The Director of Residential Life ensures that the residential experience fosters educational, social, and personal growth in students as part of the overall co-curricular program. The Director has responsibility for: creating a welcoming and positive residential environment; monitoring the state of and proposing improvements to the physical infrastructure of residence halls; developing and implementing clear and educational housing and residential life policies; adjudicating student conduct issues; and liaising with the external food services provider to ensure quality in the dining experience and address issues as they arise. The Director works closely with other student-serving offices to promote student success, safety, persistence, and wellbeing.
Essential Functions: The following list of duties is meant to be representative of the work performed in this position. The omission of a specific duty or responsibility will not preclude it from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical extension of position responsibilities.
Provide administrative leadership and supervision in the Office of Residential Life
Oversee the effective, timely, and appropriate training of all residential life staff, both professional and student
Develop and implement initiatives promoting student engagement and community development within residential life
Support student success and retention; serve as member of the Core Retention Group
Support students experiencing personal challenges; serve as member of the SafeIC Behavioral Intervention Team
Collaborate effectively with offices on campus including, but not limited to: Facilities Management; Enrollment Management; Center for Student Engagement, Inclusion, and Belonging; Public Safety; Dining Services; Academic Affairs; Business Affairs; Athletics; Campus Events
Adjudicate student conduct issues in an educational manner and in accordance with College policy
Oversee and ensure the accuracy of all data in the residential life databases
Engage in strategic campus capital planning pertaining to the residence halls, apartments, and houses
Partner with the Office of Public Safety to coordinate and respond to safety and security issues affecting the residential students on campus
Manage room and board assignments, coordinating the assignment process for all students, and facilitating room and board changes
Work with the Office of Student Financial Services to ensure the billing for room and board is accurate and with dining services to verify the accuracy of board plan numbers
Respond to campus emergencies as a member of the Administrator On-Call process
Serve as a member of the College's Incident Management Team
Respond to campus emergencies as needed
Provide direct support and intervention to students as needed and appropriate
Serve on campus-wide committees and task forces as needed and appropriate
Other duties as assigned
Qualifications:
Master’s degree in higher education, or related field required
Previous experience working in residential life in the college setting and supervisory experience required; strong preference for minimum of three years supervisory experience within student life or residential life
Excellent communication, organizational, and project management skills
Basic counseling and conflict mediation skills
Strong and broad knowledge of student development theory
Excellent professional judgment and ability to manage sensitive and confidential information
Ability to communicate and work effectively with students and their parents, faculty, and staff within all areas of the College
Intercultural competence and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion
Valid driver’s license and ability to obtain college vehicle driving certification
Ability and willingness to work some evenings and weekends as needed
Additional Job Details: Job Title: Director of Residential Life Department: Office of the Provost Reports to: Associate Provost TBD Status: Full time, Salary, 12 Month Date Last Revised: September 2024
Illinois College is a residential, private liberal arts college located in the heart of Illinois, 70 miles northeast of Saint Louis, Missouri, and 30 miles west of Springfield, the capital of Illinois. True to its founding vision in 1829, Illinois College is a community committed to the highest standards of scholarship and integrity in the liberal arts. The College develops in its students qualities of mind and character needed for fulfilling lives of leadership and service, fostering academic excellence rooted in opportunities for experiential learning while preparing students for lifelong success.