Residential Coordinator

Southern Oregon University • Ashland, OR

7d • Onsite

About The Position

University Housing supports the educational mission of the University by providing a safe, secure, and educational living environment for students. Many educational and social learning opportunities are provided to the students while living in University Housing. In addition, University Housing also provides educational groups the means to stay on campus and utilize the university facilities, services, and experience through our Conference Services. During the academic year, University Housing has approximately 1,200 students living in the halls and apartments. Conference Services accommodates over 10,000 guests throughout the full year. University Housing is a self-supporting auxiliary enterprise with an annual operating budget of over 14 million dollars. The Area Coordinator (AC) is primarily responsible for student staff supervision, community development, and operations management within the University Housing Department. The person coordinates the work of staff assigned to their functional areas to accomplish the goals of the University Housing department at Southern Oregon University (SOU). The AC will provide a supervision philosophy that encourages creativity and provides motivation for student staff. The AC is supervised by and reports directly to the Associate Director of University Housing for Residential Life. The Area Coordinator must be accessible to residents and guests on a regular, daily basis. Some evening/weekend work and occasional travel are required. The person will serve in the primary professional staff on-call rotation for University Housing. Additionally, the Area Coordinator is expected to: Adapt and respond appropriately to new and challenging circumstances. Act as a role model and professional representative of SOU and University Housing. Always act in a mature and appropriate professional manner in dealings with students, parents, staff, and other University officials. Support the mission, goals, and policies of University Housing and SOU. Encourage academic achievement, student satisfaction, and retention through personal contact, community development, and operational management. Ensure accurate and positive representation of SOU to the public. Maintain ethical relationships with colleagues and students. Represent SOU in an appropriate manner at all times, including at conferences or other events as requested. The AC will also be responsible for building interpersonal relationships to: Develop a sense of community and a basis for positive interpersonal relationships. Be aware of problems and concerns. Mediate conflicts and work to resolve problems. Establish a rapport with residents and guests. Be receptive and open to different values and lifestyles. Be available for consultation with students, parents, staff, and conference groups. Respect the confidence of residents, guests, and staff. Display appropriate flexibility and a positive perspective in various situations. Promote an atmosphere of cooperation. Demonstrate interest and enthusiasm.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's Degree in an applicable field.
• Two years of experience at the undergraduate level in either Housing/Residential Life or Student Life/Involvement.
• This is a required live-in position with some evening & weekend work and emergency on-call responsibilities.
• Must be willing and able to live in campus-provided housing.
• Excellent communication skills; demonstrated ability to effectively communicate information in a clear and understandable manner, both verbally and in writing.
• Demonstrated customer service experience requiring a very high level of diplomacy and professionalism to effectively handle a broad range of sensitive interpersonal situations.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret and consistently apply a wide variety of complex policies and procedures where specific guidelines may not always exist.
• Expressed ability to work with frequent changes in policies and procedures, under pressure of deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong analytical and research skills; demonstrated ability to gather, evaluate, and to develop well-reasoned conclusions and recommendations.
• Demonstrated ability to proactively assess work operations and anticipate potential problems; ability to develop and implement strategies for preventing/resolving problems.
• Great ability to effectively perform work of a highly sensitive and confidential nature that requires access to information.
• Must be able to exercise sound judgment and discretion, tact, and diplomacy.
• Takes initiative in independently planning, organizing, and performing work assignments within broadly defined parameters
• Demonstrated ability to work with a high level of productivity and accuracy/attention to detail.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills with the demonstrated ability to set own priorities to coordinate multiple assignments with fluctuating and time-sensitive deadlines.
• Excellent computer skills and proficiency with a variety of computer applications including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, online systems, social media platforms, Internet as well as online calendaring and email.
• Demonstrated ability to initiate, establish, and foster communication and teamwork by maintaining a positive, cooperative, productive work atmosphere in and outside the University with the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships within a diverse population and with those from various cultural backgrounds.
• Willingness to and work effectively in a heavily bureaucratic environment which requires regular interaction with a number of levels within the organization and multiple outside agencies.
• Working knowledge or ability to quickly learn, university infrastructure, policies, and procedures.
• Ability to provide training and direction to student assistants.
• Demonstrated skills in an institutional/educational environment utilizing a customer-oriented and service-centered attitude.
• Must be able to perform driving-related duties, which are essential to the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Must be able to successfully pass a pre-employment background check.

