2026 SMASH Academy - Residential Director (Michigan)

SMASH•Ann Arbor, MI

20d

About The Position

The SMASH Residential Team is composed of the Residential Director (RD) and Residential Advisors (RAs). The Residential Director manages the RAs. The RD requires a part time commitment prior to SMASH Academy and full time commitment during the summer program. Prior to SMASH Academy launching, in collaboration with the Program Director (PD), the RD is responsible for pre-launch essential duties including: recruiting, hiring, and onboarding a residential team, planning residential team training, attending weekly meetings and supporting their respective Site Management Team (SMT). Upon launch of SMASH Academy, this position becomes a full time position with the RD being the primary director and supervisor of the Residential Team and Program. The RD is responsible for a) the schedule, planning, and delivery of SMASH residential programming and curriculum and b) the wellness and youth development of ~100 high school students living on campus. The RD fosters a clean, safe, positive, and inclusive environment that encourages SMASH scholars to develop their full potential. The RD also acts as a leader and role model for both scholars and staff -- defining culture, norms, activities and interactions that assure an enriching and socially just experience conducive to scholar success in STEM. In summary, the individual will plan for and oversee all residential and youth development components of SMASH Academy. This assignment is a part time position starting on March 28, 2026, then moving to a full time engagement starting June 29, 2026. As this role has a virtual component, we expect staff to provide the following -- their own personal computer (desktop or laptop) that has a working webcam, speaker and microphone for video conferencing capabilities (i.e. Zoom, Google Hangouts, Cisco Webex); reliable Internet connection (at least 25 Mbps download speed); and quiet work space for virtual programming. If you cannot provide your own equipment, please speak with your Program Director. All staff and scholars will be required to comply with the SMASH COVID-19 policy for in-person programming. Currently, staff working in-person are expected to test at least once each week they are working in-person with colleagues. Additionally, we encourage testing before and after in-person company and non-company sponsored events and travel. All staff and scholars must also comply with any site specific COVID-19 requirements. Site specific requirements will be shared as they become available and are subject to change. If a quarantine mandate is enforced by local government, university, or SMASH, all SMASH Academy programming will be held virtually. SMASH reserves the right to revise, delete, and add to its COVID-19 policy at any time, with or without notice. Nothing in the SMASH COVID-19 policy creates a contract or changes the nature of the at-will employment relationship. You must be available for all training and program dates.

Requirements

Collaboration: Exceptional listening, communication, and presentation skills; excellent time management and organizational skills; timeliness and dependability; courageously candid when facing difficult conversations
Relationship Building: Welcome and embrace individual differences of everyone in the room; humility; patience when navigating situations; ability to listen to multiple perspectives; restorative approach to relationship building and conflict resolution
Problem Solving: Remain curious, innovative, iterative, and quickly pivot as needed; keep activities on track, think creatively, and act swiftly in the face of unanticipated events; make data-based decisions
Resilience: Approach situations with a growth mindset, adapt, and reflect to ensure desired outcome(s) are met
Bachelor's degree in Education, Psychology, Social Work, or a related field
1-3 years supervisory experience of a 5+ person team (residential settings preferred)
1-3 years professional experience in youth academic and/or recreational programs
1-3 years professional experience in youth supervision (middle and high school preferred)
Direct experience working with students of color and/or low-income youth
Excellent written, verbal, and organizational skills are required
Strong attention to detail, prompt responsiveness to communications and delivery of deliverables
Understanding and sensitivity to the barriers that students of color face with accessing higher education
Ability to work efficiently both independently and collaboratively and be able to give and receive feedback
Self-starter with a solution-focused approach to challenges
Ability to work some nights and weekends before SMASH Academy begins, as required for some program events
Access to a vehicle during SMASH Academy preferred
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google products
Position requires lifting up to 15 pounds
Pass criminal background check and/or LiveScan

Nice To Haves

Spanish fluency preferred (not required)
CPR/First Aid certification preferred

Responsibilities

Lead the Residential Team of RAs
Serve as a role model for responsible behavior and personal integrity
Head the SMASH residential program, including directing and scheduling the work of RAs
Manage the performance of RAs (number is site dependent), including coaching and performance evaluation
Lead the team on the organization, planning, and delivery of programming and workshops
Oversee the Residential team shift schedule and requests for time off or shift swaps
Coordinate and ensure completion of team deliverables
Conduct workshop observations
Complete RA performance evaluations during the last week of SMASH Academy program
Develop a strong sense of community and teamwork amongst the residential team to ensure strong scholar support
Continuously develop personal leadership and teamwork skills to ensure the whole team functions at a high-performing level
Adhere to COVID-19 safety precaution protocols put in place
Deliver site-specific RA Training in collaboration with SMASH Curriculum and Training team
Guide the residential team in preparing and decorating the dorms before scholar move-in
Prepare and facilitate SMASH Residential Team Meetings
Plan (in coordination with SMT) residential programming and signature events, including but not limited to:
Ensure the residential team thoroughly organizes and/or supports recurring events including but not limited to:
Enforce SMASH policies and procedures and ensure all staff are aligned on expectations
Build community with and amongst scholars and staff
Facilitate a communication between the residential and academic components of SMASH
Communicate and meet with families as needed with guidance from the PD
Attend Site Management Team Meetings, SMASH Community Meetings, SMASH Residential Director Workspace Meetings
Facilitate check-ins with the entire residential team
Communicate and uphold norms and program rules of conduct to ensure student safety, open and honest communication, and responsible student behavior
Build and maintain positive relationships with all SMASH and university personnel; positively represent the SMASH organization and program
Act as an academic and leadership role model, while maintaining physical and social boundaries with scholars (applies to social media)
Serve as a mandated reporter and additionally as point person for any residential incident reporting
Coordinate and maintain logistical aspects of dorm life including maintaining relationships with university staff
Implement SMASH Scholar support practices and adapt with PD based on site specific needs
Uphold SMASH policies and core values while using restorative practice to hold scholars accountable whenever applicable
Identify scholars who need additional support and lead the residential team in developing and delivering support plans (per the direction of the Program Director)
Reside in residence halls among scholars; Sleep on site for a minimum of 6 nights per week, and co-lead on-call staff in emergencies
Address scholar issues through a Restorative Practices approach
Attend Staff Closeout
Attend site management Staff Closeout
Complete and submit RA performance evaluations
Ensure completion of RD deliverables (e.g. final survey, share RA evaluations with SMASH, etc.)