Assistant Director for Community Development

This position will oversee Residential Life's community building across the Department through programming and other activities that enhance an environment that is Inviting, Intellectual, and Inclusive. The incumbent will provide leadership in critical and complex Residential Life functions to ensure a seamless and supportive program for residential students.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Manage the Residential Life Department Programming Budget of $140,000.
  • Develop a comprehensive budget plan that aligns with the goals of the Residential Life Department and supports student engagement and community-building activities.
  • Monitor and track spending to ensure adherence to the budget, adjusting as necessary to avoid overspending.
  • Regularly report on the budget status to the Associate Director of Residential Life, providing updates on program expenditures and any adjustments required.
• Provide training for Residential Life staff on programming model.
  • Create and deliver comprehensive training materials that introduce and reinforce the programming model, ensuring staff understand the objectives and expectations for community-building initiatives.
  • Facilitate ongoing training sessions throughout the year, addressing emerging needs, challenges, and best practices in program development.
• Provide oversight of Residential Life administrative functions. Recruit, supervise, and train Residential Life central office support staff. Manage the programming budget and allocates funds to staff.
• Oversee Professional Development and hiring practices.
  • Develop a professional development plan that includes workshops trainings/in-services, conferences, and mentorship opportunities to enhance staff skills and knowledge.
  • Ensure that all staff members have access to resources and training that support their growth in areas such as student engagement, crisis management, and inclusive programming.
  • Oversee the hiring process for Residential Life staff, ensuring that recruitment, selection, and onboarding processes are efficient, inclusive, and aligned with the needs of the department.
• Develop and facilitate campus-wide programs
  • Identify key campus-wide events, themes, and initiatives that resonate with residential students and foster collaboration across different campus groups.
  • Develop, plan, and execute campus-wide programs that align with the department's mission to create an inclusive and intellectually engaging environment.
  • Collaborate with other campus departments and student organizations to ensure programs are well-coordinated, impactful, and accessible to all students.
• Chair the Programming Specialty Area and supervise the Programming Resident Directors and Graduate Assistants, and the Central Office Programming Graduate Assistant.
• Serve is liaison to the LGBTQIA+ community and to the Office of Intercultural Engagement. Develop policies, procedures, and coordinate housing sign-up for Gender Inclusive Housing (GIH) and Harvey House (HH).
• Create and conduct presentations regarding the Residential Life Department for Orientation and Enrollment Management. Coordinating Open House events, attend welcome sessions, and work with Enrollment Management on recruitment and retention efforts.
• Provide on-duty emergency backup coverage for professional staff and students during academic year, recesses, and summer, on a rotating basis.
  • Participate in an on-call rotation schedule that ensures emergency backup coverage for Residential Life staff during evenings (fall and spring semester), weekends (fall and spring semester), and academic recesses (winter intersession and spring break), and summer months.
  • Be prepared to respond to urgent student issues, including health or safety concerns, crises, facilities issues, or incidents within the residential community, providing guidance and support as needed.
  • Collaborate with other on-duty staff to ensure continuity of care and a cohesive response to emergency situations.
  • Maintain a strong understanding of departmental protocols, campus resources, and crisis management strategies to ensure effective and calm handling of emergencies.
• Participate in Departmental in-service training sessions.
• Other reasonable duties as assigned.

Functional and Supervisory Relationships:

• Reports to the Associate Director of Residential Life
• Supervises the following positions: the Programming Resident Directors and Graduate Assistants, and the Central Office Programming Graduate Assistant.
• May supervise employees as assigned (if no direct reports at time of filling position)

Job Requirements:

• Experience with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook)
• Demonstrated problem solving, organization, customer service, and writing skills

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Higher Education or a related field from a college or University accredited by the US Department of Education or internationally recognized accrediting organization.
• Minimum of 3 years full time work experience in Higher Education or a related field.
• Ability to work independently.
• Experience with managing a budget.
• Supervisory experience.
• Applicants must demonstrate an ability to develop inclusive and equitable relationships within our diverse campus community
• Applicants must demonstrate an ability to support diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and belonging relative to their role

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Higher Education or related field from a college or University accredited by the US Department of Education or internationally recognized accrediting organization.
• Experience presenting to a diverse population of students and parents.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook).

Working Environment:

• The working environment for this role is dynamic and fast-paced, requiring a blend of office-based tasks, team collaboration, and occasional campus-wide engagement. The work setting includes both administrative office spaces, where budgeting, staff oversight, and planning occur, and residential or program locations for training, staff supervision, and event execution. Given the nature of Residential Life, there is often a need for flexibility and adaptability, as responsibilities shift throughout the academic year, with peak periods during orientations, program planning, and recruitment cycles.
• Physically, the role may involve occasional standing or walking for events, meetings, and campus programs, with periods of office-based tasks that require extended sitting and computer use. The physical demands are moderate and include moving between various office spaces, residential areas, and campus event venues.
• Mentally, the role is demanding and requires multitasking, problem-solving, and strategic decision-making. Managing a large budget, overseeing diverse staff, and coordinating campus-wide programs requires high levels of concentration and attention to detail. The role also involves significant interpersonal interaction, including training, supervising staff, and serving as a liaison to various campus communities, which demands strong communication, emotional intelligence, and conflict-resolution skills. The ability to work under pressure, handle emergencies, and respond to unforeseen challenges is essential, particularly when providing backup coverage during emergencies or crisis situations.

A review of applications will start on May 12, 2025 and the search will remain open until the position is filled.