Associate Director of Housing and Residential Services

Fitchburg State University; Fitchburg (MA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Fitchburg State University seeks an Associate Director for Housing and Residential Services to lead residence education and community functions. The role involves crisis management, supervising staff, and enhancing student conduct processes while promoting an inclusive environment. The ideal candidate will have strong interpersonal skills, experience in student affairs, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Qualifications

• 5+ years experience in student conduct, residential life, or student affairs.
• Knowledge of diversity and equity principles.
• Ability to manage sensitive situations professionally.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day student conduct issues and adjudication.
• Collaborate with various departments to enhance student success.
• Provide guidance and support to special student populations.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Conflict-resolution skills

Crisis management

Customer service

Team building

Education

Bachelor's degree in Higher Education Administration or related field

Master's degree in Higher Education Administration, Student Affairs, or Counseling

Job description

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

The primary function of this position is to provide leadership and direction for the residence education and community functions within the Department of Housing and Residential Services and guidance for conduct and community standards for the campus. This staff member leads the residence education area in conjunction with the Director of Housing and Residential Services. A goal of this position is to establish a cohesive, inclusive, and safe residential community utilizing diversity & social justice and case management practices to promote student success. The Associate Director works collaboratively within the department and with campus partners to provide a positive residential experience while providing the highest level of customer services. The Associate Director will provide guidance, adjudicate conduct cases, support special student populations, and respond to crises as part of the on-call duty rotation. Additionally, the Associate Director is responsible for the daily management of the Student Conduct process; reviewing incident reports, assigning cases, serving as a hearing officer, and managing appeals. The Associate Director will collaborate on Student Conduct related matters with Housing and Residential Services Staff, the CARE Team, Dean of Students, and Director of Title IX/Equal Opportunity. The option to live on campus is available.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED: Supervises applicable administrative, graduate student, and support staff.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED: Reports to the Director of Housing & Residential Services and coordinates closely with the Dean of Students and Director of Title IX/Equal Opportunity as appropriate.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Serve as the day-to-day manager of student conduct for the university.
2. Oversee assignment and adjudication of student conduct cases, appeals, and administrative investigations in accordance with university policies.
3. Maintain accurate data and records related to conduct cases and produce reports as needed.
4. Serve as a hearing officer and investigator for student conduct matters.
5. Enforce university, state, and local policies related to student behavior, including drug and alcohol regulations.
6. Collaborate with departments including Academic Affairs, Enrollment Management, and Student Affairs to identify and address student retention and success issues.
7. Define and support the needs of specialized student populations such as commuter students, first-generation students, and others through partnerships and programming.
8. Serve as a member of the CARE team and follow up on student welfare and behavioral concerns.
9. Support academic retention through direct student contact, coordination of skill-building resources, and academic accountability measures.
10. Participate in an on-duty rotation to provide after-hours response to crises involving residential students.
11. Work with University Police and campus partners in managing critical incidents or conduct concerns.
12. Lead departmental assessment planning processes including identifying annual goals and objectives, monitoring key performance indicators, recommending appropriate assessment tools, conducting data analysis, providing recommendations and improvements.
13. Coordinate assessment training for functional areas in order to assist with long-term departmental planning.
14. Train and actively provide direct or indirect supervision of professional, graduate, and student staff.
15. Serve as a support to Residential Learning Communities, which includes campus partner and student staff, creating evaluation tools.
16. Support resident leadership and development (i.e. Residence Hall Association and Residential Learning Communities) opportunities through training, in-services, and conferences.
17. Serve in the absence of the Director of Housing & Residential Services.

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Minimum 5 years of progressively responsible experience in student conduct, residential life, and/or student affairs.
2. Demonstrated knowledge of student development theory, student conduct processes, and crisis management.
3. Strong interpersonal, counseling, and conflict-resolution skills.
4. Ability to manage sensitive situations with discretion and professionalism.
5. Familiarity with FERPA, Title IX, Clery Act, and other relevant laws and compliance standards.
6. Experience working with diverse student populations and a commitment to equity and inclusion.
7. Demonstrated recent experience in student conduct, compliance, higher education laws, and the ability to counsel students individually to resolve university-related concerns.
8. Knowledge of the tenets of diversity, equity, and inclusion work and social justice education, and the ability to appropriately and effectively understand and adapt to cultural differences within a group environment.
9. Knowledge of higher education and student development principles, practices, procedures, and the ability to use this knowledge to foster student success.
10. Knowledge and experience working collaboratively with faculty, academic, and student affairs staff in support of student learning and development.
11. Demonstrated management and program development skills, including experience with strategic planning and implementation of new initiatives.
12. Proven short- and long-term planning skills, coupled with ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
13. Ability to motivate staff and build an effective team, and exhibit initiative, creativity, and enthusiasm.
14. Ability to maintain a sense of fairness, sensitivity, and good judgement in emotionally-charged situations.
15. Must be able to satisfactorily pass a check conducted by the Criminal History Systems Board (CORI check); abackground check satisfactory to the university.
16. Ability to perform above duties with or without reasonable accommodation.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Master's degree in Higher Education Administration, Student Affairs, Counseling, or a related field.