Director of Residence Life

The Division of Student Life is looking for equity-minded applicants who represent the full diversity of Reed College and who demonstrate a sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds present in our community. The Director of Residence Life supports the Office of Residence Life within the Student and Campus Life cluster. As the Director of Residence Life, you will lead and supervise a team of talented Area Coordinators and an Operations Coordinator and an Assistant Director of Residence Life . The Director of Residence Life reports directly to the Associate Dean of Students and Campus Life. 

Reed is a residential college that provides on-campus housing in small residential communities for a majority of its students in order to sustain vibrant social and intellectual exchange outside of the classroom and laboratory. The residence life team fosters a residential experience where students are supported in their academic pursuits, personal growth, and belonging in the Reed community. We support academic belonging, diversity and respect for human dignity, and student success. In alignment with the division of student life, we embody the values of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in programming, practice and culture as we work collaboratively to become an Anti-Racist organization.  

Reed College offers an exceptional benefits package, including comprehensive and cost-free medical and dental insurance for you, and a 60% discount on medical and dental insurance for your dependents, 403(b) retirement plan with 10% employer contribution (after one year of service), educational assistance for employees and their children, 22 days of paid vacation, paid holidays, half-day Fridays in the summer, and many other campus amenities. This is a full-time, exempt role with work hours of 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with a one hour unpaid lunch. Salary for this position is $70,000-$75,000 per year. 

Reed College employment opportunities are in person and on campus. Therefore we do not offer remote positions. 

Who you are

• You are self aware and understand and possess an awareness of the concerns, pressures, and inequities of first-generation students in higher education and other marginalized communities.
• You have a demonstrated commitment to advancing equity. 
• You are an advocate. You focus on the advancement of available services and programs to underrepresented populations. 
• You have prior case management skills and leadership experience. 
• You have assessment experience and can conduct outcomes based assessments that inform and improve initiatives and programs.
• You have crisis response and on-call experience and the ability to work routine evening and weekend hours on the Dean on call Rotation.
• You are committed to the development of students. Your passions lie in fostering the growth of the next generation of leaders. Your previous work has demonstrated your commitment to this calling. 
• You hold strong communication skills and have the  ability to facilitate, develop and execute trainings 
• You are resourceful. You have demonstrated the ability to work collaboratively with campus partners, including, staff, faculty and students on various department and institutional projects.
• You have strong interpersonal skills and the ability to be effective in developing rapport and working with students, faculty, and staff of diverse cultural backgrounds.
• You have a keen eye for detail and the ability to multi-task and take initiative.
• You deeply enjoy being a manager. You know that one-on-one meetings, team meetings, individual and team goals are all essential to a smooth running organization.
• You are a strategic leader. You care about your team. You are their advocate and are able to align your vision and goals with that of the institution.

What you’ll do

• Provide leadership for the day-to-day operations of Residence Life.
• Provide oversight for all coordinated activities within and related to residence life and the related student population. 
• Embed the celebration and appreciation of diversity in the halls and on campus.
• Share on-call responsibilities with the other on-call professional staff members in your unit.
• Embody the values of Anti-racism, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in programming, structures and practice; create inclusive experiences for accessible, experiential, integrated learning and social interactions.
• Direct residence hall operations, including policy development and implementation.
• Review and distribute all published communication of policies and procedures as it relates to on-campus housing and the student population.
• Develop and execute educational training programs on a variety of different topics, including leadership sessions, diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism training initiatives, and health and wellbeing programs, working in collaboration with other Student Life departments.
• Provide oversight of the selection, supervision, and training of 50 house advisors with assistance from the Area Coordinators.
• Facilitate staff meetings with the Residence Life department.
• Provide oversight of housing application, selection, and assignment processes.
• Monitor current trends in student housing to determine potential application or impact on the department.
• Provide oversight to key control to optimize building security and resident safety.  
• Develop, analyze, and manage budgeted resources to accomplish program, facilities, and personnel objectives and make adjustments for seasonal or emergency need requirements.
• Serve as the liaison representing Residence Life with various campus departments, including Admissions, Conference and Events Planning, Office for Institutional Diversity, International Student Services, Disability and Accessibility Resources, Business Office, Facilities and Maintenance,  Food Services, Computer & Information Services, and other relevant offices.
• Actively participate in pertinent campus committees, including but not limited to: Orientation Committee, Risk Management Committee, Food Service Committee, etc.
• Represent the College with appropriate regional and national professional organizations.
• Serve as a conduct hearing officer for student conduct.
• Provide assistance with Title IX, bias and social justice efforts, 
• Serve on the Dean on call Rotation.
• Participate in professional development activities that enhance professional competencies in student and residence life.
• Constantly identify, challenge, and upending existing racist policies, procedures, and/or guidelines to replace them with anti-racist policies that foster equity between racial groups.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications 

• Master’s degree in College Student Personnel and or in a related field in addition to  4-5 years of full-time and progressive experience in Residence Life.

• At least 3 years of managing and leading professional staff.