Nice To Haves

• A Master's Degree in the social sciences or higher education administration.
• Direct, progressive experience in Housing/Residential Life.

Responsibilities

• Administration and Management Facility Management Initiate and communicate to appropriate staff concerning facility needs.
• Provide input for renovation and/or improvement plans.
• Maintain all records necessary for working with students and staff: keys, room inventory forms, emergency cards, etc.
• Ensure the implementation of fire safety, security, and damage control.
• Assist with the facilitation of the opening and closing of the residence halls.
• Facilitate hall duty coverage as appropriate.
• Work with the Housing Office to facilitate room changes in accordance with established policies.
• Supervision Be responsible for supervising 5-15 student staff members.
• Meet regularly with staff to address concerns, questions, and progress.
• Provide ongoing formal and informal evaluations.
• Confront and resolve problems immediately.
• Organizational Tasks Facilitate the accurate and timely completion of necessary paperwork, including but not limited to room inventory, occupancy reports, and room changes.
• Assist with interviewing, evaluating, and selecting prospective student staff.
• Assist residence hall student groups with hall budgets and planning.
• Duty & Scheduling Expectations Coordinate hall staff and front desk staff duty schedules as appropriate.
• Participate in the weekly AC On-Call duty rotation for all 12 months of the year.
• Share duty responsibilities appropriately during vacation/building close-down periods.
• Confront and mediate situations when they arise or are communicated to you while on-call.
• Carry the emergency on-call phone with you at all times when on-call.
• Meeting Expectations Meet weekly with those you supervise/advise.
• Meet weekly with your supervisor and others on your administrative team.
• Meet with committees as necessary/required.
• Office hours and duties Hold regular office hours during the week.
• Allow for flexibility in office hours as needed to accommodate the needs of residents and conference attendees.
• Attend campus, hall, and floor programs and activities.
• Complete other tasks as assigned.
• Advising/Referral Assist residents/guests concerning academic, social, and personal needs.
• Be responsible for knowing referral channels and opportunities to better serve students.
• Be a resource for improving staff competencies on problem solving, mediation, programming, counseling, referrals, etc.
• Work cooperatively with all student and professional staff.
• Crisis Intervention Assist and control crisis situations through immediate action, sound judgment, and appropriate referrals.
• Follow up as appropriate with students and administrators.
• Consult with appropriate resources in times of crisis.
• Policy Enforcement & Conduct Know, understand, and effectively communicate policies, procedures, and the University Housing & Dining Contract.
• Supervise staff to ensure consistent enforcement of policies.
• Confront individuals in violation of policies or contract and provide appropriate documentation.
• Provide support to staff for debrief after an incident has occurred.
• Serve as a conduct officer for the University.
• Adjudicate student conduct in a timely manner, following all procedures, policies, and protocols set forth by the department and the university.
• Programming Serve as a resource and advisor for individuals and groups.
• Facilitate community development among the constituents that you serve.
• Create intentional opportunities for engagement and learning among residents.
• Role Model Balance personal needs with organizational interests and policies.
• Set standards and satisfactorily complete projects.
• Leadership Development Identify and help develop potential leadership in every student you serve.
• Encourage student participation in challenging experiences.
• Refer potential leaders to appropriate offices and resources for future development.
• Collaborate effectively with other university departments to help best serve students.
• Advise student leadership groups including the Area/Hall/Community Councils or their equivalents.
• Committee Participation Lead project work within the University Housing department as appropriate or requested.
• Represent University Housing on institutional committees as needed/required.
• Communication Maintain frequent and open contact with students and staff.
• Respond promptly to requests for information.
• Check messages several times daily.
• Promptly deliver pertinent information to supervisor or appropriate administrative staff.
• Participate constructively and appropriately in meetings.
• Training and Development Attend required training and development meetings and retreats.
• Attend student leadership and/or professional conferences when possible.
• Submit program proposals to present at these conferences.
• Assist with and support the completion of a variety of collateral assignments including, but not limited to, Housing Operations Management, Student Training and Development, Themed Housing, and Student Group Advising.

Benefits

• To view SOU’s very generous benefits and pension programs available to eligible positions, please visit https://inside.sou.edu/assets/hrs/Benefits/Benefit_Flyer/2024_Prospective_Candidate_Benefit_Overview_012024.pdf
• Our benefits package is an important complement to the offered salary and our Total Compensation Calculator, https://inside.sou.edu/hrs/comp-calc.html, demonstrates our value and commitment to our employees.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level