Area Director of Residential Life

Colgate University

paid time off

United States, New York, Hamilton

Feb 15, 2025

Posting Details

Position Information

Job Category	Professional/Administrative
Position Title	Area Director of Residential Life
Full Time/Part Time	Full Time
Division	Dean of the College
Department	Residential Life
Hiring Wage/Salary Range	$60,410
Professional Experience/ Qualifications	As the Area Director for Residential Life, you will play a key role in supporting residential students on campus while working closely with faculty, staff, and visitors. You will help create a positive environment and build strong working relationships with all members of the campus community. Strong written and verbal communication skills are essential for building and maintaining positive relationships with students, faculty, and staff. The role requires flexibility to work evenings, late nights, and occasional weekends. Successful candidates will be self-driven, able to manage multiple tasks and programs, and address student needs promptly. Experience in supervising student staff, volunteers, or professionals, as well as previous involvement in student leadership roles, is important. If you've had the opportunity to guide and support others in these areas, we'd love to hear how your experience can make an impact in this role.
Preferred Qualifications	Candidates with at least two years of relevant experience, including crisis management, student conduct, student staff supervision, student activities, event planning, program design within a higher education environment, and/or working with faculty in a learning community or similar program, will be well-equipped to succeed in this role.
Education	A Bachelor's degree is required A Master's degree in higher education or related field is preferred
Certifications
Offer Determination	When extending an offer, Colgate University considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as market and organizational considerations.
Physical Requirements
Other Information	As part of the compensation package, room and partial board are included.
Benefits	Colgate University offers a competitive benefits package, with most benefits effective on the date of hire. Highlights include: medical, dental, vision, retirement contributions, paid time off, paid family leave, health & wellness, continuing education and professional development. We also offer unique perks, such as free parking, gym discounts, bookstore savings, athletic tickets, and access to cultural and recreational facilities. Explore the full benefits package on our Benefits page.
Department Statement	The Office of Residential Life furthers the educational mission of Colgate University by extending student learning and growth into our residential community, promoting a purposeful and inclusive environment through shared experience. This is accomplished by promoting healthy, safe, and inclusive communities where individual members are valued and respected; fostering personal growth and success through a purposeful residential experience; and challenging and supporting students in making meaningful and responsible contributions to society. The Residential Commons is a fundamental, driving force that infuses intellectual engagement and community development into the residential experience at Colgate. All first-year students live in one of four Commons, each with its own unique personality and characteristics, under the direction of faculty directors. Upper-division students maintain an affiliation with their respective Commons for life, whether formally-by continuing to live within the Commons or its social house-or informally. Residential Life and the Commons aim to provide students with a home away from home that reflects the academic rigor and engagement of the University at large.
Accountabilities	The Area Director (AD) is a full-time, live-in position, primarily responsible for the effective and efficient execution of strategies and programs that enrich the residential experience at Colgate. The AD works closely the Residential Life Leadership Team and, when assigned to a Commons Area, a Residential Commons Leadership Team to build intellectually-engaging residential communities in which all students feel like they belong and have the opportunity to grow. ADs who oversee areas that fall within Residential Commons also work under the leadership of Commons Directors. The AD supervises live-in student staff in their respective areas, and may provide leadership for a part-time Fellow in a Residential Commons. Specific Responsibilities: Community Development & Engagement Provide support in the development and furthering of the departmental philosophy, mission, and programs by translating the mission, vision, and strategic goals in ways that impact and transform residential communities Manage the facilitation of the community development and learning model in their area, which may include one-on-ones, event planning, community meetings, and other strategies Provide accurate advice and guidance that actively supports the growth, maturity, and intellectual development of individual students and groups of students within assigned residential communities Facilitate the administration of protocols and processes to address the needs of students of concern and to connect them with appropriate resources and support systems Participate in the management of student behavior by responding to incidents, meeting with students, and applying appropriate sanctions as detailed in the University student handbook. Resolve student conflict and conduct issues within assigned residential area (or broader when on-call), ensuring proper documentation of conduct issues Ensure the development of a safe, welcoming, accessible, and fair environment that actively includes and engages everyone Actively address issues and concerns that diminish the capacity for all students to feel like they belong and are able to engage in their respective communities Maintain active engagement in your assigned communities by participating in events and programs and having a presence in each area Serve as a role model of healthy engagement in the greater campus community Intellectual Connection Provide leadership and support within assigned Residential Commons Assist residents with concerns that are barriers to academic success and make appropriate referrals as required Develop effective relationships with faculty, including assigned Residential Commons directors, in active implementation of living and learning objectives Facilitate the development of residential communities that support and encourage intellectual pursuits and academic engagement Advise the Commons Council in support of these goals Staff Supervision Recruit, hire, train, supervise, and evaluate a team of student staff in accordance with department expectations, goals, and established procedures Participate in and plan on-going staff development and in-service activities for the purpose of continued training and opportunities for personal development for student staff Advise departmental committees for student staff members and students Facilities & Building Management Duties Coordinate, maintain, and monitor the administrative and operational functions associated with the management of a residence hall (occupancy management, room condition, maintenance, technology, etc.). Exercise judgement in effective day-to-day management of multiple housing facilities Manage residence hall opening and closing procedures for all assigned areas Facilitate regular health and safety inspections in each residential area Ensure that all reported damages and problems with residential facilities are fixed within an appropriate time frame Crisis Management & Emergency Response Serve as a referral source for student staff during counseling and crisis issues Provide crisis intervention along with necessary follow-up after an incident, working in coordination with other Residential Life staff, as well as professionals from the Counseling Center, Dean's Office, Campus Safety, and other areas as needed Participate in scheduled professional staff on-call duty rotation Manage the student staff on-call duty for assigned duty areas Core Departmental Responsibilities Build and maintain collaborative relationships with others in Residential Life, Dean of the College, Facilities, Faculty, and the University community, creating opportunities for them to engage and be involved with students around their areas of expertise Disseminate information regarding policies, conduct, administrative matters, and campus events to staff Become familiar with central department processes and policies in order to accurately promote and communicate with campus partners, students, and families, cover central office on a rotating basis to ensure these constituents are met with a welcome and informative presence Assist in assessment of student learning, student needs, and program effectiveness Manage room assignment changes within assigned residential communities in partnership with the Housing Coordinator Meet regularly with supervisor to review department goals, establish individual goals, assess progress and solve problems Work with students, parents, co-workers, supervisor, department staff, and University staff from various backgrounds on a variety of matters Communicate with parents, resolving concerns and addressing questions with care and support Maintain accurate knowledge of occupancy and vacancy records in your residential communities Facilitate weekly staff meetings and 1:1 meetings with assigned student staff Participate in university committees as deemed appropriate by members of the Residential Life Leadership Team, supervisor, or Director Model professional behavior appropriate for living in and among students Other job related duties as assigned This position has been designated as a Campus Security Authority ( CSA), in accordance with the federal statutory requirements of the Jeanne Clery Act. CSAs are required to and responsible for reporting allegations of crimes they receive from students and employees to the Campus Safety Department.

