Assistant Director, Office of Residence Life

Position Title:Assistant Director, Office of Residence Life

Position Type:Regular

Hiring Range:

$69,600 to $94,100 annually; Compensation will be based on education, experience, skills relevant to the role and internal equity.

Pay Frequency:Annual

A. POSITION PURPOSE

The Assistant Director(s) report(s) to the Associate Director of Residence Life, executing many of the day-to-day services and activities of the department. Each Assistant Director supervises four to five full time master’s level professional staff (Resident Directors). Together the two Assistant Directors have significant responsibility for overseeing departmental operations including, but not limited to the following:

• Student Staff Recruitment, Selection and Training
  
  
• Programming and Engagement
  
  
• Duty and Emergency Planning
  
  
• Student Welfare and Conduct
  
  
• Communications/Marketing
  
  

In addition, the position serves as a liaison between the Office of Residence Life and other university offices to create a seamless residential experience that supports the growth and development of students.

The department is responsible for approximately 3,400 undergraduate residents housed in a variety of accommodations (traditional residence halls, mini-suites, suite/apartments and townhouses) and includes 93 student staff, 9 senior staff and 9 full-time live-in professional staff.

The position is a full-time live-in position and requires the flexibility to work evenings and weekends.

B. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Staff Supervision

• Serve as the direct supervisor for up to five master’s level Resident Directors and provide guidance, leadership, direction, and support while ensuring quality and accountability, including assisting professional staff in the management of paraprofessional performance concerns.
  
  
• Conduct weekly or bi-weekly one-on-one supervisory meetings with a focus on performance and professional growth.
  
  
• Provide ongoing feedback and complete annual performance reviews.
  
  
• Provide indirect/second level supervision for student staff (Assistant Resident Directors/Community Facilitators/Neighborhood Representatives) and Desk Assistants and assist professional staff in the management of paraprofessional performance concerns.
  
  
• Provide guidance and support on all matters relating to the community.
  
  
• Use various styles, techniques and communication methods to achieve successful results and build good relationships.
  
  
• Coordinate and supervise the work of the professional staff responsible for Leadership Council and departmental recognition and provide ongoing feedback and support.
  
  
• Oversee the development, planning, implementation, and evaluation/tracking of programming model(s) and all programmatic efforts in the residence halls based on the mission of the university, core values of the department and the developmental needs of the residential populations.
  
  

2. Departmental Operations and Processes

• In collaboration with the Associate Director develop systems to organize the department’s workflow to ensure quality, precision and timeliness.
  
  
• Provide oversight and direction to departmental processes and committees including selection, training, evaluation, recognition and other centralized processes.
  
  
• Coordinate departmental programmatic and leadership initiatives including, but not limited to, Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) programs, wellness and late-night programming and student staff recognition.
  
  
• Provide coordination and leadership to professional staff overseeing student leadership development and recognition efforts
  
  
• Act as departmental representative with students, staff, faculty and the external community requiring extraordinary support and assistance in the resolution of resident issues, counseling, conduct, facilities, etc.
  
  
• Respond to all resident, student staff and parental concerns in the residence halls in the four to five communities for which this position is responsible.
  
  
• Assist in budget planning and overall management of the departmental operating budget as related to specific committees and projects.
  
  
• Oversee the summer school housing program, including supervision of the Resident Director
  
  
• Create policies, procedures, schedules, and forms for the department.
  
  
• Serve as the senior staff liaison and oversee the professional and senior staff duty scheduling.
  
  
• Ensure duty protocols and training materials are thorough and provide quality and timely follow up to senior staff should protocols not be followed.
  
  
• Responsible for identifying professional, senior staff and student staff emphasis area/committee assignments and ensuring quality and accountability.
  
  
• Responsible for creating and editing departmental documents, including but not limited to, the manual/duty book, directories, organizational charts and photo rosters.
  
  
• Oversee community agreement/standards and roommate/suitemate agreement process.
  
  
• Manage all items related to emergency planning, including but not limited to the following: duty phones and emergency supply inventory and replacement.
  
