Residential Advisors
Human Advantage 81%
Strongly human-essential role
AI Automation Risk Low Risk
2.8 / 10
This occupation requires complex human judgment, social interaction, and creative problem-solving that are difficult to automate.
Coordinate activities in resident facilities in secondary school and college dormitories, group homes, or similar establishments. Order supplies and determine need for maintenance, repairs, and furnishings. May maintain household records and assign rooms. May assist residents with problem solving or refer them to counseling resources.
Also Known As: Cottage Parent, Cottage Supervisor, Dormitory Counselor, Dormitory Supervisor, Hall Coordinator, Hall Director, House Father, House Mother +31 more
Core Tasks
- Communicate with other staff to resolve problems with individual students.
- Observe students to detect and report unusual behavior.
- Supervise, train, and evaluate residence hall staff, including resident assistants, participants in work-study programs, and other student workers.
- Provide emergency first aid and summon medical assistance when necessary.
- Make regular rounds to ensure that residents and areas are safe and secure.
- Mediate interpersonal problems between residents.
- Enforce rules and regulations to ensure the smooth and orderly operation of dormitory programs.
- Determine the need for facility maintenance and repair, and notify appropriate personnel.
- Collaborate with counselors to develop counseling programs that address the needs of individual students.
- Develop and coordinate educational programs for residents.
- Develop program plans for individuals or assist in plan development.
- Provide requested information on students' progress and the development of case plans.
- Confer with medical personnel to better understand the backgrounds and needs of individual residents.
- Administer, coordinate, or recommend disciplinary and corrective actions.
- Answer telephones, and route calls or deliver messages.
- Counsel students in the handling of issues such as family, financial, and educational problems.
- Hold regular meetings with each assigned unit.
- Compile information such as residents' daily activities and the quantities of supplies used to prepare required reports.
- Chaperone group-sponsored trips and social functions.
- Order supplies for facilities.
Supplemental Tasks (10)
- Oversee departmental budget.
- Supervise students' housekeeping work to ensure that it is done properly.
- Process contract cancellations for students who are unable to follow residence hall policies and procedures.
- Accompany and supervise students during meals.
- Supervise the activities of housekeeping personnel.
- Assign rooms to students.
- Provide transportation or escort for expeditions, such as shopping trips or visits to doctors or dentists.
- Direct and participate in on- and off-campus recreational activities for residents of institutions, boarding schools, fraternities or sororities, children's homes, or similar establishments.
- Sort and distribute mail.
- Inventory, pack, and remove items left behind by former residents.
Emerging Tasks
New and evolving responsibilities for this role:
- Advise student organizations.
Education & Training
Job Zone 3 Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Education: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Experience: Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
On-the-Job Training: Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Education Level Distribution
Percentage of workers in this occupation with each education level.
Technology & Tools
Hot Technologies
Software (12)
Tools & Equipment (22)
Where This Career Leads
Career progression organized by specialty track and experience level.
Learner Support & Community Engagement Education
Zone 2
Library Assistants, Clerical 77% match
Zone 3
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