Residence Hall Director

Michigan State University College of Engineering; East Lansing (MI); On-site; USD 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Michigan State University College of Engineering seeks a Residence Hall Director to provide leadership and supervision for a residential community of 400–600 students, under the direction of a Community Director. You will supervise student staff, advise organizations, coordinate development and residential curriculum, and handle administrative responsibilities.

The role requires crisis intervention, enforcement of policies, budget awareness, and on-call duty coverage.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of basic personal computer terminology and operations.
• Ability to use e-mail and the Internet.
• Bachelor's degree in a human services field or related area.

Responsibilities

• Supervises, plans, schedules, and coordinates the activities of a residence hall.
• Manages residence hall or apartment operations for 400-600 students.
• Assists with recruitment, selection, training, supervision, and evaluation of staff.
• Enforces University policies and serves as a hearing officer for disciplinary violations.
• Develops responses to conflicts and mediates room/suitemate issues.
• Monitors budgets for programming.
• Provides on-call duty coverage and crisis responses.
• Coordinates opening/closing of residence halls/apartments.

Skills

Staff supervision

Crisis intervention

Program development

Conflict mediation

Budget monitoring

Education

Bachelor's degree in human services

Tools

Email

Internet

Basic PC terminology

Job description

Position Summary

This posting is for an anticipated vacancy with expected start dates in 2026/2027 academic year and will be filled when/until there is an actual vacancy.

Basic Function

Provides leadership, management, supervision, and development for a residence hall community under the direction of a Community Director. Responsible for student staff supervision and training, student organization advising, individual student development, coordinating community development and residential curriculum efforts, and administrative and departmental responsibilities.

Characteristic Duties And Responsibilities

• Supervises, plans, schedules, and coordinates the activities of a residence hall.
• Manages residence hall or apartment business and administrative operations for a community of approximately 400-600 students.
• Assists with the recruitment, selection, hiring, training, supervision, and evaluation of student and graduate student staff.
• Enforces University and Departmental policies and procedures and serves as a hearing officer for basic level university disciplinary violations
• Serves as the primary in-hall administrator responsible for developing a response to and managing room/suitemate conflicts and mediations, including basic student and parent follow-up.
• Monitors budgets for programming
• Assumes weekday, weekend, and holiday/vacation duty coverage through serving in the on-call duty rotation.
• Provides appropriate crisis responses for on-campus residents.
• Assists in the coordination of the opening and closing of the residence halls/apartments.
• Assists University Conference Services with summer programs
• Disciplines student team members with guidance from RHS Human Resources.

Communication/Interpersonal Relationships

Interacts With

• Community Director- to receive direction, discuss and plan programs, and resolve problems
• Students - to provide crisis intervention and referral, provide information and assistance, mediate conflicts, and to exchange information.
• Resident Assistants - to provide direction, discuss and plan programs, and resolve problems
• Residential and Hospitality Services Management and Staff – to discuss events and daily operation, staffing, project completion and customer questions.
• Department of Police and Public Safety - to address concerns about students and safety issues.
• Parents of Students - to listen to their concerns and provide information and assistance with solving problems.
• Other Residence Hall Directors and Graduate Assistant Directors- to discuss and plan programs, consult on problems, and exchange information.
• Other Campus Partners- to discuss and plan programs, serve on committees, consult on issues, and exchange information

Responsibility For The Work Of Others

First level supervision over undergraduate, graduate, and law student team members serving in a Resident Assistant role.

Responsibility For The Health/Safety Of Others

This position has responsibility for the health and/or safety of others. Responsibilities include responding to emergency situations, supervising and training the staff for emergency situations, providing crisis intervention and referral for students with emotional and/or mental concerns, and maintaining a safe and emotionally healthy living environment.

Impact on Programs/Services/Operations

Programs developed and implemented affect the quality of students' educational experience. Quality of the environment developed affects students' safety, security, and academic success. Properly trained personnel intervene in crisis situations and provide effective programs and positive environments which could otherwise negatively impact student satisfaction, University and/or residence hall retention, and University liability. These, in turn, impact the financial stability of the residence hall system and the University.

Work Environment

Mildly disagreeable working conditions involving working in an environment with limited privacy and noise. Staff must frequently respond to situations at any time of the day and night. The job requires moderate physical effort when responding to emergencies.

Additional Requirements

• Other skills and/or physical abilities required to perform duties of the position.
• This position requires or will require prior to the completion of the probationary period: knowledge of basic personal computer terminology and operations, and the ability to use e-mail and the Internet.

"This description is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty that will be required of positions that will be given this title and shall not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct and control the work of employees under his or her supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties shall not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of similar kind or level of difficulty."

This posting will fill 4 vacancies.

Terms of Renewals

Residence Hall Directors may be eligible for a renewed period of up to five years.

Minimum Requirements

The job requires: knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired by completing a four-year college degree program in a human services field, such as student personnel, counseling, or a related field; one to three years of experience in residence life, student affairs, housing operations, or a related student services field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Work Hours

STANDARD 8-5

Description of End Date

This is an off dated position with an end date of 6/30/2027. Notice for re-appointment is provided by May 15th of each calendar year.