Associate Director, Residence Life

Job Title:

Associate Director, Residence Life

Physical Location:

 Kent Campus - Kent, OH

Salary:

 $67,706 - $81,392

Basic Function:

Provide leadership and supervision for an assigned community. Responsible for leadership and oversight of an assigned functional area. Reports to Director, Residence Life or designated supervisor.

Additional Basic Function – if applicable:

 None. 

Examples of Duties:

Duties/essential functions may include, but not be limited to, the following: 

Serve as a key departmental leader by fostering collaboration across teams to establish and advance the department’s mission, goals, and priorities. 

Supervise unclassified employees, graduate assistants, and student staff, providing direction, coaching, and performance feedback. 

Lead change and improvement efforts within areas of expertise, including developing and implementing policies and procedures. 

Provide leadership and guidance in behavioral response and student crisis management, including supporting housing staff in their decision making and participating in the departmental on-call rotation; directly advise students when needed/appropriate.

Work collaboratively with students, families, and campus partners to support student success and well-being in the residential environment. 

Establish and maintain partnerships with university and campus offices (e.g., Student Conduct, Public Safety, Counseling and Psychological Services, Student Accessibility Services, Academic Success Center, University Orientation, and Career and Exploration). 

Coordinate and assist with summer housing operations (e.g., orientation, housing, conferences). 

Manage the budget for assigned functional area(s) and ensure effective use of resources. 

Contribute to departmental assessment efforts related to assigned responsibilities and functional areas. 

Serve on departmental, divisional, and university committees. 

Lead or contribute to special projects.

Perform related duties as assigned. 

Employee hired for Recruitment and Development may be responsible for the following duties: 

• Coordinate workforce development, onboarding, orientation, and training for all staff levels. 

• Develop and implement training programs for professional, graduate, and student staff roles and skill sets. 

• Lead recruitment, selection, and hiring workflows for student and graduate assistant positions; benchmark staffing levels to inform recommendations. 

• Maintain and update staff manuals, policies, and procedures to ensure consistency and accuracy. 

• Partner with staff advisory boards, workgroups, and committees to enhance workplace climate, retention, and staff engagement. 

• Collaborate with assessment, academic, and Career Exploration and Development areas to demonstrate student learning and the impact of on-campus employment. 

Employee hired for Residence Education may be responsible for the following duties: 

• Provide leadership for student engagement, residential education, and student leadership, including housing student organizations (KIC, NRHH).   

• Coordinate student staff training and in-services.  

• Establish and guide the residential curriculum to promote student belonging, learning, and success.   

• Foster faculty and staff involvement in residential experience through collaborative programs and initiatives.   

• Strengthen connections among academic departments, living-learning communities, and housing staff to support integrated student learning experiences.   

• Develop academic initiatives that enhance student learning, retention, and persistence, and collaborate with assessment partners to evaluate their impact.   

Employee hired for Safety and Community Care may be responsible for the following duties: 

• Provide leadership and technical expertise for case management processes, including oversight of conduct and CARE concerns, referrals to hall staff, the Office of Student Conduct, and KSUPD. 

• Provide administrative leadership and technical expertise for case management software. 

• Maintain and analyze records related to conduct and CARE concerns; develop reports to inform departmental decision-making. 

• Train and consult with staff on student conduct, conflict management, and mental health topics.

Additional Examples of Duties – if applicable:

 None. 

Minimum Qualifications:

Master's degree in college student personnel, higher education administration, or related field. Five years of experience in student housing or related field, including four years of supervisory experience. Must be able to work nontraditional hours as needed, including evenings and weekends.

License/Certification:

None. 

Knowledge Of:

Assessment and student development theory
Risk assessment, crisis management, and safety practices in higher education
Team development and conflict resolution
Legal and regulatory issues in higher education (e.g., Title IX, FERPA, Clery Act)

Skill In:

Written, interpersonal, and professional communication
Conflict resolution and mediation
Time management, organization, and problem-solving
Supervision and leadership of others
Report writing and documentation
Development and facilitation of training programs
Use of computer applications (e.g., Microsoft Office Suite, databases, calendaring)

Ability To:

Work effectively in a detail-oriented, compliance-driven environment
Respond calmly and quickly to challenging situations
Work independently and collaboratively in a self-directed manner
Communicate effectively with faculty, staff, students, and external constituents
Maintain confidentiality
Establish and sustain productive working relationships
Work non-traditional hours as required
Travel from building to building and off campus

Preferred Qualifications – if applicable:

Experience in residence life, housing, or related field.   

Assessments:

Asterisk (*) indicates knowledge, skills, abilities which may require assessments. Assessments could take the form of interview questions, a request to provide work samples or a written or practical test to assess job related competencies.

Working Conditions / Physical Requirements:

None. 

Working Schedule:

 Must be able to work nontraditional hours as needed, including evenings and weekends.

Additional Information:

Kent State University is committed to creating a community that is culturally and intellectually diverse and to attracting and retaining a diverse staff. We strive to create and maintain working and learning environments that respect differences, and are inclusive, welcoming, respectful and kind.

Must pass a security check.

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

For official job descriptions, visit www.kent.edu/hr. 

Kent State University is a Smoke-Free, Tobacco-Free University effective July 1, 2017. Smoking and tobacco use are not permitted on any of Kent State’s campuses or other locations and properties that are owned, operated, or leased by Kent State, both domestic and international. For additional details, visit www.kent.edu/smoke-free.

Disclaimer:

The intent of this description is to illustrate the types of duties and responsibilities that will be required of positions given this title and should not be interpreted to describe all the specific duties and responsibilities that may be required in any particular position. Directly related experience/education beyond the minimum stated may be substituted where appropriate at the discretion of the Appointing Authority. Kent State University reserves the right to revise or change job duties, job hours, and responsibilities.