Westfield State University Job Posting: Residence Director

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Residence Director
 
 
Category: Professional/Executive
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Department: RESIDENTIAL LIFE
Locations: Westfield, MA
Posted: Jul 21, 2022
Closes: Jun 15, 2023 - 3:32 PM EDT
Type: Full-time
Position ID: 150712
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About Westfield State University:

In 1839, Horace Mann founded Westfield State University as the first public higher education institution without barrier to race, gender or economic class. Westfield State University is committed to a policy of non-discrimination, equal opportunity, diversity and affirmative action. We are dedicated to providing educational, working and living environments that value the diverse backgrounds of all people including minorities, women, veterans, individuals with disabilities and other protected persons, or individuals with diverse cultural backgrounds.

Westfield State is the most residential of the state universities in Massachusetts, with over 60% of our 5600 full-time undergraduate students living on campus. The campus is ideally situated on the edge of the Berkshire Mountains in western Massachusetts just 30 minutes from the thriving cultural centers of Northampton and Amherst, and 1.5 hours from both Boston and Albany.


Job Description:

Campus Title: Residence Director
State Job Title: Staff Assistant
Department: Residential Life
Job Code: HA5600
FLSA Status: Exempt
Funding: 7115-6001
Bargaining Unit: APA
Job Type: Full-Time Permanent 
Timeframe: 52 weeks
Shift: Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., serve in the on-call duty rotation by responding to after-hours and weekend emergencies.
Regular Days Off: Saturday and Sunday
Supervision Received: The Residence Director reports to the Assistant Director of Residential Life.
Supervision Exercised: The Residence Director supervises paraprofessional staff members.
Salary: $40,000 (salary to be commensurate with education and experience)

General Statement of Duties: The Residence Director is a 12-month, full-time, live-in position that plays a critical role in promoting the success and well-being of residents and in achieving the goals and objectives of the Department of Housing & Residential Life, the Division of Student Affairs, and the University. The Residence Director is comprehensively involved in the total community development of the residence hall, assisting residents with a full array of personal, developmental, academic and residency issues.  The Residence Director advises the hall council, supervises para-professional staff members, and serves as a vital communication link between residents, the department, and the University community.  The Residence Director also provides critical support, on-site response, and information on student matters both within and outside the Department of Residential Life.

RDs are expected to support the vision, mission, and values of Housing & Residential Life, and their job responsibilities will fall within the following values:

Build Strong Inclusive Communities - We are inclusive and ensure equity, supporting the identity development of all community members and acknowledging multiple perspectives.

Collaboration with Each Other - We work with each other and campus partners to create a seamless student experience.

Social Justice - Residential Life strives to create spaces that are validating for all social identities. While creating completely safe spaces might not be possible given the oppressive world in which we live, our goal is social justice and our work moves us closer to that goal every single day.

Student Development & Personal Growth - We provide tools and experiences that promote student growth and empower students to find and use their voice.

Student Service - Student needs, their feedback, and best practices in the field drive our decisions and services, and we maintain excellence and integrity in every interaction.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Duties include but not limited to:
Essential:

