Hall Director Graduate Assistant

Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering; Needham (MA); On-site; USD 23,000 - 32,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Partially furnished apartment

Meal plan when dining hall is in use

Reserved parking space

Professional development funding

Job summary

Olin College of Engineering is seeking a Hall Director Graduate Assistant (live-in) to support a ~390-student residential community in Needham, MA. The role is a 12-month, part-time appointment (20–25 hours weekly) within Student Affairs, collaborating with Resident Resources and Orientation teams to promote engagement, well-being, and inclusive programming.

The position requires a matriculated graduate student; prior RA/CA experience is preferred.

Qualifications

• Be a matriculated graduate student. Students enrolled in Counseling or Social Work, CSP, Higher Education Administration, or related programs are preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day operations of an assigned residential community.
• Foster a positive living-learning environment that supports student well-being and development.
• Co-supervise and evaluate 6–12 Resident Resources (R2s).
• Provide mentorship to student staff and assist with R2 program planning.
• Participate in 24-hour on-call rotation and respond to emergencies and student concerns.
• Assist with budgeting and collaboration with campus partners.
• Plan and implement Orientation and community engagement activities.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Teamwork

Crisis response

Education

Graduate student status

Job description

JOB TITLE

Hall Director Graduate Assistant (live-in position)

FLSA CODE

Non-exempt

NORMAL WORK HOURS

20–25 hours per week — Some evenings and weekends, on-call responsibilities

Position Summary

Olin College's Residence Life program supports a close-knit residential community of approximately 390 students living in two residence halls. As a predominantly residential campus, Olin emphasizes community engagement, student leadership, and personal development through intentional programming and supportive living environments. Residence Life staff work collaboratively with students to foster an inclusive, respectful, and vibrant campus culture that enhances both academic success and student well-being.

The Hall Director Graduate Assistant is a live-in, part-time (20–25 hours per week), graduate-level position within Olin College's Student Affairs department. This 12-month appointment plays a vital role in fostering a welcoming, inclusive, and supportive residential community that promotes student engagement, well-being, and success.

The Hall Director works closely with Resident Resources (R2s) and residential students to cultivate a positive living-learning environment and create opportunities for personal growth, leadership development, and community building. In addition, Hall Directors support members of the Orientation Team, collaborating with campus partners to plan and implement Olin's immersive week-long Orientation program, helping new students successfully transition to the Olin community.

Primary Responsibilities

Residential Community Leadership

• Oversee the day-to-day operations of an assigned residential community.
• Foster a positive living-learning environment that supports student well-being, belonging, and personal development.
• Maintain a visible and approachable presence within the residential community through regular interactions with residents, attendance at programs and events, room visits, and participation in campus life.

Student Staff Supervision

• Co-supervise and evaluate a team of 6–12 Resident Resources (R2s).
• Provide mentorship, guidance, and ongoing support to student staff.
• Assist with the planning, implementation, and assessment of the R2 program.

Student Support and Crisis Response

• Participate in the professional staff 24-hour on-call rotation and respond appropriately to emergencies, crises, and student concerns.
• Support students through conflict resolution, community concerns, and developmental challenges.
• Collaborate with campus partners to connect students with appropriate resources and support services.

Administration and Collaboration

• Assist the Residence Life Staff with managing community and programming budgets.
• Partner with faculty, staff, and campus departments to enhance the residential experience.
• Attend weekly professional staff meetings and student staff meetings.

Orientation and Community Engagement

• Assist in the planning and implementation of New Student Orientation.
• Support move-in, move-out, training periods, and other major campus initiatives.
• Develop and facilitate programs that promote community engagement, inclusion, leadership development, and student success.

