"Assistant Director of Housing and Residence Life"

Posting Details

Posting Details

Posting Number S169

Classification Title SUA2

Working Title Assistant Director of Housing and Residence Life

Department Residence Life - Lock Haven

Home Campus Lock Haven

Bargaining Unit SCUPA

Work Location Home Campus

Position Type Staff

Temporary/ Permanent Permanent

Full-time/ Part-time Full-Time

If Part-time, specify percentage (Examples: 0.75; 0.50; 0.25) 

Benefits 

The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education provides a comprehensive package of employer benefits to eligible employees and their enrolled dependent(s), which include*:

Medical and prescription drug benefits.

Generous retirement plans, two options:

Alternative Retirement Plan (ARP)

State Employees’ Retirement System (SERS)

Tuition benefits for employees and dependents.

Paid time off.

Employer-paid dental and vision benefits.

Employer-paid life insurance.

Voluntary insurances and additional retirement programs.

*Specific benefits may vary based upon university, employee group and/or collective bargaining unit. Visit: http://www.passhe.edu/inside/HR/syshr/healthcare/Pages/Summary-of-Benefits.aspx for additional information regarding benefits.

To be eligible for most benefits, you must be a permanent, full-time employee (including temporary, full-time faculty with at least an academic year contract) or a permanent, part-time employee (including temporary, part-time faculty with at least an academic year contract) who is scheduled to work every pay period for at least 50% of full-time hours.

Start Time 0800

End Time 1630

Hours Per Week 37.5 hours per week

Days Worked (Check all that apply) Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs, Fri, Varies

Salary $53,360

Anticipated Start Date 

July 29, 2024

Anticipated End Date 

Not applicable

Position Summary Information

Position Purpose 

The Office of Housing and Residence Life is an integral part of the educational mission and retention of students at Commonwealth University. Housing 5,800 students—2,400 in traditional residence halls, 2,200 in suite-style housing, and 1,200 in apartment complexes—it establishes learning-based residential communities that seek to enrich human integration through prescribed programs and one-on-one interactions. These intentional efforts build a base of shared interests, personal growth, and academically-supportive experiences, with an ultimate goal of unifying purpose, and mutual respect.

The residential experience at Commonwealth University, is defined by an environment that strongly encourages involvement, supports and enhances decision-making, refines conflict resolution abilities, and promotes the understanding of varying perspectives; while fostering a sense of identity, self-esteem, confidence and civic responsibility. The residential experience, by design, is a place where students learn that individual perspectives and opinions are valued, and students exert a high degree of influence over their environment. Residential students develop a social network of support from peers and staff that foster a strong sense of belonging and create a true home away from home.

The responsibilities of the Assistant Director of Housing and Residence Life plays a critical role in the increasingly important retention efforts for our most vulnerable and at-risk students.

This position is responsible for enacting the strategic and educational initiatives set forth by the Office of Housing and Residence Life. The incumbent is responsible for administering a comprehensive residential program in 1 – 3 residence halls or 1 – 3 apartment complexes. Their responsibilities include supervision, student development, risk and issue management, educational and student learning efforts, and administrative, managerial and planning functions that work to support the mission and goals of the department and the University.

Due to the nature of the position, evening and weekend hours are required and the incumbent must live on campus in a University-owned apartment for the duration of their employment. This position is considered an essential personnel position.

Description of Duties 

Supervision, student development, issue management

Responsible for the overall supervision and leadership of a paraprofessional staff which may include: 1-2 Graduate Hall Directors, 8 -24 Resident Assistants, 1 – 2 Core Resident Assistants, 10 – 14 Desk Assistants and/or 1 – 2 mail delivery staff.

Conduct weekly GHD or RA staff meetings for information distribution, input, support, accountability, training and problem resolution.

Conduct weekly staff development activities. Responsible for the management of staff conflicts, issues and concerns.

Participate in paraprofessional staff recruitment, selection, and training.

