Associate Director of Residence Life for Residential Education and Community Development

Southern Connecticut State University is a diverse and student-centered university dedicated to academic excellence, access, and service for the public good.

Southern provides a supportive and welcoming environment for all members of its community through a campus wide commitment to social justice.

Founded as a teacher’s college in 1893, Southern has evolved over the past century into a comprehensive public university of more than 9,000 students, offering graduate and undergraduate programs in the liberal arts and professional disciplines.

It is one of four universities in the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities System. The University is located in New Haven, a city rich with arts and culture, and less than 90 miles from New York City and 140 miles from Boston.

The Associate Director of Residential Education and Community Development provides leadership for residence life initiatives that support the academic success of residential students.

The Associate Director will provide leadership to initiatives relating to community development, educational programming, student learning, and student leadership development.

The Associate Director is also responsible for assisting with the development and implementation of living learning programs including collaboration with Academic and Student Affairs.

They will provide daily supervision to first and second year community Residence Hall Directors.

Position Responsibilities

Coordinates department efforts to develop residence hall student communities utilizing student development and learning best practices.

Researches and implements best practices to create optimal learning environments for students through new and innovative programs and experiences such as living learning communities, themed based housing and academic initiatives.

Provides leadership for the development of curriculum, outcomes and materials for programming, community norms and health and safety information for residence hall students.

Develops and coordinates department collaborations for the implementation of programs and services with Academic and Student Affairs departments.

Coordinates the recruitment, hiring, training and evaluation of the Resident Advisor and student employee staff.

Provides direct supervision and evaluation of first and second year community Residence Hall Directors.

Assists with the training of Residence Hall Directors and graduate intern duty staff.

Assists with the recruitment, selection and training Summer Conference Assistant staff and student crews.

Supervise staff response to student concerns and behaviors including investigation and adjudication of violations of the Student Code of Conduct and roommate concerns as well as work collaboratively with the University Judicial Affairs office to coordinate response to student behaviors.

Assist in the development of manuals, educational materials, training programs, and procedures for the Office of Residence Life.

Provides coverage to residence halls in the extended absence of a Hall Director.

Serves as the primary advisor to the Residence Hall Association.

Oversees all Residence Hall Councils and their accounts.

Assists the Director of Residence Life in the training of new professional Residence Life staff.

Represents the Office of Residence Life on various University committees.

Assists the Director of Residence Life in the general operations of the Department of Residence Life and provides support for response to emergency situations and student incidents.

Serves as an on-call staff member for the Office of Residence Life.

Performs other duties and responsibilities related to those above as assigned by the Director of Residence Life which do not alter the basic level of responsibility of the position.

Qualifications

A Master’s Degree in Higher Education, Student Personnel or a related field is required. A minimum of five years of experience in residence life demonstrating ability to relate effectively to students, excellent communication and organizational skills, and broad knowledge of residence life programs.

Experience implementing living learning programs, themed housing and developing community is preferred. Preference is given to candidates with previous experience supervising professional and student staff.

The position requires a highly motivated person with the ability to work independently, excellent written and verbal communication, strong interpersonal skills, attention to detail and problem solving skills.

Ability to work in a continuously changing organization and be highly motivated. These qualifications may be waived for individuals with appropriate alternate experience.