Qualifications

• Be a matriculated graduate student. Students enrolled in Counseling or Social Work, College Student Personnel (CSP), Higher Education Administration, or related programs are preferred. Non-matriculated students engaged in relevant graduate-level coursework may also be considered.
• Demonstrate strong interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Be able to work effectively both independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• Exercise considerable independent judgment and sound decision-making, particularly in responding to student concerns and emergency situations.
• Be willing to work evenings and weekends on a regular basis.
• Be available for extended work hours during staff training, orientation, residence hall opening and closing periods, and other peak times throughout the academic year.
• Demonstrate a commitment to equity, access, inclusion, belonging, and social justice.
• Exhibit cultural competence and the ability to engage effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences.
• Prior experience as a Resident Assistant (RA), Community Advisor (CA), or in a comparable residential life leadership role is highly preferred.

Physical Demands

• Exert up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently to move or transport objects.
• Travel between campus buildings as required.
• Participate in an on-call rotation, which may require walking, climbing stairs, conducting indoor and outdoor rounds, and responding promptly and in person to emergencies.

PROFESSIONAL LEARNING OUTCOMES

Through This Position, Hall Directors Will Develop

• Knowledge of student affairs practices, including student development, residential education, crisis response, conflict management, event planning, and budget administration.
• Skills in supporting individual students and facilitating group learning and development.
• The ability to apply student development and learning theories to professional practice.
• An understanding of professional ethics and the ability to model and promote shared community values.
• Strong relationship‑building, communication, and mentorship skills.
• Enhanced problem‑solving abilities, adaptability, and creativity in responding to complex situations.

APPOINTMENT TERM

This is a 12-month appointment, with annual reappointment based on performance and departmental needs.

The position includes designated institutional closure periods during winter break, time away from campus during spring break, and flexibility to participate in approved professional development opportunities and conference attendance.

Compensation And Benefits

• Hourly wage of $20.00 per hour
• Partially furnished apartment
• Meal plan when the dining hall is in operation (up to 14 meals per week during the academic year)
• Reserved parking space
• Professional development funding opportunities
• Eligibility for select employee benefits, in accordance with college policies

This is a live-in position.

Olin College permits spouses, partners, and dependent family members to reside in the apartment, subject to applicable background check requirements. One dog or cat may be permitted with prior approval from Facilities and the Provost’s Office.

Company Description

Olin College of Engineering seeks employees who are passionate about working collaboratively within and outside of the Olin community to support the College’s mission and vision for the future. At Olin, we are educating the next generation of engineering innovators and shifting the definition of engineering. Not only do our students ask, “Who are we designing this for, and what are their values?” They also ask questions about the impact of their work on society.

As Olin evolves under new leadership, we seek to become a more representative and aware community, a place where everyone is a learner and where everyone is an educator. Olin will become a place where experimentation—including making and learning from mistakes—will be embraced across the institution, not just in the classroom. Collaboration is key to Olin’s curriculum and culture, and we will work intentionally to reinforce the values and culture to which we aspire. We are a community that thrives on being together; we value trust. The College supports teams to collaboratively decide how they can best do their work, and display a commitment to the community, all while providing individuals with overall work-life flexibility.

Olin College is situated on 75 acres in Needham, Massachusetts. We are approximately ten miles from Boston, one mile from the MBTA Commuter Rail train station, and approximately four miles from the Woodland Station from the MBTA Green Line. We have plenty of free parking on campus. You can find more details on our Visiting Campus page.

Olin College is committed to supporting an innovative, integrated learning and working environment. As a small campus, the in‑person experience and cross‑team collaboration is what helps build a strong, dynamic community for our students, faculty and staff. Typically, most roles at Olin College are intended to be in‑person and on‑campus. Certain paid positions may be eligible for flexible working arrangements, at the College’s sole discretion. Any approved remote work arrangement for pay must be performed in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts where Olin is registered to do business. Individual flexible and remote work options can be discussed during the interview process.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

At Olin College we seek to become a more representative and aware community.

Olin College is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome applications from candidates belonging to groups that have historically been underrepresented in higher education, including racial and ethnic minorities, LGBTQIA people, and people with disabilities. Employees of the College who have a disability are welcome to request reasonable accommodations by contacting Human Resources at [e-mail].