Position Opening | Director of Housing & Student Life, Dawson Community College

TITLE:  Director of Housing and Student Life
DEPARTMENT:  Housing and Student Life
DIVISION:  Student Affairs
STATUS: Full-time, 12-months
SUPERVISION RECEIVED:  Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs
SUPERVISION EXERCISED:  Work Study Students, Student Life Coordinator, Resident Assistants, Student Life Assistants

Job Summary:
Reporting to the Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs, the Housing and Resident/Student Life Director is responsible for overseeing student housing and a student-focused residential and campus wide student life program. This position has immediate supervision of a potential staff made up of Residential Education Assistants, Student Life Assistants, volunteer coordinators, student employees and work-study, and other residential student leaders.
The Director will design and implement engaging co-curricular, non-credit programs and activities focused on building leadership capacity and a vibrant, inclusive student body. Through the development and enforcement of clear and transparent policies and strategies, the director evaluates and establishes programs and events, recommends and implements changes and administers policy development. Further, the director maintains a visible professional presence on campus and is actively engaged in the creation and support of several large scale campus-wide events; serves as a role model and facilitator to student leaders; supports the development and maintenance of student-driven clubs and organizations; implements co-curricular leadership; promotes student and organizational excellence; and advocates on behalf of student leaders and organizations. The position is charged with being a programmatic liaison for areas, including but not limited, to intramurals, library programming, student life programming, athletic department, clubs and other student engagement programs including the First Year Experience.

The Director is responsible for supervision and maintenance of student housing, following the standards of the Housing Handbook, conflict mediation, student conduct and will coordinate the Community Standards Board and Student Conduct Board in their work with student related concerns or actions. All Clery/Title IX/VAWA and related Federal Guidelines that fall under Residence Life, Student Affairs, and campus safety will be reported and maintained by the Director. 
The responsibilities of the position require the person to be available at varied hours therefore a two bedroom apartment style living quarters located within the in the residence complex will be provided.  All utilities, Internet, cable TV and local phone will be provided.

EMPLOYMENT WITH DAWSON COMMUNITY COLLEGE:
Employees at Dawson Community College are required to demonstrate kindness, respect, integrity, professionalism, and caring regard. We adhere to the highest ethical standards in the fulfillment of our jobs, to honor the College and university policies and procedures and to promote the educational objectives of the institution. Respect creates an atmosphere conducive to learning. Respect, in this sense, is a minimum threshold for our interactions with each other. A higher threshold is a “caring regard” for the people with whom we work.
Professionalism at DCC includes being mindful of our actions when working with students, colleagues, co-workers and our community members. Respect and “caring regard” for those with whom we share the common purpose of serving students is a paramount value. Professionalism and respect for others is an expected part of DCC job performance.

Employees at Dawson Community College support and promote a positive image of Dawson Community College.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Mentor/Supervise

• Directly supervise and evaluate residence and student life personnel. Provide training and ongoing professional development.
• Support and mentor students at risk in housing complex.
• Oversee housing staff duty schedule to ensure active duty hours.
• Provide explanation, guidance and support of the housing program to interested students, parents, and staff.
• Develop and manage the yearly housing and student life budget.
• Develop, revise, and implement housing policies.
• Propose and execute procedures and systems that improve resident satisfaction and retention.
• Serve as a liaison to Administrative Services, Enrollment Management, Accounting, and Facilities staff regarding resident management, strategic plan and goals, informational materials, etc.

Student and Residence Life

• Assist Enrollment Management to plan and implement New Student Orientation, Advanced Registration, Buccaneer Days and other events.
• Assist with oversight of Student Life department and events.
• Train and supervise student life assistants and facilitate meetings and events.
• Oversee the implementation of community initiatives in accordance with current research.
• Oversee the development of a community and educational environment that encourages student engagement and leadership, positive relationships, and student success.
• Oversee the implementation of community initiatives that address service learning, community service, personal and professional development and mental health.
• Provide leadership in the planning and implementation of campus wide student activities, clubs and organizations including but not limited to ASB, the Library, Athletics, Coffee Shop, Campus Store, and student clubs

Student Conduct

• Respond and process alleged policy violations as reported by staff, students, law enforcement, or community members.
• Maintain and follow-up with all housing related Incident Reports
• Enforce residence code of conduct, issue appropriate sanctions and follow-up on assigned sanctions.
• Review, revise and implement Student Conduct procedures and appeal process as necessary.
• Maintain detailed records.

Housing Operations

• Coordinate and process housing applications and placement process.
• Design housing application timeliness and process
• Coordinate all opening and closing of residential apartments.
• Coordinate the roommate matching and placement process.
• Manage summer residence programs and summer housing.