  
• In collaboration with the Administrative Associate and the Assistant Director for Billing and Communications, manage edits for the on-campus living website.
  
  
• Serve on University and Division committees and complete other projects and tasks as assigned by the Director or Associate Director of Residence Life.
  
  
• In the absence of, or when deemed necessary, assume the responsibilities of the Associate Director.
  
  
• Serve as an Essential Staff Person and respond to campus immediately when the campus is experiencing a natural disaster, crisis situation or other emergency requiring an in-person response.
  
  
• Provide on-call support, which requires evening and weekend availability to manage crisis response and student welfare issues, and/or in the Associate Director’s/Director’s absence.
  
  

3. Staff Recruitment, Training, Development and Evaluation

• Responsible for the overall management of recruitment and selection of professional (RDs), senior staff (ARDs) and Student Staff (CFs/NRs/DAs) including applications, group and individual interviews, hiring, contract development and placement.
  
  
• Responsible for the development of professional, senior staff and student staff training including the spring student leadership course, summer formation/training, and regular All-Staff meetings and desk assistant training.
  
  
• Coordinate the professional staff, senior staff and student staff evaluation processes, including self, peer and supervisor feedback process and managing the student staff accountability process to ensure consistency across the department.
  
  
• Provide leadership for implementation of university-required training including, but not limited to the following: emergency preparedness, active shooter/campus lockdown, mandated reporting, prevention of sexual harassment, etc.
  
  
• Create and implement online training modules to supplement in-person training sessions
  
  
• Based on departmental need, coordinate and supervise the work of the professional staff responsible for the supervision, selection and training of graduate conduct officers.
  
  

4. Liaison Responsibilities

• Serve on the Student Welfare Team (SWT) and provide timely communication and response regarding student welfare matters in partnership with the professional staff.
  
  
• Serve as the department liaison for departmental partnerships including campus diversity and inclusion initiatives, Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) Liaisons and Adopt-A-Hall.
  
  
• Consult with students, staff, faculty, administrators, parents, and outside agencies as appropriate regarding student welfare issues.
  
  
• In partnership with the Associate Director and the Housing Office, plan and coordinate administrative processes for opening and closing including early arrival check in, fall opening, winter and spring closing and extension processes, and coordinate Welcome Weekend volunteer recruitment and training.
  
  
• Provide consultation as appropriate to those departments concerned with Residence Life related issues and work collaboratively to build and maintain relationships across the division and campus.
  
  
• Confer with, counsel and advise students, faculty, staff and parents regarding the activities, programs, and services available to students through Residence Life, through programs such as Orientation, Admissions, Open House, Preview Day, Alumni and Development programs, and on an individual basis as needed.
  
  
• Represent the University in establishing community relations in those areas involving Residence Life.
  
  

5. Other

• Occasional nights and weekends may be required including events, on-call responsibilities and emergencies.
  
  
• Other duties as assigned.
  
  

C. PROVIDES WORK DIRECTION

Serve as the direct supervisor for up to five master’s level professional RDs and provide guidance, leadership, direction, and support while ensuring quality and accountability.

D. QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The items below are representative of the knowledge, skills, abilities, education, and experience required or preferred.

This position requires the ability to effectively establish and maintain cooperative working relationships within a diverse multicultural environment.

Knowledge

• Understanding and support of the Jesuit tradition of education and a commitment to the fundamental values of service to others, community, and diversity as well as commitment to and demonstration of skills, knowledge, and awareness to serve the unique needs of the diverse campus community of Santa Clara University.
  
  
• Comprehension of the Jesuit mission of the University, strategic initiatives, and major developmental issues of students at a highly selective, multicultural, residential university.
  
  
• Knowledge of student development theory and philosophy of Residential Learning Community concepts.
  
  
• Knowledge of housing functions is essential.
  
  

Skills

• Competency working with students of different cultural, ethnic, racial, and socioeconomic backgrounds with a special sensitivity to how personal experiences affect the transition into the University environment.
  
