Assistant Director of Residence Life and Housing

The Residence Life and Housing Department at the State University of New York at Oswego invites applications to fill full-time Assistant Director positions.

Posting Date: February 3, 2025

Review Date: Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

Compensation: $65,000 plus full New York State benefits package.

Benefit Information: The State University of New York provides an excellent benefit package. This is a United University Professions (UUP) professional staff position. Click here for more information on benefits for full-time United University Professions (UUP) professional staff.

Date of Appointment: As soon as possible

Description of Responsibilities:

The Assistant Director (AD) is a full-time, live-off (must live within 35 mile radius to campus), twelve-month Residence Life and Housing (RLH) leadership position with a work schedule that includes occasional evening and weekend responsibilities. The Assistant Director is responsible for providing experienced leadership and mentoring to their designated residential community's professional and student staff, as well as residential students.

The Assistant Director is a key member of the RLH leadership team and will assist in the development and implementation of the RLH mission and goals. They will work collaboratively with a wide range of campus partners to support the overall success of maintaining a holistic residential community focused on student learning and success. Additionally, through one collateral assignment within the department, the Assistant Director will also provide leadership in that specific focus area.

Residence Life and Housing (RLH) leads the development of the strong residential character of the SUNY Oswego campus and provides a common experience for most of the undergraduate community. Situated within the Division of Student Affairs, RLH plays a critical role in furthering the mission and vision of the Division and in achieving institutional enrollment goals through cutting edge business services, direct interface with the holistic needs of students and their families, and nationally recognized residential education practices. RLH works to advance student attainment of General Education goals with residence hall initiatives organized through a curricular approach to residential education.

Leadership & Supervision

• Motivate, direct, and supervise full-time Residence Hall Directors and indirectly supervise Assistant Hall Directors and Resident Assistants utilizing a developmental approach focused on professional growth, best practices, and completing tasks in a timely manner.
• Provide training; conduct individual meetings to develop and review goals and outcomes achieved; conduct periodic performance evaluations as appropriate and create plans for individualized staff development.
• Serve as a member of the departmental leadership team to design, create, and assess department activities and retention initiatives to improve the residential experience which fosters student success.
• Foster a sense of positive community in the residence halls; use creative and innovative methods to personally connect to RLH staff and students.
• Create an inclusive community supported by trained staff that upholds the code of conduct for Residence Life and Housing and the University; provide appropriate mediation, counseling, and referrals for individual students and staff as needed.
• Advise Residence Hall Directors on the implementation of the University conduct system. Distribute and adjudicate student conduct cases in consultation with the Assistant Director for Residential Student Conduct and Community Advocacy as well as the Office of Student Conduct.
• Assist in the recruitment, selection, and training of departmental staff.
• Work closely with RLH Leadership to assist in the opening and closing of all campus residence halls each academic semester.
• Support the planning and coordination of area engagement initiatives aligned with divisional and departmental core values and learning domains.
• Distribute, approve, and audit the expenditure of residential area funds for student engagement initiatives.
• The Assistant Director is also responsible for ONE collateral assignment within RLH's core departmental functions (see below).
• Serve as the first point of response for supervisees during the work day and serve in the rotating leadership on-call rotation for emergency response on nights and weekends.
• Interface with parents and families at University events and respond to concerns in a manner that provides accurate information, fosters student development, and maintains good public relations.
• Develop and maintain positive professional relationships with campus partners.
• Participate in departmental, divisional, and University committees and task forces as a member or chair as needed to support the mission of Residence Life and Housing and the University.
• Serve as a key member of the RLH team responsible for fostering a campus culture in which all students feel welcomed and included; work to advance the College's mission of diversity and inclusion.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Collateral Assignments - Assistant Directors are responsible for ONE focus area.

1. RLH Operations

Student Operation Services Oversight:

• Oversee front desk and recycling operations for residential communities.
• Lead the recruitment, selection, training, and evaluation of 100 student operations services (SOS) staff.
• Manage student payroll in SubitUp and SUNY Time and Attendance.

Mail Services:

• Work collaboratively with mail services staff to oversee the mail operation, including the review and renewal of policy and procedures.
• Monitor monthly package logs and follow up on any lost mail, packages that have not been retrieved or shipping requests.
• Work with contracted mail service companies when software or hardware issues arise.

Opening and Closing:

• Lead the departmental opening and closing of residence halls for the academic year including breaks.
• Manage and process all paperwork, forms, and inventory controls for the move in and move out process.
• Develop and provide training for staff implementing the opening and closing process.
• Recruit and coordinate the Laker Move-in crew to facilitate a smooth transition of students into their residence hall.
• Inspect buildings for cleanliness, proper signage and needed repairs prior to opening each semester and work with facilities to ameliorate any concerns.
• Partner with the Sustainability office to coordinate campus donation program(s) at end-of-year closings.

