Resident Director, Housing and Residential Life

Posting Number NC00153P

Quick Link for Position https://jobs.uafs.edu/postings/1840

Working Title Resident Director, Housing and Residential Life

Position Number

Department Student Housing Management

About the University

For more than 6,000 students each semester, the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith offers a dynamic and diverse learning community with a student-centered approach focused on the success of the individual. Small class sizes combine with innovative, hands-on learning and research experiences alongside expert faculty to ensure students receive a future-focused education at the most affordable tuition rate in the state. The university has undergone significant changes since its founding in 1928 and now offers 51 bachelor’s and associate degrees, two master’s degrees, and 36 certificate programs, all aimed at preparing students for success in the global workforce. UAFS is one of 21 academic institutions and affiliates governed by the University of Arkansas System.

The second-largest city in the state, Fort Smith is located on the Arkansas-Oklahoma border in the heart of the Arkansas River Valley. Established in 1817 as a frontier military post, Fort Smith is now a vibrant and growing city featuring a variety of cultural activities and entertainment options, including a thriving downtown arts and entertainment district. Outdoors enthusiasts will appreciate the Natural State’s plentiful trails, mountains, forests, parks, and waterways, both within city limits and throughout the surrounding area. The city is also within easy driving distance of Tulsa, Kansas City, Dallas, Oklahoma City, Little Rock, and Memphis.

The UAFS campus is comprised of 77 buildings and facilities located on 170 beautifully manicured acres and crowned with the Donald W. Reynolds Campus Plaza, Tower, and Campus Green. Students who choose to live on campus may do so in one of two residence hall complexes, complete with a full-service dining center, or the on-campus apartment complex for married students and upperclassmen. Campus involvement is encouraged by participation in more than 100 registered student organizations, which includes academic societies, a dynamic Greek life system, intramural sports, and cultural/special interest groups. The UAFS Lions compete in NCAA Division II Lonestar Conference in men’s baseball, women’s volleyball, and men’s and women’s basketball, golf, cross country, and tennis.

About the College / Department

Position Summary

The Resident Director (RD) is a full-time live-in position that reports directly to the Director of Housing and Residential Life (HRL). As a member of the Student Affairs staff, the RD is responsible for the general welfare of all students, encouraging them to maximize their intellectual growth and personal development. The RD is expected to positively influence, contribute to, and improve the quality of life of the residential student through the residential curriculum, implementing college policies and procedures, and by forming relationships with each student in the living facility. The position reports to Director, Housing & Residential Life.

Summary of Job Duties

• Supervise 8 – 14 Resident Assistants through weekly staff meetings, biweekly 1 on 1s, monitoring programming and community development, and semester evaluations.
• Participate in the development, coordination and implementation of Housing & Residential Life procedures and programs.
• Assist heavily in the assignments, contract, and billing processes.
• Serve as a University Conduct Administrator. Serve as a conduct officer for assigned residential area. Inform Director of HRL of any issues.
• Serve in an on-call capacity with other HRL professional staff. Respond to all situations by answering phone, working with Resident Assistant on-call, and communicating with applicable staff such as the University Police Department, state and local emergency personnel, Director of HRL, and Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management.
• Supervise front desk/ office operations including supervising RAs and student workers in the office, receiving mail and packages, communicating with residents and visitors, and answering the phone.
• Coordinate all move in and move out times and processes. Includes inspection of each room after the students have vacated and before it is occupied again, distribution and collection of applicable housing forms, and timely notification to residents.
• Ensure that the quality and cleanliness of residential area, including outdoor property, is maintained.
• Work jointly with Director of HRL and Plant Operations to ensure ongoing upkeep of facilities, custodial needs, maintenance efforts, and timely responses to work order requests.
• Conduct quarterly Health & Safety Inspections of all rooms with the help of Resident Assistants. Document all work order needs and damage. Address any conduct violations.
• Implement, interpret, and continually develop HRL policies as stated in the Residential Handbook and Student Code of Conduct.
• Serve as first-level contact for parents regarding student housing needs and resident concerns.
• Improve retention and graduation rates of a diverse student population by working constructively with HRL professional and student staff and UAFS committees.
• Coordinate room changes and consolidation throughout the year.
• Serve as a Campus Security Authority (CSA) by understanding and following FERPA, Title IX, and the Clery Act as they pertain to on campus situations. Serve as a mandatory reporter and be trained in Title IX policy.
• Assist in development and implementation of campus emergency and crisis management procedures, programs, and services.
• Assist in hiring and training of Resident Assistants and other university staff as appointed.
• Coordinate lock and key changes with maintenance and track all key use, loss, and theft.
• Assist in determination of needs and continual assistance of ADA residents.
• Maintain residential area budget.
• Maintain confidentiality of all HRL, institutional, and student information.
• Review management and operational reports with the Director of HRL, including vacancy, credit hours, and student status. Communicate occupancy status weekly to Director of HRL.
• Establish Resident Assistant on-duty schedule by ensuring staff availability for evenings, nights, and weekends.
• Adhere to the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith Employee Handbook.
• Requires consistent on-time attendance.
• Responsible for maintaining a positive work atmosphere by acting and communicating in a manner to foster teamwork and to provide leadership to subordinates.
• Identify student rooms to serve as tour rooms for Admissions and ensure those rooms are ready when needed.
• Attend all University trainings, as required.
• Take part in university and/or departmental committees as required by the department of Student Affairs or for professional development.
• Advise a hall government system and/or Residence Hall Association.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Responsible for maintaining a positive work atmosphere by acting and communicating in a manner to foster teamwork and by providing leadership to subordinates.
• Requires consistent on-time attendance.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree with at least two years significant experience in a student housing employment position or equivalent experience.

