Student Employment Opportunities

We're looking for leaders like you

Congratulations on taking the initiative to explore student positions within the Office of Residence Life. We believe that student positions are great opportunities for you to enhance skills, experience personal growth, and become truly engaged with the campus as you pursue your degree at Central Michigan University. Carefully read the job descriptions below, which include the qualifications you will need to have your application considered. Thank you again for your interest. Best of luck!

Desk opportunities

Working at the front desk is one of the best ways to get involved in your residence hall community, meet other students, and make money at the same time. Each residence hall desk is staffed by students who live in the residence hall(s) served by that desk. Further questions can be directed to the Residence Hall Director who supervises that desk.

Paraprofessional roles (Community Council Advisor, Inclusion Assistant, or Resident Assistant)

To apply for a Community Council Advisor, Inclusion Assistant, or Resident Assistant position, please visit eRezLife role postings and find the 2025-2026 Paraprofessional Staff Application. You may also click here to apply!

Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact Brittnie Vithanage (she/her), Assistant Director for Residence Life, via phone at 989-774-3111 or via email at daugh1bn@cmich.edu.

Paraprofessional role overviews

All Roles:

Generally require 20-hours per week.
Require a live-in component.
Serve in a weeknight and weekend on-call rotation to respond to health and safety concerns.
Assist in the opening/closing of residential buildings during various break periods.
Serve as educators to residents by promoting and supporting intentional learning through our residential curriculum (Learning in Community).

Community Council Advisor (CCA)

The Community Council Advisor position focuses on supporting and enhancing residential student’s opportunities for leadership and success. The CCA provides leadership to students and staff, advises student leaders to better the organization and themselves, works to build community within the residence hall community through leadership opportunities, and utilizes councils, conference opportunities, and department student success tools to aid in conversation and goal setting.

Inclusion Assistant

An Inclusion Assistant works collaboratively to support CMU’s Educational Priority: “As a result of living on campus, students will become empowered citizens who responsibly impact their communities”. In addition to enhancing the support of students with underrepresented/marginalized identities, the role of an Inclusion Assistant is to educate community members on topics of equity and justice and to bridge campus resources and partnerships.

Resident Assistant

The Resident Assistant serves as a primary resource for community building and in fostering residential student learning and growth. The role of an RA is to build a healthy community on their floor and throughout their residence hall building, to assist residents with personal and academic concerns, to help residents connect with each other and CMU, to serve as a resource and/or liaison for the University, and to coordinate events for the purpose of promoting community development and interpersonal interaction across difference, or utilize events and activities that already exist on campus and in the Mt. Pleasant community that meet the needs and interests of residents.

Paraprofessional role eligibility

Be at least sophomore status (26 credits or more) at the end of the Spring 2025 semester.
Have a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or higher at the time of application and during the period of employment.
Be available for employment for two semesters upon initial hire.
Not be on disciplinary probation at CMU or any other university. Applicants who are on disciplinary probation will be eligible for consideration if it has been more than one year since being placed on probation on the day applications are due. Applicants who were suspended but not put on probation will be eligible if it has been more than one year following the end of the suspension when applications are due. During the period of employment, paraprofessional staff must not be in violation of any university policies or procedures.
All employment positions within the department of Residence Life are interrelated. Consequently, disciplinary action received while employed in one Residence Life position may impact employment status and eligibility in another Residence Life position, up to and including discharge. If an applicant was terminated from a paraprofessional staff position and would like to reapply to be a paraprofessional, the individual must not be within one academic year (two semesters) of being terminated on the day applications are due.
Staff are expected to place the position as one of their highest priorities. Non-academic involvement for paraprofessional staff members in their first semester in the position must not exceed 15 hours per week. Non-academic involvement for all other paraprofessional staff members must not exceed 20 hours per week. All requests are subject to approval by the RHD supervisor and the area Assistant Director. Note: International students may not be employed outside of the position due to restrictions in their student visa.

Recruitment & selection timeline

Please note these dates may be subject to change due to extenuating circumstances. Any adjustments needed will be communicated and will be reflected in this timeline.

October 11, 2024: The 2025-2026 Paraprofessional Staff Application opens on eRezLife for New Applicants. The Renewal/Transfer form for Returning Staff also opens.

December 15, 2024: The Renewal/Transfer application for Returning Staff closes.

December 14, 2024: The New Applicant application for 2025-2026 Paraprofessional Staff openings closes.

December 15, 2024 – January 5, 2025: Applications will be reviewed for eligibility. Any candidate that does not meet minimum qualifications or does not have a complete application will not move forward in the process. Eligibility will be reviewed in an on-going basis throughout the process. January 6 – January 10, 2025: Invitations for interviews will be sent to eligible candidates.

January 21 – January 31, 2025: Interviews are conducted for eligible candidates.

February 3 – February 10, 2025: Reviews of interviews and applications are conducted by Residence Hall Directors.

Week of February 10, 2025: Selection of staff members by RHDs.

Week of February 18, 2025: Decision letters are sent to candidates (Not Hired, Alternate, and Hired).

Central Michigan University Residence Life Paraprofessional Staff Recruitment Video

Frequently asked questions

1. Who should I choose as my references?

Pick people with whom you have had contact through volunteering,
working, or other regular interaction. They will be able to give the
best reference.

Good ideas for references include Residence
Hall Directors, paraprofessional staff, Student Organization Advisors,
Professors, and current/prior Employers. The references should be people
who know you and can comment on your skills, readiness for the job, and
character.

Relatives, friends, significant others, etc. are
not considered appropriate references.

NOTE 1: Before you write someone down as a reference, first ask them if you can use them as a reference. This is simply professional etiquette!

NOTE 2: Reference information may also be obtained from professional staff who are not listed on your application but have experiences with you, as well as from information posted on social media and other public forums.

2. Can International students work as Resident Assistants, Inclusion Assistants, & Community Council Advisors?

Yes. International students may work as Residents Assistants and
Inclusion Assistants. International Students must not exceed 20 hours
per week due to visa restrictions, so employment outside of the
paraprofessional staff position is not permitted during the academic
year, except during semester breaks. International students should
contact the Office of International Affairs if they have questions about
their visas.

3. Can I be a paraprofessional staff member during student teaching or an internship?

We do not allow staff members to remain in the position while they
are completing student teaching or any other full-time internship due to
the significant time commitment the position requires.

4. How are paraprofessional staff members compensated?

All paraprofessionals receive remuneration for the position in the
form of “in kind wage” for their room and board. This “in-kind” support
is classified by the U. S. Department of Education as a financial
resource that reduces financial need. The amount of the remuneration
will reduce CMU grant aid dollar for dollar. Additionally, CMU
maintains a policy that CMU gift assistance (scholarships, grants and
other “in-kind” remuneration) may not exceed the cost of attendance.
Students should contact the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid to
determine what affect accepting a position would have on their award
package.