Employment Opportunities
Each year, the Housing & Residence Life employs a number of students and professionals in a variety of positions in and around the residence halls. Whether you enjoy customer service, love the idea of mentoring other students, or look forward to spreading your love of YSU to prospective students, we've got something for you. Please check out our positions below for more details. If you're interested in a specific position and want to learn more, email us at housing@ysu.edu, and we'll connect you with the person responsible for hiring.
Undergraduate Employment
Undergraduate students serve in some of the most important roles in YSU’s residence halls. Student leaders serve as role models and mentors, organize fun and engaging events, respond to and manage crisis and conflict, provide administrative support at the front desk, and overall provide a safe, welcoming, and fun residential experience. Typically, recruitment and selection for undergraduate student positions takes place during the Spring semester for the following academic year, and hiring details for each position can be found at the links below.
All undergraduate student employment positions require students to be enrolled as full-time students and must meet all minimum requirements for campus employment. Information and requirements for campus student employment are available at Student Employment.
A Resident Assistant, or RA, is a full-time undergraduate student living on an assigned residence hall floor and supporting students living there. As a live-in staff member, the primary role of an RA is to build a welcoming and inclusive community within the residence halls, while encouraging cooperation and consideration within group-living environments. In addition to getting to know each resident in their community, Resident Assistants will organize events in the residence hall or escort residents to campus events. An RA also responds to and assists in managing emergency, crisis, and conflict situations, including those between individuals and with university policies and procedures. Anytime a resident has a question or concern, their RA is a great contact for support, and if a floor’s RA is not available, residents should contact the front desk (by phone or in person) for situations that require immediate assistance.
More information about the Resident Assistant position and selection is available at the HRL Resident Assistant webpage.
A Community Assistant, or CA, is a full-time undergraduate student living in the University Courtyard Apartments who supports students living there.
Desk Attendants are full-time undergraduate students who provide administrative support at each residence hall’s front desk. An essential part of each residence hall front desk’s 24/7 availability, Desk Attendants are available to answer questions, distribute any received mail or packages, check-in/out residents’ guests, and contact additional Housing and Residence Life staff for support.
More information about the Resident Assistant position and selection is available at the HRL Residence Hall Desk Attendant webpage.
Office Assistants are full-time undergraduate students who provide administrative support in the Housing & Residence Life and Division of Student Affairs offices in Kilcawley House. While the Housing & Residence Life Office is open (weekdays between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm, except for university holidays and closures), Office Assistants are available to answer questions, issue spare room keys for residents locked out of their room, and connect students with essential campus resources.
Desk Managers are full-time undergraduate students who provide leadership, supervision, and management of each residence hall’s front desk. As experienced Housing & Residence Life staff, Desk Managers oversee and ensure that a high level of customer service is provided by the front desk to residents and guests, manage the residence hall’s Desk Attendant staff, and assist the Housing Coordinator with the residence hall’s administrative operations.
Current or previous experience working as a Desk Attendant, Resident Assistant, or Community Assistant is required for a Desk Manager position.
More information about the Resident Assistant position and selection is available at the HRL Desk Manager webpage.
During the summer terms, Housing & Residence Life employees students to support students living in the residence halls, support guest housing in the residence halls, support summer orientation and campus tour events, monitor residence hall facilities, and other projects and assignments that ensure the residence halls are prepared for student occupancy during the academic year.
Preference for Housing & Residence Life summer employment is given to current or previous Desk Attendant, Resident Assistant, or Community Assistant staff. Summer student staff are required to be enrolled in classes through YSU for the following Fall semester.
Graduate Employment
Housing & Residence Life Graduate Assistant Internship (GAI) positions provide opportunities to bridge your education into practical, professional experience. Each opportunity provides tuition remission, a stipend, housing and a campus meal plan. To be eligible for a GAI, applicants must gain admission to the College of Graduate Studies. All openings require a Bachelor’s Degree and full-time enrollment in a graduate program at YSU.
More information about university policies and procedures for GAI positions is available at Graduate Studies Assistantships and Fellowships.
The Graduate Assistant Intern (GAI) for Academic Initiatives works in partnership with the Office of Housing & Residence Life (HRL) leadership to enhance the residential experience for students on the Youngstown State University (YSU) campus by facilitating engaging, development-focused initiatives that foster and support student academic success. Through high-level engagement across several areas of the YSU community, the GAI for Academic Initiatives is a visible, active member of the campus community and identifies strategies that foster academic achievement and personal well-being among students. This individual must be enthusiastic and passionate about student engagement and development, and should have knowledge of current trends and effective practices to remain proactive and impactful in executing development-focused initiatives and programs.
More information about the GAI for Academic Initiatives is available at the HRL Graduate Assistant Internships webpage.
The Graduate Assistant Intern (GAI) of Marketing works in partnership with the Office of Housing & Residence Life (HRL) leadership to communicate and highlight the residential experience for current and future students and families on the Youngstown State University (YSU) campus through digital, physical, and in-person strategies. Through high-level engagement across digital and in-person platforms, the GAI of Marketing is a visible, active member of the campus community and identifies creative ways to share the residential experience. This individual must be enthusiastic and passionate about student engagement and communication, and should have knowledge of current trends and effective practices to create impactful social media content and represent the department at a variety of campus social and recruitment events.
More information about the GAI of Marketing is available at the HRL Graduate Assistant Internships webpage.
The Graduate Assistant Intern (GAI) for Residential Education works in partnership with the Office of Housing & Residence Life (HRL) leadership to enhance the residential experience for students on the Youngstown State University (YSU) campus by facilitating engaging social and development-focused initiatives. Through high-level engagement across several areas of the YSU community, the GAI for Residential Education is a visible, active member of the campus community and identifies ways to foster a sense of belonging among students. This individual must be enthusiastic and passionate about student engagement and programming, and should have knowledge of current trends and effective practices to remain proactive and impactful in their programming approach and development-focused initiatives.
More information about the GAI for Residential Education is available at the HRL Graduate Assistant Internships webpage.
Full-Time Employment
The Department of Housing and Residence Life employs full-time staff in live-in roles, administrative office roles, and front desk support roles.
Information about university employment is available through YSU Human Resources, and applications for any open positions can be submitted through the Career Opportunities portal.