Assist in the continuous feedback and evaluation of paraprofessional staff regarding job performance.

Maintain a high level of contact with residents through visibility and availability.

Serve as a resource for accurate information about University life.

Provide advisement, support and appropriate referral for students with academic, career, or personal concerns, understanding that these efforts are focused on student retention.

Ensure through intentional monitoring and oversight, that the staff facilitates dialogue between roommates and assists with difficult roommate conflicts; performing mediation where appropriate.

Communicate with parents and supporters to discuss concerns and issues, while ensuring compliance with FERPA guidelines.

Provide crisis intervention support and follow-up for residents and staff.

Serve as an on-call administrator for the campus on-call system when scheduled.

Mitigate risk while responding to student crises and emergencies.

Educate residents about community standards, policies, rights and responsibilities, and implement procedures to promote student accountability.

Educational and Student Learning Efforts

Promote and support programming in the residential communities in order to provide a holistic range of community development and social engagement opportunities for residents.

Facilitate and support Resident Assistant Intentional Conversations; fostering a peer one-to-one relationship focused on promoting overall wellness, academic success, connection to others, and personal interests or concerns.

Following-up with issues/concerns to support students and refer to appropriate resources.

Serve as a resource for staff and students in planning, implementing, and evaluating engagement programs and Intentional Conversations.

Actively seek academic partners with faculty, Academic Support Services and University Retention Specialists in an effort to develop High Impact opportunities, mentorship opportunities, and better integration of the overall student experience.

Provide support for all learning communities within the area.

Support campus leadership events and initiatives.

Design and use existing assessment projects as evaluation mechanisms to monitor and measure Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs).

Administrative/ Managerial/ Planning Functions

Each Assistant Director of Housing and Residence Life will lead one or more major functional areas. They will guide the department through essential work that enables the Office of Housing and Residence Life to live out its mission and fulfill its goals. Functional areas can include (but are not limited to):

Staff training

Resident Assistant/Core Resident Assistant selection

Graduate Hall Director selection

Desk Assistant Selection

Departmental assessment

Job performance evaluations

Resource room coordination

Staff development

Operational calendar

On-Call Scheduling

Exit Interviews

Perform a variety of residential administrative duties, related to the mitigation of student risk, university communication, retention efforts, increasing student occupancy and the overall well-being of students residing on campus.

Monitor the physical condition of the halls/apartments, working collaboratively with Facilities Services.

Assist in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of policy.

Serve on departmental and divisional committees. (Student Success, JED, assessment, health and wellness, shuttle bus, search and screen committees, disability services, CARE team, College Employee Satisfaction Task Force, Middle States, integration, etc.)

Provide information and important feedback concerning the residential environment and student issues to key student support offices.

Develop and maintain cooperative working relationships with staff from the University Counseling Center, Health and Wellness, University Police, Student Engagement, Campus Dining, Athletics, Academic Support Services, Admissions, etc.

Participate in and support Housing and Residence Life research and overall assessment efforts.

Office of Student Conduct

Conduct informal judicial hearings for the Office of Student Conduct.

Serve as a higher-level administrator and case manager for the Student Code of Conduct in accordance with State/Federal guidelines/requirements (Clery, FERPA, Board of Governor’s Policy, etc.). This requires management and understanding of policy, procedure, database systems, formal documentation, and related laws and regulations.

Serve as a high-level investigator regarding student Title IX cases/reports, student conduct allegations, both individual and organizations, and conduct high level case management.

Conduct formal hearings in relation to Student Conduct and Title IX matters, expulsion, or suspension cases.

Serve as liaison for parent, attorney, and additional third-party inquiries regarding confidential student discipline status.

Other Duties

Perform related duties as assigned or required to fulfill University or departmental goals and objectives.

Decision Making 

Decision making will range from routine to crisis.

