Area Coordinator of First-Year Experience

This is a full-time benefited position located on our main campus in Winchester, Virginia. The Area Coordinator (AC) of First-Year Experience (FYE) is a professional staff member of the Office of Residence Life within the Division of Student Affairs. This is a 12-month, live-on position that reports directly to the Associate Dean of Student Experience and Residential Life. In collaboration with the Associate Dean, the AC provides strategic leadership, operational oversight, and community development specifically tailored to the unique transition, retention, and developmental needs of first-year residential students. Shared Responsibilities: The Area Coordinator serves as an integral member of the Office of Residence Life professional staff, overseeing first-year residence hall communities. The AC directly mentors and supports first-year students navigating their transition to college, supervises Resident Assistants and Graduate Hall Directors in freshman halls, and serves as a conduct officer. The AC supports departmental operations including student conduct, housing assignments, staff development and training, RA selection and evaluation, roommate mediations, restorative practices, room changes, hall opening/closing, and staff appreciation. The AC will work with the Area Coordinator of Residential Engagement to design and facilitate educational out-of-classroom experiences that engage first-year students and foster their holistic development and academic persistence. The AC serves as essential personnel in the professional staff on-call rotation to respond to campus emergencies and crises. Flexible night and weekend work is required. Residence Life staff may also perform duties outside their primary scope to support the mission of the University and the Division of Student Affairs. Key First-Year Experience & Engagement Responsibilities: Serve as the Residence Life liaison for first year initiatives - leading initiatives that support first-year retention, sense of belonging, and student success. Oversee first-year residence hall programming to align with developmental milestones, early-intervention strategies, and transition needs. Lead departmental assessment initiatives and serve as the Residence Life assessment liaison. Create feedback mechanisms specifically designed to assess first-year student satisfaction, adjustment, and community involvement. Oversee and educate residential staff on the Residence Life Engagement Model as it applies to first-year transition and retention. Partner with campus stakeholders—including Academic Advising, the Center for Civic Engagement, Student Success, Athletics, and Student Leadership and Engagement—to streamline support networks for new students. Deliver educational workshops for staff and residents focused on community living, roommate dynamics, healthy relationships, and university resource connection. Lead engagement efforts during high-impact university traditions and orientation events, including New Student Orientation and Welcome Week. Required Skills Required: Master's degree or Bachelor's degree with equivalent professional experience in Housing, Residence Life, Higher Education/Student Affairs, or a related field. Demonstrated experience developing, leading, or supporting first-year student retention and transition initiatives. Strong leadership, problem-solving, communication, and organizational skills. Experience in higher education programming, with a focus on promoting diversity, equity, and inclusive community building. Proven ability to support and mentor a diverse undergraduate student population. Experience supervising student staff or advising student organizations. Prior residence life and crisis management experience. Strong administrative skills with the ability to multitask, manage deadlines, and handle complex reporting. Demonstrated ability to build cross-functional partnerships across campus departments. Preferred: Prior experience as a conduct officer and BASICS facilitator. Familiarity with first-year retention models, Living-Learning Communities, or FYE curriculum design. Experience working with Maxient and StarRez. Special Note: The AC is required to live on campus and participate in the rotating professional on-call duty schedule. Exceptional customer service, collaboration, crisis response, and interpersonal skills are essential. Evening and weekend hours are required to support first-year community events, hall openings, and campus-wide programming. The Office of Residence Life maintains a continuous presence on campus during the academic year, breaks, and holidays. How to Apply: The complete application will include a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references. Applications will be reviewed immediately and will continue until a qualified candidate is selected. **Note: A pre-employment background check will be required, and a satisfactory driving record may be required as a condition of hire. ** Authorization to work in the United States is a pre-condition of employment. At this time, Shenandoah University is not in a position to sponsor international visas. Shenandoah University values individuals and communities' unique and diverse perspectives locally and globally. It seeks to foster mutual understanding in an inviting community where individuals are welcome and respected. The university does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnic or national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran’s status, or on any other basis protected under applicable law. Salary Range $40,000.00 Salary Type Not Applicable