SUMMARY:
Reporting to the Dean of Student Affairs, the Director of Residence Life and Housing (Director) is responsible for providing leadership in the creation of a dynamic student experience for approximately 1,000 residents in 10+ unique residential facilities across the campus. The Director leads a team of 15 professional and 70 paraprofessional staff who is responsible for proactively engaging in building inclusive living and learning communities that is welcoming to all residents. This position does not conform to a traditional workday/workweek. The Director will be required to work in the evenings or weekends.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:
Building an Inclusive and Supporting Living and Co-curricular Experience
Engages with and supports a diverse campus community and fosters a welcoming, supportive, positive, safe, and inclusive environment for all.
Designs and implements a robust residential curriculum that supports learning outside of the classroom focusing on academic, antiracism, diversity, equity, multicultural, social, and educational programming for residents; and engages in cross-divisional collaboration with programs and services within Academic Affairs, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, Student Affairs, and other divisions.
Works with Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion on identifying educational and/or systemic barriers that creates a detrimental residential experience or a lack of sense of belonging in the residential facilities; and increases collaboration across units and divisions to develop and implement innovative strategies to increase the retention and graduation of students, particularly, students of color.
Collaborates with all academic departments and non-academic and academic support units and programs to maximize student retention efforts; provides intervention and support services/referrals to students experiencing academic and personal challenges; stays abreast of all reports made by faculty and staff and follows up with students when appropriate; and brings concerns to the attention of the Behavior Intervention Team.
Builds and nurtures a culture of superior customer service; and responds promptly to students, parents and guardians, and other stakeholders on concerns and issues brought to the department’s attention.
Housing Operations
Oversees all residential facilities and related processes to maintain a positive, safe, and healthy living environment; and maintains an operational calendar to address damage assessments, key inventories, room selection and assignments, move-in and move-out processes, and early arrival/late departures, and summer housing.
Develops and implements a marketing strategy designed to increase student on-campus residency rates; maintains and updates the Residence Life and Housing website regularly; and maintains a significant social media presence designed to market Residence Life and Housing programs and services as well as a tool to communicate information to the community.
Responsible for planning and overseeing residence hall renovation projects designed to enhance the student experience; works closely with Campus Design and Facilities Department in determining building priorities and budget development; and manages allocated budget to ensure that projects stay within budget.
Strategic Leadership
Assesses the unit, programs, and services on a regular basis to measure effectiveness and relevancy to the needs of our current students and the University strategic plan; works with all unit professional staff to develop and implement short- and long-term strategic planning to maximize programs and services designed to promote retention and academic success of students; and integrates best practices to address current trends and issues in Residence Life, Housing, and student development in the planning process.
Develops and enhances relationships with key campus partners including, but not limited to, Undergraduate and Graduate Admissions, Student Financial Services, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, Parents and Family Engagement, the Department of Public Safety, Dining Services, Campus Stewardship, and the academic colleges.
Serves on the Crisis Leadership Team, Behavior Intervention Team, Persona Non Grata Committee, Strategic Space and Capital Planning Committee, and any other relevant committees as assigned by the Dean.
Supervision & Staff Development
Recruits, selects, trains, supervises, and evaluates the performance of residence life professional staff and paraprofessional staff; and meets regularly with staff through department-wide or supervision meetings.
Builds a positive team culture that emphasizes communication and transparency, opportunities for growth, culture of collaboration, and a strong purpose and core values.
Ensures that all professional and paraprofessional staff are trained in their respective fields; responsible for providing professional development opportunities to ensure all personnel are knowledgeable and aware of their legal obligations and responsibilities as well as staying abreast of current and new developments in their respective professional fields; and collaborates with academic programs and support services to develop a comprehensive training program for paraprofessionals.
Maintains membership in professional organizations relevant to the field of student development, residence life, and housing management; stays abreast in current research and developments in student development, equity, diversity, and inclusion, residence life, and housing management; and participates in conferences and professional development opportunities when possible.
Budget and Administration:
Responsible for the development and oversight of budgets for the unit, programs, and services; and manages the budget to ensure the best use of fiscal resources in alignment with the unit’s mission and the University’s strategic plan.
Participates in the development of the annual fiscal year auxiliary services revenue targets for housing; and participates in a cross-divisional committee focused on marketing and strategy development with the goal of meeting and/or exceeding established revenue goals.
Conducts an annual review of all Residence Life and Housing policies and procedures; ensures that policies and procedures adhere to professional standards and ethics; ensures that all staff and paraprofessional staff enforces policies and procedures in a consistent, fair, and just manner; ensures that all incidents are documented, adjudicated, and resolved as outlined in the Student Handbook; serves as the final appellate level in regards to student disciplinary appeals; and ensures that staff and paraprofessional staff maintain confidentiality in regards to student information and records.
Remains on call evenings and weekends to address residents and residential facilities concerns and issues that may arise; and ensures 24 hours per day/7 days per week coverage for all Residence Life and Housing activities as needed.
Shows a genuine commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace; and participates in activities and workshops to foster continuous learning.
Serves as a mandatory Title IX reporter; and takes annual Title IX training as part of the compliance effort.
Performs other related duties, as assigned.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Required Qualifications (When the candidate’s resume meets these qualifications, it will be screened in.):
Bachelor’s degree.
A minimum five years of professional experience in student affairs, student development, and/or residential life.
Fluent in American Sign Language.
Preferred Qualifications (While not required, it is an advantage for what the position needs.):
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in student development, education, counseling, or a field relating to human behavior and/or development.
Management or supervisory experience.
Experience in higher education setting.
Solid experience with building and maintaining both broad and deep relationships with key stakeholders that support the health and well-being of students.
Experience working effectively with student governance groups and experience working collaboratively and successfully with faculty.
Experience with and understanding of assessment processes and knowledge of strategic planning.
Experience in effective financial management.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (Qualities that will help the incumbent be more successful in the position):
Knowledge and advocacy of student development theory, restorative justice, social justice, Title IX, Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, the standards of due process and student affairs trends in higher education.
Demonstrated commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment.
Excellent writing skills.
Proven ability as a strong supervisor who is skilled in building a sense of team, maintaining open lines of communication, offering relevant professional development opportunities to stay current in the field.
Evidence of creativity and innovation in problem solving and strategy implementation.
Strong organizational and project management skills, and ability to multi-task in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
Demonstrated commitment to equity and inclusion in both leadership and policy setting.
Excellent communication skills and the ability to communicate complex issues with clarity.
Enthusiasm for and demonstrated commitment to supporting a student body that is broadly diverse with regard to gender, race, ethnicity, nationality, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and religion among other factors.
Proven success in persuading others, adapting communication to various audiences, and facilitating presentations.
The successful candidate will undergo a background check that must be cleared prior to working at Gallaudet University.
Gallaudet University is an equal opportunity employer/educational institution and does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, national origin, religion, age, hearing status, disability, genetic information, covered veteran status, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, source of income, place of business or residence, pregnancy, childbirth, or any other unlawful basis. This policy is in compliance with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Rehabilitation Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the District of Columbia Human Rights Act, and other applicable laws and applies to all procedures affecting applicants and employees including, but not necessarily limited to: recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, reassignment, reappointment, tenure, demotion, selection for training, layoff, furlough, and termination, compensation, and all other conditions or privileges of employment.
COMPENSATION:
LEVEL: 11
SALARY: Commensurate with experience and qualifications
FLSA: Exempt