Under the general supervision of the Associate Director of Residence Life, the Assistant Director is responsible for overseeing the daily operation and implementation of an on-campus residential community philosophy. This individual also serves as a member of the departmental leadership team. The Assistant Director’s primary role is to oversee a holistic recruitment, hiring, training, and evaluation model that is embedded and integrated across the department. This position ensures that our hiring and training are aligned with program purposes and effectively achieve our intended outcomes. The Assistant Director of Residence Life also maintains an active role in creating the structures, processes, and meeting the associated outcomes for the residential experience at Boise State University.

Please note, this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. 

Housing & Residence Life (HRL) is a department that accommodates approximately 3,700 students and staff across 12 on-campus living communities, which include traditional residence halls, suite-style, and apartment-style housing options. Our department is dedicated to supporting the academic and personal success of our residents. As we continue to grow and evolve, we aim to serve a broad range of students from across the region, including those from rural areas and those who are the first in their families to attend college.

The mission, vision, and values of Housing & Residence Life guide our approach to supporting students and maintaining a strong, purposeful community.

Housing & Residence Life “provides a vibrant residential experience that fosters learning, academic achievement, and meaningful relationships.”

The support we offer residents during their time on campus is anchored in the following values:

• Community – Fostering collaboration, mutual support, intentional engagement, and a sense of connection
• Learning – Encouraging critical thinking, personal growth, and exploration
• Respect – Emphasizing empathy, consideration, and authenticity

Our goal is to create a welcoming and secure living environment where students can thrive academically and personally. Through our programs and services, we aim to promote a positive residential experience rooted in shared values and a commitment to student success.

Spends the majority of time (50% or more) achieving organizational objectives through the coordinated achievements of subordinate staff. Manages experienced professionals who exercise latitude and independence in assignments. Establishes departmental goals and objectives, functions with autonomy. Manages the accountability and stewardship of human, financial, and often physical resources in compliance with departmental and campus wide goals and objectives. Ensures subordinate supervisors and professionals adhere to defined internal controls with a focus on policy and strategy implementation. Manages systems and procedures to protect departmental assets and requires practical knowledge in leading and managing the execution of processes, projects and tactics within one area. May report to a Chair, Unit Director, or equivalent administrative management.

60% of Time the Assistant Director of Residence Life must:

• Directly supervise one Area Director, providing support, guidance, evaluation, and overall direction to the day-to-day oversight for residential communities.
• Indirectly supervise five to six Resident Directors (RDs)
• Indirectly support approximately 150 student employees such as Resident Assistants (RAs), Community Assistants (CAs), and Desk Assistants (DAs),
• In collaboration with the Associate Director, recruit, select, train, assess, evaluate, and provide professional development for Area Directors (ADs), Resident Directors (RDs), coordinator positions, and student staff
• Coordinate department-wide assessments as determined by the Associate Director including but not limited to student satisfaction, early alert retention issues, mental health, and sense of mattering and belonging
• Cultivate effective and mutually supportive working relationships with members of the division and campus that further the strategic objectives and key results of Housing and Residence Life
• Address behavioral problems and emergencies, as applicable. Confront situations in which University and/or Housing & Residence Life policies and community standards may be violated, as well as assist live-in professional and paraprofessional and staff members with the resolution of difficult confrontation situations
• Assist in the planning, development, and implementation of fall, winter, spring, and ongoing trainings for Residence Life professionals and student staff
• Serve on 24-hour Admin on Call (AOC) duty (day, evening, holiday, and weekend) 365 days a year in rotation with other senior-level Housing & Residence Life staff supporting Resident Directors On Call and responding to a variety of emergencies. On-call services include crisis and emergency response, facility maintenance, direction and support for professional and student staff, and conflict resolution for residents living in on-campus housing facilities (approximately 3000 students).

35% of the Time the Assistant Director of Residence Life:

• Incorporates research on mattering and belonging in programming and the student-staff interaction model.
• In collaboration with HRL leadership implement and assess a comprehensive, and coordinated programming model and responsible for supervising residence life budget, spending, and tracking of expenditures
• Maintain and update training materials; coordinate/provide ongoing training
• Collect, analyze, and share data related to the community-building model
• In collaboration with the Dean of Student’s Office and HRL leadership, provide ongoing support, guidance, and training for RDs to support students in the CARE process
• Develop active and passive programming/resources to educate and inform students about Housing & Residence Life expectations for living on campus and potential consequences for violating Community Standards.
• Provide training, guidance, and support for RDs to ensure a high-quality and timely conduct process is maintained in our Advocate database and with students.
• Ensure RDs are supported and trained on the University’s Title IX process, as well as all other mandatory compliance policies and expectations as outlined by the university
• In conjunction with the Associate Director for Residence Life, coordinate appropriate responses when merited for Behavioral Intervention and Threat Assessment institutional responses involving residential students.
• Interpret and explain University and Housing & Residence Life philosophies, policies, standards, expectations, regulations, and the developmental/educational goals of the conduct process to staff, residents, parents/guardians, and members of the campus community
• Perform analytic studies and prepare regular reports to provide feedback to University partners about type, frequency, and response to violations of University and Housing & Residence Life Community Standards on a regular basis.

5% of Time the Assistant Director of Residence Life must perform:

• Other duties as assigned by the supervisor. This includes but is not limited to at least 40 hours per year for full time employees dedicated to helping with broad divisional or institution programs or initiatives that may be outside the department such as Move-In Day, Welcome Week, Parent & Family Weekend, Bronco Day, Commencement, or other special projects.

• Experience supervising staff in addition to knowledge of effective recruitment and hiring processes for student and professional staff
• Administrative skills, including the ability to organize and successfully complete a variety of projects in all areas of the department
• Experience working in a professional position in residence life
• Knowledge of student development theory to inform programs, services, policies and procedures
• Experience with student staff training & student staff development

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent plus 5 years of experience, including 1 year managerial experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Cover Letter
• Resume
• References

Nestled along the Boise River and steps from the state capitol, Boise State University fosters a vibrant and welcoming academic environment that fuels student and employee success. We’re a trailblazing institution, nationally recognized for our innovative spirit and commitment to positive impact on Idaho and beyond.

Boise State is proud to be recognized by Forbes as the only Idaho employer listed in the top 100 of all national midsize and large employers. We’re building a thriving community of faculty and staff whose unique skills, experiences, and perspectives come together to create a rich and rewarding academic experience. Applications from all backgrounds are welcomed.

Learn more about Boise State and living in Idaho’s Treasure Valley at https://www.boisestate.edu/about/