Area Director

The Area Director (‘AD’) is responsible for maintaining an atmosphere in multiple residence facilities that supports the purposes of Vanguard University of Southern California (VUSC). The AD’s primary responsibility is to facilitate co-curricular programming which provides educational opportunities for the personal, social, and spiritual development of residential students. Responsibilities include the administration and assessment of programs, student care and conduct case management, mentoring, and supervision of the residence halls. The AD will coordinate the efforts of students and Residence Life Staff with VUSC Student Development to create an environment where life, faith and learning come together. The AD reports to the Associate Dean of Residence Life (‘ADRL’).

POSITION DUTIES

• General
  • Work with the Residence Life team to fulfill the goals and objectives of all Residence Life programs.
  • Mentor and invest in students to promote accountability and encourage personal and spiritual growth.
  • Train, mentor, evaluate, and assist in the selection of the student Resident Assistants.
  • Supervise 2 teams of RAs through individual mentoring meetings and in weekly staff meetings.
  • Develop RA training in collaboration with Residence Life team, and conduct both ongoing and semester RA training.
  • Supervise and support 1 graduate assistant or part time staff in all functions of apprenticeship.
  • Provide guidance for personal and professional development of RA staff(s).
  • Attend all departmental and Student Development staff meetings, professional development opportunities, and retreats, including student leadership and RA retreats.
  • Maintain a high level of student contact and availability to residential students especially in areas of oversight.
  • Provide appropriate information and referrals to campus partners such as, Academic Resources, Career Center, Counseling Center, Registrar, etc.
• Programming
  • Plan and facilitate programs that offer developmentally appropriate conversations which promote educational, social, personal and spiritual growth for residential students.
  • Evaluate and assess the effectiveness of programs and quality of students’ experiences.
  • Support Student Development staff in the development of all-campus educational and special interest programs.
  • Manage hall and department Instagram accounts through regular posting and sharing of information.
• Building Supervision
  • Administer University student policy and regulations related to residence hall operations.
  • Assist in accurate record keeping in StarRez (housing software) in coordination with Assistant Director of Housing.
  • Provide leadership which promotes and supports an atmosphere of academic achievement within the residence hall.
  • Work with the Housing Department to oversee the housing check-in and check-out processes, distribution of building information, maintenance of appropriate signage, and approve room changes.
  • Communicate facility needs and custodial concerns to the Housing Department as a liaison with the Facilities department and follow-up on the progress.
  • Respond to all emergencies and supervise the initial crisis situation and intervention within the residence hall.
  • Participate in the on-duty rotation providing 24-hour emergency response year-round.
  • Assist Housing Department with summer conferencing as assigned.
• Student Care and Conduct Administration
  • Maintain community behavioral standards by participating in the conduct process.
  • Participate in the Student Care and Conduct process and help to create appropriate and developmental student discipline contracts under the direction of the Associate Dean of Residence Life.
  • Act as active care case manager for VUSC students needing conflict mediation, mental health, coordinated care, resource consultation and overall care.
  • Create, monitor, implement, and evaluate programs designed to help student development in line with the mission and vision of Vanguard including but not limited to those focused on community care, alcohol prevention education, and healthy relationships.
  • Respond to all emergencies and supervise the initial crisis situation and intervention within the residence halls.
  • Participate in the on-duty rotation providing 24-hour emergency response year-round. During the business day, RDs are responsible to respond to crises in their buildings. The RD-on-Duty serves as a backup when RDs are unavailable or already responding, and after hours/weekends. On-Call days average around 50 days per live-in staff member
  • Support Student Care through case management of assigned students.
  • Keep accurate and up-to-date records in Maxient (conduct software).
  • Performs other duties as assigned

SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree required with emphasis in student development theory, higher education or counseling psychology preferred.
• Minimum 2 years of full-time experience in education of college students in a residential setting.
• Ability to engage in crisis management and emergency response.
• Strong case management skills: organized, responsible, collaborative, with strong administrative capacity.
• Ability to appropriately manage sensitive and confidential information.
• Ability to uphold policies, navigate conflict, and engage in difficult conversations with peers, students, and campus collaborators.
• Knowledge of student development theory, program development and assessment, management, staff training/development, and student advisement.
• Ability to self-manage and coordinate responsibilities of graduate assistant and multiple student staff members overseeing various projects, student demographic needs, and calendars.
• Knowledge of commuter student needs is a plus; direct experience working with a commuter population preferred.
• An openly committed Christian who is in agreement with the Christian mission of the University, including openness to its charismatic emphasis.

SALARY

This is a full-time, 10.5-month live-in position. Expected pay range: $70,304 – $71,616 annually. Salary is commensurate with education and experience.

The position includes employer-provided on-campus housing consisting of an unfurnished apartment with internet and utilities provided (excluding phone and cable television). Occupancy of university housing is a condition of employment and is provided for the purpose of fulfilling the responsibilities of the role. Eligible employees also receive Vanguard University’s standard benefits package.

This position is designed as a two-year live-in professional experience within Residence Life. While extensions may be considered based on institutional needs and employee performance, applicants should anticipate an initial appointment period of approximately two years. Employment remains at-will and is subject to University policies and procedures.

Vanguard University is committed to ensure that all candidates have an equitable opportunity to apply for and participate in the selection process. As a university, we hold firm to the application of the reasonable accommodation process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. If you require an accommodation because of a disability in order to participate in any phase of the application process, or if you would like to request this information in an alternative format, please call Ken Bott, Sr. Director of Human Resources, at 714-662-5287.

Vanguard University is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination or harassment of any kind against individuals of race, color, national origin, disability, pregnancy or any other characteristic outlined by federal, state, and local laws. Where permitted by law and in relation to the school’s heritage and mission, Vanguard does exercise religious preference throughout the University and therefore employs individuals who are compatible with the institution, mission and statement of faith. This applies to all employment practices within the university. Vanguard is committed to a hiring process that is based on candidate’s qualifications, merit, and operational needs of the university.