Other job related education and/or experience may be substituted for part of these requirements.

License(s)/Certifications

Preferred Qualifications

Master’s degree in college student personnel, educational administration, or a related field. Previous experience supervising resident assistants, working with a residence hall association, and working with peer student conduct systems are preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Conflict resolution
• Knowledge of university structures and governance
• Budget projections and management
• Communicate well with very diverse constituents
• Teaching and facilitating with individuals and groups
• Ability to apply conduct regulations fairly and consistently
• Ability to identify and draw on resources across campus
• Skills in conceiving, designing, and implementing educational programming
• Knowledge of laws and procedures related to university housing
• Ability to balance and respect individual rights and community rights
• Knowledge of learning processes and commitment to foster student learning
• Adaptability – adapts to changes in the work environment, manages competing demands and is able to deal with frequent change, delays or unexpected events
• Dependability – is consistently at work and on time, follows instructions, responds to management direction and solicits feedback to improve performance
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, the ability to work with diverse populations effectively, and excellent customer service skills are all expected.
• Knowledge of the principles of computer operations to understand the college’s information systems and services which carry out accounting, budgeting, purchasing, human resources, enrollment, and other or similar centralized institution-wide management information functions

Special Job Dimensions

Modest travel required for professional development and accompanying student groups; modest physical demands and stamina needed in working with resident assistants, programming materials, move-ins, on call, etc.; Required abilities include walking, standing, and sitting for extended periods. Visual demands include close, relatively detailed vision when focusing on a computer screen; hours are traditional office hours with evening meetings and programs and on call responsibilities in the overnight, weekends, and holidays; live-in is required.

Work Schedule

Routine office hours 8:00 a.m.to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Some evening meetings and programs required. On-call responsibilities include; overnight, weekends, and holidays.

Salary $30,000 – $35,568

Benefits

Background Check / Pre-Employment Screening

This position may be subject to a pre-employment criminal background check, sex offender registry check, financial history background check, and/or drug screening. A criminal conviction or arrest pending adjudication and/or adverse financial history alone shall not disqualify an applicant in the absence of a relationship to the requirements of the position. Background checks and drug screening information will be used in a confidential, non- discriminatory manner consistent with state and federal law.

Does this position require a background check? Criminal Background Check, Financial History Background Check, and Motor Vehicle Registry (MVR) Check

Open Date 05/10/2021

Close Date

Open Until Filled Yes

Special Instructions to Applicants

Open until filled. For full consideration, applications must be received by May 24, 2021.

Anticipated start date 07/15/2021

EEO Statement

The University of Arkansas – Fort Smith is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution, dedicated to attracting and supporting diverse student, faculty, and staff populations. The University welcomes applications without regard to race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, family medical history or genetic information, political affiliation, military service, or other non-merit based factors. Persons must have proof of legal authority to work in the United States on the first day of employment. All applicant information is subject to public disclosure under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act.

UA Fort Smith provides equal employment, admission, and educational opportunities without regard to race, color, gender, age, national origin, religion, disability, veterans’ status, sexual orientation, or gender identify. The University abides by all applicable employment laws.

As an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, the University is committed to provide equal employment opportunities for all applicants and employees with regard to recruitment, hiring, transfer, promotion, compensation, training, fringe benefits and all other aspects of employment.