Associate Director, Residential Education - Residential Life

Position Summary
The Associate Director of Residential Education directly supervises, trains and evaluates a team of Assistant Directors of Residential Education, and a Coordinator who oversees Learning Living Communities and Faculty Programs. Indirectly supervises a team of Residential Community Directors, Coordinator of Residential Student Leadership, Graduate Fellows and Resident Advisors. This role is also focused on encouraging student engagement in the community, residential crisis management and support, supporting the integration of learning communities, and fostering both the academic and personal success of residents. Recruitment, training, and professional development is integral to this role. In addition, programming for staff, specific residential communities, and the entire residential community is a key component within their responsibilities. The Associate Director works closely with Student Health Services, Campus Life, Washington University Police Department, WashU Cares, Student Conduct, and other University departments and services to provide support for students living in residential life properties.

Job Description

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

Community Development Management

• Provides leadership and support for programmatic initiatives for residential communities, apartments and suites housing over 4800 residents.
• Promotes and fosters customs, traditions, and special programs in each residential community.
• Provides resources and support for activities and programs in the residential communities, in  Faculty Programs, and in the Living Learning Communities.
• Fosters a strong connection to the University by providing programs and services for students residing in Residential Life housing.
• Manage the budgets for the areas and programming funds for the residential communities, faculty programs, and the Congress of the South 40.

Committee and Department Management

• Oversees various departmental committees, initiatives and processes, including, but not limited to the residential curriculum, oversight for Assistant Directors who have responsibility for serving as chairs of Residential Life focus areas, an Assistant Director who coordinates bias and incident response team, conduct, and case management, and a Coordinator who oversees Learning Living Communities and Faculty Programs, and departmental assessment.
• Supervises staff responsible for staff recruitment, RA training and selection, residential conduct, professional staff training and orientation, student leadership programs, residential faculty engagement initiatives, and learning living communities.
• Facilitates on-going communication and collaboration with other student service departments, specifically the First Year Center, Health and Wellness, Disability Resources, and Academic Deans, specifically in Arts & Sciences, regarding residential programs and special university initiatives.
• Acts as a liaison between the residential communities and various other key University departments to provide programs and services which support undergraduate students.
• Works with academic deans, advisors and others to promote students’ academic success.
• Creates and implements processes for information dissemination and exchange between students, the University, permanent residents and other stakeholders.
• Serves as a member of the Senior Residential Life Leadership Team, helping to develop and manage policies and procedures for the Office of Residential Life.
• Actively participates as a member of the Residential Education Team, attending all meetings, retreats, and appropriate sessions.
• These would include but are not limited to weekly Residential Education meetings, weekly senior leadership team meetings, RCD Training, and RCD Orientation. Serve on University committees and task forces as needed.

Critical Incident Response and Support

• Maintains open lines of communication with students, parents, and campus partners.
• Interprets, communicates, and implements University policies and procedures. Administer residential student conduct system and educational sanctions.
• Provides crisis intervention, counseling and conflict resolution for residents with personal and/or interpersonal issues.
• Serves as leadership on after-hours on-call duty rotation responding to crisis situations including mental health issues, alcohol and other drug-related emergencies, roommate conflicts and other behavioral issues.
• In conjunction with Office of Residential Life, Campus Police and WashU Cares. to respond to student conduct, welfare and other issues in residential life areas.
• Developing the resources for and advising the implementation of conflict resolution for residential student living based in restorative justice philosophy and student development theory.
• Supervise an Assistant Director who oversees Residential Case Management.

Assessment

• Direct efforts for the Assistant Director responsible for Residential Life assessment efforts.
• Assist in the development and coordination of the assessment process.
• Oversee the analysis and reporting of the data collected.

Other duties as assigned.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Higher Education or related area or related field and five to seven years of experience in a residential setting.
• Possess a commitment to social justice, as well as an open mind and willingness to learn.
• A positive attitude, consistent desire to be solution oriented, and commitment and ability to work in an ambiguous work environment are important.
• Student focused individual who wants to work with a diverse and intellectually talented group of students.
• Initiative, creativity, enthusiasm, commitment, and excellent management and program development skills.
• Special consideration will be given to those applicants who have experience in housing and residential life, apartment management, or student services.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to develop mutually beneficial relationships with various University partner.
• Excellent organizational skills, including a proven ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously to establish priorities, accomplish goals and meet deadlines.
• Must have excellent leadership skills and is able to support and motivate staff in a variety of working environments.
• Takes initiative and able to work effectively both as a member of a team, as well as independently.
• Must be able to navigate and create complex systems as well as train others on these.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a collaborative environment with other team members in department and within the larger University.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree, plus four to six years of full-time, professional experience in student housing.

Grade
G13

Salary Range
$64,700.00 - $110,500.00 / Annually

The salary range reflects base salaries paid for positions in a given job grade across the University. Individual rates within the range will be determined by factors including one's qualifications and performance, equity with others in the department, market rates for positions within the same grade and department budget.

Questions

For frequently asked questions about the application process, please refer to our External Applicant FAQ .

Accommodation

If you are unable to use our online application system and would like an accommodation, please email [email protected]  or call the dedicated accommodation inquiry number at 314-935-1149 and leave a voicemail with the nature of your request.

Pre-Employment Screening
All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.

Benefits Statement

Personal

• Up to 22 days of vacation, 10 recognized holidays, and sick time.

• Competitive health insurance packages with priority appointments and lower copays/coinsurance.

• Want to Live Near Your Work and/or improve your commute? Take advantage of our free Metro transit U-Pass for eligible employees. We also offer a forgivable home loan of up to $12,500 for closing costs and a down payment for homes in eligible neighborhoods.

• WashU provides eligible employees with a defined contribution (403(b)) Retirement Savings Plan, which combines employee contributions and university contributions starting at 7%.

Wellness

• Wellness challenges, annual health screenings, mental health resources, mindfulness programs and courses, employee assistance program (EAP), financial resources, access to dietitians, and more!

Family

• We offer 4 weeks of caregiver leave to bond with your new child. Family care resources are also available for your continued childcare needs. Need adult care? We’ve got you covered.

• WashU covers the cost of tuition for you and your family, including dependent undergraduate-level college tuition up to 100% at WashU and 40% elsewhere after seven years with us.

For policies, detailed benefits, and eligibility, please visit: https://hr.wustl.edu/benefits/

EEO/AA Statement
Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity and especially encourages applications by those from underrepresented groups. It is the University’s policy to provide equal opportunity and access to persons in all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.

Diversity Statement
Washington University is dedicated to building a diverse community of individuals who are committed to contributing to an inclusive environment – fostering respect for all and welcoming individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. Individuals with a commitment to these values are encouraged to apply.