Assistant Director of Living and Learning Experience - Residence Life

As a valued member of the Residential Life team, the Assistant Director provides input and feedback to help lead the development and vision of the Office of Residence Life living and learning programs. The assistant director is responsible for the largest residential community on campus and is expected to enhance the living environment of the community through staff development, resident outreach, creative community engagement, implementation and development of new living and learning programs, and administrative organization of housing and conduct processes. The Assistant Director is supervised by the Director of Residence Life.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Supervision:
Assist in the creation and facilitation of the Resident Assistant recruitment, training, and development programs.

Assists in the supervision of a team of Resident Directors and 20 to 30 undergraduate student staff Resident Assistants by providing on-going feedback, development, and support through consistent one-on-one meetings as well as formal feedback through performance evaluations.

Lend guidance to the Resident Directors and assist in their professional growth and development through individual meetings and training sessions.

Conduct weekly area staff meetings within their Resident Director and Resident Assistant teams to provide information, coordinate initiatives, assist with residential issues, and provide ongoing training and team development.

Community Development:

Work with parents/guardians regarding student concerns.

Advise the Residence Hall Association and monitor/approve distribution of their budget allocations.

Be visible in the residential area, viewed by residents as available and approachable.

Assess student needs and interests on a continual basis.

Assist students with individual problems through advising, counseling, and referral.

Assist in the development, implementation, and supervision of established and new living and learning communities.

Assist in the development of the Office of Residence Life Student Engagement Model. Including implementation of intentional interactions, Office of Residence Life Welcome Week, the first six weeks engagement initiative, and all other community engagement programs.

Partner with the Center for Student Involvement and all other student life areas in collaborative efforts to enhance the student experience.

Responsible for departmental marketing and promotions, including web content management, establishing, and managing a social media presence, and coordinating promotional materials for all ORL programs and events (to include design, creation, and distribution of same where applicable). Will ensure standardization of marketing materials in accordance with standards set forth by the University.

Administration:

Take part in the on-call rotation.

Assist in the formulation and implementation of policies and procedures regarding the total operation of the Office of Residence.

Participate in the Residence Life 24/7 oncall rotation.

Complete monthly and end of the year reports.

Communicate with the Facilities Office and Security Services regarding building issues.

Manage 2-3 traditional residence hall buildings including opening and closing.

Assist the department with the coordination of fire drills, fire safety inspections, and safety related issues.

Aid the central office regarding accurate building occupancy, room changes, key distribution and collection, and other administrative processes.

Develop, manage, and provide oversight of area programmatic budget.

Perform other duties as assigned within the scope of Residential Life and Student Life.

Conduct and Community Standards Responsibilities:

Assist in the management of conduct processes for your designation area of the residential community.

Ensure that Resident Directors are meeting expected conduct adjudication timelines and consistently sanctioning students involved in violations of the Code of Student Conduct, Rights, and Responsibilities.

File and review reports through the reporting system Maxient as appropriate.

Meet with students to discuss situations that are not in accordance with community standards and assign sanctions.

Completes other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Assistant Director assists in the supervision of the Resident Directors, Graduate Assistants, Resident Assistants, Student Aides, Desk Staff, and administrative staff in a designated area in a living learning center.

REQUIREMENTS:

Minimum qualifications:

Master’s degree from an accredited institution

This administrator must have sufficient experience in higher education administration or an equivalent combination of education and experience to enable them to perform the duties of this position.

Preferred qualifications:

Alternately, the successful candidate may possess any equivalent combination of experience and training, which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities required to perform the essential job functions. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:

Knowledge of the general principles and practices of the organization and administration of Residence Life.

Ability to plan assign, direct, coordinate and supervise the work of professional, paraprofessional, clerical and any other staff personnel working within a specifically assigned building.

Ability to communicate effectively, including listening skills and skills in expressing ideas clearly and succinctly, both orally and in writing.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the University officials, staff, students, and parents.

Knowledge of the policies, regulations, and procedures of the University regarding living in residence and student life.

Knowledge of current trends and legal requirements in the administration of judicial procedures, student records, student groups, office management, counseling services and services for students with disabilities.

Commitment to the University’s values of diversity, equity and inclusion, and recognition of the importance of treating each individual with dignity and respect consistent with the University’s Mission. Demonstrated experience with, and understanding of, the broad diversity of the University community (students, faculty, staff and others).

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the University Community.

Ability and willingness to contribute actively to the mission of the University and to respect the Spiritan Catholic identity of Duquesne University. The mission is implemented through a commitment to academic excellence, a spirit of service, moral and spiritual values, sensitivity to world concerns, and an ecumenical campus community.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

Applicants are asked to submit a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references.

Catholic in its mission and ecumenical in spirit, Duquesne University values equality of opportunity as an educational institution and as an employer. We aspire to attract and sustain a diverse faculty and staff that reflects contemporary society, serves our academic goals and enriches our campus community. We particularly encourage applications from members of underrepresented groups and support dual-career couples through our charter membership in this region's HERC (http://www.hercjobs.org/oh-western-pa-wv/).

We invite applicants for this position to learn more about our university and its Spiritan heritage by visiting http://www.duq.edu/about/mission-and-identity/mission-statement. Those invited to campus for an interview may be asked about ways in which they see their talents contributing to the continued growth of our community and furthering its mission.

Duquesne University was founded in 1878 by its sponsoring religious community, the Congregation of the Holy Spirit. Duquesne University is Catholic in mission and ecumenical in spirit. Motivated by its Catholic identity, Duquesne values equality of opportunity both as an educational institution and as an employer.