Community Director, Department of Residence Life and Housing
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Job Description Summary
The Community Director (CD) is responsible for establishing and sustaining positive residential communities that embolden the motto and mission of Pro Humanitate through practices of experiential learning, community service, and student behavior management. The Community Director is an educator who works to develop and coordinate residential communities of approximately 400 - 600 undergraduate students. The CD works to expand and heighten the intellectual climate and culture of Wake Forest through co-curricular initiatives, mentorship, faculty engagement, curriculum implementation, and the management of a comprehensive residence life and housing program that serves 4000+ on-campus students. As a live-in staff member, the CD is a full-time, twelve-month position that reports directly to an Assistant Director of Residence Life and supervises 15 to 26 Resident Advisers. Due to CDs being the primary professional staff members available in the residence halls for student contact, some evening and weekend time working with students is required.
Job Description
*This position is not eligible for sponsorship of non-immigrant or immigrant visa status through Wake Forest University. All eligible applicants are encouraged to apply.
Essential Functions:
Leadership and Supervision
- Directly supervise and facilitate the development of 15 to 26 Resident Advisers (RAs).
- Create and implement an area vision encompassing a team development plan including but not limited to individual meetings, weekly staff meetings, and team bonding activities.
- Guide the team in supporting the departmental mission and vision to cultivate communities focused on a sense of belonging, inclusivity, well-being, academic success, and engaged citizenship.
- Attend community development initiatives hosted by student staff.
- Conduct meetings with individual RAs bi-weekly and provide the framework for weekly staff meetings.
- Assess the needs, interests, and expectations of all student staff members through ongoing feedback, development, and job action if needed.
- Assist Residence Life with fall and mid-year training, RA and grad staff selections, staff recognition initiatives, and first-year and upper-class programs.
- In conjunction with other members of Residence Life, serve as an instructor for the Resident Adviser course during the fall and/or spring semesters.
- Serve on committees at the direction of the Assistant Director team.
Residential Living and Learning
- Implement & oversee community development initiatives including primary oversight of The Link and other processes as orchestrated by the Assistant Director for Residential Engagement and Academic Initiatives.
- Develop academically supportive communities alongside faculty members, Residential Engagement Communities, and the Assistant Director for Residential Engagement and Academic Initiatives.
- Ensure community development initiatives from student staff align with community area vision and needs.
- Develop and lead community-wide programs and activities that contribute to the academic and personal development of residents and that create a positive atmosphere for residents.
- Serve as a role model, provide visibility, and be available to residents by advertising and completing a minimum of 10 open office hours a month for residents to get to know you, share feedback, or ask questions.
- Serve as a department liaison to parents and students by mediating disputes and conflicts pertaining to student development as well as department and university policies.
- As applicable, serve as a community liaison to the assigned building Faculty Fellows or faculty, staff, or student leaders within Residential Engagement Communities and partner with them on residential initiatives to further enhance the faculty and student out-of-classroom engagement within the residence hall.
Behavioral Management, CARE Assistance, Student Conduct
- Assess student development needs and concerns; work in partnership with the Assistant Director of Residential Conduct and Dean of Students Office to interpret, communicate, and enforce University policies, rules, and regulations.
- Utilize Maxient for all case management, including but not limited to CARE, Title IX, bias, and other student-of-concern reports.
- Adjudicate residential housing cases and assign appropriate outcomes through an informal resolution meeting.
- Ensures compliance with professional and legal standards of due process, risk management, Clery reporting, etc.
- Work closely with the Office of the Chaplain, Counseling Center, CARE team, University Police, and other campus partners to manage the outreach and follow-up for students of concern within a timely manner.
Administration
- Coordinate the overall administrative management of a residential area and prepare for administrative processes such as community opening in the fall and closing at the end of each semester.
- Conduct a weekly walk-through of their area of responsibility to monitor the physical condition of the buildings.
- Coordinate with staff members to complete scheduled health and safety inspections of student rooms in the fall, winter, and spring semesters.
- Manage damage accountability, billing, and ensure work orders are submitted for health and safety inspections and closing processes.
- Actively oversee, track, and reconcile the community budget, including but not limited to programming, professional development, and training budgets on a monthly basis.
- Utilize StarRez, facilitate the check-in and check-out of residents, and support the Assignments Coordinator in maintaining room occupancy and processing room changes.
- Serve on department, division, and university-level committees at the direction of the Assistant Director team.
Emergency Management and Crisis Response
- Participate in on-call rotation with other Residence Life and Housing staff; work cooperatively with the Office of the Chaplain, University Police, Deacon Health, Counseling Center, and other campus and community resources to assist in emergency and/or crisis situations.
Required Education, Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
- A minimum of one year of full-time (or equivalent, such as two years of part-time graduate work) experience working in Housing and Residential Programs (Residence Life), Student Activities or other position working closely with students in a university setting required; or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential functions of the job.
- A commitment to foster student learning and development, passion for creating inclusive student communities and global citizens, and strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
- A demonstrated track record of initiative, collaboration, and the ability to bring innovation to improve workflow, internal processes, and projects within the office and with other departments on campus.
- Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with diverse constituents, both verbally and in writing.
- Knowledge of systems and current practices in developing or managing programs designed to increase student success and retention.
- Knowledge and experience with the principles and practice of employee supervision, selection, training, and leadership.
- Ability to coordinate the daily activities and operations of campus residence halls and/or apartments.
- Ensuring compliance with university policies and procedures as well as contemporary best professional practices that align with goals for student development and retention.
- Skilled in using computer programs, including spreadsheets, calendar (Google), and web-based applications.
- Ability to handle sensitive information, maintain confidentiality and respond effectively and appropriately in emergency and crisis situations.
- Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities effectively and efficiently.
- Skilled in excellent professional interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, including the ability to work effectively and harmoniously with students, parents, co-workers, and others contacted in the course of work.
Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
- Master's degree in Higher Education Administration, Student Affairs, Counseling, Education, or related field.
- Previous supervisory experience in a university Housing and Residence Life program.
Accountabilities:
- Resident Advisers.
- Serves in an on-call rotation capacity for emergencies and crises. Responds to student problems and assists students, parents, faculty, and others in crisis situations.
Physical Requirements:
- Occasionally ascending or descending stairs
- Occasionally remaining in a stationary position, standing or sitting for prolonged periods.
- Occasionally moving about to accomplish tasks or moving from one worksite to another.
- Occasionally adjusting or moving objects up to 20 pounds in all directions.
- Constantly communicating with others to exchange information.
- Occasionally repeating motions that may include the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.
Environmental Conditions:
- Occasional outdoor elements, such as precipitation and wind.
- Occasional noisy environments.
- Occasional hazardous conditions.
Additional Job Description
Time Type Requirement Full time
Note to Applicant:
This position profile identifies the key responsibilities and expectations for performance. It cannot encompass all specific job tasks that an employee may be required to perform. Employees are required to follow any other job-related instructions and perform job-related duties as may be reasonably assigned by his/her supervisor.
In order to provide a safe and productive learning and living community, Wake Forest University conducts background investigations and drug screens for all final staff candidates being considered for employment.
Equal Opportunity Statement
The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all qualified candidates to apply without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, disability and military or veteran status.
Accommodations for Applicants
If you are an individual with a disability and need an accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, please contact AskHR@wfu.edu or (336) 758-4700.
Organization
Wake Forest University, formed in 1834, has experienced decades of growth and innovation. WFU is a distinctive university that combines a liberal arts core with graduate and professional schools and innovative research programs. The University embraces the teacher-scholar ideal, which prizes the personal interaction between students and faculty. It is a place where exceptional teaching, fundamental research and discovery, and the engagement of faculty and students in the classroom and the laboratory are paramount.
Wake Forest University is a community that seeks the enlightenment and freedom which come through diligent study and learning. Its higher goal, however, is to give life to the University motto "Pro Humanitate," as members translate a passion for knowledge into compassionate service. The community shares a tradition that embraces freedom and integrity and acknowledges the worth of the individual. The heritage, established by the school's founders and nurtured by succeeding generations, promotes a democratic spirit arising from open-mindedness and discourse. Wake Forest fosters compassion and caring for others. Its collective strength and character are derived from the values and distinctive experiences of each individual; therefore, it affirms the richness of human intellect and culture and its contribution to knowledge, faith, reason, and dialogue. Furthermore, it strives toward a society in which good will, respect, and equality prevail. To that end, Wake Forest University rejects hatred and bigotry in any form and promotes justice, honor, and mutual trust.
The University is comprised of: the undergraduate college, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, School of Business, School of Divinity, School of Law, and School of Medicine (located on the Bowman Gray campus with Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center) and today enrolls about 4,846 undergraduates and 2,823 students in graduate programs at its principal location, the Reynolda campus. Students at Wake Forest University enjoy a great deal of access to and interaction with world-class faculty both in and out of the classroom setting with a student-faculty ratio of 11:1. Wake Forest employs approximately 2,772 full and part-time faculty and staff.
Wake Forest is a collegiate university offering a vibrant, intellectual community with a rich cultural life, an impressive array of facilities, and a strong athletics program competing in the fifteen-team Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). Since its founding, the university has adopted the motto "pro humanitate," which is exemplified by a deep institutional commitment to public service and engagement with the world. Wake Forest has a strong commitment to holistic, eight-dimensional well-being for students, faculty and staff as evidenced in the Thrive initiative.
Winston-Salem, NC
Wake Forest is located in Winston-Salem, NC, a beautiful, mid-sized city centrally located in the Piedmont-Triad region of North Carolina. Winston-Salem is a family-friendly city with high quality schools, numerous outdoor recreational activities and events, and is known for its vibrant and thriving arts scene.
Winston-Salem residents enjoy close proximity to the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains (1.5 hours) and Atlantic beaches (4 hours), a moderate climate with four distinct seasons, a very reasonable cost of living, and an eclectic variety of restaurants, wine bars, and breweries for dining with friends and family. Winston-Salem offers many of the amenities of a large city but with the sense of community and quality of life of a smaller town (www.visitwinstonsalem.com).
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