Technical Competencies

Name	Residential Facilities
Description	Demonstrated expertise in building management sufficient to avoid material consequences across multiple facilities.

Name

Student Development:

Description

Demonstrated knowledge of and ability to consistently apply student development theory in the creation and development of programs as well as in advising responsibilities. Knowledge of best practices and ability to consistently apply these practices in advising responsibilities. Demonstrated ability to consistently identify and recognize legal and ethical principles of the profession. Demonstrated ability to consistently follow departmental protocol regarding legal and ethical issues

Name

Advising

Description

Demonstrated ability to consistently apply culturally appropriate advising, helping and coaching techniques while also recognizing the uniqueness of every individual. Demonstrated ability to accurately and consistently maintain confidentiality. Demonstrated ability to consistently follow crises response protocol and consistently make appropriate decisions to initiate crisis intervention responses.

Name

Administrative

Description

Demonstrated ability to effectively and consistently apply time management, problem solving, and planning skills in the implementation of processes or programs. Demonstrated ability to effectively use technical solutions to assist in the collection/maintenance of key data and records and within university, division and department guidelines. Demonstrated ability to consistently meet functional accountabilities while staying within assigned budget constraints.

Behavioral Competencies

Name	Personal Accountability for Results
Description	Takes responsibility for decisions, performance, and outcomes; behaves in a responsible manner with a positive attitude; shows self-awareness and openness to feedback.

