Resident Director - Missouri Southern State University

General Statement of Job

The Resident Director provides general supervision of a residence hall complex consisting of resident students, including programming, advising, office management and staff training by performing the following duties. This is a live-on campus position with housing and parking provided. A meal plan is provided when primary dining hall is operating.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

Essential Duties:

Administrative –

• Manage the day to day operations of on-campus residence halls.
• Maintain occupancy/roster and maintain key control/inventory.
• Attend meetings, including but not limited to: department meetings, staff meetings, committee meetings, and one-on-one meetings.
• Provides proper coverage of the residence hall by preparing and supervising the scheduling of duty for Resident Assistants, student desk workers, and all other hall employees under direct supervision.
• Maintain administrative and informational records.
• Complete student account charges for private and public area damages.
• Assists the Director of Residence Life with the administration of summer conferences.
• Ensures accuracy of occupancy records by maintaining hall counts; processing room assignments and changes for the hall; processing withdrawals from the hall; and completing all required paperwork accurately, promptly, and in the manner prescribed by the Department of Residence Life, Housing and Dining Services
• Enhances the safety and security of the residence hall by accurately accounting for and distributing keys; promptly processing servicing and repair needs for elevators, fire extinguishing systems, and building equipment; conducting periodic fire drills; and by disseminating appropriate information on personal safety, fire prevention, and emergency procedures.
• Promotes retention of students living in the residence halls by supporting an efficient spring re-application process for students returning to the hall and coordinating smooth openings and closings of the residence hall at the beginning and conclusion of semesters and vacations.
• Ensures effective intra-departmental communication through written memoranda, regular and timely contact with central office personnel, and active participation in staff meetings.
• Maintain thorough documentation of all student well-being and safety issues.
• Ensures an efficient, service-oriented front desk and office operation by ordering supplies within the budget guidelines provided, maintaining an appropriate supply of forms, and providing training and direction to desk receptionists.

Supervision of Staff-

• Interview, select, train, supervise, and evaluate Resident Assistants and other student employees.
• Provides for accurate and timely interpretation and dissemination of information and policies by conducting Resident Assistant and desk staff meetings.
• Hold staff accountable for meeting performance expectations.
• Utilize departmental resources for staff development and training.
• Assists Resident Assistants with the development and implementation of residence hall programs.

Student Well-Being & Safety –

• Provides support and assistance to residents by responding appropriately to all crisis and emergency situations, performing necessary action and follow-up.
• Serve on an on-call duty rotation, which may be required on weekends, at night, holidays, etc. Supervise 24-hour coverage of area.
• Develop a security program and coordinate emergency procedures, i.e., power outage, fire drills, medical emergencies, bomb threats, etc. Educate residents about emergency procedures.
• Work collaboratively and maintain appropriate communication with MSSU Police, the Office of Student Conduct and Office of Student Affairs.
• Promotes an atmosphere in which due process rights are observed and students are held accountable for their actions and encouraged to make informed decisions by responding to all violations of Residence Life and University policy, enforcing Departmental and University policies, processing student conduct reports in a timely fashion, conducting effective conferences with students, and maintaining accurate records with regard to student conduct concerns.
• Complete Behavior and Safety Plans, emergency contact notifications, and Student Expectations Meetings as appropriate.
• Promotes a positive and supportive environment in the residence hall through daily availability to residents; counseling individuals who seek assistance or are referred by other staff members regarding academic, personal or career concerns; by referring students to appropriate University resources; communicating information about activities and opportunities on campus and in the community; and serving as a liaison between the student and the Department of Residence Life, Housing and Dining Services administration.
• Engage family and/or other supports in creating success for students.

Student & Community Development –

• Establish a strong, positive learning environment within residential areas and the University community.
• Facilitate the discipline process to serve as an educational tool.
• Serve as a partner in the student's total development by working with: ACTS, Career Services, FYE, MOSO Cares, Student Activities, Athletics, Lion Co-Op, and other offices as warranted.
• Facilitate leadership opportunities and support all students in leadership development, specifically leadership events sponsored by Residence Life.
• Contribute to recruitment and retention programs and initiatives.
• Work with students in developing floor/building communities conducive for high academic achievement.
• Provide leadership in creating a community that supports students of underrepresented and diverse populations.
• Educate staff and students to self-enforce policies and respect the rights of others.
• Actively advise the Residence Hall Association program.
• Encourage maximum participation of residents in Hall programming.

Facilities –

• Communicate with Physical Plant personnel and immediate supervisor on building needs and preventive maintenance projects.
• Submit work orders for facility needs.
• Maintain positive working relationship with custodians and other facilities personnel.
• Coordinate and supervise proper usage of residential dining facilities and public spaces when used for programs and activities.
• Monitor office and common area electronics.

Continuous Improvement –

• Support department, division and university strategic planning initiatives, mission, vision and educational priority.
• Contribute to a comprehensive assessment plan that encompasses satisfaction, retention, and student learning goals.
• Utilize assessment and benchmarking survey data to lead evidence-based enhancements in the development of community, programming, facilities, wellness and support services for students, the department and self.
• Promotes professional and personal growth through participation in departmental committees and/or conference and workshop experiences as assigned.
• Remains competent and current through self-directed professional reading, developing professional contacts with colleagues, attending professional development courses, and attending training and/or courses required by the Director.

Performs other related duties as required.

Education, Experience, and Licenses

Bachelor's degree in area of student personnel, counseling, educational administration or related field required.

Experience in residential housing preferred.

Valid driver's license and the ability to meet the University’s insurance requirements for driving University vehicles.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general education periodicals, professional journals, university procedures, or university regulations.
• Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of students, staff, faculty and members of the general public.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing to individuals and groups.
• Requires the ability to accept, receive, and/or collect payments.
• Requires the ability to be accountable for inventory/property management.
• Requires the ability to use small office equipment, including copy machines or multi-line telephone systems.
• Requires the ability to use computers for word processing and/or accounting purposes.

Physical Demands/Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to walk, sit, and talk or hear (including the use of the telephone). The employee is occasionally required to stand; use hands to finger, handle, feel or use a computer keyboard; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; and taste or smell. Occasionally, the employee is required to work long hours (especially at night). Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Requires the ability to see and smell.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

NOTICE: The above job profile does not include all essential and nonessential duties of this job. All employees with disabilities are encouraged to contact Human Resources to review and discuss the essential and nonessential functions of the job. An employee with a disability can evaluate the job in greater detail to determine if she/he can safely perform the essential function of this job with or without reasonable accommodation.