Residence Hall Director

JOB SUMMARY

The primary purpose of the Residence Hall Director (RHD) is to support the health, safety, and well-being of residential students. Residence Hall Directors are also responsible for the overall student learning and community development in the residence halls. The RHD supervises Resident Assistants in an area of approximately 400-700 residents. The RHD facilitates residential students' personal, interpersonal, and intellectual growth. This is an in-person, full-time 12-month live-in position, with a typical workday being 10:00 am-6:00 pm and 1:00-9:00 pm on Wednesdays, and all work of the RHD is in person. There will be some evening and weekend commitments outside of the scheduled hours.

This position reports to an Assistant Director of Residential Living and Education.

Duties/essential functions may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Student Learning and Growth

RHDs are responsible for facilitating residential students’ personal success, interpersonal competence, and intellectual fulfillment by implementing Residential Living and Education’s intentional, yearlong educational plan.

• Implement and assess educational plan within area of responsibility.
• Initiate appropriate referrals regarding students’ individual educational concerns.
• Recruit and advise the area’s Hall Council.
• Respond to the needs of individual areas, which may include learning community and/or special interest housing.
• Facilitate ongoing training and development for student staff.
• Serve as instructor for The Resident Assistant Experience – the RA Class.
• Serve as an Investigating Student Conduct Officer.

Community Development

RHDs are responsible for developing inclusive living communities that are supportive and respectful of individual differences and the rights of others.

• Promote the standards and expectations for behavior as part of the residential community.
• Assist community members in managing conflict between individuals and within groups to reach mutually negotiated resolutions.
• Foster an engaged community in their area of assigned responsibility by being present in the community and building social connections among community members and staff.
• Address issues related to safety, well-being, facilities, and emergencies by following Campus Housing and university protocols.
• Assume on-duty responsibilities, in a rotation with other Residence Hall Directors, to respond to various student crises in and around the residence halls. This includes situations that occur after the typical work hours and are often in the evening.

Supervision

RHDs provide leadership to their student staff by overseeing the operations of their area and developing individual staff members.

• Recruit, interview, and select applicants for the Resident Assistant and Student Worker positions.
• Provide ongoing individual and group supervision for student staff.
• Facilitate training for student staff.
• Evaluate student staff and make recommendations regarding performance.

Administrative Tasks

RHDs effectively manage information and other resources to enhance the mission of Residential Living and Education.

• Communicate appropriately and in a timely manner with students, staff, faculty, student family members and other constituents.
• Administer departmental processes and procedures and maintain accurate records.
• Manage budget for area(s) of responsibility.
• Assist with the selection of departmental professional staff.
• Serve on departmental committees and task forces as assigned by the department.
• Assume assigned summer responsibilities.
• Collaborate with Facilities Operations staff to maintain the area and implement strategies to educate residents and promote care facilities.
• Work collaboratively with Housing Administration and Finance staff on occupancy management for your assigned area.

Professional Development

Residential Living and Education provides support and encouragement for individual staff members’ professional development as it relates to the mission and goals of the University of Connecticut, the Division of Student Life and Enrollment and the Department of Residential Living and Education.

• Attend and participate in trainings held by Residential Living and Education and the Division of Student Life and Enrollment.
• Participate in national and regional professional organizations, through publications, webinars and/or conferences, to what degree funding is available.
• Develop and maintain an individual personal/professional development plan in consultation with a supervisor.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s Degree and two years of residence hall experience OR Bachelor’s Degree and three or more years of professional residence hall experience.
• Supervision of residence halls or other staff in college or university residence halls or student affairs settings.
• An understanding of, sensitivity to, and desire to live and work with a diverse student population.
• Experience enhancing students’ academic and personal development through advising student groups, providing leadership training and program development.
• Experience working as a part of a multi-faceted student-oriented team, including liaison work with offices such as (but not limited to) Dining Services, Facilities Operations, University Public Safety, and Student Health and Wellness.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree in college student personnel, higher education, counseling, or at least five years of university residence hall supervisory experience.
• Two or more years of post-Master’s residence hall work experience.