Position Purpose:

The Associate Director of Residential Operations oversees student housing operations including housing selection, first-year student assignment, maintaining the housing database, and managing essential administrative functions related to the Residence Life office. This position serves as the primary decision-maker for all student housing-related issues.

This is a live-on position.

Job Duties:

Housing:

• Oversees all residential access and student housing processes: off-campus, summer, including StarRez housing processes.
• Supervise management of all housing-related inquiries (in-person, email, phone, etc.) with sound judgment and provide appropriate and timely follow up by relevant staff members.
• Navigates sensitive and/or high stakes conversations with both students and parents, taking into consideration risk management, policy consistency, and retention.
• In partnership with the Associate Director of Residence Life, develops and implements training curriculum to train others to navigate difficult conversations with parents and students through similar lenses.
• Manages relationships with campus partners to respond to complexities related to Lewiston code enforcement, compliance, and completion of housing projects.
• Supervises implementation of efficiency practices by optimizing use of departmental software such as StarRez and Banner through policy creation and database management.
• Supervises advertising and communication of essential housing information and policies to campus stakeholders via multiple platforms (website, email, etc.).
• Manages logistics and project management to ensure accurate and timely completion of housing processes.
• Supports students and families in the transition into residential college living by effectively communicating information and making referrals to appropriate resources.
• Develops and determines housing policy and procedures.

Residential Operations:

• Administers college residential operations in consideration of institutional vision and strategic planning.
• Develops and manages relationships with campus stakeholders to manage concerns and develop solutions to problems or concerns.
• Manages strategic partnerships between the Office of Residence Life and Dining, Conferences, and Campus Events, Access Control, Information Library Services, Facility Services, and others.
• Manages long term relationships with student housing-related external vendors including StarRez, Roomie, and others.
• Engages appropriately with confidential and classified information and exercises judgment and discretion as required.
• Supervises maintenance of Title IX compliance for records and processes as required.
• In partnership with Bates Communications & Marketing, develops and maintains the Residence Life website, and coordinates a social media presence.
• Provides support for on-campus emergencies and operational issues, including being on site to assist the Student Affairs team and campus partners as needed.
• Supervises and directs the Coordinator for Residential Operations in the effort to accomplish the above responsibilities.

Student Support Advisor:

• Serves as Student Support Advisor to a cohort of students throughout their academic career.
• Advises students navigating personal challenges to connect with support resources to ensure academic and personal success.
• Provides supplemental academic advising as needed as students negotiate their academic development.
• Assists students in negotiating academic policies such as leaves, course deferrals, and other processes.

Student Affairs Divisional Responsibilities:

• Leads the Office of Residence Life in close collaboration with the Associate Director of Residence Life, and under the advisement of the Associate Dean of Students for Residence Life & First-Year Experience. This includes high-level planning and strategy as well holistic support for the residential program broadly.
• Works closely with the Associate Director of Residence Life in the development and implementation of training for professional staff in Residence Life.
• Serves on the Student Affairs on-call rotation with responsibilities including managing risk, timely response, and primary contact for managing student emergencies (medical, mental health, Title IX, protest, etc.).
• Exercises discretion and confidentiality in all manner of crisis management for student well-being and safety.
• Participates in national and regional professional development opportunities to ensure the implementation and assessment of best practices related to student life.
• Collaborates with the Associate Director of Residence Life to develop and implement ongoing initiatives to assist professional and student staff in building social justice literacy and action skills.
• Participates in team projects and institutional events that enhance the quality and/or efficiency of Student Affairs. This includes engaging in the constructive dialogue initiative, New Student Orientation, Senior Week events, and Commencement. 
• Lives in a designated on-campus apartment and provides a visible community presence, in support of strong community standards.
• Participates in departmental policy enforcement initiatives.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Master’s Degree preferred.

Experience

• 3+ years experience in residence life or other area(s) of higher education, including professional experience in health education, student government, student activities, outdoor education, other campus offices, etc.
• Experience working in collaborative, dynamic, and welcoming office environments.
• Experience working within a complex office environment with frequently shifting tasks and priorities.
• Experience supporting young adults and their families in the transition to a residential college environment.
• Demonstrated success in supporting students from underrepresented groups, including students from historically underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, first-generation-to-college students, and low-income students.

Skills and Knowledge

• Commitment to equity and inclusion, and serving the needs of a culturally and educationally diverse community.
• Excellent judgment and awareness for interpersonal dynamics.
• Strong interpersonal skills with ability to develop and maintain collegial relationships with clientele such as students, families, staff, faculty and co-workers.
• Excellent communication (written, verbal, listening & presentation) skills. 
• Ability to engage in mediation and restorative justice practices.
• Ability to effectively engage with diverse personalities and manage difficult situations.
• Ability to work independently and handle multiple priorities with minimal supervision.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills for successful documentation, planning and execution.
• Proficiency in basic data management systems and basic computer software (e.g., Microsoft Word and Excel, Power Point, WordPress [website], Google docs, email and calendaring.)
• Must possess advanced skills and knowledge of platforms and systems relevant to the position, such as StarRez and Banner, or similar platforms.

Benefits:  

Hiring Range:  The hiring range for this position is $54,359 to $65,400. Placement within the range depends on experience and other factors. This is a live-on position in college-provided housing.