Resident Director

Palmer Theological Seminary of Eastern University; Saint Davids (PA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Palmer Theological Seminary of Eastern University on the St. David's campus seeks a Resident Director to lead the Housing and Residence Life program, mentoring staff, coordinating educational activities, and ensuring student growth in a welcoming, inclusive environment.

The RD will oversee student engagement with assigned populations, manage emergencies, and collaborate with campus partners to support student success and spiritual development through a structured on-campus residence life program.

Responsibilities

• Mentor Resident Assistants and Assistant Resident Directors; supervise up to 20 staff and conduct regular one-on-one meetings.
• Coordinate crisis management and provide leadership during emergencies on campus.
• Assist with student conduct, incident reporting, and enforcement of conduct policies.

Job description

The Resident Director (RD) cultivates a Christ-centered community on St. David's campus. Reporting to the Director of Residence Life, the RD mentors RAs fosters residents’ growth, creates educational programs, and collaborates with campus partners to ensure student success and spiritual development in a welcoming and inclusive environment. Executes activities and events and arranges referrals to supportive programming and services for students in an assigned special student population(s).

Housing and Residence Life

• Support and inform the implementation of a residence life program that enhances student learning and fosters intellectual, social, spiritual, and emotional growth and development.
• Cultivate a positive and engaging living environment that fosters a sense of belonging and positive relationships.
• Maintain high visibility and availability through community events and resident interaction.
• Provide residents with personal, social, academic, and spiritual support and referrals to University services and resources.
• Oversee mission-driven events and activities, engaging students in community formation.
• Serve as the emergency contact to assist students with residence hall emergencies or after-hour situations.
• Serve on the regular day and overnight hours, and follow the weekly on-call work schedule.
• Perform or arrange periodic and emergency wellness checks on students.
• Assess facility requests on behalf of residents, review and submit residence hall work orders.
• Open and close residence halls during end-of-semester breaks.
• Supervise and train up to 20 Resident Assistants and Assistant Resident Directors:
• Host weekly staff meetings to communicate events, discuss concerns and facilitate professional development.
• Conduct regular one-on-one meetings with staff.
• Provide formal and informal feedback on job performance.
• Ensure staff address and document behavioral issues.
• Develop and deliver annual staff training programs and professional development opportunities in support of the Residence Life Training Cycle.
• Support recruitment, selection, motivation, and recognition of Resident Assistants.
• Collaborate to maintain a supportive atmosphere aligned with the Student Handbook and Eastern University’s mission.

Assigned Student Population Engagement

• Responsible for an assigned special student population(s) (i.e. first-year students, returning second through fourth-year students, first-generation students, commuters, or transfer)across all residential buildings.
• Collaborate with the Student Engagement team and other Student Development offices and personnel to organize, plan, advertise, and implement at least one targeted Fall and Spring semester programming activity to engage their assigned student population.
• Meet regularly with students in their special student population to identify areas of need and offer referrals to Student Development and other University offices and resources.
• Distribute resource materials focused on engaging their assigned students.
• Manage general publicity postings and bulletin boards related to targeted student programs.
• Serve as an ad hoc Student Development C.A.R.E. team member or its subcommittees to coordinate supportive services and resources for individual students.
• Meet regularl y to coordinate with the Director of Student Engagement and the Student Engagement Team.
• Implement, manage, and supervise the execution of a weeknight Student Engagement Event once per month in the Fall and Spring Semesters.
• Other duties as assigned.

Crisis Management

• Provide leadership during crises in and near the residential campus community.
• Assist in emergencies as needed.
• Implement Eastern University and Office for Student Development policies and procedures.
• Ensure coordinated responses to students of concern and their behavior.

Student Conduct

• Review and submit incident and personal concern reports involving residents.
• Respond to residents in need, referring to professionals when appropriate.
• Adjudicate student conduct cases, track sanctions, and refer to ongoing concerns.
• Assist students in understanding their rights and responsibilities as community members.