Associate Director of Residence Life

Position Summary:

The Associate Director of Residence Life supports critical programmatic and operational functions within the Residence Life department through administrative (office-based) and outreach (student-facing) duties primarily via supervision of four professional Resident Directors; oversight of the day-to-day operations of five residence halls housing approximately 1,200 students; implementation of Divisional Curriculum, and management of student conduct. Through these roles, the AD supports the achievement of Residence Life’s mission and strategic goals.

Job Description:

Position: Western Colorado University invites applications for the full-time position of Associate Director of Residence Life. This position reports to the Director of Residence Life, works closely with the Associate Director of Community Wellness, and is responsible for supporting the achievement of Residence Life’s strategic goals.   

Responsibilities: The Associate Director of Residence Life is responsible for supporting critical programmatic and operational functions within the Residence Life department through administrative (office-based) and outreach (student-facing) duties primarily via supervision of 4-5 professional Resident Directors; oversight of the day-to-day operations of five residence halls housing approximately 1,200 students; development and implementation of Divisional Curriculum; and management of student conduct.  

 

Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree; three (3) years of full-time, live-in Residence Life experience; experience with the supervision of student and/or professional staff members; demonstrated commitment to the principles of diversity and creation of inclusive communities; demonstrated ability to take initiative; effective written and oral communication skills, including creative and interactive presentation experience; effective organizational and administrative skills; ability to analyze problems and make well-reasoned, sound decisions; demonstrated ability to teach, program, and/or present on job-related topics; ability to foster collaborative, collegial relationships with housing and Residence Life staff members and campus constituencies; and experience managing housing database software–preferably StarRez.   

Preferred Qualifications: Master’s degree in College Student Personnel, Higher Education Administration, Counseling, Behavioral Science, or a closely related discipline; knowledge, background, and experience with a comprehensive housing and residence life program that includes hall staffing and curriculum, operations, and facilities; demonstrated skill in managing difficult situations involving students, parents, staff, faculty, and community members; five (5) years of full-time experience managing an office or function in or related to student affairs.  

Compensation: $57,000 including the offering of an excellent benefits package including shared premiums for a comprehensive health insurance plan, dental insurance, retirement plan, life insurance, and other insurance options. After one year of employment, Western provides free tuition for dependents enrolled full time in undergraduate programs for up to four years. Additionally, the person in this role receives a department-sponsored dining plan. 

How to Apply: Required attachments for online application include a letter of application addressed to Dean of Students, Gary Pierson, resume, and contact information for three references.   

In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

Please direct questions to search committee chair, Murphy Miller, at murphymiller@western.edu.   

Application Deadline: March 31, 2025 

Additional Information on Western