POSITION IDENTIFICATION
TITLE Director of Residence Life, Housing and Dining Services
CLASSIFICATION NUMBER 1952
GRADE 48
CLASSIFICATION Exempt
IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR Vice President of Student Affairs
GENERAL FUNCTION
The Director of Residence Life, Housing, and Dining Services provides leadership and supervision for all functions of University housing and dining services. The director is responsible for strategic direction related to the residential experience, facility management, and the business operations of a large scale housing program. The director establishes goals and strategic planning to ensure effective and efficient operations which align with the University’s Long Range Plan and Key Performance Indicators. The director is responsible for ensuring clean and well-maintained facilities, student support and development services, quality dining options, as well as effective policies, programs and procedures. s
MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Education: A Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in an appropriate field is required. An earned doctorate is preferred.
Experience: At least ten years experience is required at the professional housing level with exposure to various facets of residence life, such as budgeting, student conduct, hall administration, student development and programming, supervision, and dining services. Experience in the direct supervision of full-time professional hall administrators is required. Demonstrated experience in entry-level and mid-level management in a housing system, with increasing levels of responsibility is required. Experience in the development and management of a substantial budget and contract oversight experience is preferred.
Skills: This position requires: a proven ability in the management, supervision and evaluation of professional staff; the ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, to students, parents, faculty, and staff; a demonstrated skill in problem-solving, efficient and effective decision-making, and conflict resolution; the ability to balance the student development and operational elements of a housing operation, maximizing services to students in both areas; and a demonstrated ability to produce results as an administrator by effectively delegating tasks, administering a substantial budget, and implementing established goals and supporting the mission of the department and University through leadership and the coordination of resources. The ability to develop knowledge of, respect for, and skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds is required.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Provides a quality residence life program by administering all aspects of the University Residence Life system.
2. Provides for continued growth and improvement by coordinating the development of short- and long-range goals for the department, evaluating progress and contracting with professional consultants, as needed, to achieve these goals.
3. Promotes a positive direction and mission for the department by developing, reviewing, and implementing appropriate policies and procedures to effectively operate the residential life program.
4. Ensures fiscal responsibility and accountability by coordinating the preparation of the annual budget, authorizing the expenditure of housing funds, and maintaining overall budget control.
5. Provides for properly maintained facilities by coordinating and monitoring the department's maintenance repair and replacement program.
6. Ensures the hiring and employment of quality personnel by directly or indirectly supervising the selection, training, and evaluation of all Residence Life, Housing and Dining Services employees.
7. Encourages professional staff development by approving and/or appointing staff members to appropriate University committees.
8. Maximizes occupancy in the residential life system by coordinating marketing efforts, monitoring the application and assignment process, and providing quality services and opportunities to students.
9. Manages the food service contract for Missouri State University in partnership with the local vendor management team by ensuring compliance with the contract and requesting changes as needed.
10. Ensures fiscal accountability of business practices, including payments, transfers to the vendor, and commission collection and distribution.
11. Serves as the liaison between the vendor and the residential and campus community, Financial Services, and other areas of the University.
12. Works with the food service vendors to remain current and provide quality food service to the University.[SD1]
13. Ensures the development of an environment that fosters student development and enhanced educational opportunities through the promotion of programs, active support of leadership opportunities, and financial support of student development opportunities.
14. Promotes a safe and secure environment through the implementation of various safety awareness programs, the distribution of pertinent materials, and the maintenance of equipment and hardware which contribute to the security of the living units.
15. Assesses program outcomes and goal achievement by providing opportunities for student evaluation of the residential life system and the implementation of appropriate recommendations.
16. Promotes appropriate communication with all constituents by advising and counseling with students, parents, faculty, and staff about housing issues and concerns and coordinating departmental publications to ensure timely distribution.
17. Promotes a positive image of the University and department, while ensuring current practices and issues in the field are addressed, by attending professional conferences and monitoring and implementing, through research and education, current trends and developments in the field of residence life.
18. Prevents institutional liability by ensuring departmental compliance with existing University and state fiscal and personnel policies and procedures regarding residence life systems.
19. Facilitates the resolution of emergency or critical situations by responding to such incidents involving housing residents and by serving as a departmental spokesperson for all media inquiries.
20. Maintains an active communication flow by providing reports to the Vice President of Student Affairs regarding the operations and activities of the department, dining services, results of student evaluations and research projects, and other pertinent information relative to departmental operations.
21. Facilitates a work environment that encourages knowledge of, respect for, and development of skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds.
22. Remains competent and current through self-directed professional reading, developing professional contacts with colleagues, attending professional development courses, and attending training and/or courses required by the Vice President for Student Affairs.
23. Supports the overall mission of Student Affairs by performing duties as assigned by the Vice President for Student Affairs.
SUPERVISION
The Director of Residence Life, Housing, and Dining Services is supervised by the Vice President for Student Affairs and directly supervises the Associate Director of Residence Life, Associate Director of Facilities and Operations, the Assistant Director of Business Services, and in partnership with the vendor, , the Resident District Manager of Dining Services.
OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES
REVISED SEPTEMBER 2021