Assistant Director, Residence Life

University of British Columbia•Kelowna, BC

2d•CA$8,554 - CA$13,341•Onsite

About The Position

This position contributes to the development, implementation, and evaluation of a comprehensive framework of residence life services that foster student learning, success, community engagement, and meaningful orientation and transition experiences. Establishes a student-centred service culture and supports the delivery of the UBC residential experience. Residence Life is a 24-hour operation providing support to students and responding to all resident crises and residence emergencies as well as inquiries from students, parents, emergency services and other university personnel. This position is responsible for providing a residence life program that furthers student recruitment, retention, academic success, personal, and community and leadership development. The Assistant Director, Residence Life sets operational goals for and provides leadership and direction to residence life program curriculum development, staff recruitment, training and development, and student leadership development.

Requirements

Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline.
Minimum of five to six years of related experience or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own
Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion
A satisfactory Criminal Record Check.

Nice To Haves

Masters degree preferred.
Experience in a senior leadership role, preferably in a student residence environment and proven ability to lead, coach and motivate staff.
Demonstrated years of live-in university residence supervisory experience (e.g.: Residence Life Manager, Area Director, or equivalent) preferred.
Demonstrated professional experience in a service centered environment that shows progressive responsibility and ability to work effectively in a 3,000+ bed system preferred.
Experience required in a service-centered environment, preferably within a university residence context.
Previous experience and demonstration of sound judgement leading responses to complex student crisis.
Previous experience advising volunteer university student leader organizations required.
Experience with project planning and management required.
Proven experience with analyzing and redesigning workflow/business processes to enhance efficiencies and align with organizational goals.
Previous experience developing, directing, supporting, managing and evaluating programs to enhance student learning preferred.
Previous experience with Student Information Systems or other enterprise database solutions/customer relationship management systems preferred.
Experience applying technology to improve student and or client services an asset.
Sound and current knowledge on best practices in residence life and student services an asset.
Proficiency with standard office software required.
Demonstrated ability to lead, influence and support organizational and cultural change.
Demonstrated ability and aptitude for progressive, creative and innovative thinking.
Demonstrated ability to independently exercise superior judgment to make important decisions on complex matters which may fall outside of the scope of established policies.
Demonstrated facilitation, presenting and communication skills with the ability to effectively facilitate discussions to achieve appropriate outcomes.
Demonstrated interpersonal skills with the ability to use an inclusive approach to develop and cultivate relationships with students, faculty, staff and members of the external community.
Demonstrated accuracy and attention to detail, especially when working under pressure to meet deadlines.
Demonstrated ability to collaborate and share expertise within a team environment.
Demonstrated time management skills with the ability to effectively prioritize, multi-task and organize work.

