"Associate Director, Residential Education"

JOB SUMMARY (OVERVIEW)

The Associate Director of Residential Education works to provide a supportive and inclusive living/learning environment for RISD's undergraduate and graduate students living on campus through direct oversight of the RISD Residential Experience. The Associate Director promotes the growth and development of student and professional staff members through ongoing mentoring, guidance, and experienced leadership.

Responsible for several aspects of the residential experience including the recruitment, selection, training, and evaluation of RAs, AIRs, and live-in professional staff members; serving as the primary administrator for pre-college program; and ensuring the design and delivery of community engagement programs which are consistent with the College's Critical Thinking/Critical Making values and the goals and objectives of the Division of Student Life. Spearheads marketing and communications efforts for the entire Residence Life Office to ensure consistent and clear communication.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/DUTIES:

• Recruit and train Community Coordinators, as well as directly evaluate and supervise the Assistant Director for Community Development. Provide ongoing training, feedback and communication to and support efforts of the Assistant Director and Community Coordinators.
• Manage and oversee the development and implementation of the residential curriculum, residential community engagement, and departmental programming efforts. Serve as primary liaison for programming efforts between Residence Life and other campus stakeholders such as the Center for Student Involvement, Intercultural Student Engagement, International Student and Scholar Affairs, Health Education & Promotion, Campus Dining, Experimental and Foundation Studies, and other academic and non-academic departments, to help foster the success of the Residential Curriculum. Implement large scale programming for the Winter session term.
• Serve as the designated Residence Life representative on the RISD CARE network (the RISD behavioral intervention team to address students of concern). Act as a liaison between the Residence Life and the RISD CARE network, facilitating communication and collaboration to promote student support.
• Spearhead marketing and communications efforts for the entire Residence Life Office to ensure consistent and clear communication. Create, coordinate, strategize, and execute the Office's social media communication plans. Strategize, write, design, and format marketing assets and email communication. Review all Residence Life websites and pages to ensure accurate, timely content. Ensure adherence to institutional and departmental branding guidelines. Create engaging marketing assets for Residence Life. Collaborate with the Division of Student Life office to ensure communications align with divisional communications. Provide graphic and web design support to the Division of Student Life on an as-needed basis.
• Serve as primary residential administrator for the summer Pre-College program (a residential summer program for teenagers). Recruit, select, and train Pre-College RA and intern staff. Act as liaison to Continuing Education and other key campus partners (e.g., Public Safety, Counseling & Psychological Services, CARE Network); administer curfew/parental permission process; coordinate large-scale residential events, serve as primary contact for parents of summer students; hire, schedule and supervise summer residence life staff.
• Support the Assistant Director of Community Development for the planning and development of the academic year and summer Resident Advisor selection process and Resident Advisor training program. Work with the Director of Residence Life to ensure all student staff agreements are updated, correct, and approved by General Counsel.
• Participates in the emergency response duty rotation as a Student Life On-Call (SAOC) contact. When on duty, this position is expected to provide direction and clarification for the duty team, respond to crises affecting both on-campus students and off-campus students, and ensure staff and students comply with policies and guidelines, including during non-business and weekend hours. Responsibilities while on duty include collaboration with Providence Police, parents and emergency contacts, Public Safety and other emergency response units in the area. Also, serve as the backup Residence Life representative on the Emergency Operations Command Team (EOCT).
• Provide leadership for departmental assessment efforts including evaluation of student and professional staff, periodic assessment of resident student satisfaction, and other evaluation processes as needed.
• Set goals and objectives for the student and professional staff that are aligned with the overall departmental and divisional goals. Plan and initiate strategic professional staff development opportunities for the Community Coordinators and the Assistant Director of Community Development that align with goals and objectives of the department and vision.
• Partner with the Director of Residence Life to draft and propose changes to policy, procedures, and protocols for review by Student Life leadership.
• Actively participate in divisional/institutional committees as assigned or as needed.
• Counsel students (daily and crisis intervention) on personal issues and concerns and make referrals when necessary.
• Serve, as required, as a Hearing Officer and/or member of the Conduct Board or for student general conduct cases.
• Monitor budgets relative to RA programming, staff training and development and approve expenditures.
• Serve as the Residence Life liaison for all RISD Orientation, Open House, and Acceptance Students Day efforts.

ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS:

• Perform related duties as requested by supervisor.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS/SPECIFICATIONS

Knowledge/Skills/Experience:

• A master's degree in higher education/student personnel or related field is required.
• Minimum three (3) years of relevant professional experience in residence life is required.
• Strong ability to communicate and connect with students and staff from diverse backgrounds and experiences.
• Ability to create and disseminate communication and marketing materials which elicit interest and share information to a diverse audience.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively manage crisis and emergency situations.
• Demonstrated success advising, mentoring, challenging and supporting students and student staff.
• Experience designing impactful RA and professional staff training programs, creating effective and developmentally grounded residential experience models, building strong communities through residence life support, and responding to crisis and after-hours situations.
• Demonstrated ability to work closely with students and staff to create a vibrant and respected residence life program.
• Ability to promote and foster an environment of respect and a culture which supports and celebrates diversity, equity and inclusion.

Preferred Qualification:

• Ability to use office software and/or college information management systems such as Workday and StarRez.
• Experience with design software such as Canva, Adobe Suite, Drupal and/or social media platforms.
• An appreciation for art and design, developed through employment, education or personal interest is highly desirable.

Union: No

Work Schedule: 35 hours per week;

Employment Status: Full-time; Exempt;

Grade: 540EX

Work Modality: On-Site

Documents Needed to Apply: Resume (Required), Cover Letter (Required)