Description
The Director of Residence Life advances the mission of Messiah University by integrating faith, learning, and living within the residential experience. This position provides strategic leadership for the Residence Life program, including oversight of professional and student staff, supervision of 13 residential areas, and partnership in promoting student success, engagement, and care for all residential students. The Director serves as a member of the Community of Educators. This is a full-time, 12-month position.
Responsibilities
Primary Duties
1. Provide direction for the residence life program, in close collaboration with the director of housing that fosters safe, hospitable and holistic living-learning environments in eight residence halls, four apartment buildings, and various special interest houses.
2. Supervise two Assistant Directors, 4 Residence Life Educators (Formerly known as RDs), the Administrative Assistant to the Director of Residence Life, 2-3 work study students, and the Summer RD. Provide supervision oversite as needed for the two apartment residence director graduate assistants and the 62 Resident Assistants.
3. Give oversight to retention and student success initiatives for members of the residential undergraduate population
4. In partnership Vice Provost / Dean of Students and/or designee, provide leadership to the administration of student conduct as it relates to the community standards of Messiah University.
5. Coordinate the selection, orientation, evaluation, and accountability of residence life professional staff.
6. Provide oversight to the Assistant Directors in their leadership of selecting, orienting, evaluating the paraprofessional Resident Assistant staff
7. Provide oversight to the Assistant Directors in their co-teaching of the Principles of Peer Relationship class for RAs
8. Serve as a resource to educators, staff and students on the needs and concerns of residential students.
9. Oversee and administrate assessment programs to assure excellence in service, educational effectiveness, and progress on student learning outcomes.
10. Monitor department program and personnel budgets related to residence life and housing.
11. Serve on Student Success & Engagement Crisis Team and coordinate emergency response rotation of residence life personnel.
12. Coordinate the training and development of all department staff, including July, January and May strategic team meetings, and August and January resident assistant training.
13. Provide oversight to Living Learning Communities on campus.
14. Develop and maintain collaborative relationships across campus, including Campus Safety, Facility Services, Campus and Building Services, the Campus Bookstore, and Conference Services.
15. In rotation with Vice Provost for Student Success & Engagement and Assistant Dean of Students, serve ‘on consult’ after hours, including on evenings, weekends, summer and some holidays, as a senior administrative consultant.
16. Update and maintain the residence life website.
17. Maintain consistent and reliable attendance
Secondary Duties
1. Serve on committees and councils in university-wide governance and educational governance.
2. Complete other duties directed by the Vice Provost for Student Success & Engagement / Dean of Students.
3. Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Education Required
Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration or closely related field
Experience Required
Four to six years post-Master’s experience including supervisory experience;
Experience Preferred
Progressive supervision of staff preferred
Skills, Characteristics Required
- Ability to advance the University’s mission and vision for Christian higher education
- Ability to advance the Mission of Residence Life to foster safe, hospitable and holistic living-learning environments
- Knowledge of best practices in residential programs at the national level and the creative ability to lead a residential program beyond traditional residential program models
- Demonstrated commitment to continual learning and growth in regard to diversity, equity, inclusion and reconciliation
- Ability to clearly articulate why inclusive excellence and cultural intelligence matterDemonstrated competence and skills in leadership, supervision, decision-making and administration
- Excellent interpersonal skills verbally and in written communication
- Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the stages of student development and the importance of holistic education
- Composure and competence during crisis situations
- Ability to work proficiently in student conduct and care software
- Models well their Christian faith journey
- Ability to work collaboratively with other departments
Special Working Conditions
A critical component of the Institution’s risk management model relies on the Administrator On Consult, or their designee, remaining within a 30-minute radius while on call. As such the Administrator On Consult is expected to remain within this radius, or consult with the Dean of Students or VP of Student Success & Engagement, to ensure one of the three administrators is within 30 minutes of campus at any given time, in the event of a major crisis that would require the presence of an Administrator.
Driving Requirements
N/A
About Us
Messiah University’s commitment to diversity and inclusive excellence draws inspiration from its mission “to educate men and women toward maturity of intellect, character and Christian faith in preparation for lives of service, leadership and reconciliation in church and society.” The university has pursued this vision through a strategic planning process that encourages diversity through employee and student composition, campus climate, and an educational program that seeks to equip and enable educators and students to embrace diversity. Candidates should clearly articulate why diversity and inclusive excellence matter to them as persons of faith as well as in their profession. Candidates will speak to how as a potential employee, they will contribute to the advancement of this vision through their teaching-learning, research, institutional service, and public engagement.