  
• Strong interpersonal skills required. Demonstrated ability to communicate professionally and effectively in both written and verbal form with a variety of stakeholders including, but not limited to, students, faculty, staff, and parents.
  
  
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in the supervision of professional and paraprofessional staff.
  
  
• Knowledge of housing and residence life best practices, procedures, student development theory and philosophy of living learning concepts essential.
  
  
• Extensive knowledge and experience in developing training for professional and paraprofessional level staff members.
  
  

Abilities

• Ability to have a high tolerance for ambiguity and extensive consultation to build consensus and to earn student, faculty and administrative support.
  
  
• Demonstrated ability to analyze and solve difficult problems, reach agreement and potential solutions through flexibility and compromise, make well-reasoned and principled decisions and exercise good judgment in dealing with a variety of complex issues and situations.
  
  
• Demonstrated ability to communicate professionally and effectively in both written and verbal form with a variety of stakeholders including, but not limited to, students, faculty, staff, and parents.
  
  
• Ability to resolve conflicts utilizing counseling and arbitration skills.
  
  
• Maintain a comprehensive and working knowledge of all federal and institutional policies and procedures.
  
  
• Highly developed organizational and leadership skills essential.
  
  

Education

• Master’s degree required.
  
  

Years of Experience

• Minimum of five years professional full-time residence life staff experience required.
  
  
• Incumbent will be expected to continue upgrading knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to remain current and effective in the areas of resident education, program development, leadership development, outcomes assessment, and student development.
  
  

Santa Clara University is committed to Inclusive Excellence; therefore, it is vital all candidates seeking employment be committed to and demonstrate skills, knowledge and awareness to serve the unique needs of our diverse campus community.

E. PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended, the California Fair Employment & Housing Act, and all other applicable laws, SCU provides reasonable accommodations for qualified persons with disabilities. A qualified individual is a person who meets skill, experience, education, or other requirements of the position, and who can perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

F. WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described below are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

EEO Statement

​Equal Opportunity/Notice of Nondiscrimination

Santa Clara University is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action employer fully committed to achieving a diverse workforce and complies with all Federal and California State laws, regulations, and executive orders regarding non-discrimination and affirmative action. Applications from members of historically underrepresented groups are especially encouraged. For a complete copy of Santa Clara University’s equal opportunity and nondiscrimination policies, see https://www.scu.edu/title-ix/policies-reports/

COVID-19 Statement

The health and safety of the University community is a top priority. The University strongly recommends that all employees are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 as the vaccination and boosters are safe, effective tools that significantly minimize the chances of serious illness and hospitalization. Please contact Human Resources if you have any questions.

Telecommute

Santa Clara University is registered to do business in the following states: California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, and Illinois. Employees approved to telecommute are required to perform their work within one of these states.

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972

Santa Clara University does not discriminate in its employment practices or in its educational programs or activities on the basis of sex/gender, and prohibits retaliation against any person opposing discrimination or participating in any discrimination investigation or complaint process internally or externally. Information about Title IX can be found at www.scu.edu/title-ix . Information about Section 504 and the ADA Coordinator can be found at https://www.scu.edu/oae/ , (408) 554-4109, oae@scu.edu . Inquiries can also be made to the Assistant Secretary of Education within the Office for Civil Rights (OCR).

Clery Notice of Availability

Santa Clara University annually collects information about campus crimes and other reportable incidents in accordance with the federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act. To view the Santa Clara University report, please go to the Campus Safety Services website . To request a paper copy please call Campus Safety at (408) 554-4441. The report includes the type of crime, venue, and number of occurrences.

Americans with Disabilities Act

Santa Clara University affirms its commitment to employ qualified individuals with disabilities within the workplace and to comply with the Americans with Disability Act. All applicants desiring an accommodation should contact the Department of Human Resources , and 408-554-5750 and request to speak to Indu Ahluwalia by phone at 408-554-5750 or by email at iahluwalia@scu.edu.