Resident Director

Department: Residential Experience
Salary/Grade: EXS/5

About Northwestern University: Recognized both nationally and internationally for the quality of its educational programs at all levels, Northwestern University is a private institution founded in 1851. The University has two campuses located on Lake Michigan: a 240-acre campus in Evanston, the first suburb north of Chicago, and a 25-acre campus in Chicago. Northwestern also has a campus in Education City, Doha. Northwestern University in Qatar (NU-Q) offers undergraduate degree programs in communication and journalism.

Northwestern combines innovative teaching and pioneering research in a highly collaborative environment that transcends traditional academic boundaries. It has distinguished itself by encouraging innovation and integrating experiences across fields. Northwestern provides students, faculty, and staff exceptional opportunities for intellectual, personal and professional growth in a setting enhanced by the richness of Chicago.

Northwestern University's Residential Services helps build a community environment for students through housing-related services, intentional learning opportunities and residential settings that include residence halls, residential communities, and residential colleges. Northwestern's Residential Services program serves nearly 4,200 undergraduates and nearly 650 graduate students in more than 30 residence halls, residential colleges, and graduate apartments. Visit our website for more information about the department's mission and operations: http://www.northwestern.edu/living

About Student Affairs: By pursuing justice, equity, and belonging, Student Affairs cultivates student programs, services, and skills; disrupts barriers; and partners across Northwestern and neighboring communities to create an inclusive culture in which all students can thrive. Learn more about the Division of Student Affairs here: https://www.northwestern.edu/studentaffairs/about/strategic-plan/objectives.html

Job Summary:

Resident Directors (RDs) are professional staff members who live on campus and manage a residential area of approximately 350-700 students. Resident Directors supervise one Assistant Resident Director (ARD) and between 12 and 18 undergraduate or graduate Resident Assistants (RAs/GRAs). Resident Directors work as part of the Office of Residential Experience and collaborate with the broader Residential Services team to foster an inclusive residential community that fulfills the mission, vision, and goals of the Division of Student Affairs. RDs promote student agency and accountability while empowering residents to make healthy, informed decisions. RDs also facilitate opportunities that support students' academic success, personal development, and well-being. This position includes working with diverse groups of students, staff, and faculty in a rigorous academic environment. Frequent evening and weekend availability are essential and expected.

Principal Accountabilities:

Assist in the development of the Residential Experience in a select area of campus consisting of one or more residential buildings, housing approximately 350-700 students.

• 20% Develop meaningful relationships with students by providing opportunities for growth and development. This will be achieved through:
  • Developing and implementing Residential Experience Framework initiatives, including significant opportunities to be present and visible in the community (e.g., programming, community walks, attending student events, overseeing RA community building, etc.)
  • Supporting conduct and community standards processes as a case resolution coordinator and adjudicating violations of Residential Services and University policies and procedures
  • Collaborating with and supporting academic initiatives (e.g., Faculty-in-Residence collaboration, supporting residential colleges, etc.)
• 20% Directly supervise 12-18 undergraduate or graduate Resident Assistants (RAs/GRAs)
  • Co-lead and co-facilitate the recruitment, training, and development of up to 18 RAs/GRAs with an Assistant Resident Director
• 10% Directly supervise and facilitate the recruitment, training, development, and evaluation of one Assistant Resident Director (ARD)
• 10% Serve in the on-call duty rotation; On-call duty responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
  • Responding via phone and in person to various emergency and crisis situations (i.e., mental health concerns, medical assessments, facilities issues, fire alarms, etc.)
  • Collaborating with emergency personnel and after-hours resources to provide student support
  • Submitting incident reports to document issues and concerns
  • Supporting on-call RAs and GRAs
• 10% Provide support for student well-being:
  • Conducting health and safety checks for residents of concern
  • Locating and talking to students about issues for which any negative impacts are in the past, part of an ongoing issue that is already being managed, or not yet present
  • Providing referrals to resources to address the student's concern(s)
  • Follow up with students after distressing situations
• 5% Serve on, with the possibility of leading, one to two departmental committees.
  • Committees include (may change from year to year depending on the needs of the Office of Residential Experience):
    • Hall Staff Recruitment and Training
    • Social Justice Education
    • Operations
    • Staff Development
    • Appreciation
    • RA Recruitment, Selection, and Training
• 5% Serve as a liaison for information from the hall level to the central office, including but not limited to:
  • Observing student trends and needs and relaying information to partners in Area Leadership Team meetings and to other administrators.
  • Communicating information from Residential Services staff to students
  • Distributing flyers and postings throughout residential communities

Assist in the maintenance and administration of a residential community, which will be achieved through:

• 5% Managing facilities opening and closing
• 5% Managing occupancy and facilities and assist with access control
• 5% Ensuring good stewardship of finances
• 5% Utilizing technology, including but not limited to: Maxient, ERezLife, When to Work, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft 365, RMS Mercury, and KeyTrak

Other duties as assigned - Duties and assignments are subject to change at the Department of Residential Services' discretion.

Compensation: The pay for the Resident Director position is $51,346 per year. Resident Directors also receive housing accommodations and a meal plan to use when the campus dining halls are open. At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality healthcare plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts, and more. Visit https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Minimum Qualifications and Competencies:

A successful candidate will have the following:

• Bachelor's degree
• 1-3 years full or part-time previous experience in residential life, housing, student activities, or student affairs
• Experience supervising paraprofessional staff within residential life, housing, student activities, or student affairs
• Excellent interpersonal communication, organizational, and administrative skills/experience
• A commitment to social justice and student development

Preferred Qualifications and Competencies:

• Prior work experience working closely with faculty members in a residential setting
• Completed master's degree in higher education or related field
• Intermediate knowledge or experience processing spreadsheets, email, and database software programs
• Strong problem-solving and prioritization skills
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, complex organization
• Ability to engage in critical thinking and intentional decision making
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent mediation and conflict resolution skills
• Experience working with diverse populations
• Ability to work both independently and in a team environment
• Strong customer service skills

Employment Term: Resident Director roles are 3-year term appointments with the possibility of a one-time one-year extension.

Work will extend beyond academic terms and require RDs to be on campus before the start of each academic term for move-in responsibilities and after the closing of buildings at the end of academic terms for move-out. These and other timeframes may be designated "vacation blackout" or "limited time away" by the RCS leadership team at the start of each academic year.

Benefits: At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness: Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles. We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth and Development: Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters for people who can obtain them as a critical tool for minimizing severe illness. More information can be found on the COVID-19 and Campus Updates webpage.

The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Click for information on EEO is the Law.

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