POSITION IDENTIFICATION
TITLE Residence Hall Director
CLASSIFICATION NUMBER 7010
GRADE 42
CLASSIFICATION Exempt
IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR Assistant Director - Education and Development
GENERAL FUNCTION
The Residence Hall Director is the primary live-in administrator of a residence hall, responsible for all management functions necessary to provide students with a community in which they can live and learn comfortably and effectively. This includes supervision of full-time and student staff members, overseeing operation of a 24-hour desk and mail distribution, serving in an on-call rotation, assisting with students’ growth and development in regard to decision making, interpersonal relationships and conduct, and supporting campus and departmental initiatives and committees. The Residence Hall Director promotes an atmosphere conducive to academic and personal growth, reflecting the mission and philosophy of the Department of Residence Life, Housing and Dining Services and the University.
MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Education: A bachelor's degree in Psychology, Sociology, Business Administration, or a field relevant to the position is required. A master's degree in College Student Personnel, Educational Administration, Counseling, or a related field is preferred. An equivalent combination of years of experience and education may be considered for substitution of educational requirements.
Experience: Supervisory experience is required. Demonstrated experience working with Microsoft programs or Office 365 or equivalent is required. Demonstrated ability to interact with individuals and groups. Experience with planning programs, university administration, fiscal management, hearing conduct cases and at least one year experience working with first year student transition in higher education is required. Service in a student leadership capacity, with experience in hall government and/or peer judicial systems is preferred.
Skills: A demonstrated ability to supervise employees and adhere to established processes and procedures when counseling students to help their emotional, physical, occupational, and social development. The ability to organize activities and information to meet specific established goals is required. A demonstrated ability to perform in a problem-solving capacity such as the evaluation of crisis and emergency situations is required. The ability to effectively organize is preferred. The ability to design and implement educational, social and student care and outreach programs for residence life audience is preferred. The ability to monitor the daily physical condition and needs of the housing facility is preferred. The ability to work independently and demonstrate initiative is preferred.
Effort: Must be mobile to the extent that response to emergency and assistance calls is prompt and area coverage rounds can be completed in a reasonable time period. The ability to visually inspect the physical facility for cleanliness and maintenance needs is required. Employees in this job classification (job title) are designated as essential employees and must report to work as scheduled when University offices are closed due to severe weather.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Provides on-site administration of the residence hall by living in the residence hall in an apartment provided by the University thus maximizing availability to students and staff and increasing responsiveness to situations requiring the intervention of a professional staff member; by maintaining weekly office hours, and completing weekend, week nights, and holiday on-call responsibilities as assigned by the Assistant Director – Education and Development; by promoting interaction with students on a daily basis through their request, staff referrals, conferences, and by being pro-active in serving the students.2. Promotes a positive and supportive environment in the residence hall through daily availability to residents; supporting individuals who seek assistance or are referred by other staff members regarding academic, personal, emotional, physical, social or occupational concerns; by referring students to appropriate University resources; communicating information about activities and opportunities on campus and in the community; and serving as a liaison between the student and the Department of Residence Life, Housing and Dining Services administration.
3. Collaborates with the Assistant Director – Living-Learning Communities, Coordinator – Living-Learning Communities, and Graduate Assistant to support the implementation of living-learning communities (LLCs), if applicable.
4. Participates in the monthly LLC Team meeting, if applicable.
5. Promotes an atmosphere in which due process rights are observed and students are held accountable for their actions and encouraged to make informed decisions by responding to all violations of Residence Life and University policy, enforcing Departmental and University policies, processing student conduct reports in a timely fashion, conducting effective conferences with students, and maintaining accurate records with regard to student conduct concerns.
6. Provides support and assistance to residents by responding appropriately to all crisis and emergency situations, performing necessary action and follow-up.
7. Assists in the development of Graduate Assistants and/or Assistant Hall Directors by participating in the selection process and training program; planning developmental and professional growth opportunities; and providing on-going training, supervision, and evaluation.
8. Assists in the hiring and employment of qualified Resident Assistants by participating in the Resident Assistant selection process; developing and implementing fall, mid-year, and spring training workshops; and providing on-going training, supervision, and evaluation.
9. Provides proper coverage of the residence hall by preparing and supervising the scheduling student desk workers and all other hall employees under direct supervision, and on-call for Resident Assistants.
10. Provides for accurate and timely interpretation and dissemination of information and policies by conducting Resident Assistant and desk staff meetings.
11. Enhances the safety and security of the residence hall by accurately accounting for and distributing keys; promptly processing servicing and repair needs for elevators, fire extinguishing systems, and building equipment; conducting periodic fire drills; and by disseminating appropriate information on personal safety, fire prevention, and emergency procedures.
12. Promotes a clean and well-maintained living environment for the residents by coordinating maintenance and custodial needs by promptly processing requests for maintenance repairs and custodial needs with appropriate follow-up and preparing weekly residence hall condition reports and periodic major refurbishing and repair jobs.
13. Ensures an efficient, service-oriented front desk and office operation by ordering supplies within the budget guidelines provided, maintaining an appropriate supply of forms, and providing training and direction to desk receptionists.
14. Hires qualified student desk workers by implementing an appropriate selection process and providing on-going training, supervision, and evaluation.
15. Ensures leadership opportunities and the development of community through the active support/advisement of residence hall government and the promotion of creative, quality experiences in the hall and on individual floors.
16. Ensures accuracy of occupancy records by maintaining hall counts; processing room assignments and changes for the hall; processing withdrawals from the hall; and completing all required paperwork accurately, promptly, and in the manner prescribed by the Department of Residence Life, Housing and Dining Services.
17. Promotes retention of students living in the residence halls by supporting an efficient re-application process for students returning to the hall and coordinating smooth openings and closings of the residence hall at the beginning and conclusion of semesters and vacations.
18. Ensures effective intra-departmental communication through written memoranda, regular and timely contact with central office personnel, and active participation in weekly staff meetings.
19. Provides expertise in the academic environment by teaching the IDS 275 course, if asked.
20. Promotes professional and personal growth through participation in departmental committees and/or conference and workshop experiences as assigned.
21. Counsels and supports student with emotional, physical, occupational, and social development.
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 as required.
23. Supports the overall operation of the Department of Residence Life, Housing and Dining Services and contributes to accomplishment of its mission and goals by performing other essential duties as assigned
SUPERVISION
The Residence Hall Director supervises Resident Assistants, full-time and student
employees, and may supervise, Graduate Assistant(s) and/or Assistant Hall Director(s).
OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES
REVISED APRIL 2025
