Community Director, Residence Life

The University of St. Thomas invites qualified candidates to apply for a Community Director position within Residence Life. 

The University of St. Thomas embraces diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity for all. Our convictions of dignity, diversity and personal attention call us to embody and champion a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment.  The University is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer (EEO).  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. We are committed to building a skilled team that represents a variety of backgrounds and perspectives. This commitment is consistent with our mission: Inspired by Catholic intellectual tradition, the University of St. Thomas educates students to be morally responsible leaders who think critically, act wisely, and work skillfully to advance the common good.  A successful candidate will possess a commitment to the ideals of this mission.

JOIN OUR COMMUNITY

The University of St. Thomas offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits program, which includes:

• Up to 100% tuition remission for employees, spouses, and dependents upon eligibility
• A generous Employer retirement contribution of 9.4% of annual salary upon eligibility
• Medical, dental, and vision options
• Employer-paid disability, life, and AD&D benefits

JOB SUMMARY

The Department of Residence Life, through intentional relationship building, provides an inclusive and supportive educational living environment where students develop the skills and knowledge to think critically, act wisely, and work skillfully to advance the common good.  The Department is a team of diverse and uniquely experienced professional staff, graduate hall directors, and student leaders who collaborate, support, challenge, and have fun together.  This team approach extends to the larger division of Student Affairs and its partners, where collaborations are abundant with areas like Campus Life, Student Diversity & Inclusion Services, Student Center, Dean of Students, International Students & Scholars, Center for Well-Being, Career Development Center, Center for Student Achievement, and Center for the Common Good.  Through Living Learning Communities, partnerships with faculty and academic affairs enhance the educational experience for residents.

Residence Life intentionally promotes student learning through implementation of the Tommie Advantage Co-Curriculum. Our Co-Curricular Educational Priority is: as a result of students’ experiences at the University of St. Thomas, students will become leaders who meaningfully advance the common good. The University of St. Thomas has a Two-Year On-Campus Living requirement, which we believe supports student learning, connection to other students, faculty, and staff, and a sense of belonging on campus.

The Community Director provides leadership and direction for an on-campus residential area.  The position supervises one or two Graduate Student Assistants and undergraduate student leaders.  The Community Director creates a welcoming, inclusive, and just community for residents of all identities and backgrounds.  In addition, they foster a community conducive to academic achievement and personal growth.  Responsibilities include supervision, education and training, planning and implementation of the Tommie Advantage Co-Curriculum, creating and implementation of dynamic community building opportunities, overseeing Community Events Board, providing individual attention to students, managing student conduct processes, providing emergency response to on campus situations, and general administration.  The Community Director will also be expected to participate in and lead Residence Life and/or divisional leadership committees and initiatives.

This position has an annual salary of $48,000. This position is required to live on campus. The provided space is a furnished, 2-bedroom apartment on the first floor. Amenities include in unit washer, dryer, and dishwasher.  A meal plan is provided. Community Directors are allowed a pet.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Hiring, Training, and Supervision of Residence Life Staff:
  • Hire a diverse team of graduate student assistants and undergraduate student leaders for specified residence hall community
  • Orient, train, and supervise a graduate student assistant responsible for managing residence areas on campus, student leaders, and desk employees
  • Assign, schedule and evaluate work of graduate student assistant and student leaders

• Responding to Student Behavioral Issues:
  • Act as the initial conduct officer for student conduct matters
  • Serve as a member of the Residence Life on Duty staff providing coverage for residence halls and apartments on the St. Paul campus on select weeks, including evenings and weekends

• Providing Direction and Leadership for Student Learning and Community Event Board Advising:
  • Create a learning environment within the residence hall that supports student growth in all areas of personal and community development
  • Responsible for advising Ireland Community Event Board
  • Oversee the advising of all student groups in the assigned residence hall area
  • Ensure all events planned and implemented in the residence hall area are inclusive and conform to university mission, policy, and guidelines
  • Advise other recognized student organizations as needed

• Managing and Overseeing General Administration of a Residence Hall Community:
  • Coordinate the completion of all administrative tasks associated with the effective and efficient operation of a residence hall area (e.g., check in and checkout process, Condition Report Form management, billing for damages, internal room changes, Room Management System utilization).
  • Provide accurate and timely data for system reporting of occupancy, work orders, incident reports, and other procedural documentation
  • Serve as a Liaison for Summer Conference groups

• Providing Support and Meaningful Individual Attention to Students:
  • Provide resources for guidance and support to students seeking assistance in resolving personal and or community-related conflicts
  • Refer students to campus and community resources
  • Respond to crisis situations involving either individual students or groups of students
  • Build relationships with student family members as appropriate

• Participation and Leadership in Residence Life and Student Affairs Committees and Initiatives
  • Participate on or lead one or more leadership teams
  • Participate in various Departmental initiatives or tasks as a member of the Residence Life team

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Counseling, Education, or a closely related field
• Two (2) years of experience in residence hall life
• Fully vaccinated for COVID-19 or eligible for legally required exemption such as a medical or religious reason.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Leadership in Student Affairs, Counseling, Higher Education or related field

An equivalent combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge and skills have been acquired may be substituted.

Special Skills/Knowledge

In meeting the Mission of the University and Department of Residence Life, along with successfully meeting the essential functions of the position, successful candidates will demonstrate a commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity.  A person must be able to effectively develop healthy relationships, especially relationships across differences of culture and identity.  Effective communication and successful service to and education of students, also requires working with students and families facing various life and/or personal health challenges. Skills in behavior management, crisis intervention, and counseling and mediation are necessary.  At times, skills in providing presentations or speaking publicly will also be necessary.

This position performs in an office environment where basic skills are required regarding use of office equipment, technology, and communication tools.  Various software and systems are used to conduct the work and the ability to effectively use them are necessary.  The position communicates verbally and non-verbally with both internal and external clients/customers/students and must be able to write and speak with correct business English, spelling, grammar, and punctuation. 

HOW TO APPLY

All interested candidates must apply online at https://www.stthomas.edu/jobs/. Follow the instructions to complete an online application which includes creating or updating an applicant profile, uploading a resume, and completing a job specific application.

In light of its commitment to create and maintain a safe learning and working environment, employment with the University of St. Thomas requires consent and successful completion of a background screening.

Official job posting is available at www.stthomas.edu/jobs.