As a member of the campus on-call rotation, the Assistant Director of Housing and Residence Life serves as a primary resource and decision-maker when campus services are unavailable.

Follow protocol and procedures as it relates to the Student Code of Conduct and standard operating procedures developed by the Office of Housing and Residence Life.

Provide support and appropriate referrals when necessary.

Make decisions on the resolution of informal cases and recommendations from formal hearings to the Office of Student Conduct. Decisions and recommendations may affect student housing and other university status, including suspension and expulsion. There are legal, liability, and risk management issues related to investigations, hearings, and decision-making/recommendations made.

Fiscal Responsibility 

Responsible for the overall management of a programming budget of $4,000 – $8,000 and functional area budgets ranging from $5,000-$30,000 , and supply budgets ranging from $3,000 – $5,000.

Perform a variety of duties as related to budgets including monthly reconciliations of University purchasing card/credit cards and travel cards.

Supervisory Responsibility 

Supervise paraprofessional staff and, in some cases, meet with appropriate faculty members and complete required evaluations that correspond to coursework.

Conduct weekly meetings with the paraprofessional staff to discuss student issues and problems, undergraduate Resident Assistant team, programming, conduct issues, maintenance concerns, and departmental initiatives.

Responsible for following-up with student issues and problems, parent communication as it relates to these issues, and assisting the paraprofessional staff with creating resolutions.

Supervise and develop individual relationships with 8 – 24 undergraduate Resident Assistants and develop a working team to support students.

Supervise 1-2 mail staff, assure appropriate mail and package dissemination and complete time-keeping records.

Document inappropriate staff behaviors, develop coaching strategies for success, conduct employment reviews and terminate staff when necessary.

Minimum Requirements Profile 

Master’s degree required. Higher Education Administration, College Student Personnel, Student Affairs or related degree preferred.

Two years of live-in Residence Life experience required.

Two years of experience adjudicating student conduct both formally and informally, in a college/university environment required.

Must be able to communicate well, both verbally and in writing.

Demonstrated ability to work with diverse populations.

Preferred Qualifications 

Experience in developing and implementing programmatic initiatives.

Experience with crisis management, conflict resolution, and mediation preferred.

Demonstrated organizational skills and problem-solving abilities preferred.

Experience in both the development of and implementation of student support and retention programs.

Understanding of student conduct/judicial/due process and the educational nature of student discipline.

Demonstrated experience with Best Practices, Core Competencies (ACUHO-I), and the Professional Competency Areas for Student Affairs Practitioners (ACPA and NASPA)

Applicant Rating Criteria 

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities 

Must be able to communicate well both verbally and in writing.

Demonstrated ability to work with diverse populations.

Experience in developing and implementing programmatic initiatives such as community living standards, programming models and the support of students using best practice retention efforts.

Experience with crisis management, conflict resolution, and mediation

Demonstrated organizational skills and problem-solving abilities.

A sense of humor and a positive attitude.

Essential Functions 

1. Sitting – 80%; walking – 10%; standing – 10%

2. Working indoors – 95% and Outdoors (for errands) – 5%

3. Frequent lifting of objects weighing less than 5 pounds

4. Occasional lifting of objects weighing 25 pounds.

5. Reaching for objects at, above and below shoulder

6. Occasionally twisting at waist, and stretching to reach objects

7. Basic math skills and reading skills including understanding written documents

8. Writing skills in preparing and organizing documents

9. Sensory skills, i.e. visual, hearing, and speaking

10. Keyboard skills

Posting Detail Information

Open Date mm-dd-yyyy 06/05/2024

Close Date mm-dd-yyyy 

Open Until Filled Yes

Special Instructions to Applicants 

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until filled. Applications received by July 19, 2024 (extended) will be given full consideration.

Finalists for this position must communicate well and successfully complete an interview process.

Completing this search is contingent upon available funding.

