Residence Hall Director

South Dakota State University Department of Housing & Residential Life is offering an exciting career opportunity as a Residence Hall Director. We are looking for a creative and innovative professional to join us in leading an energetic and dynamic team of paraprofessionals as well as a person committed to creating an inclusive environment for our students and staff.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES: The Residence Hall Director develops and administers a comprehensive hall program meeting the goals of the Department of Housing & Residential Life, Division of Student Affairs, and South Dakota State University. The Residence Hall Director provides leadership and direction to all students and staff living in the assigned residence hall. Additionally, they are responsible for student staff supervision, training and development, Hall Government advising, outreach and counseling of residents and problem solving within the hall. Reporting directly to an Area Coordinator, the Residence Hall Director is an essential member of the leadership team of the Department of Housing & Residential Life. The Residence Hall Director is also involved in departmental and university committees or special projects.

SDSU is especially interested in candidates that can contribute to and/or coordinate course offerings that address the experiences of underrepresented minorities in organizations. Women, minorities, veterans, and people with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply.

POSITION TYPE: Non-Faculty Exempt (NFE), 12-Month, full-time, benefit-eligible, live-in position.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: An earned Bachelor’s degree by time of start date; at least one year of Housing & Residential Life or Student Affairs experience; effective written and verbal communication skills; and basic accounting skills.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: Experience as a student staff member for Residential Life during undergraduate or after graduation; Graduate school degree in Student Personnel Administration, Guidance and Counseling, or related field; crisis/emergency response experience; budget/payroll experience; programming experience; and student staff supervision experience; strong leadership skills; experience in community building in a college or university residential setting; the ability to motivate staff members; and problem solve within a student-centered developmental model.

SALARY: $35,568

BENEFITS: South Dakota State University offers a wide range of benefits including medical, dental, and flexible benefits, retirement plans, compensation packages, paid holidays, and vacation leave. Employees also have access to internal and state-sponsored training as well as reduced tuition for state-supported courses at all State of South Dakota academic institutions.

CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Supervision, Training, and Development

1. Provide direction to student staff efforts in the hall; work with staff to help them establish and reach community building objectives.
2. Provide good organization and communication while promoting good staff relations, support for individual staff, and effective information exchange.
3. Work closely with the Area Coordinator on supervision of staff and overall program efforts.
4. Work with the Area Coordinator on selection, training, supervision, and evaluation of the student staff.
5. Schedule student staff (e.g., Community Assistants, possible Mailroom staff, etc.) as needed, complete employment and payroll paperwork accurately, and maintain up-to-date records.
6. Serve as a resource person to all staff and be aware of programs, problems, and individual concerns unique to the floors.
7. Pursue professional development (RHDs are allowed to attempt some graduate coursework each semester as approved by supervisor).
8. Promote opportunities for development of all members of the staff and hall.
9. Work with the Area Coordinator to set expectations for student staff leading to cooperation, support, and communication with Central Office and other support staffs.

Facilitate Resident Interaction and Provide Opportunities for Development

1. Foster a residential environment where students can grow personally, become globally aware, succeed academically, and realize answers to their questions.
2. Model ethical principles and accepted professional standards to staff and residents.
3. Identify the needs of the halls, establish goals for communities, and design effective intentional interactions and programming. Direct and coordinate activities to develop an environment where resident needs are effectively addressed.
4. Oversee program objectives and responsibilities among staff to ensure effective implementation as directed by the Area Coordinator.
5. Attend programs.
6. Provide direction to the student staff in communicating, interpreting, and administering Housing & Residential Life and University policies and procedures.
7. Refer residents who are involved in student conduct violations of residence hall regulations as described in the Student Conduct Guidelines.
8. Communicate effectively with staff and residents both verbally and in writing.
9. Help students become involved in student organizations across campus.
10. Facilitate staff efforts in developing student leaders, and in supporting student organizations.
11. Collaborate with Area Coordinator, student staff, and Living-Learning Community Faculty/Staff Coordinators to enhance the program and foster the accomplishment of community-specific learning outcomes. Work with area staff to develop an environment conducive to students’ learning.
12. Provide opportunities, training experiences, and one-to-one contacts that identify and help resolve individual problems and conflicts.
13. Assist students in developing skills to address interpersonal conflicts.
14. Follow department standards and models for student staff in maintaining visibility and availability within the hall/complex, and for initiation of informal contacts with students.
15. Develop strategies for interaction with students on a hall, living unit, and individual basis.
16. Assist in contacting students for required follow-up in areas such as deficiencies, early alerts, housing reapplication, and other efforts as needed.

Facilities, Environment, Safety, and Security

1. Establish and maintain communication with the Facilities Manager, in-hall maintenance staff, custodial staff, and SDSU-UPD.
2. Develop mutual expectations between all Housing & Residential Life staff and an effective means of providing feedback.
3. Communicate and assist Assistant Director for Occupancy, Assessment, and Analytics with timely coordination of housing assignments, room consolidations, room changes, check-in/-out paperwork, and damage billing.
4. Conduct regular building tours with Facilities Manager and staff or others as needed.
5. In conjunction with the Area Coordinator, Department of Housing & Residential Life, SDSU-UPD, and Environmental Health and Safety Department, ensure the safety and security of residents.
6. Serve on rotating duty of campus coverage with other exempt, live-in staff.
7. Oversee coverage of the hall by student staff and others as appropriate.

