Can Agents Work?

Jobs / Food service, cleaning, and personal care / 39-9041.00

Residential Advisors

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.

US jobs
84,760
Median wage
$42,240 a year
Job family
Food service, cleaning, and personal care

Can agents do the work of residential advisors?

We read the evidence for the whole job family, Food service, cleaning, and personal care: Not yet (first measured in the last 12 months)

Direct benchmarks exist, but agents complete less than 20% of their tasks.

Evidence: BEHAVIOR Challenge 2025, 12.4% of tasks fully completed (Full task success rate).

0% of this occupation's work, by O*NET work activities, is measured by a direct benchmark.

  • 8%Monitor individual behavior or performanceNot measured
  • 8%Escort othersNot measured
  • 7%Coordinate with others to resolve problemsNot measured
  • 6%Supervise personnel activitiesNot measured
  • 6%Perform administrative or clerical activitiesNot measured
  • 5%Develop educational programs, plans, or proceduresNot measured
  • 5%Mediate disputesNot measured
  • 5%Monitor safety or security of work areas, facilities, or propertiesNot measured

Benchmarks for the job family

These cover work in food service, cleaning, and personal care, not always this occupation's tasks.

Direct evidence

Work benchmarks mapped primary to this family. They set the step when they report how many tasks agents complete.

Also relevant

These benchmarks cover part of this family's work, or have no result yet. They do not set its step.

Typical tasks

From O*NET 31.0. Core tasks first. Few of these tasks have a benchmark today.

  • 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.
Other job titles for this occupation (40)

Hall Coordinator · Residence Director · Residence Hall Director · Residence Life Coordinator · Residence Life Director · Resident Advisor · Resident Assistant · Resident Director · Residential Coordinator · Residential Life Director · Cottage Parent · Cottage Supervisor · Dormitory Counselor · Dormitory Supervisor · Hall Director · House Father · House Mother · House Parent · Housefellow · Housing and Residence Life Director · Housing Assistant · Housing Director · Residence Supervisor · Resident Aide · Resident Care Assistant · Resident Life Director · Resident Monitor · Residential Advisor · Residential Aide · Residential Assistant · Residential Counselor · Residential Director · Residential Instructor · Residential Service Coordinator · Residential Services Specialist · Residential Specialist · Residential Support Specialist · Sorority Mother · Sorority Supervisor · Student Development Coordinator