undergrad, 9 credits for grad)
• Be in positive Campus Living conduct standing

First, attend a mandatory informational session to learn more about the positions offered. Informational session details are available on UBLinked.

Make sure you have a typed, up-to-date resume. It is recommended that you take time to develop this resume, and utilize resources such as the career center to ensure this resume showcases your best skills, experiences, and abilities.

You will be asked to answer three short answer questions based on your experiences, skills, and motivation for the position. We advise you to take time to reflect and answer questions, and to utilize resources to ensure these responses are clear, concise, and free of grammatical or spelling errors.

You will be asked to provide contact information for a professional reference (professor, staff member, current or former supervisor, coach), and another from a RA, AA or CA. You will need to have the e-mail addresses of both references in order to complete the application. Forms will be sent by e-mail and completed online.

Each candidate will complete both an individual interview and participate in a set of group process activities. Both will take place on the same day. Please plan accordingly.

Paraprofessional Interview Days will occur the weekend of February 9-11, 2024.

First, attend a mandatory informational session to learn more about the positions offered. Informational session details are available on UBLinked.

After attending an informational session, submit your application online. Applications will go live on Saturday, October 28, 2023. Applications will be due Monday, Jan 29, 2024 at 11:59 PM.

Contact the selection chair at the following email: ppsmith@buffalo.edu

Unfortunately, if you do not meet the QPA requirement, we cannot pursue your candidacy for the position.

Yes. All applicants that have an interest in living on-campus should submit their housing deposits to secure housing for the upcoming academic year.  If you are successfully selected for the paraprofessional position, deposits will be refunded.

Yes. However, you must meet the position requirements.

Yes. As long as you meet the position requirements, you can reapply.

Yes. In order to apply to become an RA/AA/CA, you must attend an informational session. Informational sessions can be found on the UB Campus Living UBLinked page. 

It is a one-year appointment, and you can re-apply to return for a 2nd year to the RA/AA/CA position.

As remuneration, RAs/AAs receive the waiver of the cost of a single room in the residence halls and the choice of a discounted meal plan.

As remuneration, CAs receive a full rent waiver for a single bedroom located in a 2-bedroom or 4-bedroom unit (depending on village and need), the option to pull in one additional roommate, and an $800 stipend per semester.

We are looking for paraprofessionals who strive to build community, want to help others, and are willing to grow and develop in the role. If you believe that you possess those qualities, then we encourage you to apply. If you are hired for a position, you will be given extensive training prior to the start of each semester.

Contact the selection chair at: ppsmith@buffalo.edu