DIRECTOR OF RESIDENTIAL AFFAIRS

Description

SUMMARY

The Director of Residential Affairs provides strategic vision and leadership to a multifaceted,
developmentally-based residence life program and related services to support the mission of
CalArts and the success of CalArts’ students. The Director provides leadership, direction, and
support in the design and enhancement of programs and strategies to provide a safe, vibrant
living environment that supports and enhances the curricular and co-curricular life of students
through a variety of educational, social, and personal growth opportunities which fosters student
development in a community of artists.

The Director is responsible for direct and indirect supervision of professional and student staff,
and oversight of on-campus residence halls, off-campus apartments, and support for students
seeking other living arrangements in the local community. The Director also assists the Vice
President of Student Experience with short-term and long-range planning regarding the
residential experience, the resolution of student misconduct, crisis intervention and response,
collaboration with colleagues within the offices of Student Experience, Enrollment, the Provost,
and other campus stakeholders.

Note: Availability to work extended hours will be required as needed, including evening, early
morning, and weekend assignments.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Oversee the management of the residence halls, including developing a plan for on going and annual maintenance, and proposals for longer term renovations and upgrades.
• Develop budget recommendations for the purchase of furnishings and equipment, improving custodial services, and initiating preventative maintenance and safety measures.
• Directly supervise two full-time professional staff, and provide guidance and vision for the Resident Assistant program.
• Create and implement staff development programs.
• Oversee student development programming in the residence halls and CalArt apartments.
• Cultivate, coordinate, and assist in the development of student leadership, community and responsibility through social, recreational, cultural, and educational programming and direct involvement with residents.
• Be aware of and responsive to the special needs and concerns of under-
• represented students and initiate programming and other efforts in the halls to
• address these needs and concerns.
• Advise, counsel and advocate for all residents, especially those from under- represented or under-served populations.
• Monitor the Residential Affairs programming and operational budget.
• Ensure awareness of student community standards.
• Serve as a student conduct administrator for violations of community standards and assign sanctions and/or referrals as appropriate.
• Assume on-call/crisis response duty as scheduled.
• Serve on various Institute and Divisional committees, and maintain visibility and participation in regional and national professional organizations.
• Other duties as assigned

 

 

Qualifications

SKILLS/ABILITIES:

• Excellent interpersonal and problem-solving skills, a collaborative disposition, and the ability to think both critically and strategically
• Excellent written, verbal, organizational, and time-management skills
• Understanding of and appreciation for college student development issues and the student affair field in general
• Excel at working in a community that is diverse with regard to race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, gender, gender identity, nationality, sexual orientation, and religion
• Ability to work independently, as a member of the student experience team, and with a highly selective and creative student population within a rigorous artistic setting.
• A passion for working with creative and artistic students of diverse backgrounds

EDUCATION:

• Required: an earned bachelor's degree
• Preferred: A Master’s degree with a concentration in student development, higher education administration or counseling or a related field.

EXPERIENCE:

• 5 years progressive experience and demonstrated leadership within a residential life or student affairs program.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively manage and lead various projects independently and as part of a team
• Experience working with Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs, and experience working with underrepresented students and students in transition
• Experience responding to crisis and emergency situations, and handling sensitive and confidential information and records
• Live-in experience in Residential Life