Working Title: Full-Time Hall Director

State Role Title: Education Support Specialist II

Position Type: Full-time Staff (Classified)

Position Status: Full-Time

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt: Eligible for Overtime

College/Division: Residence Life

Department: 300000 - Residence Life Admin

Pay Band: 3

Pay Rate: Pay Range

Specify Range or Amount: $38,000 - $38,500 

Is this a JMU only position? No

Is this a grant-funded position? No

Is this a Conflict of Interest designated position? N/A

Beginning Review Date: 07/18/2026

About JMU:

At James Madison University (JMU), we’re more than just a publicly funded institution — we’re a vibrant, welcoming community located on a stunning campus where innovation, collaboration, and personal growth thrive. Our mission is to prepare students for a bright future, and we believe that starts with supporting the people who make it all possible: our employees.

Why Work at JMU?
We offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your professional journey and personal wellbeing:
• Generous Leave: Enjoy paid vacation, sick leave, parental leave, community service leave, and 19 paid holidays annually.
• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Access high-quality health insurance options that fit your needs.
• Retirement Options: Plan for your future with retirement benefits through the Virginia Retirement System.
• Employee Well-Being: Our Balanced Dukes program promotes wellness and work-life integration through resources, events, and support.
• Tuition Waiver Program: Advance your education with our tuition waiver program for undergraduate and graduate courses taken at JMU.

At JMU, we believe in Being the Change — and that starts with creating an environment where you can grow, contribute meaningfully, and feel supported every step of the way.

Discover what makes JMU a great place to work: bit.ly/JMUEmployment

General Information:

Residence Life at James Madison University is accepting applications for a Full-Time Hall Director. Residence Life is committed to designing and maintaining a caring environment that encourages academic success, respect, personal growth, and responsibility to one's community.

Full-Time Hall Directors report to an Area Director of Residence Life. This is a 12-month, live-in position. A furnished apartment (partner and pet-friendly), professional development funds, and a partial meal plan are provided in addition to salary and classified benefits.

Full-Time Hall Directors are part of the Residence Life team that serves over 6,900 residential students on a campus that continues to grow. We focus on creating a residential experience filled with opportunities for students to engage and learn about themselves and others. We are a close-knit department with over 35 full-time staff members and over 250 student staff members.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Leadership, Management, and Supervision - Directly supervise 11-18 Resident Advisers (RAs). Manage hall staff performance, student development, student leadership, student conduct, and hall community engagement. Provide written performance evaluations twice per year for RAs. Participate in all recruitment, selection and training processes for RAs, including instructing a one-credit RA class. Implement check-in and check-out procedures. Potentially collaborate with a live-in Faculty in Residence member.

Create Belonging – Contribute to the Student Affairs Creating Belonging value by creating spaces and a culture that celebrates all identities and makes it possible for faculty, students, and staff to be their most authentic selves.

Student Conduct – Interpret and enforce university and hall policies, manage administrative processes related to documenting and follow-up for student behavior. Meet with students and staff to discuss and manage behavioral concerns (mental health, policy/community violations, roommate conflicts, etc.).

Crisis Management – Participate in on-call rotation for the residential campus. Provide support to staff during times of crisis.

Community Engagement – Using the Curricular Approach in Residence Life’s Residential Educational Plan, conduct and support hall programming and community engagement efforts. Create Community Learning Plans to support the educational development of residential students.

Committee Work – Serve on departmental and university committees as necessary.

Professional Development – Accumulate a minimum of 10 hours of professional development during each performance evaluation period. Obtain hours by attending university, divisional, and department training. Attend conferences, get a certification, or complete other job-related training. Use professional development opportunities to stay relevant to trends and best practices.

Qualifications:

Required:

• Experience in Residence Life (student employment, graduate assistant or full-time experience considered)
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and tasks simultaneously in a fast-paced environment
• Demonstrated ability to respond effectively to crisis and emergencies

Preferred:

• Knowledge in Student Affairs, Higher Education, or a related field
• Extensive experience in residence life or student housing
• Prior supervisory experience, including training and supporting student staff
• Experience with student conduct processes and behavior management
• Demonstrated administrative and organizational management skills

Additional Posting Information:

The Full-Time Hall Director position is a live-in role that includes a furnished apartment, partial meal plan, laundry stipend, and professional development funds in addition to the salary and JMU classified benefits package.

Conditions of Employment:  

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.

E-Verify Notice: After accepting employment, new hires are required to complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. James Madison University uses the E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.

EEO Statement:

James Madison University is committed to creating and supporting a diverse and inclusive work and educational community that is free of all forms of discrimination. This institution does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status.

We promote access, inclusion and diversity for all students, faculty, staff, constituents and programs, believing that these qualities are foundational components of an outstanding education in keeping with our mission. The university is interested in candidates whose experience and qualifications support an ongoing commitment to this core quality.

Anyone having questions concerning discrimination should contact the Office for Equal Opportunity: (540) 568-6991.

Reasonable Accommodation:

If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance searching or applying for jobs please contact us at (540) 568-3597 or jobs@jmu.edu. You may also visit the JMU Human Resource Office, located at 752 Ott Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22807 and we will be happy to assist you.