Resident Director

bethel-university-staff; Saint Paul (MN); On-site; USD 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plans

Generous time-off package

Housing provided

Job summary

Bethel University is seeking a full-time Resident Director responsible for leading a residence hall community, fostering student engagement, and supporting holistic development. The ideal candidate will cultivate an inclusive environment, supervise Resident Assistants, and manage student care and crisis situations while contributing to administrative operations.

This live-on position offers benefits including health insurance and housing, responding to a unique community of students and their needs throughout the academic year.

Qualifications

• Required: Bachelor’s degree.
• Preferred: Master’s degree.
• Required: Prior experience in residence life or related role.

Responsibilities

• Cultivate a welcoming residence hall community through programming.
• Recruit, hire, train, and supervise Resident Assistants.
• Support student well-being through advising and care coordination.
• Oversee residence hall operations and budget management.
• Collaborate with Residence Life and engage in professional development.

Skills

Strong interpersonal and written communication skills

Excellent organizational and administrative abilities

Demonstrated leadership and supervisory experience

High emotional intelligence

Ability to work independently and collaboratively

Proficiency with Microsoft and Google Suites

Capacity to mentor students

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

Job description

Bethel University’s Christ-centered mission includes a commitment to equal educational opportunity and equal employment opportunity. Bethel does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, national origin, sex, marital status, disability, status with regard to public assistance, familial status, or age in its admissions, educational programs, or employment practices.

About the role

Resident Director (RD) – full‑time, 10‑month, live‑on campus position. Responsible for holistic leadership of a residence hall community, fostering a living‑learning environment where students thrive academically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually.

What you’ll do

Community Development (30%)

• Cultivate a welcoming and engaging residence hall community through intentional programming, relationship‑building, and regular visibility.
• Support students’ holistic development by fostering connections that encourage growth, belonging, and accountability.

Student Staff Supervision (25%)

• Recruit, hire, train, and supervise a team of Resident Assistants (RAs).
• Provide ongoing coaching, feedback, and leadership development for student staff.

Student Care & Crisis Management (20%)

• Support student well‑being through advising, care coordination, and administrative follow‑up.
• Participate in a professional on‑call rotation, including emergency response and crisis management.

Administrative & Operational Leadership (20%)

• Oversee residence hall operations, including housing logistics, facilities coordination, and budget management.
• Maintain accurate housing records and ensure organized, compliant administrative processes.

Collaboration & Professional Engagement (5%)

• Meet regularly with the Director of Residence and Community Life and collaborate with the Residence Life and Student Engagement teams.
• Participate in committees, professional development opportunities, and other responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

Education

• Required: Bachelor’s degree
• Preferred: Master’s degree

Experience

• Required: Prior experience in residence life or a closely related student development role
• Preferred: 1+ year of professional residence life experience

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong interpersonal and written communication skills.
• Excellent organizational and administrative abilities.
• Demonstrated leadership and supervisory experience.
• High emotional intelligence and ability to manage confidential information.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
• Proficiency with Microsoft and Google Suites.
• Capacity to mentor students spiritually, professionally, personally, and emotionally.
• Must be able to respond effectively in high‑stress or emergency situations.
• Ability to live on‑campus in a residence hall apartment for 12 months per year.

Additional Responsibilities

Employees act as ministers of the gospel of Jesus Christ by actively partnering with the University to carry out its mission and foster Bethel’s Christ-centered covenant community.

Remote Work and Sponsorship Restrictions

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. Bethel is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

Travel

This position does not require travel.

Work Environment

• This is a live‑on position, requiring residency in a campus residence hall. Housing is provided as a benefit.
• Evening and weekend work is required as job responsibilities demand.
• Work schedules fluctuate and are responsive to the rhythms of residential life.
• This is a full‑time, 10‑month position, averaging 40+ hours per week.

Physical Demands

Requires regular talking and hearing, close vision, and the ability to traverse the campus. Must be able to respond effectively in high‑stress or emergency situations. Reasonable accommodations may be made to ensure people are able to perform the essential functions.

Expected Hours

This position does not have typical weekday hours. There is an expectation to work schedules and hours as identified and communicated by management. Evening and weekend work is required. This is a 40+ hour per week, 10 months per year position.

Benefits

Bethel is committed to offering meaningful benefits to our employees including health insurance, retirement plans, and a generous time‑off package.