Resident Director - Ministry and Student Development

Howard Payne University•Brownwood, TX

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The Resident Director (RD) serves as a Christ-centered leader within the Offices of Student Experience and Residence Life, fostering a residential community that supports spiritual formation, discipleship, student development, a sense of belonging, and student success. Through intentional relationships, mentorship, visibility, and daily interaction with students, the RD cultivates a living-learning environment that reflects the mission and values of Howard Payne University. The RD provides leadership for Veda Hodge Hall and Newbury Place Apartments by supervising and developing Resident Assistants (RAs), supporting student engagement and co-curricular initiatives, responding to student needs and concerns, promoting community standards, and assisting with residence life operations, student conduct processes, and housing administration. This is a full-time, 12-month, live-in position within a women’s residence hall. The RD participates in an on-call rotation, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and University breaks, and reports directly to the Dean of Students.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required.
Must maintain a valid Texas driver’s license.
Only female candidates may apply for Resident Director positions within women’s residence halls at Howard Payne University.
Demonstrated commitment to Christian ministry, discipleship, mentorship, and student development required.
Ability to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and on-call rotations is required.

Nice To Haves

Graduate study in student development, counseling, ministry, theology, biblical studies, Christian leadership, higher education, or a closely related field is preferred.
Previous experience in residence life, student development, ministry leadership, mentoring, discipleship, or related student support areas preferred.
Strong leadership, communication, relationship-building, group facilitation, and organizational skills preferred.
Previous experience supervising paraprofessional staff, mentoring college students, leading student groups, or supporting Christian community development preferred.
Understanding of student assessment and research practices is helpful.

Responsibilities

Supervise, mentor, and support Resident Assistants (RAs).
Coordinate and conduct regular staff meetings, duty schedules, and on-call responsibilities.
Assist with the recruitment, selection, training, development, and evaluation of Resident Assistants.
Design and facilitate staff training and leadership development opportunities to strengthen the skills and effectiveness of Resident Assistants.
Supervise the day-to-day operations of the assigned residence hall and apartment communities.
Foster a positive, healthy, Christ-centered living-learning environment that supports spiritual growth, personal development, community engagement, and the mission and values of Howard Payne University, the Office of Student Experience, and Residence Life.
Build relationships with residents through visibility, approachability, mentorship, and ongoing interaction within the residential community.
Support and coordinate student-sponsored events, special programs, community meetings, and co-curricular initiatives that promote spiritual, social, cultural, recreational, wellness, educational, and service-oriented student development.
Assist staff in identifying and responding to resident needs, concerns, and interests while encouraging meaningful student involvement and community connection.
Serve as a source of information and support for students, staff, parents, faculty, guests, alumni, administration, and members of the University community.
Maintain accurate records and reports related to residence hall programming, student engagement initiatives, and assigned residential communities.
Cultivate a Christ-centered residential community by providing spiritual guidance, discipleship opportunities, and programs that promote students' spiritual, personal, and leadership development.
Educate residents regarding University expectations, community standards, and published policies and procedures.
Address situations and behaviors that negatively impact the residential community and uphold community standards in a fair, respectful, and developmentally appropriate manner.
Assist the Vice President for Student Experience and Dean of Students with the investigation, adjudication, administration, and follow-up of student conduct cases.
Serve as a hearing officer or representative for the Office of Student Experience when requested.
Support departmental compliance with University and division policies and procedures while promoting a safe, healthy, and respectful residential environment.
Assist with the daily operations of the residence life program and assigned residential communities.
Coordinate residence hall and apartment operations, including opening and closing procedures, check-in/check-out processes, room assignments and changes, and damage assessments.
Serve as a liaison with maintenance, housekeeping, and other University departments to support the care, safety, and functionality of residential facilities.
Coordinate assigned administrative and central office responsibilities related to housing operations, staff development, room selection, summer conferences, training initiatives, assessments, reports, and other residence life functions as assigned.
Remain informed of current trends, practices, and issues in higher education and student development while supporting ongoing assessment, departmental initiatives, and University representation opportunities.
Assist with revisions and updates to the Howard Payne University Student Handbook and other departmental publications and materials.
Remain informed of current trends, issues, and best practices in higher education, student development, and residence life.
Assist with departmental assessment, research, and evaluation efforts related to student development, residence life, student engagement, retention, and student involvement.
Represent Howard Payne University and the Office of Student Experience through professional involvement, conferences, committees, partnerships, and related opportunities as available.
Seek opportunities for continued professional growth through involvement in professional organizations, training programs, conferences, and related activities.
Participate in an on-call rotation and be available to work evenings, weekends, holidays, University breaks, and other assigned responsibilities as needed.
Participate in University and departmental committees, projects, workshops, campus-wide activities, and other student life initiatives, providing leadership and support as appropriate.
Assist with student group advising, publications, preview weekends, summer pre-registration, orientation programs, chapel, and other assigned Student Experience initiatives.
Assist with the recruitment of prospective students and the retention and re-recruitment of current students through relationship-building, community development, campus involvement, and support of University recruitment and enrollment initiatives.
Monitor assigned budgets, complete required reports, and maintain appropriate administrative documentation.
Respond appropriately and promptly to crises, emergencies, and student concerns affecting the residential community.
Develop collaborative relationships with University departments and maintain professional relationships with colleagues and professionals within the field of higher education.
Complete additional duties, projects, and responsibilities as assigned by the Dean of Students or Vice President for Student Experience.
Directly supervises Resident Assistants (RAs) within assigned residential communities and carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with University policies and applicable laws.
Responsibilities include recruitment and selection recommendations; training and staff development; assigning and directing responsibilities; performance evaluation and accountability; and addressing concerns, complaints, and conflict resolution.