Director of Residence Life

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY: Brenau University is an equal opportunity employer and educator. The university does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, creed, disability, marital status, veteran status, citizenship, genetic information, or any other category protected by applicable federal or state laws in its employment practices or educational programs.

HIRING PROCESS: All submitted application materials are forwarded to the appropriate department for review. Hiring recommendations are made at the departmental level.

DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE: Brenau University is a drug-free workplace as certified by the Georgia Workers Compensation Board. 

ELIGIBILITY: Successful applicants must be eligible to work in the United States on or before the confirmed start date. This includes being a U.S. citizen, a lawful permanent resident, or a foreign national with work authorization that doesn't require employer sponsorship. Individuals must maintain this eligibility throughout employment.

Position Summary:

Brenau University’s Residence Life strives to provide an on-campus living environment that is not only comfortable, inclusive, safe, and secure, but also conducive to academic and personal growth for all students. The Director of Residence Life provides leadership and vision to the department while managing housing operations, supervising the Residence Life staff, and implementing an inclusive and holistic residential experience for approximately 500 students on the Gainesville campus. This position will provide direction, supervision, strategic planning, and fiscal management for the residential programming experience and all aspects of housing operations. The Director will manage responses to communication with students, families, and university partners.

As a member of the Division of Student Development & Engagement, the Director of Residence Life must uphold the values of belonging and inclusion, collaboration, personal responsibility, professionalism, and community and citizenship. The work of this position will intentionally align with strategic priorities to advance the mission and vision of Brenau University.

This position is designated as an essential employee and may be required to report to work as scheduled when University offices are closed due to severe weather or other conditions. The Director will also serve a member of the on-call rotation schedule.

Reports to: Assistant Vice President/Dean of Students

Minimum Qualifications:

• Education – Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree in higher education leadership, student development, or related field preferred
• Experience – Experience working in a higher education/student affairs/residential setting, program development and execution; experience working with diverse populations
• Skills & Abilities – Strong interpersonal communication skills (oral/written), listening and student advocacy skills; ability to make sound decisions; strong organizational skills; knowledge of assessment practices including the development of learning outcomes and producing reports; knowledge of specific trends and issues affecting student life and student engagement; ability to incorporate principles of social justice into decision making; ability to lead and manage teams; skilled in relationship building; proficient with computer applications and programs associated with the position; strong customer service skills, phone and email etiquette
• Supervisory Responsibilities – Supervise paraprofessional staff and student leaders; strong presentation, organization, retreat planning and supervision/management skills.
• Special Factors – Must be committed to teamwork and be able to work with all departments and personnel of the University, as well as demonstrate ability to work/collaborate with internal/external constituents and foster positive and productive relationships

Job Duties & Responsibilities:

• Responsible for supervision of all Gainesville campus residential facilities
• Maintain up-to-date housing data that accurately reflects the campus population
• Provide oversight of all housing occupancy data and coordination; specifically, room assignments and changes, the renewal process, and implements and enforces policies and procedures
• Lead and supervise the Residence Life staff, which includes recruiting, selection, training, team building and all personnel actions regarding Resident Assistants and support staff
• Assess student satisfaction in housing through formal and informal means, such as benchmarking surveys, customer satisfaction surveys, and other assessment measures
• Work with Student Development & Engagement leadership and other colleagues within the division on strategic planning and implementation of such plans; prepare periodic reports on departmental operations, programs, and initiatives
• Stay abreast of new issues and trends in higher education for students in university housing; research, gain consensus from staff and students, and write proposals for change to submit to Student Development & Engagement leadership.
• Regular production and analysis of data to understand the impact residency on campus has on key institutional goals such as recruitment and retention
• Participate and engage in campus life events in the evenings and on weekends, as needed
• Assist in the development of educational materials, procedures, and training programs for the residence hall staff and student leaders
• Manage the implementation of residence life education and programs based on Brenau University’s mission, vision, and values
• Participate in and/or chairs various campus committees and attends meetings to represent residence life issues, serves as an expert resource on matters affecting housing and residence life; reviews, analyzes, and provides recommendations for new program development and special projects; and interfaces with various University components including Academic Affairs, Admissions, and International Programs
• Administer student check-in, check-out, and room changes; assist with room condition reports and damage billing processes
• Engage in constant evaluation of current policies and procedures for the purpose of creating a Residence Life program built around best practices.
• Develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders including (but not limited to) admissions, accounting, facilities, housekeeping, dining services, IT, athletics, academic affairs, and campus safety.
• Serve as a member of the University’s Behavioral Assessment & Intervention Team (BAIT)
• Conducts monthly walkthroughs of residential areas to assess facilities issues or concerns
• Collaborates with facilities and housekeeping to ensure the proper and timely maintenance and upkeep of residential facilities
• Maintains effective communication to ensure the completion of key target dates, calendar creation and dissemination, facilities coordination, move-in and move-out, special events, summer operations, and facility renovations, or new construction
• Responsible for organization and operation of all University move-in and move-out periods in collaboration with Facilities, Housekeeping, and other departments
• Provides excellent customer service with regards to Residence Life inquiries to aid in timely resolution for residential students and/or parent(s) or guardian(s)
• Oversees coordination and participation for special events including emergency response programs, extreme weather (snow, tornados etc.), summer housing usage (i.e. camps, conferences and offline work), seasonal events (move-out/ -in periods, turns)
• Other duties as assigned

