Assistant Dean of the Residential Experience & Director of Housing Administration

Job Description

Department:

Community Living and Student Engagement

Pay Rate Type:

Salary

Employee Type:

Job Summary:

Colby College seeks interested candidates for the Assistant Dean of the Residential Experience/Director of Housing Administration in the Office of the Residential Experience. The Assistant Dean of the Residential Experience/Director of Housing Administration will join a residential experience that is newly growing and evolving as it intentionally focuses on integrating the academic, social, experiential, and cultural dimensions of college life with on-campus living. The Assistant Dean/Director is a multifaceted role consisting of strategic office leadership initiatives, as well as direct oversight of the operational and administrative management of 2,300+ beds in 34 residential facilities. The operational management includes overseeing, facilitating, and coordinating room selection and placement, housing waiting lists, assignment changes, key management, etc. during both the academic year and summer (summer student housing). The Assistant Dean/Director is also responsible for overseeing the opening and closing of the halls throughout the year (fall, winter, spring breaks) as well as the end of the year hall closing process. This position works closely with colleagues within the division and across campus to support Colby’s residential vision and vibrant intellectual culture. This position reports directly to the Associate Dean of the Residential Experience, and serves as a member of the Office’s leadership team.

ASSISTANT DEAN FUNCTIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Collaborate with campus partners in improving residential strategies, and develop positive working relationships with campus offices to ensure consistent messaging
• Support in planning and decision-making, in conjunction with the Associate Dean of the Residential Experience, about large department projects and expenditures.
• Provide trainings, information sessions, and materials to ensure transparency of policies, processes, and procedures to students, student hall staff, and appropriate campus partners
• Work as an integral member of the Dean of the College Division staff and with all departments at the College
• Responsible for office-wide marketing and communication of programs and services through website, social media, phone, email, and all other communication venues.
• Collaborate with Facilities Services to manage and identify annual planning for capital improvement projects and renovations. Lead collaboration and planning to maximize bed space usage
• In the absence of the Associate Dean, provide effective supervision of professional and paraprofessional staff, and efficient operations and programming management while ensuring compliance with all relevant policies and procedures
  
  

DIRECTOR OF HOUSING ADMINISTRATION FUNCTIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead College housing usage of the Symplicity Residence database system including, but not limited to, housing applications, room assignments and occupancy, contract processes, reporting, and data management
• Manage all aspects of occupancy and future occupancy needs including room selection processes, assignments, and room changes
• Create, oversee, and execute all aspects of the room assignment process for summer student housing
• Collaborate with the Associate/Assistant Directors of Residential Education in the mediation of roommate conflicts that may result in room changes or that have the potential to impact occupancy
• Execute building openings and closings throughout the year in collaboration with Community Advisors and Area Residence Directors (student hall staff)
• Manage, implement, and facilitate fall and spring health and safety checks in all residential buildings
• Serve as a liaison to Facilities Services to ensure the physical spaces and condition of the residence halls align with the educational mission of Colby
• Track and maintain all residential facility keys and coordinate changes and updates with the College locksmith, including coordinating and entering the end of the year key billing and lock changes
• Coordinate individual hall damage and vandalism billing for students in collaboration with Facilities Services, Associate Dean of the Residential Experience, and the Office of Student Financial Services
• Assign temporary housing for Global Entry Semester student orientation in August, as well as housing assignments during Jan Plan for students returning from or going abroad
• Liaise with Class Deans to ensure a smooth transition into and out of housing for students returning from and/or taking leaves from Colby for a period of time
• Coordinate logistical aspects of the accommodation housing process with the Director of Student Access and Disability Services and participate on the housing accommodations process as appropriate
• Coordinate the pre- and post- board to execute housing assignments, billing, and other aspects of the program
• Participate in major events including opening/closing of residence halls, student orientation, first-year convocation, senior week, and commencement
• Participate in evening and weekend programming as required by the nature of our residential community
• Serve in the on-call rotation responding to emergency situations and student needs/concerns for 2-3 weeks each semester, including evenings and weekends
• Perform additional duties as assigned; duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice
  
  

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Understand and effectively communicate parameters of contemporary residential life and college housing practices.
• Excellent organization, project management, interpersonal, listening, collaboration and communication skills to effectively deal with a variety of individuals.
• High degree of motivation and strong work ethic
• Proven ability to work independently and as a member of a team, establish priorities, and work collaboratively as a member of a diverse community
• Talent to meet multiple simultaneous deadlines and to work in a fast-paced environment
• Deep commitment to creating an equitable and inclusive campus community
• Commitment to high level cooperation between student affairs and academic programs
• Possess strong interpersonal communication, planning, decision making, critical thinking and mediation skills
• Demonstrated skills in advising, coaching, and supervising a diverse group of students and staff
• Skill in project management including training and providing work direction to student employees with administrative procedures
• Skill to communicate explanation of policy to staff and residents verbally and in writing.
• Must be able to show initiative, sensitivity, and flexibility in dealing with complex problems and situations.
• Highly developed computer skills including extensive experience using Microsoft Office Suite, email and web applications, as well as an interest in and ability to learn new programs; experience with housing software program
  
  

Required Experience/Education

• Bachelor’s degree or the equivalent in education and experience; Master’s degree in educational administration, student affairs, or related field preferred
• Minimum five (5) years of post-master's experience in housing/residence life
• Direct experience of housing operations and occupancy management practices
• Demonstrated proficiency in learning and utilizing housing software platforms
  
  

Preferred Experience/Education

• Previous experience and familiarity with Symplicity Residence
• Previous experience onboarding a new housing software
• Seven (7) years of progressive experience in housing/residence life programs
  
  

KEY RELATIONSHIPS:

This position is a member of the Office of the Residential Experience, which reports to the Office of the Dean of the College within the Dean of College Division at Colby. This position regularly interacts with students, faculty, staff, families, support persons, and outside constituencies.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

General open office and campus environment. Position involves sitting, although frequent movement is necessary. Computer usage involving repetitive hand/wrist motion is also necessary. Evening and weekend work required.

TO APPLY:

Interested candidates should apply electronically by clicking the "Apply" button on the Colby Careers website. A review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

Colby is a private, coeducational liberal arts college that admits students and makes employment decisions on the basis of the individual's qualifications to contribute to Colby's educational objectives and institutional needs. Colby College does not discriminate in its educational programs or employment on the basis of race, color, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, religion, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, or military or veteran’s status. Colby is an equal opportunity employer and operates in accordance with federal and state laws regarding non-discrimination. Colby complies with Title IX, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in an institution’s education programs and activities. Questions regarding Title IX may be referred to Colby’s Title IX coordinator or to the federal Office of Civil Rights. We encourage inquiries from candidates who will contribute to the cultural and ethnic diversity of our college.

For more information about the College, please visit our website: www.colby.edu.