Manager for Residence Life

Summary of Position:

The Manager of Residence Life at The Colburn School is responsible for the development, implementation and leadership of a comprehensive residential life program which supports the intensive efforts of high-achieving students in the college and graduate level Music Conservatory, and the high school level Music and Dance Academy. The Manager will supervise and lead a team of Residence Advisors (“RAs”). Under the direction of the Vice Provost, the Manager creates, administers, and oversees programs which enhance the experience, growth and development of the students as well as serve their educational, social, and cultural interests. The goal is to create a home away from home for a diverse group of students from around the world.

In addition to supporting the overall student body, the Manager of Residence Life will support and oversee key student groups and focus areas, including: Wellness, Student Clubs, Informal Artistic Events, International Students, First-Year Students; Graduating Class, Graduate Students, and students under age 18. The Manager will play a central role in ensuring that Residence Advisors support and integrate these groups within the residential programming.

The Manager must live on campus in the Residence Hall at The Colburn School (a one-bedroom apartment is provided as a non-taxable benefit) and must not hold a second job outside of Colburn. This is a year-round, full-time position which also supports an active schedule of summer conferences, festivals, and programs. The manager will work closely with the Leadership of the Conservatory, Music Academy, and Dance Academy and other employees of the Colburn School that support these programs. The Manager must maintain professional relationships and work collaboratively with many areas of the School to ensure smooth functioning of all aspects of student residential life.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Plans, directs, and manages the Residential Life program of The Colburn School.
• Responsible for hiring Residential Life staff as appropriate.
• Facilitates the development of a community that is welcoming and accepting of people of all races, ethnicities, abilities, ages, genders, national origins, religions, sexual orientations and identities, and other legally protected classifications.
• In consultation with the Vice Provost, develops and administers policies related to the Residential Life program, including but not limited to, safety and security, property damage deposits, room assignments, general dormitory rules and regulations, student car and bike parking. Policies must be maintained and developed in line with best practices nationally for collegiate and pre-collegiate students.
• Works closely with the Academic heads of the Conservatory, Music Academy and Dance Academy for student disciplinary issues that may arise.
• Updates and maintains the Residential Life Student Handbooks for Conservatory and Academy students. Enforces policies and procedures, rules and regulations and administers disciplinary action in accordance with established procedures.
• Creates monthly shift schedules and event planning for the Residence Life staff.
• Meets weekly with the Residence Life staff to promote teamwork, co-operation and initiatives for the staff and student body.
• Performs administrative duties including but not limited to: creating and retaining student housing contracts, emergency contact information, room and other keys.
• Manages health insurance enrollment process for all students living in the residence halls.
• Develops policies and procedures for and manages all aspects of residential life functions including but not limited to room assignments, reassignments, opening and closing of residence halls, move-in, move-out, and safety inspections.
• Plans and implements orientation week activities including training for Residence Life staff and social activities for students.
• Trains and supervises staff. Develops and implements a comprehensive RA orientation program.
• Develops and manages residence life orientation for new and returning students in coordination with the Office of Admissions.
• Participates in on-call duty rotation and serves as Residence Life on-call staff to ensure continuous on-call coverage with the rest of the Residence Life staff on weekdays, weekends, and holidays.
• Develops and manages budget for Residential Life.
• Communicates effectively with Deans, Directors, faculty, staff, RAs, and students.
• Prepares reports as requested.
• Meets and interacts with students on a regular basis and as needed.
• Attends or participates in school-wide events such as orientation and commencement.
• Provides input regarding residential needs for School programs, including summer programs.
• Serves on Committees as appropriate which may include Financial Aid and/or Student Conduct.
• Meet at least once a semester with members of Colburn’s Student Council.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Residential Hall Operations:

• Develop and oversee room-condition process for residents. Serve as liaison with Engineering, Facilities and Janitorial Departments in matters of maintenance and repair of residential spaces. Conduct room inspections prior to start of the fall semester, at beginning of Winter Break, end of the semester, after summer programs, and other times as required. Prepare report of damage and repairs needed and follow up to ensure work is completed, and that repair costs are billed appropriately.
• Serve as liaison with security staff to ensure students’ personal safety and security.
• Plan, oversee, and attend social activities that will promote student interaction and stress relief.
• Assist in the planning and execution of school-wide events such as orientation, commencement.
• Plan and implement programs/seminars on issues such as physical health, mental health, safety (fire, earthquake, personal).
• Develop and participate in residence hall governance.
• Oversee development and maintenance of Residence Life website.
• Develop and implement appropriate communication strategies in order to keep all members of the Residence Life Community informed regarding matters of interest, information and concern.

Summer Housing Programs:

• In conjunction with Colburn’s production, security, finance, and facilities teams, coordinate staffing needs, manage room assignments, coordination of resources (linens, supplies), and liaise with coordinators of summer programs as appropriate.
• Ensure that residential life policies for all summer residents are appropriate and in line with best practices.

Crisis and Emergency Management:

• Ensure that all residential staff are trained in crisis and emergency response actions.
• Provide leadership in crisis situations while ensuring the safety of students and staff.
• Serve as backup for RA on-call system.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Supervises the Residence Life staff. Responsible for setting and managing the schedule for the Residence Life team, ensuring that all required shifts are covered, reviewing and approving timesheets to comply with California wage and hour requirements, and ensuring that non-exempt staff are accurately taking and tracking their meal periods as required by California legal requirements. Sets goals for the Residence Life department and ensures that all goals are met by the Residence Life team.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in student affairs, social work, psychology, music, education, or related field, preferred.
• Five years’ experience in residential life preferred, with two years at a supervisory level preferred.
• Must be able to maintain professional boundaries whenever dealing with students and representing the School.
• Demonstrated experience working with highly talented and gifted artistic students and understanding of a performing arts education, preferred.
• MS Computer skills: Word, Excel, Internet. Knowledge of Blackbaud a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise good judgment and excellent interpersonal skills.
• Proven ability to interact with students, including providing supervision and social activities.
• Demonstrated ability to work with various departments of the School, including Operations (security, maintenance, etc.).
• Demonstrated ability to function under pressure in crisis or emergency situations.
• Knowledge of, and appreciation of, classical music and ballet is a plus.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Flexibility to work on weekdays, evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed.
• Knowledge of FERPA, HIPAA and other regulations applicable to residential life.
• CPR/AED certified and ability to respond to emergency situations within the limits of training.

Essential Functions:

PHYSICAL:

Must be able to see, hear, feel, and use hands to type and grasp objects with fingers. Primarily sedentary with intermittent standing, walking, bending, and stooping; occasional light lifting and carrying of objects weighing 25 pounds or less; light to heavy repetitive use of hands, wrists and forearms while working on a computer. Must be able to ascend and descend multiple flights of stairs without assistance to support students and other residents in emergency situations.

EMOTIONAL:

Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships involving interactions and communications either in person, by phone, or in writing with a variety of individuals and/or groups of individuals from diverse backgrounds on a regular, on-going basis; ability to concentrate on detailed tasks for extended periods of time and/or intermittently while attending to other responsibilities; ability to work effectively and remain calm and composed under pressure on multiple tasks concurrently while meeting established deadlines and changing priorities. Ability to maintain the confidentiality of student information and must avoid the actual or perception of abusing or misusing the authority of this role against Colburn students.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Primarily indoor office environment; frequent contact with and interruptions by individuals in person or by phone.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS: The base annual salary range is $70,000 - $75,000 depending on skills, experience, and demonstrated ability. In addition to base salary, the role includes a one-bedroom on-site apartment, the value of which is non-taxable. The Colburn School offers excellent benefits including medical, dental and vision insurance plans, Long Term Disability, Short Term Disability, Life Insurance, paid sick leave, vacation, and a 403(b)-retirement plan with a generous employer matching contribution.