Expectations:

• Ability to be present on campus during non-business hours depending on the event or emergency
• Ability to manage and oversee response times, schedules, protocols, post incident assessments related to both standard and emergency response
• Ability to ensure compliance with campus emergency procedures while accounting for the impact on campus housing students
• Ability to lead and serve on division and university committees
• Ability to work in partnership with staff, faculty, administrators, students, and department directors
• Ability to handle multiple tasks or projects at one time meeting assigned deadlines
• Maintain a commitment to the university’s mission and fundamental goals, the division’s mission, and the department’s goals
• Assume an active role in the on-going developmental process of each student to insure maximum growth of the individual
• Promote and encourage students in responsible self-direction and ethical behavior
• Aid students in obtaining assistance from other student services through referrals and provide crisis intervention when needed
• Work with IT in maintaining intranet website relevant to position’s responsibilities
• Maintain necessary files and documents
• Follow established procedures when storing, communicating, releasing, or destroying confidential materials with regard to student information and FERPA regulations
• Encourage and support a team approach to working with all colleagues
• Monitor risk management with regard to areas of responsibility
• Develop and maintain a departmental budget and sound fiscal management 

Supervisory Responsibilities:
Supervise paraprofessional staff and student leaders

Work Hours:
Full-time. 37.5 hours per week. Generally, Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. Hours may be extended to meet the needs of the department. Nights/weekends as needed. 

Appointment Length:

12 months, continuous 

Environmental and Working Conditions/ Physical Demands and Aptitudes:
Sedentary work. Work is performed in an office environment and requires the ability to operate standard office equipment and keyboards. Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer. Must have the ability to travel short distances, and/or drive a vehicle to deliver and pick up materials. Exerting up to 15 pounds of force to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Repetitive motion. Substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers. The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading.

On-campus housing available. 

Title IX Implications:

Responsible employee
Any employee who is not a confidential employee. Brenau University requires that all Responsible Employees MUST report any possible sexual harassment or discrimination based on sex to the Title IX Coordinator when the employee has information about conduct that reasonably may constitute sex discrimination or sex-based harassment under Title IX or this part. Employees are encouraged to report these concerns in writing via email. When an employee or a student (or a person who has a legal right to act on behalf of a student) informs any employee (including both Responsible and Confidential employees) of the employee’s or student’s pregnancy or related conditions, that employee must promptly provide that person with the Title IX Coordinator’s contact information and inform that person that the Title IX Coordinator can coordinate specific actions to prevent sex discrimination and ensure the employee’s or student’s equal access to the Recipient’s education program or activity.

Payroll Status: 
Hourly, Non-Exempt (paid bi-weekly)

Campus Designation:
This is an on-site position based at the Historic Gainesville Campus located in Gainesville, Georgia.

Remote Work Available: 
 No

Travel Requirements:   
Minimal local travel and operation of a university vehicle and/or one’s own vehicle required. Must be at least 21 years of age, possess a valid Georgia driver’s license, and good driving record.

Benefits:
Dependent upon employment status, years of service and worker category. Explore all that Brenau offers for Your Health, Your Mind, Your Finances, & Our Community here: https://intranet.brenau.edu/human-resources/job-opportunities/. 

Special Requirements:
Brenau University conducts various screenings to ensure a safe and secure environment. These checks are a condition of employment and may be performed at different times throughout employment. (1) Background Checks: All new hires must undergo a criminal background check. To maintain employment, individuals must have and maintain a favorable criminal history. The university may also conduct random background checks. Additional checks may be performed for certain roles. (2) Credit Checks: required for positions that handle university funds or credit cards or as otherwise required. (3) Motor Vehicle and Driving Checks: employees who operate a university vehicle or drive on university business must have a Motor Vehicle Report (MVR) run as part of the new hire process or as the requirement to drive is added to job responsibilities. To be approved for university travel, employees must meet the following criteria: be at least 21 years old, have and maintain a valid Georgia driver's license, and have and maintain a good driving record. As a condition of employment, employees must report any arrest (within five days of its occurrence) to the Office of Human Resources, including traffic violations for those listed on our auto insurance policy. Disclosure of subsequent legal action (conviction, dismissal of charges, etc.) must also be reported to the Office of Human Resources. It will be evaluated considering continued employment with the immediate supervisor. (4) Drug Screening: pre-employment/post-offer drug screens and random drug screens are performed for certain sensitive positions. Random drug screens are also performed on those who travel regularly, or those who operate a university vehicle. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug screening.

Additional Requirements:

N/A

Licensure Requirements:
Proof of any professional degree, license, or certification (collectively, “Credentials”) required to competently perform the work for which the employee is hired must have been submitted at the time of application for the position. Discovery during the course of employee’s employment that applicable Credentials have lapsed, been terminated, were misrepresented, or were falsified may result in immediate termination of employee’s employment.

All positions will be filled pending budgetary review.