Community Director, Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation

Department: Cross Functional

Classification: Professional Faculty

Job Category: Administrative or Professional Faculty

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Front Royal, VA

Workplace Type: On Site Required

Salary: Salary range starting high $40k's; commensurate with education and experience (on-campus housing included)

Criminal Background Check: Yes

Motor Vehicle Records Check: Yes

Works with Minors check: Yes

About the Department:

The Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation (SMSC) offers a range of compelling residential, hands-on, interdisciplinary programs in conservation biology for undergraduate and graduate students and professionals on the grounds of Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) in Front Royal, Virginia, USA. Highly qualified world experts, including Smithsonian scientists, Mason faculty, and colleagues from other U.S. and international conservation organizations provide students with direct connections to the most current teaching, research techniques, and work in the field. The SMSC department administers all aspects of this off-site instructional location comprised of a dining, residential and academic facility, including academic and administrative oversight, with extensive coordination with departments from George Mason University and Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI).

About the Position:

The Community Director provides program support to the student and academic functions of the SMSC Living-Learning Community. The community consists of three interwoven initiatives: 1.) an undergraduate program; 2.) graduate courses and professional training; and 3.) high school programming. These activities are supported by a 120-bed residence hall; a 135-seat dining hall; and an academic building with four classrooms and two labs.

The position provides support in student life and academic programming. Key areas of responsibility include but are not limited to:
• Supervision and Leadership;
• Student Support and Development;
• Administrative & Operations;
• Community Development and Programming; and
• Recruitment and Outreach.

In addition, this position is responsible for working collaboratively with the Smithsonian-Mason stakeholders and Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation faculty, by providing student development, and creating and maintaining critical systems that support the student operations of the housing facility in Front Royal, VA.

This position requires a visible presence in the SMSC Residence Hall as a live-in professional. Flexible working hours are required in order to best serve students.

Responsibilities:

Supervision and Leadership—Resident Assistants (RAs)

• Hires, evaluates, selects, supervises, and supports (RAs);
• Provides ongoing training and implements staff development to enhance competencies essential to the RA position;
• Develops and maintains staff awareness of campus/community issues through training, programming, individual contacts, and role modeling;
• Holds staff accountable to all university, housing, and Smithsonian policies;
• Meets with the RAs weekly to share information and address concerns;
• Participates in the evening, weekend, and holiday duty rotations with the two RAs; and
• Provides opportunities for staff to receive feedback on their quality and effectiveness of their work. 

Student Support and Development

• Actively participates in cultivating an environment that supports the well-being of residential students;
• Develops and maintains positive relations with residents, Smithsonian, and SMSC faculty/staff that encourages ongoing communication, mutual support and respect;
• Manages situations involving psychological, emotional, medical, or other safety related incidents in the SMSC Living Learning Community;
• Directly responds to on-campus emergencies and student crisis as needed, to ensure student safety and support;
• Addresses incidents of inappropriate behavior in or around the SMSC campus using an educational and developmental approach;
• Serves as a hearing officer to effectively resolve cases of student misconduct and violations of the Code of Conduct; and
• Supports residential s