Assistant Director of Community Living for Housing Operations

Job Description
Department:
Residential Education
Pay Rate Type:
Salary
Employee Type:
Job Summary:Dean of the College Division
Full-Time, Exempt, Salaried, Administrative Staff Appointment

Colby College seeks interested candidates for the assistant director of community living for housing operations. Reporting to the director of community living and student engagement, the assistant director is part of a residential experience that is evolving to focus on integrating the academic, social, experiential, and cultural dimensions of college life with on-campus living. This position is responsible for the day-to-day operational management of a residential program of 2,300 students by overseeing, facilitating, and coordinating room selection and placement, waiting lists, housing changes, lockouts, etc. The assistant director is also responsible for overseeing the opening and closing of the halls throughout the year (fall, winter, and spring breaks), end of the year hall closing process, and room health and safety check process each semester. Working closely with colleagues within the division and across campus, the assistant director enhances Colby’s residential vision and vibrant intellectual culture. The successful candidate will provide direct leadership and management to two apartment-style residence hall buildings including supervising seven undergraduates who serve as Community Advisors and Area Residence Director (student hall staff) in the residence halls. We encourage inquiries from candidates who will contribute to the diversity of our College, including its cultural and ethnic diversity.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES :

Housing Operations:

• Create, oversee, and execute all aspects of the room selection process including utilizing the College’s housing management software to execute room draw processes
• Manage all aspects of occupancy and future occupancy needs
• Assist in the mediation of roommate conflicts that may result in room changes or that have the potential to impact occupancy
• Execute building openings and closings throughout the year in collaboration with Community Advisors and Area Resident Directors (CA, ARD - student hall staff)
• Manage, implement, and facilitate fall and spring health and safety checks in all buildings
• Provide trainings, information sessions, and materials to ensure transparency of policies, processes, and procedures to students, student hall staff, and appropriate campus partners
• Develop and distribute, in collaboration with Facilities Services and the director of community living and student engagement, educational materials to all residential students related to general student handbook policies and health and safety concerns
• Serve as a liaison to Facilities Services to ensure the physical spaces and condition of the residence halls align with the educational mission of Colby
• Track and maintain all residential facility keys and coordinate changes and updates with the College locksmith, including coordinating and entering the end of the year key billing and lock changes
• Coordinate individual hall damage and vandalism billing for students in collaboration with Facilities Services, director of community living and student engagement, and the Office of Student Financial Services
• Assign temporary housing for Global Entry Semester student orientation in August, as well as transitional housing assignments during Jan Plan for students returning from or going abroad
• Liaise with class deans to ensure a smooth transition into and out of housing for students returning from and/or taking leaves from Colby for a period of time
• Coordinate logistical aspects of the accommodation housing process with the associate director of student access and disability services and participate on the housing accommodations decision committee as appropriate
• Coordinate the pre- and post- board to execute housing assignments, billing, and other aspects of the program
• Assist the associate director of community living with ongoing training, supervision, and programming for Community Advisors, Area Residence Directors, and Faculty-in-Residence Program
• Coordinate the logistical aspects of the Faculty-in-Residence Program
• Participate in major events including opening/closing of residence halls, student orientation, first-year convocation, senior week, and commencement
• Participate in evening and weekend programming as required by the nature of our residential community
• Serve in the on-call rotation responding to emergency situations and student needs/concerns for 2-3 weeks each semester, including evenings and weekends
• Work as an integral member of the Dean of the College Division staff and with all departments at the College
• Perform additional duties as assigned; duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice

Community Living:

• Oversee day-to-day administration of the apartments area consisting of student concerns, community events, staff, facility and student behavior concerns, etc.
• Maintain regular contact with the CAs and ARDs; participate in weekly staff meetings when applicable and appropriate
• Assist with community development efforts led by Faculty-in-Residence through regular communication, liaising between Faculty-in-Residence and CA/ARD staff, and program design assistance
• Assist with the recruitment, selection, training and on-going development of ARD and CA student staff.
• Supervise the social & educational programming efforts of apartment Community Advisors
• Provide student advising, mediation, and referral to campus resources when appropriate
• Educate resident students on college policy and community expectations
• Manage individual area programming and staff development budgets

QUALIFICATIONS :

• Bachelor’s degree or the equivalent in education and experience; Master’s degree in educational administration, student affairs, or related field preferred
• 1-3 years of progressively responsible experience in residence life and housing including experience in operational work in a higher education setting preferred
• Past experience and familiarity with housing software systems strongly preferred
• Excellent organization, project management, interpersonal, listening, collaboration and communication skills to effectively deal with a variety of individuals.
• High degree of motivation and strong work ethic
• Proven ability to work independently and as a member of a team, establish priorities, and work collaboratively as a member of a diverse community
• Talent to meet multiple simultaneous deadlines and to work in a fast-paced environment
• Deep commitment to creating an equitable and inclusive campus community
• Commitment to high level cooperation between student affairs and academic programs
• Possess strong interpersonal communication, planning, decision-making, critical-thinking and mediation skills
• Demonstrated skills in advising, coaching, and supervising a diverse group of students and staff
• Must be flexible, have great attention to detail, show initiative, and have a results-driven philosophy with the ability to problem-solve and work collaboratively
• Highly developed computer skills including extensive experience using Microsoft Office Suite, email and web applications, as well as an interest in and ability to learn new programs; experience with housing software programs

KEY RELATIONSHIPS :

This position is a member of the Office of Campus Life team, which reports to the Office of the Dean of Students within the Dean of College Division at Colby. This position interacts with students, faculty, staff, families, and outside constituencies.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS :

General open office and campus environment. Position involves sitting, although frequent movement is necessary. Computer usage involving repetitive hand/wrist motion is also necessary. Evening and weekend work required.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT :

Successful and satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check). All students, faculty, and staff who are present on campus must be vaccinated and boostered against COVID-19, unless granted an exemption or accommodation by the College.

TO APPLY:

Interested candidates should apply electronically by clicking the "Apply" button on the Colby Careers website. Please submit a letter of interest including salary requirements, resume, and the contact information of three professional references. Materials should be addressed to:

Assistant Director of Community Living for Housing Operations - Search Committee

Office of Human Resources

Colby College

5500 Mayflower Hill

Waterville, ME 04901-8855