Assistant Director of Residence Life and Student Activities

Assistant Director of Residence Life and Student Activities
VSC-UP PAT Bargaining Unit Grade 13                          Exempt

BASIC FUNCTION
Provide coordination and oversight of residence life, student activities, student clubs, student council, orientation leaders, community service opportunities at one location in alignment with an educationally developmental approach. Assist with student success initiatives, budget management, and service on university wide committees. Other responsibilities include securing campus facilities, responding to on-campus emergencies, and collaborating with Public Safety to maintain a secure and supportive environment. This is a live-in position with on-call responsibilities.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Plan, implement, administer, coordinate, monitor, and evaluate a wide range of student activities, programs, and services.
• Develop and modify programs in accordance with student interests and college objectives.
• Assist Director of Student Activities with administration of student activities operating budget.
• Serve as resource person or advisor to a variety of student organizations; including the Student Government Association and their different branches.
• Oversee and coordinate a variety of major student programs as assigned. Participate in the planning and coordination of campus events.
• Assist in planning and implementation of new student orientation programs.
• Confer regularly with immediate supervisor, other student success staff, residential life staff, and other University personnel to plan, coordinate and evaluate programs/activities/policies, exchange information, investigate and resolve problems, refer students, etc.
• Serve on various College committees.
• Advise and counsel individual students on a wide range of matters, referring to various on- or off-campus resources as appropriate.
• Supervise student resident assistants and orientation leaders including selection, training, and evaluation.

• Exercise supervision and maintain strong community standards and mentoring relationships through visible, daily interactions in the halls with Senior Resident Assistants, Resident Assistants, and students.
• Provide leadership and foster personal development to enhance student academic and professional growth.
• Collaborate regularly with the Director of Residence Life and Housing Operations, Assistant Directors of Residence Life, and other university staff and faculty as needed.
• Assist in managing room assignments, room changes, and housing records for residential students based out of the Williston campus.
• Interpret and enforce a wide variety of residence life policies and procedures governing student behavior.
• Supervise and implement appropriate procedures during emergency or crisis situations in residence hall(s) in conjunction with    supervisor, Public Safety, Campus Operations, and off-campus agencies (local authorities, medical facilities/personnel, etc.) as required.
• Participate in planning related to residence hall programming and policy/procedure development.
• Maintain social media platforms (college and external) to promote student activities and community service.
• Develop and enhance a well-balanced and varied community service program that includes trainings for students, educational events, recognition for outstanding contributions and is based upon current community, college and student needs and professional best practice

• Coordinate community service opportunities that encourage college-wide participation from faculty, staff, and students.
• Conduct periodic assessments and evaluations of the programs offered.
• Keep abreast of current developments in higher education.
• Assist with securing campus facilities, including locking and unlocking buildings as needed to support campus operations and Public Safety
• Serve as a first responder to on-campus emergencies in collaboration with Public Safety, assisting in evacuations, crisis response, and student welfare checks.
• Attend safety committee meetings and collaborate with Public Safety to promote a secure living and learning environment, acting as a backup for Public Safety when necessary.
• Perform other related duties as assigned

SUPERVISION RECEIVED
Supervision is received from the Director of Residence Life and Housing Operations along with the Director of Student Activities.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED
Administrative and functional supervision of student resident assistants and orientation leaders.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor’s degree in appropriate discipline and one to three years relevant experience, or experience from which comparable knowledge and skills are acquired. Valid driver's license and willingness to obtain a VSC fleet license.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES
Knowledge:
• Understanding of the educational goals and objectives of Vermont State University including attention to accessibility and diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Understanding of the psychological and cultural characteristics of economically and educationally disadvantaged students, particularly in a rural setting.
• Awareness of developmental, holistic, and proactive approaches to student success.
Skills:
• Excellent interpersonal, supervisory, and communication skills.
• Able to meet students where they are, and ensure they feel listened to, and that they are comfortable working with an advisor to navigate challenges and concerns as they come up.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Experience with (or ability to learn) technologies such as Aviso, Colleague, SelfService, Slate, Microsoft products, and Perceptive Content.
• Proven record of accountability and follow-through with the ability to meet deadlines.

Abilities:
• Demonstrated ability to positively influence student skill development, such as communication skills, leadership skills, academic skills, technical skills, noncognitive or ‘soft’ skills, and social skills.
• Demonstrated ability to foster student development in the attainment of student success goals, such as academic purpose, sense of belonging/identity, agency, career readiness, civic readiness, access & equity.
• Demonstrated positive attitude regarding Vermont State University and a desire to improve student outcomes, including attention to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Demonstrated ability to support a diverse community and promote diverse perspectives and cultures in an inclusive environment.
• Ability to work effectively with a wide range of individuals within the University and capacity to work as part of a team to collaborate and choose student success.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with college personnel as well as families/guardians and external resources in carrying out the various coordination, liaison, and advocacy aspects of the job.
• Ability to work weekends and evenings to provide student support outside of normal business hours.

Location: Vermont State Williston campus with possible travel to other campuses.

This general outline illustrates the type of work which characterizes the job classification. It is not an all-encompassing statement of the specific duties, responsibilities and qualifications of individual positions assigned to the classification.

We encourage applicants with a demonstrated interest in building and supporting an inclusive, equitable, and diverse community at VSC.

Benefits Package

• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance 
• Vision Insurance 
• Retirement Plan
• Tuition Waiver to Vermont State Colleges
• Tuition Waiver to UVM* for dependent children
• Employee Assistance Program 
• Long Term Disability 
• 14 Paid Holidays
• Medical, Personal, and Vacation Leave    

Vermont State University is a part of the Vermont State Colleges System (VSCS). VSCS values individual differences that can be engaged in the service of learning.  Diverse experiences from people of varied backgrounds inform and enrich our community.  VSCS strongly encourages applications from historically marginalized and underrepresented populations.  VSCS is an equal opportunity employer, in compliance with ADA requirements, and will make reasonable accommodations for the known disability of an otherwise qualified applicant.  Please contact our HR office for assistance with accommodations at humanresources@vermontstate.edu.    

NOTE: This job is subject to a criminal background check. Any offer of employment may be contingent upon the satisfactory results of this check.