The Office of Housing and Residence Life is an integral part of the educational mission and retention of students at Commonwealth University. Housing 5,800 students—2,400 in traditional residence halls, 2,200 in suite-style housing, and 1,200 in apartment complexes—it establishes learning-based residential communities that seek to enrich human integration through prescribed programs and one-on-one interactions. These intentional efforts build a base of shared interests, personal growth, and academically-supportive experiences, with an ultimate goal of unifying purpose, and mutual respect.

The residential experience at Commonwealth University, is defined by an environment that strongly encourages involvement, supports and enhances decision-making, refines conflict resolution abilities, and promotes the understanding of varying perspectives; while fostering a sense of identity, self-esteem, confidence and civic responsibility. The residential experience, by design, is a place where students learn that individual perspectives and opinions are valued, and students exert a high degree of influence over their environment. Residential students develop a social network of support from peers and staff that foster a strong sense of belonging and create a true home away from home.The responsibilities of the Assistant Director of Housing and Residence Life plays a critical role in the increasingly important retention efforts for our most vulnerable and at-risk students.This position is responsible for enacting the strategic and educational initiatives set forth by the Office of Housing and Residence Life. The incumbent is responsible for administering a comprehensive residential program in 1 – 3 residence halls or 1 – 3 apartment complexes. Their responsibilities include supervision, student development, risk and issue management, educational and student learning efforts, and administrative, managerial and planning functions that work to support the mission and goals of the department and the University.Due to the nature of the position, evening and weekend hours are required and the incumbent must live on campus in a University-owned apartment for the duration of their employment. This position is considered an essential personnel position.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master’s degree required. Higher Education Administration, College Student Personnel, Student Affairs or related degree preferred.
• Two years of live-in Residence Life experience required.
• Two years of experience adjudicating student conduct both formally and informally, in a college/university environment required.
• Must be able to communicate well, both verbally and in writing.
• Demonstrated ability to work with diverse populations

Duties:

Supervision, student development, issue management

• Responsible for the overall supervision and leadership of a paraprofessional staff which may include: 1-2 Graduate Hall Directors, 8 -24 Resident Assistants, 1 – 2 Core Resident Assistants, 10 – 14 Desk Assistants and/or 1 – 2 mail delivery staff.
• Conduct weekly GHD or RA staff meetings for information distribution, input, support, accountability, training and problem resolution.
• Conduct weekly staff development activities. Responsible for the management of staff conflicts, issues and concerns.
• Participate in paraprofessional staff recruitment, selection, and training.
• Assist in the continuous feedback and evaluation of paraprofessional staff regarding job performance.
• Maintain a high level of contact with residents through visibility and availability.
• Serve as a resource for accurate information about University life.
• Provide advisement, support and appropriate referral for students with academic, career, or personal concerns, understanding that these efforts are focused on student retention.
• Ensure through intentional monitoring and oversight, that the staff facilitates dialogue between roommates and assists with difficult roommate conflicts; performing mediation where appropriate.
• Communicate with parents and supporters to discuss concerns and issues, while ensuring compliance with FERPA guidelines.
• Provide crisis intervention support and follow-up for residents and staff.
• Serve as an on-call administrator for the campus on-call system when scheduled.
• Mitigate risk while responding to student crises and emergencies.
• Educate residents about community standards, policies, rights and responsibilities, and implement procedures to promote student accountability.

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Educational and Student Learning Efforts

• Promote and support programming in the residential communities in order to provide a holistic range of community development and social engagement opportunities for residents.
• Facilitate and support Resident Assistant Intentional Conversations; fostering a peer one-to-one relationship focused on promoting overall wellness, academic success, connection to others, and personal interests or concerns.
• Following-up with issues/concerns to support students and refer to appropriate resources.
• Serve as a resource for staff and students in planning, implementing, and evaluating engagement programs and Intentional Conversations.
• Actively seek academic partners with faculty, Academic Support Services and University Retention Specialists in an effort to develop High Impact opportunities, mentorship opportunities, and better integration of the overall student experience.
• Provide support for all learning communities within the area.
• Support campus leadership events and initiatives.
• Design and use existing assessment projects as evaluation mechanisms to monitor and measure Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs).

Administrative/ Managerial/ Planning Functions

• Each Assistant Director of Housing and Residence Life will lead one or more major functional areas. They will guide the department through essential work that enables the Office of Housing and Residence Life to live out its mission and fulfill its goals. Functional areas can include (but are not limited to):
• Staff training
• Resident Assistant/Core Resident Assistant selection
• Graduate Hall Director selection
• Desk Assistant Selection
• Departmental assessment
• Job performance evaluations
• Resource room coordination
• Staff development
• Operational calendar
• On-Call Scheduling
• Exit Interviews
• Perform a variety of residential administrative duties, related to the mitigation of student risk, university communication, retention efforts, increasing student occupancy and the overall well-being of students residing on campus.
• Monitor the physical condition of the halls/apartments, working collaboratively with Facilities Services.
• Assist in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of policy.
• Serve on departmental and divisional committees. (Student Success, JED, assessment, health and wellness, shuttle bus, search and screen committees, disability services, CARE team, College Employee Satisfaction Task Force, Middle States, integration, etc.)
• Provide information and important feedback concerning the residential environment and student issues to key student support offices.
• Develop and maintain cooperative working relationships with staff from the University Counseling Center, Health and Wellness, University Police, Student Engagement, Campus Dining, Athletics, Academic Support Services, Admissions, etc.
• Participate in and support Housing and Residence Life research and overall assessment efforts.

Office of Student Conduct

• Conduct informal judicial hearings for the Office of Student Conduct.
• Serve as a higher-level administrator and case manager for the Student Code of Conduct in accordance with State/Federal guidelines/requirements (Clery, FERPA, Board of Governor’s Policy, etc.). This requires management and understanding of policy, procedure, database systems, formal documentation, and related laws and regulations.
• Serve as a high-level investigator regarding student Title IX cases/reports, student conduct allegations, both individual and organizations, and conduct high level case management.
• Conduct formal hearings in relation to Student Conduct and Title IX matters, expulsion, or suspension cases.
• Serve as liaison for parent, attorney, and additional third-party inquiries regarding confidential student discipline status.

Other Duties

• Perform related duties as assigned or required to fulfill University or departmental goals and objectives.

For full position requirements and description, including application procedures, please visit https://commonwealthu.peopleadmin.com/postings/2259. For full consideration, applications must be received by June 19, 2024. EEO Employer.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $53,360.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Work setting:

• In-person

Ability to Commute:

• Lock Haven, PA 17745 (Preferred)

Ability to Relocate:

• Lock Haven, PA 17745: Relocate before starting work (Preferred)

Work Location: In person