Background Clearances 

Offers of employment are conditional, pending successful completion of the background clearances mandated by Act 153 of 2014 and Board of Governors Policy 2014-01-A: Protection of Minors. In order to qualify for a provisional appointment, the Applicant Acknowledgement Consent Form, Provisional Hire Form, Pennsylvania State Police and Justifacts portion of the clearance process must be successfully completed prior to your start date. The remaining PA Child Abuse History Clearance and FBI Clearance must be successfully completed and returned as soon as possible within the first 90 days of employment.

Diversity Statement 

At Commonwealth University we recognize our responsibility to continuously support a living, learning, and working environment that values the diverse contributions from all members of our campus community. Our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion enriches our campus community and is instrumental to our institutional success. Commonwealth University strives to cultivate a campus climate that allows all members to embrace diversity, equity and inclusion as we achieve success both in and out of the classroom, in our work responsibilities, and in our professional lives beyond Commonwealth University. We uphold our commitment to DEI by:

• Actively supporting and promoting the intellectual and personal growth of our students, inside and outside of the classroom.

• Providing workshops, trainings, programs designed to broaden the knowledge and understanding of diversity, equity and inclusion within our campus community.

• Ensuring that all learning and living environments throughout our campus are welcoming and capable of serving all individuals.

Title IX/Clery 

The University prohibits any form of discrimination or harassment on the basis of sex, race, color, age, religion, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, marital or family status, medical condition, genetic information, veteran status, or disability in any decision regarding admissions, employment, or participation in a University program or activity in accordance with the letter and spirit of federal, state, and local non-discrimination and equal opportunity laws, such as Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act and ADA Amendments Act, the Equal Pay Act, and the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act.

The University also complies with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crimes Statistics Act, as amended by the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). Title IX prohibits retaliation for asserting or otherwise participating in claims of sex discrimination. VAWA imposes additional duties on universities and colleges to investigate and respond to reports of sexual assault, stalking, and dating or domestic violence, and to publish policies and procedures related to the way these reports are handled. The University has designated the Title IX Coordinator (Jennifer Raup, Elwell Hall, ORL, 570-389-4808, jraup@commonwealthu.edu or titleixcoord@commonwealthu.edu), to coordinate the University’s compliance with Title IX and VAWA and to respond to reports of violations. The University has directed the Police Department to coordinate the University’s compliance with the VAWA-related Clery reporting requirements. Additionally, inquiries concerning Title IX and its implementing regulation can be made to the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights, Region III, The Wanamaker Building, 100 Penn Square East – Suite 505, Philadelphia, PA 19107; Phone: (215) 656-6010; Fax: (215) 656-6020.

About Commonwealth University of PA 

The Power of Three Bloomsburg, Lock Haven and Mansfield universities have joined forces to boldly transform higher education in our region and beyond. While we are uniting as Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania, you can expect a college experience that is anything but common.

We’re Honoring our History by preserving the founding principles of each campus and continuing our vibrant on-campus student experience, serving as pillars of our communities, supporting students and our neighbors alike.

We’re Investing in Today by answering the greatest challenges facing higher education: accessibility, cost, quality, and relevance through the combined strength of our storied institutions.

We’re Building a Powerful Tomorrow by boldly changing the trajectory of public education to position ourselves for growth, increased access, and to meet economic and workforce development needs in our region, across Pennsylvania and beyond.

Quick Link https://commonwealthu.peopleadmin.com/postings/2259

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

Resume

Cover Letter

Transcripts

Optional Documents

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

* What is the highest degree you have attained?

High School

Associate Degree

Bachelor's Degree

Master's Degree

ABD

Doctorate Degree

* Do you have two years of live-in Residence Life experience?

Yes

No

* Do you have two years of experience adjudicating student conduct both formally and informally, in a college/university environment?

Yes

No

* Are you a current professional employee (SUA) in the State College and University Professional Association (SCUPA) unit?

Yes

No

* Are you a current employee of the Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania (Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, Mansfield)?

Yes

No