Community Director September 2026

UARSC; San Marcos (CA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

403(b) retirement

Housing provided

Time off benefits

Job summary

CSUSM Corporation seeks a Community Director to lead on-campus housing operations, supervise student staff, and foster a safe, academically centered living environment.

The role requires a Bachelor’s degree with preferred graduate training in higher education or student affairs, plus experience in residential education. This is a full-time on-campus position with housing provided and comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Master’s degree strongly preferred.
• Prior experience in a college/university setting required.
• Experience in residential education strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Hire and train Community Advisors, Residential Academic Mentors, and Student Assistants.
• Plan and organize on-going staff training and development sessions.
• Monitor job performance and provide ongoing feedback through weekly meetings.
• Conduct bi-annual student staff evaluations.
• Create and oversee on-call duty schedules.
• Review incident reports and facilitate learning conversations.

Skills

Student development

Higher ed trends

Equity minded practices

Community development

Management techniques

Administrative skills

Intercultural communication

Goal setting & prioritization

Computer proficiency

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s preferred

Job description

Location: California State University San Marcos Corporation (CSUSM Corporation)

Appointment: Full-time, Regular with Benefits, Non-Exempt

Pay Range: $23.00/hour-$25.36/hour (Depending on Experience)

Total Compensation including Benefits = $31.51/hour - $34.74/hour*; Position is eligible for overtime pay; On-campus live-in requirement of position with housing provided at NO COST to employee = approximately $28,000 to $36,000 per year savings in rental expense.

*Based on health insurance coverage for employee + family

Competitive salary with outstanding benefits package to include a full health insurance program offering 100% paid premium options for employees and their dependents (there is a benefits for cash option if you opt out), 403(b) Retirement Plan with an 8% Employer Contribution - 100% immediate vesting - with a 3% Employee Contribution, great time off benefits and so much more! Full benefits and other information can be found on the CSUSM Corporation website, https://www.csusm.edu/corp/hr/benefits/summary.html

Posted: September 16, 2026

Application Deadline: First review October 5, 2026 (Open Until Filled)

Summary

The Community Director (CD) position is a professional, full-time, on-campus live-in position. CDs work towards creating a safe, team-orientated, academically centered, socially just, and environmentally responsible environment for students to live, learn, and thrive. They are responsible for the comprehensive management and supervision of assigned student staff and student housing communities.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required
• Master’s degree in higher education, college student affairs, counseling, or a job-related field strongly preferred
• Prior experience working in a college or university setting is required
• Experience in residential education strongly preferred

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• General knowledge of the personal, social, and academic challenges encountered by college students
• Working knowledge of current issues and trends in higher education
• Understanding of student development, cultural identity development models, leadership development theories, and equity minded practices
• Familiarity with the principles of community development
• Working knowledge of management techniques and personnel practices
• Solid administrative and organizational skills
• Effective interpersonal and intercultural communication skills
• Ability to set goals and priorities, make reasoned and balanced decisions in moderately complex situations and meet deadlines
• Computer proficient
• Ability to foster and maintain cooperative working relationships with diverse student, staff, faculty, and community members

Other Employment Requirements

The person holding this position is considered a “mandated reporter” under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 Revised July 21, 2017 as a condition of employment.

Limited Reporter

This position is subject to a background check including, but not limited to, employment verification, education verification, reference checks, and criminal record checks. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or continued employment of current CSUSM Corporation employees who apply for the position.

Must participate in CSUSM Corporation, CSU, and university-wide training as required. Required to drive, and therefore, must have a valid California Driver's License and participate in the Department of Motor Vehicle Employer Pull Notice Program.

Responsibilities and Tasks:

General Duties

• Hire and train Community Advisors, Residential Academic Mentors and Student Assistants (if assigned)
• Plan and organize on-going staff training and development sessions
• Monitor job performance and provide ongoing feedback and guidance through weekly meetings
• Conduct bi-annual student staff evaluations
• Create and oversee on-call duty schedules

Student Conduct

• Review incident reports
• Engage students in appropriate conversations to facilitate learning and student development
• Hold meetings to determine responsibility in an incident and issue sanctions
• Complete documentation regarding conduct findings (letters, database, etc.)
• Administer student concern meetings
• Refer cases to the Dean of Students Office
• Facilitate roommate mediations

Programming, Leadership, and Education

• Oversee CA programming to meet the mission and goals of Residential Education
• Lead efforts to coordinate large scale events for residents
• Coordinate campus wide programs to ensure residential involvement
• Assess student learning and development
• Collaborate with campus partners to provide educational and community development programming
• Work with CAs and other student leaders to develop living areas with special interests
• Assess student learning and development
• Collaborate with campus partners to provide educational and community development programming in the halls
• Advise Residence Hall Council and National Residence Hall Honorary (if assigned)

Duty Rotation and Crisis Response

• Respond to emergencies
• Serve on duty rotation (the main contact person during non-office hours including holidays)
• Communicate with supervisor for all after hour incidents

Community Director Team Member

• Attend weekly Housing and Residential Education meetings and other campus meetings as needed
• Develop, present, and participate in professional development training
• Represent the department by serving on university-wide committees
• Serve as a positive role model and mentor for new members of the team
• Participate and present housing information during orientation, open house, or other special events

Resident Advocate

• Facilitate problem solving meetings among residents
• Act as a referral agent for student mental health, academic and career advising, and student leadership and involvement opportunities
• Implement community programs and initiatives to meet the needs of residents

Oversee Facilities

• Work with maintenance staff to ensure a safe and clean living area
• Meet with maintenance staff as needed
• Follow-up on building damage issues as appropriate

Administrative

• Complete necessary programming and conduct reports, as assigned by supervisor
• Assist with the professional staff hiring process
• Enforce and abide by all Housing and University policies and procedures and State and Federal laws, including Cleary, Title IX, and FERPA

Supervision

Supervises anywhere from 7-12 Community Advisors, Residential Academic Mentors, and Student Assistants. Working with the Director of Residential Education and the head of CSUSM Corporation Human Resources, each CD will have the authority to hire, train, review, and discipline student staff hired to work with them.

Latitude and Judgment

The Community Director works with a team of 6 professional Residential Education staff members, each CD is responsible for the supervision and management of living areas, implementation of programming consistent with the Residential Curriculum, and corollary programmatic responsibilities. The CD will receive direction and guidance from the Director of Residential Education. Oversight will consist of regular meetings with the Director of Residential Education, weekly meetings with the professional team, annual evaluations, and professional development opportunities.

Work Environment

Moderate physical effort is required to respond to day-to-day activities (moving furniture, carry boxes, putting up posters) and during emergencies in the Residence Halls. The latter includes quickly responding to the scene of fire alarms, walking up hills and stairs, and carrying duty supplies. These tasks may need to be done during power outages and/or elevator malfunctions.

"JEANNE CLERY ACT AND CAMPUS FIRE SAFETY RIGHT-TO-KNOW LAW" NOTIFICATION - See website located at http://www.csusm.edu/clery/

Equal Opportunity Statement

CSUSM Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer that is strongly committed to promoting diversity in all areas of the campus community. We consider qualified applicants for employment without regard to age, physical or mental disability, gender or sex, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, medical condition, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion or religious creed, sexual orientation, ancestry, and veteran or military status or any other status protected by federal, state or local laws.

For questions or if you experience any difficulties with the online application process, please contact CSUSM Corporation Human Resources at [phone] or [e-mail].