Name	Effective Communication
Description	Demonstrates effective written and oral communication skills; shares information and seeks input from others; adapts communication to diverse audiences; protects private and confidential information.

Name	Problem Solving and Decision Making
Description	Analyzes and prioritizes situations to identify and solve problems; generates solutions to improve efficiency and quality; involves others in solving problems and making decisions; factors organizational goals into decisions; makes clear, transparent, and timely decisions.

Name	Change Management
Description	Responds positively to changing university initiatives and readily adapts behavior to maintain effective performance; understands the long-term direction of the university and can relate this to departmental area; adapts to new methodologies; identifies and acts on areas where change is appropriate.

Name	Leadership and Teamwork
Description	Applies skills and knowledge to provide a climate to achieve departmental and organizational success; balances individual and department goals; helps others perform at their best; builds productive relationships to enhance individual and organizational effectiveness; treats others with respect; resolves conflicts among team members.

Name	Creativity and Innovation
Description	Generates, explores, encourages, and implements innovative ways of creating strategic value for the university, division, department, and individual level; critically assesses the effectiveness of new initiatives.

Name	Diversity and Inclusion
Description	Demonstrates respect for people and their differences; understands the benefits of a diverse workforce; earns the trust and respect of others; includes and welcomes others; works to understand the perspective of others; promotes opportunities to experience diversity within our community.

Name	Sustainability
Description	Understands the impact of decision making and personal behavior in achieving the university's commitment to a sustainable and carbon-neutral campus; supports and advances the university's sustainability initiatives; influences others to use sustainable practices.

Posting Detail Information

Requisition Number	2025S016Posting
Temporary	No
Work Schedule	This is a full-time, 12-month position requiring 37.5 hours per week. The role includes evening hours and occasional weekends as needed.
Job Open Date	02/14/2025
Job Close Date
Open Until Filled	Yes
Special Instructions Summary
EEO Statement	The University recognizes that equal employment opportunity can only be achieved through demonstrated leadership. It is the Policy of the University to recruit, employ, retain, promote, and train employees on the basis of merit, ability, and valid job qualifications without regard to any characteristics protected by applicable local, state or federal laws or Executive Orders.
Clery Act	CAMPUS CRIME REPORTING AND STATISTICS The Department of Campus Safety will provide upon request a copy of Colgate's Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. This report includes statistics as reported to the United States Department of Education for the previous three years concerning reported: 1. crimes that occurred on-campus; in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by Colgate University; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus and 2. fires that occurred in student housing facilities. The report also includes institutional policies concerning campus security and fire safety, such as policies concerning sexual assault, life safety systems, and other related matters. You may access the report from the Clery Compliance web page at: https://www.colgate.edu/about/offices-centers-institutes/dean-college/campus-safety-staff/clery-compliance. Printed copies of this report may be obtained upon request from the Department of Campus Safety via e-mail at cusafety@colgate.edu.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

*
Are you currently a Colgate employee?
- Yes
- No
*
Have you ever been a Colgate employee?
- Yes
- No
Do you have a spouse/domestic partner who currently is, or will be, employed at Colgate University?
- Yes
- No
*
Are you at least 18 years of age?
- Yes
- No
*
Please let us know how you heard about this position.
- Albany Times Union
- Binghamton Press & Sun
- BlackCoachesinSports
- Careerbuilders.com
- Cazenovia Republican
- Centralnewyorkhelpwanted.com
- Chronicle of Higher Education
- Chronicle of Philanthropy
- Colgate Employee
- Colgate Website
- CoSIDA
- Diverse Issues of Higher Education
- HERC (Upstate New York HERC)
- HigherEdJobs.com
- Indeed.com
- InsideHigherEd.com
- LinkedIn
- Mid-York Weekly
- NACWA
- naviGATE
- NCAA News
- Norwich Evening Sun
- Oneida Daily Dispatch
- Sherburne News
- Studentaffairs.com
- Syracuse Post Standard
- Utica Observer Dispatch
- Waterville Times
- WomenLeadersinCollegeSports.com
- Other
If you selected "Colgate Employee" or "Other" for how you heard about this position, please provide the employee's name or where you heard about/saw the position.

(Open Ended Question)

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

Resume
Cover Letter

Optional Documents