Director of Residential Life-Crookston

Position Overview:

Reporting to the Associate Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs, Engagement and Wellness, the Director of Residential Life and Housing contributes to creating a vibrant campus community characterized by a strong commitment to equity, inclusion, and belonging for students with diverse identities with special focus to students in UMC's residence hall facilities. This position provides leadership for the design, development, and implementation of residential living/learning programs for students. It also provides supervision and oversight for the UMC public safety team. Primary attention shall be directed at the development of an equitable and inclusive campus community that fosters student success, a sense of belonging, and holistic wellness for all students. This position requires highly independent thinking, decision-making, diplomacy, policy development and implementation, problem analysis, and strategic planning. While not required, the Director of Residential Life and Housing is a preferred live-on position. A 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom apartment has been allocated.

The Director works closely with a variety of campus constituencies including Global Programs, Student Success Center, the Health Center, Counseling Services, Disability Resource Center, Campus Facilities and Operations, Public Safety, the Wellness and Recreation Center, and Dining Services. The position also serves on the campus CARE Team and the campus bias response team.

Appointment and Reporting:

• Reports to the Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, Engagement and Wellness.

Functions and Duties:

Direction and Supervision

• Develop, implement, and evaluate a vision and comprehensive strategic plan for residential life and education that aligns with the university's strategic plan.
• Provide leadership, direction, and supervision for the 3-person UMC public safety team.
• Remain current and involved with comprehensive student affairs professional associations and emerging trends in the field.
• Recruit, hire, train, evaluate, and continuously develop professional and student staff.
• Oversee daily operations of the four residential life facilities with potential occupancy of over 500 students, which includes occupancy, schedules, student billing, and departmental budgets.
• Provide leadership in the development and implementation of online housing agreements, room assignments, conduct software, residence life management software, and other technology tools to improve the overall student experience.
• Responding to crisis situations within the residence halls or involving resident students during and after normal business hours.
• Work in close alignment with facilities management, business affairs, and public safety in ensuring facilities and services are held to a high standard of delivery while providing safe and comfortable environments for the students to live and learn.
• Responsible for developing and maintaining a sound budget strategy complimentary to the University's strategic plan.
• Design and implement assessment strategies for improvement initiatives in residential living and public safety.
• Serve as the main point of contact for residential life on the wellness care team and student conduct committee.
• Performs additional job-related duties as assigned or as appropriate.

Community Development

• Collaborate across campus in the development of programs and initiatives that support the overall well-being and development of the student as a whole. Specific campus partners include Student Engagement, Student Success, Counseling Services, Educational Programs, International Programs, Wellness Center, and Student Health.
• Co-manage student crisis response through active involvement with the behavioral intervention CARE Team and as the primary contact for after-hours emergencies.
• Collaborating with Admissions and Student Life to promote Residence Life and increase residential enrollment.
• Serve on the campus bias response team.
• Provide friendly and flexible customer service when accommodating housing needs for students and for summer renters.

Oversight of Residential Life Facilities

• Oversee Residential Life operations, maintenance, facilities, and project management to provide well-maintained, high quality student living environments.
• Develop a replacement schedule for furniture, technology, carpeting, etc.
• Develop a strong collaborative working relationship with Facilities.
• Responsible for developing and maintaining a sound budget strategy complimentary to the University's strategic plan.

Community Standards Enactment and Compliance

• Teach, facilitate, and administer community standards to ensure safe environments for students to live and learn through policy enactment.
• Mediate disputes and resolve conflicts among students.
• In conjunction with Area Coordinator, enact duty night responsibilities, student staff scheduling, and routine observation.
• Conduct investigations and hearings in accordance with UMC and UM board of regent's standards.
• Serve as lead student conduct officer responsible for Residential Life carrying out community standards as well as the development and implementation of a comprehensive restorative justice approach, including appropriate educational interventions and disciplinary actions.

Camps and Conference Services

• Communicate with camp/conference hosts regularly and in a timely manner.
• Provide clear guidelines and help hosts with contracting residence hall space.
• Provide a friendly and welcoming environment for camp participants.
• Work with Facilities to maintain clean rooms and common areas for camps.
• Complete check-in and check-out procedures with camp hosts to provide keys and linens and trouble-shoot any issues with rooms.
• Provide timely invoices and payment collection for each camp/conference.

Compensation and Term:

• 12-month renewable contract.
• Compensation commensurate with experience and qualifications.
• Excellent benefits including health and retirement.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Masters Degree and two years of related professional work experience in housing, student affairs, or a closely related field or Bachelors Degree and 6 years of related professional work experience in housing, student affairs, or a closely related field
• Demonstrated self-awareness, cultural competence, and achievement in working with diverse student populations.
• Demonstrated commitment to the land-grant mission of the University of Minnesota Crookston, especially as related to access and student success.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively with faculty, student affairs educators, staff, and students.
• Final job offer is contingent upon a completed background check, receipt of official college transcripts and authorization to work in the United States.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Graduate degree in higher education, student affairs, counseling or a closely related field.
• Four years of experience in residential life and housing providing service to college students with diverse identities including first-generation college students; students of various racial, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds; students from low-income families; students from rural communities; diverse population of students; and non-traditional adult learners.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and manage budgets.
• Ability to live on-campus in a 2-bedroom apartment.
• Display proficiency in eResLife (or similar product) residence life database system.
• Experience supervising professional staff
• Demonstrated knowledge of principles and procedures involved in risk assessment for housing units/communities.
• Proven Skill in developing and implementing student leader selection, training, and supervision.

Pay Range: $68,000 - $78,000; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 75%-100% Appointment

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section. A resume and cover letter are required for consideration.

This position will remain open until filled.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

University of Minnesota, Crookston (UMC)

With a strong tradition of technology-enhanced teaching and learning, the University of Minnesota Crookston (UMC) serves as the U's major outpost in Northwest Minnesota. UMC provides both experiential, career-oriented degree programs as well as high-quality online programs, while connecting its teaching, research, and outreach to rural economic development and service to the region and beyond.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).