Sustainability:

• Liaison with the Office of Sustainability to develop new initiatives as well as implement pre existing initiatives within the housing operation.
• Coordinate training and in-services for Recycling Technicians in the halls in conjunction with the Office of Sustainability.
• Promote and advertise on campus sustainability events within housing.
• Oversee Residence Hall recycling program.

Conferences and Summer Housing:

• Liaison with campus partners to coordinate all aspects of the department's camp and conference program and serve as the primary contact for conference groups desiring on-campus housing arrangements.
• Supervise Summer Conference staff to ensure an exceptional summer experience for conference attendees and summer school students.
• Manage the summer school program including supervision of the summer hall director in occupancy, programming, and student accommodations.
• Lead the recruitment and evaluation process of summer undergraduate student staff.
• Develop, implement, and assess on-going conference training programs for full-time, graduate, and undergraduate student staff.
• Coordinate housing arrangements for all guests requiring on campus housing during their camp or conference.

2. RLH Occupancy

Occupancy Policy and Data Management:

• Assist in developing, maintaining and directing all occupancy policies and procedures for the residence halls in consultation with the Senior Associate Director for Occupancy & Business Operations.
• Assist in ensuring and maintaining accurate records in The Housing Director (THD) including, but not limited to applications, assignments, and room change processes.
• Assist in ensuring accurate administration of student housing records in the campus' student information system. Serve as a member of the Banner Users Group.
• Assist in creating and maintaining regular and consistent reports (including historical comparisons and housing trends) related to residence hall occupancy.
• Support students and parents regarding student occupancy, including assignments, applications, and other occupancy questions.

Housing Processes:

• Help develop and maintain residence hall housing application processes and procedures for the student housing portal and housing management software.
• Assist in monitoring in-hall housing processes, such as, room changes, check-in/check-out, and vacancies; working closely with Hall Directors related to building occupancy management.
• Assist in reviewing current policies, procedures, and housing contracts and recommend changes as needed; research best practices and other resources in support of proposed changes.
• Utilize housing assignment data to work with the Senior Associate Director for Occupancy and Business Operations to update, develop, and administer housing selection and occupancy change processes.

Marketing:

• Assist with marketing initiatives for housing occupancy processes, including efforts to increase student occupancy during summer sessions and break housing periods.
• As part of the occupancy team, facilitate continued education of students and families related to the University Housing Policy, the housing license, exemption and release requests and other housing policies related to occupancy.

Campus Partnerships and Break Housing:

• Assist in coordinating student housing assignments outside of the academic year terms, including early arrivals/late stays, break housing, and summer sessions.
• Assist in ensuring that students who are approved to stay during break periods have appropriate resources (social, food, transportation etc.).
• Collaborate with campus offices to support programs and systems related to student occupancy.

3. RLH Staff Recruitment, Selection, Training, Evaluation, and Recognition

Recruitment:

• Support the annual review and update recruitment materials to ensure the alignment with strategic goals; identify and implement methods to diversify the professional and paraprofessional team.
• Help to ensure staff recruitment and training aligns with residential education goals and is grounded in best practices.
• Assist in the coordination departmental recruitment and selection processes including information sessions, interview processes, candidate review and selection, and contract management.
• Ensure the recruitment and selection of student leaders is designed and implemented to strengthen the outreach and participation of a diverse student group and provide a developmental approach to the hiring process.

Training:

• Assist in leading the department in the planning and implementation of staff training prior to each semester (August and January) for professional and student staff which aligns with position description and strategic goals.
• Help to annually review, revise, and execute training programs in keeping with professional best practices, university, and departmental goals, and to ensure compliance with life-safety issues, university, and federal guidelines/mandates.
• Support professional staff development through in-services and professional development opportunities in regional and national organizations within the field of Student Affairs and Higher Education.
• Foster strong team development and manage team conflict while ensuring that direct reports develop strong and culturally competent supervision skills.

Evaluation:

• Provide assistance in the development and assessment of professional staff performance plans, professional development, and coaching opportunities, and annual evaluation to establish a department structure that supports staff retention and career growth.
• Assist with the coordination of the student staff performance evaluation process.
• Help to manage a departmental tracking system for staff contracts, performance programs, and evaluations to ensure they are in compliance with University policy.
• Serve as a resource for supervisors in handling performance concerns and workplace conflicts, providing coaching and assistance as needed.

Recognition:

• Lead a planning team in the development of staff recognition throughout the year culminating with the end of year student staff celebration
• Foster staff engagement through the development of a positive workplace culture and addressing the holistic needs of the staff.

