Community Director, Residence Life

University of Chicago; Town of Hyde Park (NY); On-site; USD 43,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Chicago's Housing & Residence Life invites applications for a Community Director to foster inclusive communities in a large residence hall (350–750 residents). You will supervise student staff, support Resident Heads and Deans, and collaborate with campus partners.

You will work in a 24/7 on-call environment, with live-in housing responsibilities and a focus on student care, safety, and program development.

Qualifications

• Education: college or university degree in related field.
• Work Experience: 5-7 years in a related job discipline.
• Certifications: ---

Responsibilities

• Foster inclusive communities by overseeing academic, community, and departmental initiatives.
• Supervise and develop student staff, including Resident Assistants and Leaders.
• Advise House Councils and support Resident Heads in student leadership roles.
• Serve as a primary responder during crises; participate in on-call rotations.

Skills

People management

Communication

Crisis management

Student advising

Diversity and inclusion

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Master's degree in Higher Education or related field

Tools

StarRez

Maxient

Job description

Department CSL Housing and Residence Life: Community Directors Woodlawn

About the Department The University of Chicago is one of the nation’s leading institutions of higher education and research. Campus and Student Life (CSL) is a division comprised of 20 departments that serve the University’s 17,000 college, graduate, and professional school students, as well as the campus community more broadly. CSL is importantly charged with the dual task of supporting all students in the University, graduate and undergraduate, and managing multiple campus departments and services that serve the entire campus community. CSL’s programs and services focus on supporting student academic success, providing opportunities for personal growth and leadership development, developing community and engagement through the residential housing and dining program, and in areas such as artistic expression, community service, spiritual exploration, and athletic competition. The University of Chicago community includes approximately 7,000 undergraduates and 10,000 graduate, professional, and other students and there are over 300 recognized student organizations working together to create a vibrant and dynamic student life. At the University of Chicago, students in the College embody a spirit of relentless curiosity, characterized by an unwavering commitment to inquiry and a dedication to free expression. Our students are not mere consumers of knowledge; they are active participants in a vibrant academic community that values the exploration of complex issues, rigorous debate, and intellectual engagement. The University of Chicago is located in the Hyde Park/South Kenwood neighborhood, a racially and economically diverse residential community of 43,000 people on the shores of Lake Michigan, about fifteen minutes south of downtown Chicago. The core mission of Housing & Residence Life is to help develop and support inclusive communities that engage residents in exceptional living experiences within secure and well-maintained environments that foster a sense of belonging and support the academic initiatives of the University. The primary strategy for the delivery of such an environment is through a residence life program that which aims to develop strong residential communities that are self-regulating, supportive of academic success; provide a strong sense of belonging, and rich opportunities for personal, cultural, social and intellectual development. The leadership of residential faculty and adult staff in fostering these experiences is key to the success of the mission.

Job Summary

The University of Chicago Department of Housing & Residence Life invites applications for one Community Director position. The Community Director will be responsible for fostering inclusive communities within their assigned residence hall for 350-750 residents, directly supervising Resident Assistants, supporting Resident Head and Resident Dean programming, and contributing to the overall mission of Housing & Residence Life.

Understanding

The College at the University of Chicago: At the University of Chicago, students in the College embody a spirit of relentless curiosity, characterized by an unwavering commitment to inquiry and a dedication to free expression. Our students are not mere consumers of knowledge; they are active participants in a vibrant academic community that values the exploration of complex issues, rigorous debate, and intellectual engagement.

