Assistant Director for Residential Academic Initiatives, Housing and Residential Life

Assistant Director for Residential Academic Initiatives

(Student Services Professional 2 - MR09 )
Housing and Residential Life
University of Tennessee, Chattanooga

The Assistant Director for Residential Academic Initiatives reports to the Associate Director for Housing and Residence Life. This position supports the co-curricular aspects of residentially based academic communities working with residence education staff, faculty, and other academic staff to create a seamless environment between living and learning components of campus life. Assists with overall implementation of residential learning communities, assists with the freshmen academic success program, coordinates academic services within the residence halls, and facilitates all departmental assessment. This position promotes student engagement, academic success, personal development, and a strong sense of community though the implementation of the residential curriculum.

Staff Supervision & Training

• Coordinate, or assist with, the recruitment processes for 7 Resident Directors, full-time administrative staff, 93+ Resident Assistants, other student staff, and Graduate Assistants.
• Supervise 3-4 full time Resident Directors. Oversee the supervision of up to 2-6 Administrative Assistants, up to 3 Graduate Assistants, approximately 40-60 RAs, and numerous student staff.
• Coordinate, or assist with, staff training for full time and student staff throughout the year (weekly, monthly, & semester basis).
• Coordinate full-time and student staff evaluations.

Academic Initiatives, Intervention, and Assessment

• Support and assist the development and implementation of residential learning communities (RLCs: i.e., Living Learning Communities; Theme Learning Communities, First Year Residential Experience, Sophomore Year Experience, etc.).
• Collaborates with faculty and staff to develop learning outcomes and program implementation.
• Assist campus partners in the recruitment of RLCs participants. Ensures effective marketing and recruitment strategies for communities and programs.
• Hire and train staff assigned to work with the Residential Learning Communities.
• Recruit and select faculty for the Faculty Fellow and Faculty in Residence program. Ensures that faculty are supported and meeting the needs of the program.
• Utilize best practices and data to assist in the development and continued improvement of the Faculty In Residence Program and Residential Learning Communities.
• Create Memorandum of Understanding for each learning community and FIR.
• Assists with the RLC resident application process and coordinates LLC room assignments with the housing operations team.
• Serve as primary contact for residential students’ success initiatives and retention program (i.e., Freshmen Academic Success Track, Common Reading, Convocation).
• Provide academic coaching for at risk Resident Assistants who may have fallen below required GPA.
• Identify collaborative opportunities with campus partners such as Student Success Programs, Academic Advising, Career Services, Writing Center, etc. to support residential student's learning, faculty and staff engagement and involvement in the residence halls.
• Responsible for the planning, implementation, and assessment of the residential curriculum.

Administration

• Manage short and long-term projects and see them through implementation.
• Attend various meeting, oversee departmental committees, and serve on university committees as needed.
• Collaborate with other departments and offices on and off campus.
• Review and revise publications, including Residence Life training materials, the housing web page, and others.
• Assist in the development and implementation of policies and procedures.
• Manage area budget(s) related to educational and training initiatives, as assigned.

Conduct & Crisis Management

• Available 24/7 for crisis situations and offer immediate support and resources to students and staff involved.
• Update appropriate supervisors in a timely manner of situations that arise.
• Assist in the coordination of the conduct process and student of concern referrals within specified area. Serve as conduct hearing officer by investigating cases quickly and efficiently, while observing due process. Must use knowledge and skills to make sound decisions that will stand up on appeal.
• Advise individual residents, students, and student staff. Meets with individuals on a regular basis for conflict mediation/resolution, discuss concerns or disciplinary action. Must make judgments about various issues and refer to the appropriate resources, if necessary (e.g., Counseling, Dean of Students, Records, and Bursar).

Summer School/Special Projects

• Responsible for, or assist with, the day-to-day operation of summer school to include check-ins, check-outs, and staff supervision. Interface with internal and external stakeholders.
• Extensive summer training preparation for 100+ staff members lasting five weeks or more.
• Extensive and intensive planning for long-term and academic year projects during summer.
• Peak time: May-August.

Perform other duties assigned, including autonomous decision making and authority regarding Residence Life matters in the Associate Director’s absence.

The ideal candidate will possess the following:

Knowledge of or the ability to learn, department and university policies and procedures; must have excellent ability to handled high-volume administrative tasks in a timely manner; ability to work within a collaborative environment and with diverse populations; ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written form; ability to exercise sound judgment in making decisions; and knowledge of how learning occurs (Bloom's taxonomy, etc.).

Review of applications will begin on August 2nd and continue until the position is filled. Applications received by this date will receive priority consideration.

Minimum qualifications:

Master’s degree in Higher Education, College Student Personnel, Counseling, Education, or related field, and 3 to 5 years of full-time experience in Housing & Residence Life or Student Affairs (Admissions, Student Affairs, or related)

Preferred qualifications:

Knowledge of tenets of a residential curriculum; experience working in academic support initiatives; experience collaborating within and between departments; and experience working with college faculty and living-learning communities is preferred.

The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA institution. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, or protected veteran status.

Qualifications :

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