Student Responsibility and Safety

• Oversee the health and safety of all residents and the daily operation of all residential apartments.
• Respond to emergency situations and assist in resolving resident concerns and needs.
• Serve as a liaison with all DCC service areas and local law enforcement, mental health services and emergency personnel. Report all emergency incidents within 24 hours.
• Share responsibility in maintaining health, fire, and safety standards.
• Lead and coordinate the 24/7 on-call duty rotation, including holidays and school closures, along with other residence/student life staff.

PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
DCC values professionalism in its employees. The following attributes and behaviors are identified as examples of what is expected of an employee:

CORE COMPETENCIES:

• Adaptability – Adapts to changes in the work environment; Manages competing demands; Changes approach or method to best fit the situation; Able to deal effectively with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.
• Attendance – Is consistently at work and on time.
• Business Acumen – Understands basic business practices.
• Change Management – Communicates changes effectively.
• Oral Communication – Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions; Participates in meetings.
• Written Communication – Writes clearly and informatively; Edits work for spelling and grammar; Varies writing style to meet needs; Presents numerical data effectively; Able to read and interpret written information.
• Cost Consciousness – Works within approved budget; Develops and implements cost saving measures; Contributes to profits and revenue; Conserves organizational resources.
• Customer Service – Manages difficult or emotional customer situations; Responds promptly to customer needs; Meets commitments.
• Delegation – Delegates work assignments; Matches the responsibility to the person; Sets expectations and monitors delegated activities.
• Dependability – Follows instructions, responds to management direction; Takes responsibility for own actions; Keeps commitments.
• Initiative – Seeks increased responsibilities; Takes independent action.
• Judgment – Displays willingness to make decisions; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment; Supports and explains reasoning for decisions; Includes appropriate people in decision-making process; Makes timely decisions.
• Managing People – Includes staff planning, decision-making, facilitating and process improvement; Makes self-available to staff; Provides regular performance feedback; Develops subordinates’ skills and encourages growth; Improves processes, product and services.
• Organizational Support – Follows policies and procedures; Completes administrative tasks correctly and on time; supports organization’s goals and values.
• Planning/Organizing – Prioritizes and plans work activities; Uses time efficiently; Organizes or schedules other people and their tasks.
• Problem Solving – Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions.
• Professionalism – Approaches others in a tactful manner; Reacts well under pressure; Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; Accepts responsibility for own actions; Follows through on commitments.
• Quality Management – Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness.
• Quantity – Meets productivity Standards; Completes work in timely manner; Strives to increase productivity; Works effectively.
• Safety and Security – Observes safety and security procedures; Uses equipment and materials properly.
• Strategic Thinking – Develops strategies to achieve organizational goals; Adapts strategy to changing conditions.
• Inclusion – Provides an environment that is inclusive of all students and supports underrepresented students.
• Assessment – Assesses annual performance and works closely with the enrollment management team.

 Physical Requirements:  

• Occasional lifting of objects up to 20 pounds
• Subject to standing, walking, sitting, bending, reaching, kneeling, pushing and pulling
• Work is performed in a standard office environment; some outside work in during events and activities, patrol of the residence complex.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:
Minimum Qualifications: Applicants must demonstrate the potential ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined in the position description. Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. Qualified applicants should have or be able to prove the following:

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• At least two years previous progressive and significant experience at the collegiate level to include managing large-scale campus events as well as overseeing a complete array of fiscal and operational complexities associated with residential education, student activities, program planning required. 
• Demonstrated knowledge of current and emerging principles within Student Affairs and Housing & Residential Education. 
• Ability to remain organized in a high energy and fast paced department. 
• Knowledge of sound fiscal and ethical budgetary practices.
• Possess a student-centered philosophy and approach to work.
• Display an understanding of enrollment management basics, including strategic planning and research.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in higher education administration, Student Personnel/Student Affairs Administration, Counseling or a related field.
• One year post-masters experience.
• Demonstrated experience working with a diverse student population and engaging students and staff on issues of diversity and social justice.
• Demonstrated record of successful administrative leadership and experience in supervision of support staff, administration, organization, and planning
• Demonstrated experience with student conduct, crisis intervention, and emergency response.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the employee.

Reasonable Accommodations Statement
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable Accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

COMPLETED APPLICATION PACKET MUST INCLUDE:

• Completed Dawson Community College application
• Current resume
• Cover Letter
• Copies of college transcripts (original transcripts required, if hired)
• Three professional references (names, email addresses, and phone numbers).

Official Job Listing:
https://www.dawson.edu/news/2018/06/15/director-of-housing-and-student-life/