Assistant Director of Housing/Area Coordinator

Bard College, a liberal arts college on the Hudson River, is a private institution working in the public interest.

Employer Website: https://apply.interfolio.com/77460
Bard College seeks an Assistant Director of Housing/Area Coordinator for our Annandale-on-Hudson campus. Area Coordinators (ACs) play a significant role in the operation of Bard College’s residence halls. They are responsible for creating and maintaining a supportive educational environment, which promotes students’ individual growth, community responsibility, and academic achievement. A safe and healthy living environment is promoted through oversight of day to day facility operations as well as supervision of student staff. Through their work, ACs support the academic philosophy inherent in liberal arts education at a small college with a vibrant, dynamic student population. ACs report to the Director of Residence Life and Housing.

This is a 12-month, live-in position. Compensation includes salary, partially furnished apartment, basic utilities, work cell phone and laptop, medical benefits, recreation center and library access, and tuition remission for undergraduate courses after the first semester of employment. The successful candidate will excel at working in a community that is broadly diverse with regard to race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, gender, gender identity, nationality, sexual orientation and religion.

Essential Duties:

• Provide support and guidance to residents through programming, counseling, and referral designed to encourage the academic, emotional, and social development of each student. This includes overseeing, implementing, and participating in floor, hall, area, and campus-wide programs. Each AC is required to implement one campus-wide program/service project per academic year.
• Assist in the operation of residence halls in a manner that provides for a comfortable, safe and healthy environment. This includes maintaining a positive working relationship with Buildings & Grounds, Housekeeping, and Security personnel, and making, at minimum, weekly rounds through the buildings to identify facility issues that require attention.
• Communicate and maintain community standards as described by the Student Handbook. This includes informing students of college policy and procedures and encouraging students to monitor their environment. Investigate, enforce, and follow-up with students’ behavioral violations, inclusive of common area vandalism, damages and safety/security violations.
• Counsel and refer students to appropriate professional staff members and campus resources (e.g., Office of Housing & Residence Life, Health and Counseling Services, Dean of Student Affairs Office, etc.). Communicate concerns about individual students with the Dean of Student Affairs staff.
• It is expected to maintain an average minimum of 35 hours weekly. This time includes meetings, maintaining office hours in the central office, an area office and providing a visible presence (during programs, walk-throughs, on duty, etc ) in residence hall areas.
• Coordination of annual projects [e.g., Peer Counselor (PC) Selection, Room Draw, Peer Counselor Training, Opening/Closing, Room Changes, Publications/Website, etc.

Peer Counselor Supervision

• Provide guidance and support to Peer Counselor staff. This includes developing camaraderie among the PC staff through group activities, staff development and informal contact.
• Conduct weekly staff meetings and weekly or bi-weekly one-on-one meetings with PCs.
• Work with the Director of Residence Life and Housing, and other Area Coordinators to plan engaging and informative PC trainings.
• Consistently hold staff accountable for all responsibilities stated in the PC job description and employment agreement by providing formal feedback and evaluating PCs each semester.
• Coordinate the Peer Counselor programming efforts in the residence halls and maintain a programming budget. Offer information, support, and suggestions regarding the planning and presentation of programming. Generate programming in the residence halls, preferably with the involvement of Bard faculty.

Personal and Professional Growth Responsibilities

• Attend and facilitate professional staff development sessions for the Peer Counselor, Residence Life and Student Services Staff and/or regional and national professional conferences and workshops.

Facility and Operations

• Attend weekly staff meetings, on duty meetings and professional development meetings with the Office of Residence Life and Housing, Dean of Student Affairs Office and Student Services Staff. Attend weekly one-on-ones with the Director of Residence Life and Housing.
• Recommend residence hall renovations and improvements to the Director of Residence Life and Housing. At the beginning and end of each semester, conduct and document residence hall inspections of all public areas, lounges, halls, and physical structures for problems, damage, and needed improvements.
• Work with appropriate personnel to conduct fire drills and inspections each quarter.
• Coordination of the annual room selection process, room changes, and student room assignments via THD (The Housing Director).

Student Services and Staff Responsibilities

• Support the activities sponsored by the Dean of Student Affairs Office and Student Services staff. Participate in various committees created and supported by the Dean of Student Affairs Office.
• Participate in the emergency on duty rotation and serve as the primary point of contact in crisis situations. Administer appropriate follow up.
• Interpret, support, and communicate the goals and policies of the Office of Housing and Residence Life, Dean of Student Affairs Office, and Bard College to students, parents, and other constituents.
• Submit an end-of-semester and end-of-year report reviewing events and outlining accomplishments and goals throughout the semester.
• Work with the Director of Residence Life and Housing to identify a collateral assignment (10-15 hours per week) with another department on campus. The collateral assignment is required to begin within 6 months of being hired.
• Other duties as assigned by the Director of Residence Life and Housing.

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Master’s degree in Higher Education, Student Affairs, or related field preferred, Bachelor’s degree required.
• A valid drivers’ license is required for on-duty responsibilities.
• A commitment to student advocacy and an interest in daily interaction with a variety of creative and independent students is a must.
• Flexibility with non-traditional hours is imperative.

Physical Demands:

• Must be able to sit for extended periods of time and work in standard office environment
• Must be able to occasionally lift 20 pounds
• Must be able to work weekends and evenings as needed

Please submit a cover letter, resume, and the names of three references through Interfolio.com at: http://apply.interfolio.com/77460

Bard College is an equal opportunity employer and we welcome applications from those who contribute to our diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, mental, or physical disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, familial status, veteran status, or genetic information. Bard is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for all individuals in employment practices, services, programs, and activities.

AA/EOE