Graduate Assistant - Residence Life

Concordia University, Chicago; River Forest (IL); On-site; USD 30,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

An established institution invites applications for a Graduate Resident Director. This dynamic role involves providing leadership in a vibrant living-learning community, supporting student success, and integrating Christian values into daily interactions. The Graduate Assistant will oversee residence hall operations, manage a team of Resident Assistants, and engage in crisis response. Ideal candidates will demonstrate strong interpersonal skills and a commitment to personal growth within a Christian context. This is a unique opportunity to shape the residential experience for students while fostering a supportive and inclusive environment.

Qualifications

• Candidates must be enrolled in a graduate program.
• 1-2 years of Residence Life experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and develop a living-learning environment for 150-200 students.
• Assist in crisis intervention and support for students.
• Manage housing operations and administrative responsibilities.

Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Conflict Management

Leadership

Crisis Response

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Graduate Program Enrollment

Job description

Concordia University Chicago (CUC) invites applications for the position of Graduate Resident Director. This position is a Graduate Assistantship, reporting directly to the Director of Residence Life, and is located in River Forest, IL.

The Graduate Assistant – Residence Life assists the Director of Residence Life in providing holistic, educational leadership while administering a comprehensive living-learning environment for communities housing 150-200 students. Under the oversight of the Director of Residence Life, the Graduate Assistant provides direct supervision over a residence hall and staff and assists the Director of Residence Life in overall community supervision. The GA is a dynamic individual who exhibits a vibrant personal faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, displaying Christ-centered servant leadership and a commitment to student success. This individual seeks opportunities to integrate the mission, vision, and core values of Concordia University Chicago into his/her daily work with students, faculty, and fellow staff members. In line with the mission of our university, GA champions for the spiritual development of our students and demonstrate a commitment to the Christian ethics of love, forgiveness, patience, and faith as well as a desire to support students in their own faith. The GA also assists in advising residence hall management and administrative responsibilities. The average workload is 20 hours a week but will include intensive full-time training in August as well as intermittent increases in workload throughout the semester. Living on campus is required.

Candidates must be enrolled or planning to enroll in a Concordia University Chicago graduate program.

Responsibilities/Duties:

Community Development

• Responsible for the supervision, leadership, and development of a comprehensive living-learning environment housing 150-200 students under the guidance of the Director of Residence Life
• Assist the Director of Residence Life in the overall leadership and management of all residential students
• Develop intentional assessment practices to address the needs of each community and create action steps to meet those intended outcomes
• Execute a community development plan for the residential area focused on the learning, growth, and development of students

Housing Operations and Administrative Responsibilities

• Coordinate day-to-day operations of the residential area and department such as occupancy, facilities management, hall opening and closing, room selection, conduct issues, and the housing reassignment process
• Manage efficient and accurate operational reports and communicate regularly with necessary offices
• Assist the Director of Residence Life in identifying and resolving facility issues in a timely fashion and proactively identify opportunities to improve the residential environment
• Ensure the observance of all Concordia applicable policies, rules, and regulations as well as the laws of the city, state, and nation
• Practice fiscal responsibility in the administration and oversight of community programming budget
• Establish healthy mentoring relationships through daily interactions with students, mediate conflicts, respond to their needs and refer students to appropriate resources as needed
• Implement the departmental programming model and provide guidance to staff in achieving learning outcomes for the community
• Promote the institution's core values in all initiatives and through public discourse

Educational Supervision

• Along with the Director of Residence Life, supervise, train, evaluate and provide leadership to a Resident Assistant staff of 6-8 staff members
• Assist in the coordination of all department-wide initiatives including RA training, RA selection, room selection, and other programming initiatives and committees as needed
• Provide proactive visible leadership within the community to promote the institution's values and services, and support residential programming
• Collaborate with multiple University offices in creating new educational initiatives and developing more efficient practices that seek to create cutting edge residential experiences for students

Crisis Intervention & Response

• Participate in on-call emergency duty rotation throughout the year (evenings and weekends), excluding Christmas, Spring, and Summer academic breaks providing crisis support and response to students
• Collaborate with Department of Public Safety, and other qualified persons on immediate response to incidents in hall, as needed
• Provide supportive leadership in responding to the needs of individuals in crisis and make necessary referrals and guidance as needed
• Collaborate with multiple student services offices in checking in and following up on the welfare of students and make referrals as needed

Oversight of Hall Management

• Assist in the organization, management, development, and implementation of a residence hall government under the direction of the Director of Residence Life
• Serve as an active co-advisor for residence hall staff and residents
• Attend all staff meetings and executive board meetings and provide leadership and counsel as needed
• Research and seek to implement current best practices related to creating an effective residence hall environment
• Assist in the implementation of residence hall programs and provide leadership support as needed

**Candidates must support and be committed to the mission and identity of Concordia University Chicago, a university of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod (LCMS).

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree required
• Must be actively enrolled in a Concordia University Chicago graduate program
• 1-2 years of undergraduate Residence Life experience OR multiple years of strong leadership experience in student affairs/related field. Preference will be given to candidates with previous residence life experience.
• Concurrent acceptance and full-time enrollment in a certified graduate program for at least 6 credit hours per term with continuous enrollment at Concordia University Chicago. Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA to remain eligible for position.
• Successful candidates will be committed to personal growth, embracing Christian values in a collegiate setting, possess mature judgment, educating in a residential environment, and being a skilled student development educator.
• Strong interpersonal and conflict management skills.
• Demonstrated awareness of and sensitivity to diverse student populations.
• Willingness to be a reflective learner and prepared to lead by example.

Application Information:

Interested individuals should include a cover letter, resume and references with their online application.

Concordia does not discriminate in the employment of individuals on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, disability, sex or age. As an institution of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, however, and to the extent allowed by law, Concordia University reserves the right to give preference in employment based upon religious affiliation.

Concordia University Chicago does not generally sponsor for employment visas except for positions that oversee, teach or support our international programs.

About Concordia University Chicago:

Concordia University Chicago is a liberal arts-based Christian university founded in the Lutheran tradition. Through its College of Theology, Arts & Humanities, College of Business, College of Education, and College of Health, Science & Technology, Concordia-Chicago offers more than 160 areas of study in small classes taught by professors who are passionate about teaching and student success. All undergraduate and graduate degrees are fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Concordia University Chicago has been recognized as a College of Distinction since 2010, and is consistently ranked among the Best Regional Universities–Midwest by U.S. News & World Report. For more than a decade, combined undergraduate and graduate enrollment has exceeded 5,000 students. Concordia University Chicago is located in River Forest, 10 miles west of downtown Chicago. Learn more about our commitment to higher education, rooted in the Gospel, at CUChicago.edu.

Steadfast in Jesus Christ as revealed in the Holy Scriptures, Concordia University Chicago promotes academic rigor in its liberal arts and professional programs; grounds students in objective truth, integrity, and excellence; and practices faithfulness to the Confessional teachings of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod, as it forms students for vocations in church, family, and the world.