Contact with Central Staff, Student Affairs Staff, University, and Community Agencies

1. Familiar with campus and community agencies; assist Housing & Residential Life staff and residents in working with University or outside organizations.
2. Develop programs and activities to acclimate new residents and staff to the University community.
3. Serve as liaison between the Central Housing & Residential Life staff and the hall.
4. Forward, as guidelines detail, all student conduct cases, non-adjudicated behavioral concerns, personnel matters, and other administrative areas that warrant communication to Area Coordinator and/or other SDSU staff members.
5. Serve on/assume leadership for committees/work groups established by the Department of Housing & Residential Life to review policies/procedures/program areas significant to Housing & Residential Life operations.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

The Residence Hall Director reports to and is supervised by the Area Coordinator and indirectly by the Associate Director. Written reports may be expected to follow specific situations within the hall. Decisions involving policy, procedures, and personnel should be communicated to the Area Coordinator and Associate Director and are often made in consultation with them.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:

The Residence Hall Director (RHD) is responsible for a residential living community, housing between 290 to 500 residents in one or more buildings. Functional and/or administrative supervision is exercised over student staff hired to support the areas and programs under their supervision.

PHYSICAL EFFORT:

Mildly disagreeable working conditions involve working in an environment with noise and limited privacy. Staff must frequently respond to situations outside of traditional business hours. The job requires the ability to exert moderate physical effort and mobility when responding to emergencies.

UNIVERSITY AND THE BROOKINGS COMMUNITY:

Ranked as the No. 2 best place to work in South Dakota by Forbes, South Dakota State University is the state’s largest, most comprehensive university with more than 200 programs and an enrollment of approximately 12,000 students.

SDSU offers a rich academic experience in an environment of inclusion and access through inspired, student-centered education, creative activities and research, innovation and engagement that improve the quality of life in South Dakota, the region, the nation, and the world. Its employees embrace the university’s core values of being people-centered, expanding knowledge through creativity, embracing organizational and personal integrity, commitment to diversity, and excellence through continuous improvement.

University Housing & Residential Life holds a position at the forefront of the University's progress and growth making it integral to advancing the University's retention and graduation goals. With over 4,000 students living on campus, the opening of several new residence halls over the past seven years, and the implementation of a housing master plan, SDSU is poised to fulfill its mission of providing a rich academic experience in an environment of inclusion and access through inspired, student-centered education, creative activities, and research, innovation and engagement that improve the quality of life in South Dakota, the region, the nation, and the world.

As the state’s 1862 Morrill Act land-grant institution, the work of the university is carried out on its main resident campus in Brookings, at sites in Sioux Falls, Pierre, Rapid City, and Aberdeen, and through Extension offices and Agricultural Experiment Station research sites across South Dakota.

SDSU was recognized as one of 54 institutions in the United States as an Innovation and Economic Prosperity University by the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities in 2014. The university’s total research expenditures are greater than $60 million. SDSU is the state’s first High Research Activity institution as classified by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.

Jackrabbits Athletics competes as an NCAA Division I member with membership in the Missouri Valley Football Conference, the Summit League and the Big XII for wrestling.

Brookings is home to approximately 24,000 residents and is located 60 miles north of Sioux Falls and 200 miles west of Minneapolis. Livability.com rates Brookings as an ideal community for families, students, young professionals, and retirees. It considers Brookings among the safest and most vibrant cities in South Dakota.

The Brookings Public School District educates approximately 3,300 K-12 students and ranks among the state’s highest academic achieving school districts. The district includes three elementary schools, an intermediate school for fourth and fifth grade, one middle school and a high school.

The city also boasts an abundance of attractions and activities, including the Children’s Museum of South Dakota, Dakota Nature Park, South Dakota Art Museum, McCrory Gardens, South Dakota Agricultural Heritage Museum, Outdoor Adventure Center, and the Brookings Summer Arts Festival.

APPLICATION DEADLINE:

Position is open until filled with full consideration given to applications received by December 31, 2020.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

SDSU accepts applications through an on-line employment site. To apply, visit: https://yourfuture.sdbor.edu, search by the position title, view the job announcement, and click on “apply for this job.” This system will guide you through the electronic application form. This employment site will also require the attachment of a cover letter, which should specifically address how the candidate meets the qualifications as outlined in the advertisement, resume, and a reference page with the contact information for three professional references. Email applications will not be accepted. Please contact SDSU Human Resources at (605) 688-4128 if you require assistance with this process.

Any offer of employment is contingent on the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by law and/or university policies, including but not limited to, successful completion of a criminal background check.  

South Dakota State University is a tobacco free environment.  

It is the policy of the University to maintain a drug-free environment and to thereby establish, promote, and maintain a safe and healthy working and learning environment for employees and students.  This position is subject to South Dakota State University’s Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy 4:14. 

For questions on the position, contact Kristi Preston at 605-688-5148 or Kristi.preston@sdstate.edu.

South Dakota State University is committed to affirmative action, equal opportunity, and the diversity of its faculty, staff, and students. Women, minorities, veterans, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Arrangements for accommodations required by disabilities can be made by emailing HR@sdstate.edu. SDSU prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, gender, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran’s status or any other protected class in the offering of all educational programs and employment opportunities. Individuals with concerns regarding discrimination should contact: Equal Opportunity Officer/Title IX Coordinator, Human Resources, Morrill Hall 100, SDSU, Brookings, SD 57007. Phone: (605) 688-4128.