Resident Director

Position Function Statement:  

The Resident Director is a professional staff member responsible for the administration and management of their assigned residential areas.   The primary responsibilities include initiating, implementing, maintaining, and evaluating efforts in the residential area that will result in educational, social, and cultural growth for the individual student and the entire living community.

Supervisor:     Residence Life and/ or housing services – based on academic year and summer assignments

Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree and two years full time residence life experience.  Strong administrative and communication skills. Crisis management and supervision experience with a focus on student development.

Desired Qualifications: Master’s degree in College Student Personnel or related field and residence life experience.

RESPONSIBILITIES :  A Resident Director (RD) at George Mason University fulfills four primary areas within the Office of Housing and Residence Life.  Responsibilities fall into the categories of Staff Supervision, Community Development & Programming, Departmental Responsibilities, Student Development and Administrative Duties.

STAFF SUPERVISION

The RD is expected to:

a. Maintain staff compliance with established Residence Life and University Policies.
b. Train and support Resident Advisors (RAs) on an on-going basis to facilitate leadership and personal growth and development.
c. Plan and implement staff development to aid the RAs in developing positive team dynamics and a cohesive team unit. 
d. Support and supervise RAs in their administrative assignments ensuring accuracy, timeliness and completeness.
e. Evaluate the performance of RAs on a regular basis. Provide opportunities for staff to receive feedback about the quality and effectiveness of their work.  Formally evaluate the performance of RAs during the fall and spring semesters.
f. Attend and conduct weekly staff meetings and scheduled one-on-one contact with the RAs.
g. Develop and maintain staff awareness of campus/community issues through training, programming, individual contacts and role modeling.
h. Support Living Learning Communities (LLCs) in residential area and assist in the program(s)’ development and support.

 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT & PROGRAMMING

In collaboration with their supervisor, other Resident Directors and other University departments, the RD is expected to:

a.  Develop and implement strategies to address the developmental needs of their specific student populations.
b.  Design proactive approaches to develop community values and ethical standards such as respect, courtesy, and compromise. 
c.  Facilitate an effective and supportive working relationship with the area’s Resident Student Association (RSA).  Serve as a guide to the student leaders, and provide accurate resource information. Offer assistance in the development of leadership skills and provide appropriate feedback. Regularly attend area and all hall meetings and hall executive board meetings.
d.  Assist in the development and implementation of leadership training programs as assigned. 
e.  Coordinate and participate in area-wide and university-wide events such as Welcome Week, Family Weekend, Orientation, Study Breaks, and other events as assigned.
f.   Assist faculty associated with the residential Living Learning Communities with programming efforts, and promote the area programs and activities being sponsored by the specific LLC.
g.  Coordinate initiatives utilizing the OHRL’s programming model and resident needs assessments.  Efforts should be made to maintain an awareness of the issues of all residents, paying particular attention to the concerns of underrepresented student populations.
h.  Support and supervise RAs in their community development efforts through identifying resources, guidance, attendance and feedback.  Assist, monitor and encourage RAs to fulfill programming requirements according to OHRL guidelines.
i.   Accurately track community development efforts as outlined for the residential area. Submit reports once a month.

DEPARTMENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES

The RD is expected to:

a. Actively support and comply with all University policies, OHRL regulations and departmental vision and goals.
b. Maintain a visible presence in the residence halls as a live-in professional.  Engage in positive, professional interactions with students after business hours to promote community development.
d. Maintain positive relationships with other University departments (i.e., George Mason University Police Department, Student Activities, Counseling and Psychological Services, Student Health Services, Office of Alcohol, Drug and Sexual Health Education, Office of Parents and Family Programs, etc.).
e. Assist in the recruitment and selection of Residence Life staff.
f.  Participate in departmental training sessions as scheduled.
g. Actively serve and participate in departmental committees as assigned.
h. Support and assist in the implementation of summer projects, including but not limited to summer housing, training, manual reviews, orientation and conference groups.
i.  Other duties as assigned by the director, associate directors or housing services staff.
j.  Assist in fulfilling duties of vacant positions within the department.

STUDENT DEVELOPMENT

The RD is expected to:

a.  Address incidents of inappropriate behavior using an educational and developmental approach in informal interactions with students.
b. Serve as a hearing officer to effectively resolve cases of student misconduct within an educational and developmental framework.
c.  Working within the limits of professional capabilities, assist students who have academic, vocational, and personal concerns. Make appropriate referrals when necessary.
d. Manage situations involving various psychological, emotional, medical or other safety related emergencies or incidents in the residential community.
e. Participate in daily and weekend duty coverage.  Staff will be expected to equally share responsibilities associated with duty coverage when classes are not in session and during vacation/holiday periods.
f.  Develop and maintain positive relationships with both residents and area staff that encourage on-going communication, mutual support and respect.

ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES

The RD is expected to:

a. Maintain consistent hours in the residential area office to best serve students.
b. Attend and participate in staff development activities as outlined by the department. Attend regularly scheduled departmental meetings.
c. Conduct assigned responsibilities associated with student checking in/out students and other administrative processes related to housing residents in the Residential Management System (RMS) and with housing services staff.
d. Record any changes in housing rosters and communicate any inconsistencies to housing services staff. 
e. Maintain all appropriate hall documentation related to facilities management and inventory control (i.e., service request log, weekly walk through reports, room condition reports, and log of emergency calls, etc.)
f.   Promote and develop management procedures and practices that preserve and enhance the facilities by conducting equipment and building inventories on a regular basis.  Offer recommendations for the purchase of furnishings and equipment, the improvement of housekeeping services, preventative maintenance, vandalism programs and safety measures.
h.  Conduct regular building tours.  Investigate reported damages and implement the damage billing process as necessary and communicate to appropriate personnel.
i.   Coordinate and implement the distribution of keys and/or access cards.  Communicate related policies to both staff and residents especially at the beginning and the end of each semester.
j.   Maintain appropriate judicial paper work and follow-up with students on assigned sanctions. 
k. In conjunction with the Office of Environmental Health Safety, assist in the execution of fire drills and health and safety inspections as scheduled by OHRL.
l.  Complete sections of the end-of-semester reports by designated deadlines.
m. Manage community and roommate agreements for specific buildings, floors, apartments, and/or rooms. 

Compensation and Benefits:
• A furnished apartment including utilities, local phone, cable, internet, and access to free laundry.
• Opportunities for professional development locally, regionally, and nationally within University guidelines.
• 22 days paid vacation days plus designated holidays.
• A comprehensive health and life insurance plan that includes medical, dental and vision.
• Tuition remission for up to 12 credits per year at Mason.
• Meal plan of 60 meals each fall/spring semester – Southside Dining Hall.
• Pet policy for live-in professional staff members, including dogs and cats.

How to apply:
• Visit https://jobs.gmu.edu/applicants/jsp/shared/frameset/Frameset.jsp?time=1253656457821 to submit your cover letter, resume, and three references.