Area Coordinator

Fairfield University; Fairfield (CT); On-site; USD 50,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Fairfield University is seeking an Area Coordinator for the Office of Residence Life. This live-in role oversees a residential area and supports 200–450 students, balancing on-campus housing duties with student growth initiatives.

The area coordinator will supervise staff, coordinate programs, and uphold safety and conduct standards in alignment with the Jesuit mission. Evening/weekend duties are expected.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a related field preferred; Residence Life experience a plus.
• Experience mentoring staff and advising students.
• Valid driver’s license is required.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and develop staff of Resident Assistants.
• Manage live-in community for 200–450 residents.
• Mentor students and refer them to campus resources.
• Coordinate residence hall openings/closings and safety inspections.
• Serve as Conduct Officer for Code of Conduct violations.

Skills

Staff supervision

Student development

Crisis management

Education

Master's degree preferred

Driver's license

Job description

Fairfield University is a co-educational, comprehensive Jesuit university with a 200-acre campus located along the scenic shoreline community of Fairfield, CT. The University is comprised of approximately 3,500 undergraduate and 1,200 graduate students pursuing degrees within 5 schools: The College of Arts and Sciences, The Charles F. Dolan School of Business, The School of Engineering, The Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies, and School of Education and Human Development. As an expression of our Jesuit, Catholic mission and identity, Fairfield embraces a liberal humanistic approach to education, encouraging critical thinking, cultivating free and open inquiry, and fostering ethical and religious values.

Job Description:

Job Title: Area Coordinator

Department: Office of Residence Life

Primary Work Location: Fairfield

Direct Supervisor: TBD – Central Team Member (Assistant or Associate Director Residence Life)

Basic Function:
The Area Coordinator is a vital member of the Residence Life team, responsible for student formation and the development of living and learning communities within their assigned residential area. The Area Coordinator at Fairfield University has primary responsibility for the management of residence hall facilities within their area. They are responsible for approximately 200–450 residents and are dedicated to student growth and development outside of the classroom.
This role serves as a role model, facilitator, leader, and essential contributor to the effective operation of the Residence Life program. This on-campus, live-in position can be demanding of personal time, especially during peak periods and evening/weekend hours. The duties of the Area Coordinator may vary by area based on the student population residing in that community.

Unusual Work Conditions:

• Live-in position
• Working weekend and evening hours
• Participating in rotating on-call duty responsibilities for crisis management, responding to student and campus emergencies in accordance with University protocols and in coordination with Public Safety, Counseling Services, emergency personnel, and other appropriate offices.
• Maintains student privacy and confidentiality in accordance with University policy and applicable laws, including FERPA, and fulfills reporting obligations as required.
• Required to handle situations of a sensitive nature
• Ability to walk throughout residential facilities, including climbing stairs, stand for prolonged periods; and lift and/or move up to 30 lbs with or without reasonable accommodation.

Education, Certification, License, and Experience Requirements:

Master’s degree in Student Personnel Services, Higher Education, Student Affairs, Counseling, or a related field preferred. Previous Residence Life experience or other related experience required. Particular emphasis will be placed on candidates who have experience with the facilitation of intentional residential communities. Valid driver’s license required.

Essential Functions:

1. Supervises and manages residential communities dedicated to specific living and learning programs. This includes:

• Supervising, training, selecting, and developing the staff of five to nine Resident Assistants
• Serving as a live-in professional for 200-450 residents, including day, evening, and weekend responsibilities
• Mentoring and advising students and appropriately referring them to campus resources (e.g., Public Safety, Counseling Services, Financial Aid, Health Center, Campus Ministry, Academic Deans etc.)
• Creating a safe community through policy education and enforcement
• Coordinating residence hall openings and closings during the academic year and summer
• Managing residential facilities within the assigned area, including health and safety inspections, facilities management, room changes, etc.
• Serving as a Conduct Officer for Code of Conduct Violations within the community
• Participating in a rotating on-call duty schedule for crisis management

2. Coordinates and develops specific residential living and learning programs by:

• Assisting Resident Assistants in developing programs that address students’ holistic needs
• Encouraging staff and students to plan programs to meet the diverse needs of the residence hall population
• Managing the community programming budget
• Collaborating with supervisors and campus partners within the Living and Learning Community to achieve learning goals and outcomes
• Overseeing the planning, implementation, and assessment of living and learning programs
• Utilizing electronic media to create and publicize promotional materials for the Living and Learning program
• Assisting with living and learning program application processes, including program and housing applications, selection, and placement
• Overseeing initiatives that increase social and academic resources within the residence halls
• Providing leadership to student staff by communicating, interpreting, and administering program goals, learning outcomes, and residence hall and University policies and procedures
• Maintaining visibility in the halls through regular hall visits and attendance at student leaders’ programs
• Collaborating with campus departments to support student learning and engagement
• Administering the departmental programming model, including program review, approval, feedback, and tracking requirements
• Partnering with Assistant and Associate Directors and campus partners to support students’ holistic development

3. Develops and facilitates community building within their residential community by:

• Serving as a mentor and positive role model for students in a manner consistent with Fairfield University’s Jesuit mission and values
• Supporting students’ spiritual and religious formation in collaboration with Resident Jesuits and Campus Ministry, including hall worship services and small-group or individual discussions, etc.
• Advising, mentoring, and training the Residential Hall Association (RHA) within their community, including attending all meetings, programs, and training sessions
• Coordinating all developmental programming aligned with the community’s programming vision statement
• Planning and implementing late-night weekend programming for all residential students
• Overseeing community budgets
• Holding students accountable for Code of Conduct actions within their community

4. Participates in and supports the Office of Residence Life on such projects as:

• Student leader development and training
• Recruitment for key Residence Life initiatives (e.g., Resident Assistant Recruitment, Sophomore Residential Colleges, Build-A-House, etc.)
• Housing assignments and lottery processes
• Serving on committees as designated by the Director of Residence Life
• Performing other duties as assigned

5. Promotes safe and secure working conditions by:

• Ensuring proper use of equipment, staff, and materials
• Promptly reporting unsafe working conditions to their supervisor

Work Schedule: 11 month

Employee Type: Exempt (salaried)

Applicable to all positions:

Performs such other duties, responsibilities, and activities as required by supervisor and as departmental/University needs indicate.

Disclaimer

The above information indicates the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain, and should not be interpreted as containing, a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, activities, and/or qualifications required or expected of employees assigned to this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change and new ones may be assigned at any time, with or without notice.

Category:

Student Life - Admin Academic Year

Performs such other duties, responsibilities, and activities as required by supervisor and as departmental/University needs indicate.

*Disclaimer

The above information indicates the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain and should not be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, activities, and/or qualifications required or expected of employees assigned to this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change and new ones may be assigned at any time, with or without notice.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a satisfactory background check.

Fairfield University provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.