Responsibilities

• Community Development and Engagement: Foster an inclusive and welcoming environment by overseeing academic, community, and departmental initiatives. Serve as a role model to student staff, engaging in intentional and educational conversations. Organize and support a variety of cultural, intellectual, and recreational activities that contribute to the overall development and engagement of residents.
• Advising and Student Success: Provide regular interaction to challenge and support students in their individual growth and development. Support Resident Heads in their role as primary advisors to House Councils within the assigned community. Serve as a referral agent to campus resources, providing non-clinical counseling and crisis management interventions with students. Advocate for student success, considering all aspects of identity that may impact students’ experiences at the university.
• Crisis Management and Emergency Response: Serve as a primary Housing & Residence Life responder to crises and emergencies within their assigned residential community. Participate in an on-call rotation with other HRL professional staff through the calendar year. Ensure emergency preparedness by being knowledgeable about departmental and university protocols and resources. Collaborate with UCPD, UChicago HELP, College DOS, and other campus partners during after-hours incidents, ensuring coordinated response and follow-up. Ensure appropriate documentation and follow-up are completed following incidents and coordinate ongoing student support as needed.
• Supervision and Leadership: Provide direct supervision, support, coaching, and accountability to student staff in the execution of their assigned responsibilities. Play an integral role in the recruitment, selection, training, and evaluation of student staff members. Support the leadership development of Resident Assistants and other residential student leaders.
• Student Conduct and Accountability: Uphold student expectations for residential community behavior and respect for others. Facilitate Community Standards meetings and administer appropriate educational outcomes in accordance with departmental processes.
• Operations and Occupancy Management: Collaborate and liaise with the Assistant Director for Operations to address community and building-related facilities issues, ensuring timely resolution and minimizing resident impacts. Report concerns to appropriate facilities and operations staff. Support residential opening and closing processes, ensuring students vacate assigned spaces by established deadlines and coordinating across Housing & Residence Life to support the timely completion of move-in, move-out, and room turn processes. Conduct and support regular safety drills and inspections within assigned residential communities. Partner with the Occupancy Management and Administration team to support housing processes, including room changes and other residential transitions. Support summer conference operations in partnership with Housing & Residence Life colleagues, including coordination and on-site support as assigned. Utilize StarRez and other departmental systems to support assigned administrative responsibilities and the coordination of housing and residential processes.
• Student Care and Wellness: Identify student care and wellness concerns, provide appropriate non-clinical support, and connect students with relevant campus resources. Coach Resident Assistants to recognize signs of stress, anxiety, and sleep deprivation, fostering a community of wellness. Support community practices that promote well-being, resilience, connection, and help‑seeking behaviors. Encourage resident assistants to create a community that prioritizes getting to know residents by name and story, fostering a sense of connection and support.
• Collaboration and Support for Resident Deans and Resident Heads: Collaborate closely with Resident Deans to align residential experiences with intellectual and cultural initiatives. Partner with Resident Heads to support Resident Assistants, strengthen individual House communities, and foster a positive overall residential environment. Facilitate regular communication and shared planning sessions to enhance the overall residential experience. Ensure a unified and supportive approach that aligns with the broader mission of Housing & Residence Life.
• House Tables and Community Dining: Embrace and support the House Tables tradition, recognizing residential dining as a cornerstone of community life. Encourage residents to utilize meal plans, fostering community connections during meals or snacks in their home Dining Commons. Collaborate with UChicago Dining and student leaders to enhance the communal dining experience as an authentic extension of community space.
• Administrative and Departmental Responsibilities: Participate in departmental meetings, committees, and working groups to advance Housing & Residence Life priorities. Attend Care Team meetings and collaborate with campus partners to support student well‑being and coordinated care. Manage timely documentation, reporting, and follow-up using systems such as Roompact, Maxient, and StarRez. Maintain consistent and timely communication with campus partners, Resident Heads, Resident Deans, student staff, and departmental colleagues to support coordinated operations and student success. Participate in assigned summer responsibilities, including a summer on‑call rotation and other departmental responsibilities as needed. Facilitate training presentations and workshops for Resident Assistants, Resident Heads, and/or student leaders as assigned. Maintain accurate records and contribute to departmental assessment and reporting efforts. Utilize departmental data, assessment findings, and community trends to inform programming, student support, and community development strategies. May recommend and guide student discipline processes and procedures. Provides on‑site expertise and management of serious student life problems and crises, such as student deaths, life‑threatening facilities emergencies, and other traumatic events. May advise Inter House Council, attend meetings, and serve as a liaison to several University Offices. Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
• Work Experience: Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
• Certifications: ---

Preferred Qualifications

• Education: Master's degree in Higher Education, Student Personnel, or a closely related field strongly preferred.
• Experience: At least one year of experience in a student affairs/student personnel position. Graduate‑level residence life staff experience, supervising student staff, and advising student organizations.
• Technical Skills or Knowledge: Demonstrated understanding of the developmental objectives of the college student residential environment. Familiarity with Maxient or other conduct systems as well as housing database software (Star Rez) a plus.
• Preferred Competencies: Demonstrated ability to supervise, train and evaluate the work of others. Remain organized and productive in high demand periods. Remain calm and productive while interacting with individuals displaying intense emotions. Respond promptly, directly, and effectively to internal and external inquiries and requests for service while managing competing demands. Work productively with a diverse range of students, residential staff and faculty, and managers across the campus. Give and receive feedback constructively. Adjust to unpredictable circumstances.

Working Conditions

Function in a 24-hour on‑call environment and maintain productivity. The typical work week is Monday through Friday with routine requirements for evening and weekend work. University setting. Live full‑time in a residence hall. Community Director staff are required to live in the residence halls.

Application Documents

Resume/CV (required) Cover Letter (required) References Contact Information (3)(required) The University of Chicago uses AI‑assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions. When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family

Student Affairs & Services Role Impact Individual Contributor Scheduled Weekly Hours 37.5 Drug Test Required No Health Screen Required No Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required No Pay Rate Type Salary FLSA Status Exempt Pay Range $43,000.00 - $55,000.00 The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting. Benefits Eligible Yes The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University’s Notice of Nondiscrimination. Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form. All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case‑case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, and its relevance to the position.

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.

The University of Chicago is an urban research university that has driven new ways of thinking since 1890. Our commitment to free and open inquiry draws inspired scholars to our global campuses, where ideas are born that challenge and change the world. We empower individuals to challenge conventional thinking in pursuit of original ideas. Students in the College develop critical, analytic, and writing skills in our rigorous, interdisciplinary core curriculum. Through graduate programs, students test their ideas with UChicago scholars, and become the next generation of leaders in academia, industry, nonprofits, and government.

To learn more about the university click here http://www.uchicago.edu/