Mediabistro logo
job logo

Temporary Assistant Resident Director (ARD)

Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, United States


Department Department:

Temp Center

Salary/Grade:

TMP/01

College Preparation Program Assistant Resident Director (ARD)

Start/End Date:

part-time as early as May 11 - June 5, 2026 full-time June 8 - August 1, 2026 (40+ hours)

Location:

Northwestern University, Evanston Campus

Supervised by:

Resident Director, College Preparation Program (CPP)

Compensation

The expected pay for this position is $18/hr, in alignment with departmental equity and market data.

Accommodation: single room and board plan while on contract

Access to University athletic and sport facilities while on contract

Significant professional opportunity in area of leadership development

Program Description The Northwestern College Preparation Program (CPP) offers academically advanced high school students from across the US and abroad the opportunity to enroll in one of two academic program options: undergraduate courses for credit, and noncredit IN FOCUS (on campus) seminars. Participants experience college life and academics in a safe and supportive environment, which prepares them for college success in their first years. As either residents or commuters, CPP students may take a variety of 100-and 200-level Northwestern courses to earn college credit, which may be transferred to the university in which they ultimately enroll. Our noncredit courses, IN FOCUS seminars are small, discussion-based offered in special topics. Please visit our website for more information. northwestern.edu/collegeprep

Responsibilities The central responsibility of the CPP Assistant Resident Director is to provide mentorship and support for the academic, experiential, and co‑curricular components of the College Preparation Program. In addition, upholding CPP values, policy and procedures, and managing the duties supporting the functions of the program with which all CPP RAs are assigned. The Assistant RD will directly support the Residential Director in the training and programming for the overall program. The Assistant RD assumes a higher level of responsibility in supervising participants with issues such as health, discipline, and all other aspects of participants' residential life.

The Assistant RD reports directly to the Residential Director and receives further supervision from the Director of Summer Session as needed. They also act as the primary resource for residential staff and may not have more than 5 hours of outside commitment a week.

Primary Responsibilities

Be alert to possible crises and serious situations, notify appropriate program staff

Assist with arrival and departure days on Sundays and Fridays, as well as Orientation for incoming students

Live in the residence hall throughout duration of the program

Assume the responsibility of the Residential Director one day a week, taking the lead in overseeing the residence hall

Co-Facilitate weekly staff meetings with the Residential Director

Support the Residential Director in training, evaluating staff and providing leadership and guidance, addressing any personnel issues

Oversee deployment of RAs to ensure assigned duties are completed, facilitating overall team dynamics and effectiveness, and maintain close contact with RAs individually and as a team.

Assume the responsibilities of Co-ARDs on their days off

Participate in multiple 24 hour on-call duty rotations

Serve as an RA if needed

Assist with student room assignments, conference services housing roster, master spreadsheets and CPP rosters

Expected to work holidays

Other duties as assigned by Residential Director and program staff

Logistics

RA (Residential Assistants) Schedule- Including managing any overtime, absences, OFF Requests

Get Ready Series Management

Orientation Set Up- Making sure the room is clean and set up, Presentation is ready to go on the projector.

Place large group food orders

Manage all paperwork- staff receipts, filing off-campus slips, incident reports, duty logs, check in binder, as well as online student forms portal

Vehicle Management- Manage check-in/check-out system, parking passes, fueling vehicles

Facilitate one-on-one meetings with the RAs

Manage FOH staff

Reserve spaces/permits, and oversee purchasing for site-wide events

Manage CPP inbox with RD and Main Office

Activities

Manage and oversee purchasing of supplies for activities- tracking inventory, supply runs, organizing supplies

Manage receipts turned in by RAs for activities

Manage program proposals submitted by RA's- must look over and approve programs

Manage program sign ups- create a system for students to know what activities are taking place on any given day

Manage flyer submission from RAs- RAs will create their own flyers and turn them into you.

Manage activity space- making sure RAs don't use the same space on the same day for activities

Lead Activities Workshop during training

Manage excursions (Larger activities like 4th of July, program field trips- if any)

Manage event transportation if necessary

Orientation set up- food and drinks, serving the food, trash, etc.

Facilitate one-on-one meetings with the Ras

Academic & Medical

Oversee health policy and procedures

Manage student health files

Document details of student illnesses, ongoing health problems, and health emergencies

Oversee transportation of students to urgent care- Must be able to and feel comfortable enough to drive

Oversee field trips, first day of class coordination, and daily attendance all-clear

Participate in the training and supervision of Teaching Assistants (TAs) and commuter RAs

Coordinate communication across academic and residential department

Minimum Qualifications

Completed three years of college

Demonstrated leadership skills

Excellent communication, coordination, and problem-solving skills

A team player attitude with an ability to work effectively in diverse groups

Experience working with students ages 15 - 17 also desirable

Energy, enthusiasm, positivity, and ability to motivate others

A mature sense of responsibility, professionalism, and work ethic

Preferred Qualifications

Knowledge of the Northwestern environment, preferably as a current matriculated student or CPP/NHSI/CTD alum

Previous experience working with high school students

Previous teaching, mentoring, and/or counseling experience is desirable

Prior residential/student affairs experience is also desirable

Experience working in international contexts or with international students

Previous experience as an RA or prior student affairs experience

Ability to take initiative to improve systems and processes

Important Dates

While the deadline to apply is April 15th, qualified candidates are hired on a first apply, first hired basis. Early candidates have an advantage as some positions are filled early in the application cycle.

Applicants will be notified via email if they have been selected for an interview

To Apply You will need the following items (2):

A current resume and cover letter

Provide a list of three professional references and their contact information.

Contact Us Please visit the College Preparation Program website at northwestern.edu/collegeprep to learn more about our programs. If you have any questions, email the CPP office at cpp@northwestern.edu or call 847-467-6703.

The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern's non-discrimination statement. Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process.

#J-18808-Ljbffr