Area Director - Upperclass

March 14, 2013

Description

Earlham College is accepting applications for an Area Director in the Office of Residence Life. This is a full-time, 12-month, administrative faculty appointment.

This is a live-in position responsible for supervision and support of one of two upperclassmen residential areas. Each residential area is comprised of two to three residence halls with approximately 250 students. Each Area Director directly supervises a student staff of 10 to 13 undergraduate Resident Assistants in the residence halls.

Compensation is a furnished, two-bedroom apartment in a residence hall with cable and Internet, college benefits, partial meal plan and a maximum salary of $28,700 for 12 months.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

• Directly supervise, mentor, train and evaluate student resident staffs in assigned area.
• Facilitate weekly staff meetings to disseminate information related to facility concerns, resident questions or issues and programming.
• Maintain high visibility within the assigned areas; develop relationships with faculty advisers and other constituencies.
• Provide regular team building, and conduct individual meetings with resident staff members for development and mentoring.
• Coordinate all aspects of building operations and implement administrative processes in accordance with Residence Life policies and procedures while ensuring accuracy of all appropriate records. 
• Articulate rationale of College and departmental policies and expectations. Provide guidance and assistance for students in developing and maintaining residence hall communities that contribute to the development of the whole person and emphasize the development of leadership skills.
• Promote and model positive support for the goals of the College, the Residence Life department and ethical student affairs practice.
• Lead, with staff and student input, the creation of educational programming appropriate for student growth and development; including the development of interpersonal skills, healthy lifestyle and personal choices, engagement with social justice issues, appreciation of diversity, and improved understanding of consensus decision-making and peaceful conflict resolution.
• Maintain and administer the residential programming budget for assigned areas.
• Serve as a resource person for students and make appropriate referrals.
• Participate in the Residence Life on-duty rotation during weekdays, weekends, holidays and college breaks; be available to respond to student, facility, residential and campus crisis issues. 
• Role model responsible decision-making and self-care, promote and advocate respect for civil discourse and respect for persons different from oneself.
• Appropriately confront and document violations of Residence Life and College conduct policies. Ensure timely recording, reporting, follow-up and referral for all policy violations and behavioral issues documented in assigned facilities.
• Serve as an administrative hearing officer for residence hall student conduct interventions. Determine appropriate educational sanctions ensure appropriate record keeping, timely follow-up and completion of administered sanctions.
• Participate in weekly departmental meetings, bi-weekly supervisory meetings, division meetings and assigned College committees.
• Establish and maintain effective collaborative relationships with Student Development faculty, service personnel, and College offices and officials (maintenance division, housekeeping services, dining services, et al.). 
• Act as a liaison for Earlham College with students, parents and community members as it relates to the administration and operations of the residence halls. Represent department through participation in recruitment and educational events such as College for a Day and Preview Days.
• Maintain a high level of visibility and involvement within the campus community through attendance at College events, participation in faculty meeting, service on College committees and participation in residence hall functions and programs.
• Assist central office personnel in the administration of housing selection/assignment processes, staff recruitment and selection, fall and spring staff training, May term/Summer housing operations and assignments, and community education initiatives.
• Participate in professional associations and other professional development activities, including presenting programs at state, regional or national conferences.
• Assume other duties as assigned and needed for the effective functioning of the Office of Residence Life.

Experience & Qualifications

• Master’s degree in student personnel, higher education, counseling or a related field.
• Minimum of one year of experience in residence life.
• Clear understanding of the role of residence life at a private residential liberal arts college, including the expectation to know their residents and hall/house leaders.
• Commitment to high visibility within the residence halls and throughout student life on campus.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, strong computer skills and proficiency with standard office and productivity software.
• Energy, enthusiasm, motivation, and the desire to work with undergraduate students is essential.

Preferred:

• Two years of full-time professional experience in residence life with collateral or generalist student affairs experience.
• Experience in program planning, staff selection and/or training.
• Understanding of retention issues related to wellness, equity and persistence.
• Demonstrated experience with assessment, risk-reduction or alcohol education, or student conduct. Commitment to student affairs and education broadly; genuine desire to grow professionally and contribute to student life.

Application Instructions

Please send a letter of application that addresses the various responsibilities of the position; resume; and the name, position title, e-mail address and phone number of three professional references in a single PDF or MS Word file to:

Human Resources
Earlham College
801 National Road West
Richmond, Indiana 47374-4095
Phone: 765-983-1393
Email: leama@earlham.edu

Review of applications will begin immediately with priority given to those received by April 15, 2013.

Preferred start date is: July 1, 2013.