4. RLH Residential Education

Residential Curriculum:

• Use research based best practices to help lead the departmental residential education program aligned with division and institution goals.
• Introduce, reinforce, and emphasize best practices for the development, implementation, and assessment of residential learning initiatives that support student needs and meet college and division strategic goals.
• Support a residential curriculum aligned with institution mission and general education goals, the division's learning domains, and specific to the learning and development needs of first year and upper-division students.
• Collaborate with the RLH Leadership team to ensure that the mission, vision, and values for the department align with associated learning outcomes for the residential curriculum.
• Help train staff (professional and student) in their responsibilities related to the implementation of a residential curriculum, program development, and assessment.
• Assist in developing and implementing a department assessment plan related to the residential education program and department initiatives that enhance student learning.
• Coordinate and enhance campus traditions related to Residence Life and Housing programs and annual events.
• Identify collaborative opportunities with other college units to support student learning and success in the residence halls.
• Collaborate with Academic Affairs in the facilitation of departmental involvement and support in retention efforts of our students including the Starfish program.
• Coordinate the Community Council framework and train and meet regularly with organization advisors.

Living Learning Community (LLC) Initiatives:

• Assist in the development, coordination and implementation of LLC programs intended to enhance the student residential living experience.
• Help to establish and maintain key faculty and campus resource partnerships to support LLC programs.
• Support the development and implementation of programmatic, staffing, and financial efforts that will generate a holistic LLC experience for students connecting social, academic and career elements.
• Aid in the evaluation of the LLC program on an ongoing basis to ensure each LLC is meeting the desired goals and learning outcomes.
• Help to plan and create standard data report documents to showcase appropriate outcomes and data to various stakeholders.
• Remain current in emerging LLC trends and programs that add value to the residential living experience.
• Provide guidance and resources to staff (professional and student) in their responsibilities related to the LLC program.

SUNY Oswego works continuously to create an inclusive environment which respects, embraces, and promotes cultural safety, belonging, civil discourse, cultural humility, and other values and goals outlined in SUNY Oswego's Strategic Diversity and Inclusion Plan. As such, the incumbent is expected to contribute to these efforts and possess communication and interpersonal skills necessary to engage effectively with an increasingly diverse community of students and colleagues.

Required:

• Master's degree in Higher Education, counseling, or related field.
• 3-5 years of professional experience working with college students.
• Strong knowledge of student development theory.
• Experience in student support programs and services, crisis intervention techniques, and conflict resolution
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills.

Preferred

• Knowledge of residence life and student personnel administration; and conduct issues and practice.
• Experience in emergency planning and response.
• Ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.
• Ability to analyze problems and strategically develop and communicate creative solutions to complex issues.
• Ability to develop, plan, and implement short and long-range goals.
• Skills in organization, coordination and oversight of multiple priorities

At SUNY Oswego we value the diversity found in each member of our campus community and strive to create a community where that diversity is embraced and enhanced. Recognizing the strength of diversity, our mission is to foster an environment which respects, embraces and promotes cultural competence, civil discourse and active engagement in developing an inclusive and vibrant community of scholars who act as transformational agents of change and responsible citizens of the world. For more information see SUNY Oswego's Strategic Diversity and Inclusion Plan.

As a candidate seeking consideration you are asked to submit a separate statement specifically addressing how your commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion has been evidenced in your career experience and professional activity, and/or community service (volunteer work, etc.), and/or professional development. (Please see Application Instructions)

Oswego is committed to enhancing its diversity. SUNY Oswego is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and is actively engaged in recruiting, supporting, and fostering a diverse community of outstanding faculty, staff and students. We encourage applications from qualified applicants regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, creed, age, disability, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, familial status, pregnancy, predisposing genetic characteristics, military status, domestic violence victim SUNY status, or criminal conviction. Please click here to see our full non-discrimination policy.

In accordance with USCIS regulations, successful applicants must be legally able to work in the United States per the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.

Requests for reasonable accommodations of a disability during the application and/or interview process should be made to the Human Resources Office by calling 315-312-2230 or emailing hr@oswego.edu.

For Campus Safety information, please click here to see the Annual Security and Fire Report (Clery).

SUNY Oswego is a smoke free/tobacco/e-cigarette free campus. Click here for further policy details, including education and cessation resources.

Pursuant to Executive Order 161, no State entity, as defined by the Executive Order, is permitted to ask, or mandate, in any form, that an applicant for employment provide his or her current compensation, or any prior compensation history, until such time as the applicant is extended a conditional offer of employment with compensation. If such information has been requested from you before such time, please contact the Office of Employee Relations at (518) 474-6988 or via email at info@oer.ny.gov.

Search Chair:

Leigh Viscomi, leigh.viscomi@oswego.edu

Visa sponsorship not available for this position