Director Of Residence Life - #003585

Posting Number EHRA860P Quick Link for Internal Postings https://jobs.wcu.edu/postings/28014 Classification Title Director Working Title Director of Residence Life - #003585 Department Residential Living Anticipated Hiring Range Anticipated Hiring Range: Based on qualifications/experience, internal equity, and departmental budget restrictions. About WCU

Western Carolina University continues to rank high on Forbes 'Best Employers' lists each year. Including:

• 2024 - Ranking in the top 8.5% on Forbes 'America's Best Midsize Employers' list, WCU was ranked 34 out of the top 400 employers across all industries.
• 2023 - Ranked in the top 20% on Forbes 'America's Best Midsize Employers' list, WCU was ranked 97 out of the top 500 employers across all industries.
• 2022 - Ranked 14th in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes 'America's Best Employers by State' list.

Western Carolina University is the UNC system's westernmost campus and has been consistently ranked as one of the top 15 public regional institutions in the South.

Employees of WCU are provided a comprehensive benefits package as well as other resources, policies and programs to ensure a happy and healthy work/life balance. Benefit eligible employees have access to dental, vision and health insurance plans - eligibility begins on the first of the month following date of hire.

Retirement plan contributions begin on the eligibility date following election and include employer contributions for either a defined contribution or a defined benefit plan. Optional disability plans are also available.

Eligible employees have access to tuition waivers for up to three courses per academic year; employee may enroll at any of the constituent UNC System campuses. Also offered are free group exercise classes multiple times per week, a discounted membership to the campus recreation center, free vaccine and booster shots offered on campus, pretax flexible spending accounts, 12 paid holidays and 24 hours of paid community service leave each year.

Paid vacation and sick leave accrual begin after first month of employment. Paid parental leave after 12 months of continuous service.

WCU offers an abundance of training and development programs, certifications, workshops and conferences - many of which are offered free of charge.

Position Summary

The primary location of this position is on the main Cullowhee, NC campus.

The Director for Residence Life is fully responsible for the residential life component of a comprehensive university housing operation. For Fall 2024, this operation includes 16 residence halls with maximum capacity of approximately 4,700 residents. This position reports to the Executive Director of Residential Living and guides the residence life component in pursuit of institutional, divisional, and departmental missions.

The Director of Residence Life supervises three Associate Directors for Residence Life who divide campus responsibilities. Also reporting to this position are five area coordinators, three residential case managers, seven graduate community coordinators, and approximately one hundred and twenty student resident assistants.

Position serves as a senior member of the residential living staff. Position is responsible for the direction of the university's comprehensive living and learning program.

Specific duties include: advancing student learning through residence education; developing and administering residence hall programming systems; assisting with assessment activities; supporting/advancing case management model related to identifying and supporting at-risk students; supporting all institutional retention-related efforts; leading/assisting/supporting the development, implementation, and evaluation of all residential retention-related efforts, leading the development of future residential model in support of quality enhancement plan for SACS; implementing efficiency expectations set forth by pace (President's advisory committee on efficiency and effectiveness); managing and participating in departmental 24 hour/365 day professional staff/paraprofessional staff on-call process, related budget development and management; and the administration of an instructional team in departmental leadership curriculum. Positions duties require regular collaboration with the Coordinator for Resident Student Success and key academic personnel with the goal of aligning residence life programs directly to the university's academic mission (e.g., affinity based communities, retention initiatives, etc.)

Other duties include: coordinating multiple sections of HR 141, Student Development and Leadership; teaching HR 141; USI 130, University experience; or USI 140, Leadership and the Collegiate Experience; and serving on various departmental, division-wide and campus-wide committees.

Minimum Qualifications

Master's Degree in student development, higher education administration or a related field 5+ years of progressively responsible student affairs and residential life experience.

The successful candidate will have demonstrated effectiveness in motivating, leading, and supervising; have applicable crisis management skills; have excellent speaking, writing and organizational skills; experience supervising professional and student staff; and proven ability to work collaboratively in an academic community.

Must be eligible to work in the United States without sponsorship.

Preferred Qualifications

Preference will be given to applicants with superior team building skills, and experience in supervising professional staff, as well as developing, implementing and evaluating residential life initiatives.

Position Type Permanent Full-Time Number of Hours Per Week 40 Number of Months Per Year 12

Posting Text

Open Date 06/19/2024 Close Date Open Until Filled Yes Special Instructions to Applicants

Application materials must be submitted online. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until a candidate has been selected for hire.

Please include cover letter, resume and a list references.

For questions or additional information please contact Kelsey Jones at kjones@email.wcu.edu

Background/E-Verify

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks.

Western Carolina University uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify. Proper documentation of identity and employability are required at the time of employment.

Credential Verification

All new employees are required to have listed credentials/degrees verified within 30 days of employment. All new employees who will be teaching are required to provide official transcripts within 30 days of employment. Transcripts should be provided for the highest earned degree and/or the degree which is being used to satisfy credential/qualification requirements.

AA/EOE

Western Carolina University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; religion; sex; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; national origin; age; disability; genetic information; political affiliation; National Guard or veteran status, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, and policies, and the policies of The University of North Carolina. Additionally, the University promotes the realization of equal employment opportunity for minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and veterans through its affirmative action program.

Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process please call (828) 227-7218 or email at jobs@email.wcu.edu.

University Safety

The Western Carolina University Annual Safety Report is available online at University Annual Safety Report or in hard-copy by request at the office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, 227 HFR Administration Building, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7147) or the Office of University Police, 111 Camp Annex, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7301). The report, required of all universities participating in Title IV student financial aid programs, discusses crime statistics, procedures for reporting suspicious or criminal activity, security, police authority, crime prevention strategies, university policies on substance abuse and sexual offenses, workplace violence and fire safety.