Responsibilities

Leads, influences and advances the implementation, assessment and continuous improvement of student experience standards within residence from application through departure.
As part of the leadership team, works with the Associate Director, Housing & Conference Services to develop and assess the strategic goals and service standards of the unit.
Builds, motivates and manages a team of Management & Professional and unionized part-time student staff. Leads and coaches towards effective performance and service excellence.
Responsible for full cycle recruitment of Residence Life Managers, which includes job descriptions, interviews, training and onboarding.
Manages, leads, and directs the orientation and training of 90 Residence Life student staff.
Leads the development of an integrated and comprehensive professional development curriculum for student staff.
Conducts performance management processes of all Residence Life Managers and Residence Life student staff, which includes discipline and terminations. This requires a thorough understanding of relevant department policies and the AAPS and BCGEU Collective Agreements.
Responsible for the collection and processing of sensitive employee and student information requiring tact and discretion, adhering to UBC s policies related to privacy and information security.
Responsible for implementing and overseeing employee absentee management.
Works on human resources initiatives including succession planning and staff recognition programs.
Provides 24-hour on-call support of staff responding to students in distress, and facilities emergencies.
Ensures all employees work in a correct, safe manner, and are trained in regards to all necessary safety and environmental regulations, standards, practices and procedures. Ensures safety practices are in compliance with applicable WorkSafeBC regulations, UBC Student Housing and Community Services policy and UBC policy.
Works in consultation and collaboration with the Associate Director, Housing & Conference Services to strategically influence and orchestrate cultural change in the work environment.
Assesses, develops, and evaluates Residence Life programs, services, policies, procedures, and initiatives to support student wellbeing, leadership development, community enrichment, and alignment with University priorities and student needs.
Establishes residence curricular approach, reflecting UBC's values and experiential education goals. Develops innovative, responsive, and professional programs and services.
Oversees the stewardship and strategic cultivation of programs and designated spaces that promote and strengthen student communities.
Develops, implements, manages and reviews departmental workplace policies and protocols for on-call staff to ensure safety, wellbeing and positive workplace culture.
Strategically develops and directs work assignments and projects to maximize resources, strengthen cross functional work processes, and improve efficiencies. Develops initiatives and action plans to support service excellence.
Assesses and supports the determination of the human and financial resources required to sustain Residence Life programs and services; and is accountable for their responsible operational oversight through budgeting, monitoring and controlling.
Represents the department on various University working groups: e.g. Athletics and Recreation, UBC Orientations, Sustainability, Faculty in Residence, Sexual Assault Education and Prevention Team, Student Case Management Committee, Behavioural Intervention Team, Suicide Prevention and Education Team.
Acts as Case Manager for critical incidents that occur in residence involving any of the 2,120 residents that live in residence.
Liaises with parents, faculty, staff who may be impacted by critical incidents to ensure they are appropriately supported and works with AVP Students Office, Campus Security, RCMP, and emergency services to support broader investigations.
Assesses complex and serious incidents and coordinates appropriate interventions to mitigate risk and ensure students receive timely and effective support. A densely populated community of vulnerable youth means significant volume (weekly) of crisis incidents.
Develops solutions for campus-wide crises response intervention.
Ensures the ongoing post-incident support of resident and staff impacted.
Implements, manages, and monitors business improvement and change projects for the Residence Life portfolio.
Leads and manages the establishment of best practices across all areas of Residence Life.
Supports the management of the StarRez system and works in collaboration with the Associate Director, Housing & Conference Services as well as IT to improve the software and systems technology that support student and staff services. Trains staff on use and ensures databases are maintained. Researches and recommends enhanced or new modules.
Leads the design, delivery and evaluation of cohesive and integrated academic and co-curricular programs in support of the First-Year Experience, Graduate Students and Undergraduate students, in partnership with faculty and professional staff.
Directs the Residence Life judicial system in response to Residence Contract (conduct) violations, to ensure a positive living/learning environment consistent with University goals.
Provides critical guidance as the advisor to the Residence advisory groups. Provides continuity across academic years, is an information resource and educates and advises regarding departmental or university protocols, policies, perspectives. Navigates and responds to competing and complex requests from the residence community.
Proactively seeks and develops opportunities to foster collaborative partnerships with UBC Campus Partners including: student development professionals, UBCSUO, Sustainability, Wellbeing and Accessibility Services professionals, Faculty members, Athletics and Recreation, Equity and Inclusion, Access & Diversity.
Develops and maintains collaborative partnerships with a diverse range of community stakeholder groups to strengthen residence services which support student success, retention, learning and enriching student life at UBC, including RCMP, Interior Health etc.
Consults with Case Managers, Campus Security, Behavioural Intervention Team, Health Safety and Environment to formulate and operationalize a broad scope of student wellbeing initiatives.
Engages with Faculties, campus and community partners to deliver a suite of Living Learning Communities and experiential education opportunities to residence students
Ensures that the priorities of student residential experience are aligned with the strategic plan and priorities of the University, in coordination other Managers and Associate Directors in the Student Housing and Community Services portfolio.