Assistant Director of Residential Life for Community and Connection

South Dakota State University; Brookings (SD); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and flexible benefits

Retirement plan with 6% matching

Paid holidays and vacation leave

Relocation benefits

Job summary

South Dakota State University (SDState) invites applications for an Assistant Director of Residential Life for Community and Connection in Housing and Residential Life in Brookings, SD. The role focuses on creating inclusive living environments, student belonging, and community through a new residential model aimed at student success and wellbeing.

The position oversees 3–5 live-in staff, with responsibilities for training, advising student groups, and fostering connections across campus.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree plus 3 years of relevant and related work experience in student leadership, housing, or related areas.
• Bachelor’s degree with 5 years of directly related professional experience by start date.
• Supervision or mentorship, leadership, or corporate training experience.
• Valid driver’s license or ability to obtain one within 30 days of hire.

Responsibilities

• Supervise 3–5 professional live-in staff and advise the Residence Hall Association.
• Oversee training for HRL staff and emphasize connection and belonging.
• Partner with departments and use evidence-informed approaches to enhance residential life.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Interpersonal skills

Team collaboration

Driver's license

Education

Master’s degree with 3+ years related experience

Bachelor’s degree with 5+ years related experience

Tools

Relocation assistance

Job description

South Dakota State University (SDState) is seeking an AssistantDirector of Residential Life for Community and Connection inHousing and Residential Life. This position will advance Housingand Residential Life’s mission by cultivating environments wherestudent communities, connection, and belonging are central to theresidential experience. Housing and Residential Life istransitioning this year into a new residential model focused onstudent success, wellbeing, and community and connection. Thisposition is 12-month, full-time, benefits eligible and located in Brookings, SouthDakota .

Housing &Residential Life creates welcoming, supportive communitieswhere students can thrive. Our team of professional and studentstaff work together to foster connection, growth, and positiveon-campus living experiences.

Must be authorized to work in the U.S. Sponsorship is not availablefor this position.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The Assistant Director of Residential Life for Community andConnection is responsible for supervision of 3-5 professionallive-in staff, advising the Residence Hall Association, overseeingthe training process for HRL professional and student staff, andbeing the departmental expert on connection and belonging. Thiswill be accomplished through intentional partnerships andevidence‑informed approaches that enhance SDSU’s residentialenvironments to create an enjoyable, shared living experiencefocused on belonging, relationships, leadership, and learning howto positively live in a community.

BENEFITS

• SDState offers a wide range of excellent benefits includingmedical, dental, and flexible benefits, retirement plans,compensation packages, paid holidays, and vacation leave.
• We offera generous retirement plan that includes 6% matching, 10 hours ofannual leave each month, 9.34 hours of sick leave each month, andeleven paid holidays.
• Employees also have access to internal andstate-sponsored training as well as reduced tuition forstate-supported courses at all State of South Dakota academicinstitutions.
• Relocation benefits are available per university’sguidelines.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree plus 3 years of relevant and related workexperience connected to student leadership, university housing,student organization advising student success or outreach, orservice learning; OR
• A bachelor’s degree with 5 years of directly relatedprofessional experience, completed by start date.
• Supervision experience or significant mentorship, leadershipexperience, or corporate training experience.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills andinterpersonal skills; and
• Valid driver’s license or ability to obtain one with 30 days ofhire.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Ability to work effectively as part of a team by contributingto shared goals, collaborating with colleagues, communicatingconstructively, and supporting team efforts to achieveorganizational objectives.
• Graduate school degree in Student Personnel Administration,Counseling, Higher Education, Student Affairs, or relatedfield.
• Direct experience with student conduct, crisis/emergencymanagement, student leadership or advising, student success work,and/or student programming.
• Experience advising Residence Hall Association, StudentsAssociation, or hall council or similar organizations

DEPARTMENT DESCRIPTION AND CULTURAL EXPECTATIONS

SDState isthe state’s largest, most comprehensive university with over $94million annual research expenditures, more than 200 academicprograms and an enrollment of approximately 12,000 students. Theuniversity is part of a dynamic community for families, students, youngprofessionals, and retirees, which offers an abundance ofattractions and activities.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT

South Dakota State University promotes access to and opportunitiesfor all to receive the benefit of and participate in education,research, and service and is especially interested in candidatesthat can contribute to this land‑grant access mission. SDSU is anequal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receiveconsideration without regard to, and SDSU prohibits unlawfuldiscrimination of all legally protected classes in the offering ofall educational programs and employment. Arrangements foraccommodations required by disabilities can be made by [e-mail] .Individuals with concerns regarding discrimination should contact:Equal Opportunity Officer/Title IX Coordinator, Human Resources,Morrill Hall 100, SDSU, Brookings, SD 57007. Phone: [phone].

CONTACT INFORMATION

For questions on the position, contact Becky Peterson at605-688-4574 or [e-mail].

WORKING CONDITIONS

Cognitive Requirements

Analyzing, Comprehend, Frequent Change, Intense CustomerInteraction, Logic, Memory, Multiple Priorities, Pace-average,Reading, Reasoning, Verbal Communication, Written Communication,Multiple Stimuli

Protective Clothing/Equipment

Please check the appropriate response for this position's use of the following protective clothing or equipment.

Physical Requirements

Climbing Stairs, Lifting light, Standing for sustained periods oftime, Walking, Driving, Fine Finger Manipulation (keyboarding,pipefitting, bench work, etc), Sitting for sustained periods oftime, Use Both Hands

Describe any of the conditions selected

Fine Finger Manipulation – basic keyboarding and computerskills

Sensory Requirements

Hearing, Speaking, Vision (With and without correctivelenses)

Working Conditions & Exposures

Please describe, in more detail, any of the conditions checkedabove

Working Environment

Office Environment, Other Environment (Please explain below)

If you have indicated Other Environment, if work tasks involveone or more of the above, or if further explanation is necessary,please use the space provided.

Residence hall environment