Area Director, Residential Life

Position Summary:

Hamilton College, located in central New York, is a highly selective residential liberal arts college with an enrollment of approximately 1900.  A full-time professional member of the Division of Student Life, the Area Director is responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive student development program within residence halls that supports the educational goals of the College. Through thoughtful integration of these goals, students are challenged to understand and respect different values, perspectives, and identities, meaningfully engage with the community and the wealth of opportunities offered in and out of the classroom, to accept responsibility for the consequences of their actions, and to understand the importance of personal wellness and balance.

Responsibilities

Area of Concentration

This area director will work as a team with the other members of the Community Living staff and strategic campus partners in an effort to provide a developmentally driven experience that is inclusive of all students.  The Area Director will:

• Supervise and support the development of a team of student leaders serving in the role of Community Advisor (CA)
• Provide direct support to CA programming efforts including acquiring supplies and maintaining a budget
• Serve as a Conduct Hearing Officer in Administrative Hearings

Staff Development

The Area Director selects, trains, supervises, and evaluates approximately 20-26 Community Advisors (CAs) within several residence halls comprising approximately 650 residents. The Area Director will:

• Work as a team with Community Living staff to facilitate the process for recruiting and hiring the CA staff
• Work as a team with Community Living staff to plan and execute CA training prior to the start of the fall and spring semesters
• Provide on-going education and mentorship to CAs with a focus on how best to support the development of community within their buildings
• Maintain frequent and individual contact with CAs including but not limited to biweekly one-on-one meetings with each CA
• Serve as a resource for CAs as they work with individuals and groups in their halls
• Provide direction for CAs to develop community building programs within the residence halls and oversee the programming budget for their area. This includes acquiring and distributing all supplies needed for approved CA programs
• Assist CAs with roommate mediation and conflict resolution

Student Development

Utilizing principles of student development best practices, the Area Director will work with students and colleagues from a variety of offices across campus to promote a program that fosters student and community development. The Area Director will:

• Assist in the development of community and a sense of belonging in the residence halls
• Facilitate the creation of welcoming and respectful residence halls with a commitment to the inclusion of all our diverse student populations
• Help to ensure that residence hall environments are safe and secure
• As appropriate, provide support, resources and referrals for students with personal and/or academic concerns
• Provide ongoing supervision and accountability for CAs, including any necessary follow-up documentation
• Provide direction for communication and interpretation of College policy
• Discuss behavioral concerns with students and refer to College conduct systems as necessary
• Conduct periodic rounds with Campus Safety Officers occasionally on weekend nights
• Live on campus full-time and be a visible presence on campus and in the residence halls.  This includes occasional evening and weekend attendance at various events including College functions, some CA programs and other events as deemed appropriate in collaboration with the Community Living team

Administrative Functions

The Area Director will:

• Perform administrative tasks related to maintenance functions, room inventories, damage reporting and follow-up, and opening and closing of residence halls
• Do weekly walkthroughs of all residence halls in their designated area in order to maintain visibility, as well as to look for maintenance issues, student behavioral issues and anything else that may need to be addressed in order to maintain a comfortable living environment for students
• Complete regular administrative responsibilities such as weekly report management, program proposal review and assessment documentation
• Participate in a Professional Staff On-Call Rotation
• Be a strong team player and provide meaningful support to the Community Living team
• Serve as liaison and resource person for students and other administrators           
• Assist with overseeing Special Interest Communities within their area and help to develop strong connections to campus partners to support the growth of community living
• Conduct regular residential checks with the Office of Environmental Health & Safety to maintain compliance with fire safety policies and NY State Fire Code
• Participate in divisional committees
• Develop strong, positive relationships with campus partners
• Complete other duties as assigned

Professional Development Opportunities

Traditional forms of professional development such as webinars, attendance at local and national conferences, and team professional development are potential avenues to grow as a professional.  In addition, as a small residential community the Area Director has ample exposure to other areas of the College and is encouraged to discuss other areas of interest with their supervisor.  Once the Area Director has mastered their work in Community Living, other opportunities for engagement in other areas on campus may be available.

Supervision

The Area Director reports to and is supervised by the Associate Director for Community Living. 

Education & Experience

A master's degree in higher education, student personnel, counseling, or related field, plus previous residence hall experience is required. Experience in a liberal arts setting, knowledge of student development theory and/or counseling, as well as experience supervising students are preferred.  The ideal candidate will have well-developed interpersonal skills, a talent for innovation, and aptitude in detail orientation. Enthusiasm for engaging with students and the community with a commitment to supporting diverse students and inclusion are essential.  A valid drivers license is also required.

Term

This is a twelve-month position with a term limit of 3-4 years.

Remuneration

Salary is competitive with a superior benefits package. Due to the Area Director’s responsibilities, the position is live-in and includes a furnished two-bedroom campus apartment and meal plan participation while classes are in session.