POSITION TITLE: Director of Residential Life 

DEPARTMENT: Campus Life 

POSITION STATUS: FT (12-month) (Live on-campus)  

POSITION REPORTS TO: Associate Vice President for Student Life/Dean of Students 

JOB SUMMARY: Under the direction of the Associate Vice President for Student Life/Dean of Students, the Director of Residential Life is a live-on position that provides leadership, management, and strategic direction for all areas of residential life. The Director of Residential Life plays a crucial role in fostering a Catholic culture in the residence halls that is faith-filled, safe, and welcoming, while fostering a dynamic community in which the formation of the whole person is promoted and achieved. 

Major Responsibilities/Activities  

• Ensure that the residential life program reflects and reinforces the Catholic identity and mission of the university, promoting spiritual growth, moral development, and service to others. 
• Collaborate with Catholic Culture and other departments to integrate Catholic teachings, traditions, and values into residential programming and community life. 
• Foster a faith-filled and welcoming community within the residence halls. 
• Provide leadership and direction for the residential life staff, including Resident Hall Directors and Resident Assistants (RAs). 

• Hire, train, supervise, and evaluate residential life staff to ensure they actively foster the Catholic culture of the university, effectively support students, and uphold university policies, values, and mission. 
• Develop and oversee a comprehensive residential life program that fosters a culture of virtue and character development within residential communities, emphasizing the importance of integrity, compassion, humility, community engagement, personal and spiritual development, and academic success. 
• Plan and coordinate social, educational, and cultural programming within residential communities to enhance the student experience and promote the formation of the whole person. 
• Develop an annual housing plan for the room assignments and roommate matching; prepare overflow housing options for continuity of services as well as summer housing. 
• Serve as a resource and support system for addressing the concerns of the residential students, providing guidance, and referring them to appropriate campus resources as needed. 
• Mediate conflicts and facilitate reconciliation among resident students. 
• Develop, implement, and enforce residential policies and procedures that align with the mission and values of the University, as well as local, state, and federal regulations. 
• Communicate residential policies and expectations clearly to students and staff, ensuring adherence to standards of conduct and community living. 
• Develop and implement emergency preparedness plans specific to residential communities, including response protocols for various situations such as medical emergencies, natural disasters, or security incidents. 
• Provide leadership and support during crisis situations by collaborating with campus partners and external resources to ensure the safety and well-being of residential students. 
• Serve on the “On-Call” rotation schedule with other Residential Life professional staff members. 
• Manage the administrative functions of the residential life office, including budget development and oversight, record-keeping, reporting, and assessment of program effectiveness. 
• Gather and assess data related to Residential Life, including but not limited to tracking and developing reports for student learning and assessment, housing occupancy, student population profiles, property damage and building condition reports, student conduct reports, and student satisfaction reports. 
• Collaborate with campus departments such as facilities management, dining services, and student life to ensure the efficient operation of residential facilities and services. 
• Serve on various committees and taskforces to ensure collaboration and mission alignment with other campus constituencies.  
• Other Duties as Assigned.  

USF WAY:  

University of Saint Francis (USF) employees demonstrate a commitment to the University’s mission and support of its Catholic and Franciscan traditions. Employees provide the intellect, empathy, and ability to serve our students and community. The USF Way of serving is a source of pride for many employees. To provide a consistently high level of quality experience across our university, we provide the following service expectations for all employees. These standards have been tailored by position and responsibilities and are incorporated into performance evaluations.  

Standard #1: Provide opportunities for deeper conversations, prayer, and reflection. 

Standard #2: Utilize best practices in communication and service.  

• Apply care to your words and deeds to ensure respect for others. 
• Commit to follow through without exception and with quality. 
• Offer additional assistance after serving as in, “How else may I assist you?” 
• Respond promptly, whether in person, via phone, or email. 

Standard #3: Recognize and celebrate milestones and achievements. 

Standard #4: Use resources wisely and support green initiatives. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS  

Education  

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

Experience  

• Experience in ministry, student activities, or event planning highly desired, sufficient to demonstrate competency in community building, project management, and staff supervision. 
• Understanding of the Catholic faith and strategy for forming the whole person required.   

Knowledge and Skills  

• Ability to make managerial, procedural, and developmental decisions and judgments.                  
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies. 
• Ability to foster a cooperative work environment. 
• Skill in organizing resources and establishing priorities. 

• Ability to react calmly and effectively in emergency situations.