Community Director

UMass Boston•Boston, MA

13d•Onsite

About The Position

The Community Director serves an important leadership role in creating an environment and experience that contributes to the academic and personal success of each student living in residence halls. The Community Director receives direct supervision from the Associate Director of Residential Education and functional supervision from Assistant Director for Residential Life, and Associate Dean/Director of Housing & Residential Life. The Community Director will create living-learning environments that challenge and encourage the holistic development of students and support student leadership and success. The incumbent will implement a residential program focused on individual contact and a culture of care; and will provide counseling and referral for personal, developmental, behavioral and academic concerns of students. The Community Director must possess the ability to develop and maintain effective relationships with a diverse population of students, staff and faculty. The Community Director will supervise a team of Resident Assistants (RAs). They also oversee all operational and programmatic activities of the residential community and adjudicate student conduct cases. Summer responsibilities may include participation in department-wide initiatives or special project teams (e.g., Summer projects, Training Teams, etc.). This is a full-time, 12-month, live-in position. Successful candidates will also be administratively strong, culturally competent, possess a Master's degree, and have prior residence life or related student affairs experience. This position may be assigned formal on-call duties in accordance with Article 18.3 of the contract between the University and the Professional Staff Union. Assignment of on-call will be detailed using the “On-Call Assignment (Professional Staff) Form.”

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in Higher Education, Student Services, Student Affairs, Counseling or a closely related field
Master’s Degree preferred
a minimum of one to three (1-3) years of post-bachelor's work experience in housing and/or residence life or related field is required.
Knowledge of Microsoft Office suite and other administrative software
Knowledge of the safety and security precautions within residence housing
Knowledge and understanding of student confidentiality
General knowledge of and ability to apply counseling techniques as appropriate
Ability to analyze problems and determine appropriate solutions within a framework of general policies and procedures
Physical and emotional ability to work long and irregular hours, occasionally involving emotional stress and interrupted sleep
Strong oral and written communication skills
Strong skill in the use of technology to manage data and the ability to facilitate communication
Strong and effective supervisory, training, and presentation skills
Ability to work independently
Strong organizational and problem solving skills
Strong commitment to customer and student service.

Nice To Haves

A demonstrated record of success in residential and student services is preferred.

Responsibilities

Create living-learning environments that challenge and encourage the holistic development of students and support student leadership; foster a sense of community in the residence hall and engage in one-on-one contact with a residential community.
Implement a residential program focused on individual contact and a culture of care; encourage residents to develop relational skills and to examine their own values, beliefs, and academic goals.
Create an open and safe environment that encourages residents to grow and examine issues including value development, decision making, problem solving, leadership and development.
Administer residence hall programming funds and manage operational budget.
Engages resident population on current events including topics of diversity and equity, social justice, and being a productive community member.
Living among students and setting an appropriate standard for residential living.
Provide counseling and referral for personal, developmental, judicial, and academic concerns of students.
Empower residents to take responsibility for their actions and decisions as a member of the UMass Boston and residence hall community; inform and educate residents about institutional and Housing and Residential Life policies.
Serve as a student conduct hearing officer.
Manage student care cases.
Partner with students and family members to support student success.
Responds as Community Director on Call (CDOC) for crisis situations, including during non-business and weekend hours.
Responds to students and families on Residential Life issues or concerns.
Acts as a liaison with University of Massachusetts Boston Police Department, University Counseling Services, faculty, and other University offices during emergencies.
Assist in the ongoing development, revision, and implementation of crisis management and communications plans as necessary.
Meets with each staff member individually on a regular basis.
Plans and implements staff development programs.
Advises staff on appropriate student and floor interventions.
Addresses concerning trends or behavior, as well as recognizes positive efforts.
Plan and conduct weekly RA staff meetings.
Complete formal written evaluations of RA staff.
Motivate staff to plan and implement programs that meet student needs and interests.
Select and train part-time student employees, including Resident Assistants; assist with recruiting and interviewing staff and other student employees as needed.
Work with the Associate Director of Residential Education to design, facilitate, and evaluate educational staff development and training experiences for the Resident Assistant (RA) staff including Fall and Winter Training.
Attend and participate in weekly professional staff meetings as directed by departmental leadership.
Participate in department and University committees.
Collaborate with campus offices to develop and facilitate programs that support student engagement.
Assist in University/Office events such as Open Houses, Orientation, and Accepted Students Days, etc.
Manage and enhance the physical aspects of the residence hall (signage, cleanliness, maintenance, safety, and security), including completing residence hall inventories and health and safety inspections; engage in ongoing facilities assessment and management, including participating in the planning for general and preventative maintenance.
Facilitate relationships with facility partners including Capstone on Campus Management and Sodexo/UMB Dining.
Respond to written and oral communications in a timely manner.
Manage the opening and closing of the residence hall; manage, distribute and control the keys for the residence hall, including after-hours lockouts.
Assist in managing room changes and vacancies.
Interpret and implement processes, policies, and procedures.
Engage in ongoing, data-driven, outcomes-based assessment and use results to inform future decision-making.
Perform other duties as assigned.