Director of Residence Life and Community Standards

Nichols College

Director of Residence Life and Community Standards

DEPARTMENT: Student Life

REPORTS TO: Assistant Dean of Student Life/Dean of Students

Job Summary

The residential living experience is a vital component of the Nichols College experience. The Director of Residence Life and Community Standards is a community builder, responsible for providing leadership and vision, developing a residential program that is focused on student learning and development, equity and inclusion, and student engagement. The Director will work with the Residence Life team to create an active living/learning environment that encourages mutual respect and accountability while providing opportunities for students to become dynamically engaged in the Nichols College experience. The Director needs to possess the ability to provide strong fiscal management for the department budget, developing creative ways to increase occupancy and retention of residential students. The Director serves as a key leader in the Division of Student Life and must be able to provide effective supervision of professional and paraprofessional staff, and efficient operations and programming management while ensuring compliance with all relevant policies and procedures.

Residence Life Duties And Responsibilities

• Collaborate with members of the Division of Student Affairs and the broader Nichols College community to establish a vibrant, inclusive, safe, and engaging living-learning experience.
• Manage the overall operation of 11 residence halls (approximately 950 students). Responsible for oversight and assessment of hall opening and closing procedures, housing assignment process, occupancy management, and ongoing emergency preparedness.
• Evaluate and assess College housing occupancy, retention, and projection trends; oversee the residential facilities to maintain a safe, secure, and healthy living environment; confirm that all room assignments and billings are completed and communicated to students.
• Responsible for the selection, training, supervision, and evaluation of three Area Coordinators, and the Resident Assistant Staff.
• Design and implement comprehensive and integrative training and development plans for new and returning full-time and paraprofessional staff that reflect and support College, divisional, and departmental mission, values, and outcomes. Create mechanisms for ongoing feedback and continuity from year to year for all staff.
• Responsible for administration and oversight of the departmental budget.
• Responsible for the oversight of all housing-related processes (e.g. room selection/assignments, damage billing, etc.).
• Develop and maintain positive collaborative relationships with departments to support Residence Life and Community Standards, including but not limited to Admissions, Athletics, Facilities, Public Safety, Learning Services, Student Financial Services, and Dining Services.
• Work closely with the Student Life leadership team to collaboratively support campus-wide events, and to establish the overall philosophy, vision, and strategic plan for the College’s Student Affairs program with the leadership team.
• Strategic oversight, cultivation, and assessment of departmental programming model, living-learning communities, and special interest housing, designed to ensure the developmental growth and academic success of Nichols’ residence students.
• Serve in an on-call rotation, available for emergency response as well as evenings and weekends as needed, in collaboration with the Assistant Dean of Student Life.
• Present at various Admissions related events such as Open Houses, Orientation and Accepted Student Receptions. (Other language if we would like to change this language: Represent the Department at Admissions events and summer student orientation programs.)
• Develop, coordinate and oversee the completion of all departmental publications, including web pages, staff manuals and brochures.
• Seek out and/or facilitate collaborative projects with Athletics, Student Involvement, Faculty, Student Government Association, etc. in areas that will assist in student growth and development.
• Collaborate with the Area Coordinators, provide on-going programming in the residence halls that is dynamic and meets the needs of the residents and/or the entire community.
• Liaison with Facilities Management and Public Safety departments concerning health and safety of the residence halls.
• Coordinate with external services (e.g. laundry service, etc.) as required.
• Maintain professional affiliation and involvement with the Worcester Residence Life Network, NEACUHO and ACUHO-i.
• Serve on administrative committees as assigned.
• Assume additional responsibilities as needed/assigned.
  
  

Community Standards Duties And Responsibilities

• Shares responsibility for interpreting College Community Standards and adjudicating conduct meetings for alleged policy violations.
• Working with the Assistant Dean for Student Life, design and implement educational programming around community standards, including re-engagement programs designed to reduce recidivism rates.
• Train Resident Assistants, Orientation Leaders, incoming students, and student organization leaders as needed.
• Assume additional responsibilities as needed/assigned.
  
  

Required

PREPARATION, KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Master’s degree in Higher Education and Student Affairs or related area required. Residence life experience needed, including the ability to provide strong leadership and effective supervision.
• Experience working with diverse campus populations. Candidate must have excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to create and sustain a culture focused on residence hall student success.
• Experience working effectively with diverse student populations.
  
  

Preferred

• Strong aptitude for a variety of computer applications and software programs.
  
  

Physical Job Components

• Light to moderate lifting of files, supplies and office materials.
• Able to use office and telecommunication equipment.
• Driving and traveling may be expected at times.
• Must reside within 30 minutes of the College.
  
  

Applicants Must Submit

• Resume
• Cover letter