  • Support the educational mission and goals of the Department of Residential Life, the Division of Student Affairs, and the University with a primary emphasis on building a positive residence hall community and engaging students in their university experience.
  • Serve as a student advocate and educator, helping residents to be positive and responsible members of the residential community.
  • Work to get to know residents and be available and accessible to students on both a scheduled and non-scheduled basis; counsel and advise students on issues related to on-campus residency and their personal, social and academic development.
  • Coordinate overall management of the hall by tracking and reporting hall damages/incidents, and monitoring of hall facilities, security, and maintenance concerns.
  • Develop a highly competent and committed building staff team through training, supervising, mentoring and evaluating staff members. Conduct weekly building staff meetings and at least bi-weekly individual supervision meetings. Develop positive, professional and effective working relationships with all members of the Residential Life staff team.
  • Offer quality programs and services that meet identified resident and campus needs; and provide these programs and services in an effective, efficient manner.
  • Track and report residence hall programming initiatives, including budget. Attend a minimum of one program each week during the academic year.
  • Serve in the on-call duty rotation by responding to after hours and weekend emergencies in accordance with the University and Department's emergency response procedures and the direction of the Administrator on Call as applicable.
  • Serve as initial review hearing officer, adjudicate conduct cases, and administer educational sanctions.
  • Advise the hall council as applicable by providing regular contact including attendance at meetings and events; offering support, guidance, and leadership and skill development activities; and promoting the formation of a cohesive, effective group. Support the initiatives of the Residence Hall Association.
  • Complete daily rounds of the residence hall to ensure familiarity with all student and staff concerns.
  • Develop a positive and collaborative partnership with the residence hall's maintainer staff in order to effectively respond to student concerns. Meet regularly with the Head Maintainer to discuss concerns/issues raised by students and staff.
  • Become proficient with The Housing Director (housing software package) in order to understand and maintain the integrity of the University's housing data.
  • Assist with operational tasks including hall opening, occupancy reporting, damage and incident reporting and tracking, and on-site monitoring of hall security facilities and maintenance matters.
  • Represent Residential Life on University committees and functions; or assist with Housing & Residential Life projects, functions and initiatives; and perform other duties as assigned by the Director, Assistant Director, or their designee.


Requirements:

Required Qualifications: 

  • Bachelor's Degree required. Master's degree preferred
  • One year of post-bachelor's work experience in Residential Life or a related field strongly preferred

The Successful Candidate Will:

  • Understand and embody a live-in professional lifestyle. Position will require non-traditional work hours during peak periods.
  • Be a visible and positive member of the Westfield State community.
  • Work independently in their assigned area as well as within a team environment.
  • Be well-organized and detail-oriented; excel in written and verbal communication; and have excellent customer service skills.
  • Perform diverse duties and responsibilities in a high-energy environment with the ability to respond to the changing needs and demands of the Department of Residential Life, the Division of Student Affairs, and in collaboration with campus partners.


Additional Information:

Salary:
For the majority of new employees, the minimum starting salary will apply. Specific salary for current Westfield State University employees and individuals currently working for the state of Massachusetts must be calculated individually in accordance with collective bargaining and state policies and procedures.

State job specifications for this position may be found at the department of higher education website: http://www.mass.edu/foremployees/classificationspecs/classspecs-pers.asp

Disability Accommodations:
Westfield State University understands that persons with disabilities may need assistance with the job application process and/or with the interview process. For confidential assistance regarding disability accommodations, please contact the Office of Human Resources at (413) 572-8106.

Background Check:
Employment at Westfield State University is contingent upon a background check that is satisfactory to the University. Failure to provide written authorization for a background check will nullify the offer of employment.

Covid-19 Requirements:

As a condition of employment, you will be required to complete an initial series of COVID vaccination (2 doses of Pfizer/Moderna or 1 dose of J&J) prior to coming to campus. Initial booster doses are strongly encouraged for everyone who is eligible. New employees will be required to provide proof of vaccination to Human Resources prior to onboarding. Employees who require a medical or religious exemption should email Tina Bones, Benefits Manager in Human Resources, at lbones@westfield.ma.edu.   


Application Instructions:

An on-line application is required. The successful candidate must submit an official transcript at the time of hire. Interested candidates should electronically attach the following documents: 

  • Resume
  • Cover Letter
  • Contact information for three references *
  • Copy of unofficial transcript of highest degree

* Provide the contact information for reference providers in the reference section of the online application. 

Deadline: The job posting will be open a minimum of ten days and, if needed, will remain open until finalists have been selected. 

NOTE: If you need assistance completing your application please contact our online Help Desk. The link to the help desk can be found at the top of the page via Contact Us.
Westfield State University provides equal access to employment opportunities for all applicants, regardless of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, marital status, age, disability or veteran status in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations and policies.

 
 


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