UConn Careers

JOB SUMMARY

The primary purpose of the HD is to support the health, safety, and well-being of residential students on the Storrs or Stamford Campus. The HD is charged with developing a community that promotes engagement, civility, respect for diversity, and student success. The HD plays an integral role in the overall student learning in the residence halls by implementing our Residential Learning Model (RLM). The HD supervises Resident Assistants in an area of approximately 400-700 residents. The Hall Director facilitates residential students' personal, interpersonal, and intellectual growth. 

The Residence Hall Director (HD) is a full-time, 12-month live-in, professional staff member responsible for the management and daily operations of one or several campus residence halls on either the Storrs or Stamford Campus. The typical workday is 10:00 am - 6:00 pm and 1:00 - 9:00 pm on Wednesdays, with some evening and weekend commitments outside of the scheduled hours.

A live-in position is one where the individual maintains an on-campus apartment as their primary residence. HDs must reside in an on-campus apartment throughout the term of their appointment. The department provides an apartment to allow the HD to be visible in their community, attend meetings and events regularly, and be able to respond to on-campus emergencies.

In Storrs, the Residence Hall Director reports directly to an Assistant Director of Residence Education and indirectly to the other Assistant Directors, the Associate Director(s), and the Director(s) of Residential Life. In Stamford, the Residence Hall Director reports directly to the Assistant Director of Residence Life.

UConn has repeatedly been ranked the top public university in New England by U.S. News and World Report and is ranked among the top public research institutions in the nation. Founded in 1881, the University of Connecticut has 14 Schools and Colleges at its main campus in Storrs, four regional campuses throughout the state and our UConn Health Center is a world-class recognized institution. The University of Connecticut is a Carnegie Foundation Research University-Extensive Institution, a Land Grant University, and a Sea Grant college. For more information on UConn, check out these facts: https://uconn.edu/about-us/facts/

The UConn Residential Life department's mission statement is “Residential Life is committed to working with students and campus colleagues to create safe and inclusive educational living communities that foster students’ academic, social, cultural, and personal growth.” Our comprehensive, student-centered, residential program houses over 12,000 students.  Approximately 70% of the undergraduate student population resides in university-managed housing between the Storrs and Stamford Campus.  We offer our students an array of housing facilities and options to enhance their learning experience, including a variety of learning communities.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Duties/essential functions may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Student Learning and Growth

Residence Hall Directors are responsible for facilitating residential students’ personal success, interpersonal competence, and intellectual fulfillment by implementing Residential Life’s intentional, yearlong educational plan.

1. Implement and assess educational plans within the area of responsibility. 
2. Initiate appropriate referrals regarding students’ educational concerns.
3. Advise area’s Hall Council.
4. Respond to needs of individual areas, which may include learning community and/or special interest housing.
5. Facilitate ongoing training and development for student staff.
6. Serve as an Investigating Student Conduct Officer.
7. Collaborate with Learning Communities Staff and Faculty Advisors (where applicable).

Community Development

Residence Hall Directors are responsible for developing inclusive living communities that are supportive and respectful of individual differences and the rights of others.

1. Promote the standards and expectations for behavior as part of the residential community.
2. Assist community members in managing conflict between individuals and within groups to reach mutually negotiated resolutions.
3. Foster an engaged community in their area of assigned responsibility by being present in the community and building social connections among community members and staff.
4. Address issues related to safety, well-being, facilities, and emergencies by following Residential Life and university protocols.
5. Assume on-duty responsibilities, in a rotation with other Residence Hall Directors, to respond to various student crises in and around the residence halls. This includes situations that occur after the typical work hours and are often in the evening.

Supervision

Residence Hall Directors provide leadership to their staff by overseeing the operations of their area and developing individual staff members.

1. Provide ongoing individual and group supervision for student staff.
2. Evaluate student staff and make recommendations regarding performance.
3. Facilitate training for student staff.
4. Recruit, interview, and select applicants for Resident Assistant and Student Worker positions.

Administrative Tasks

Residence Hall Directors effectively manage information and other resources to enhance the mission of Residential Life.

1. Communicate appropriately and in a timely manner with students, staff, faculty, and other constituents.
2. Administer departmental processes and procedures and maintain accurate records. 
3. Manage budget for area(s) of responsibility.
4. Assist with the selection of departmental professional staff.
5. Serve on committees and planning groups.
6. Assume assigned summer responsibilities.
7. Collaborate with Facilities Operations staff to maintain the area and implement strategies to educate residents and promote care of facilities.
8. Serve on department committees and taskforces.
9. Work collaboratively with Housing Services Staff on Occupancy Management for your assigned area.
10. Serve as Student Conduct Hearing Officer.

Professional Development

Residential Life is dedicated to providing support and encouragement for individual staff members’ professional development as it relates to the mission and goals of UConn Residential Life.

1. Participate in training held by Residential Life and the Division of Student Life and Enrollment.
2. Participate in professional development opportunities.
3. Develop and maintain an individual personal/professional development plan in consultation with a supervisor.
4. Assist in departmental research projects.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

1. Bachelor’s Degree and three or more years of professional residence hall experience or a Master's Degree and two years of residence hall experience.
2. Supervision of residence hall or other staff in college or university residence halls or student affairs settings.
3. An understanding of, sensitivity to, and desire to live and work with a diverse student population.
4. Experience enhancing students’ academic and personal development through advising student groups, providing leadership training and program development.
5. Experience addressing individual student and community behavioral matters.
6. Ability to think critically and effectively plan and organize work.
7. Experience working as a part of a multi-faceted student-oriented team including liaison work with offices such as Dining Services, Facilities, Public Safety, and Student Health Services.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

1. Master’s degree in college student personnel, higher education, counseling, or at least five (5) years of professional residence hall experience.
2. Two (2) years or more of post-master’s residence hall work experience.
3. Current membership and/or active involvement in related professional organizations.

APPOINTMENT TERMS

Salary is commensurate with experience and degree consistent with the current bargaining agreement salary schedule. The HD position falls within the UCPEA salary band 3. This position requires flexible and irregular hours. Hall Directors live in a department-provided, furnished apartment. A significant other, partner, or spouse may reside with the Hall Director in accordance with state and university guidelines. A tuition waiver is available for pre-approved coursework. The outstanding benefits package includes state health care. Residence Hall Directors receive full state benefits. For a more comprehensive overview of the benefits afforded to employees, please visit hr.uconn.edu and explore the information on the pages under the Benefits & Leaves and Engagement & Learning headers at the top of the page. 

Other rights, terms, and conditions of employment are contained in the collective bargaining agreement between the University of Connecticut and the University of Connecticut Professional Employees Association (UCPEA).

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Employment of the successful candidate is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check.

TO APPLY

Please apply online at https://hr.uconn.edu/jobs, Staff Positions, Search #498754 to upload a resume, cover letter, and contact information for three (3) professional references.

Applications will be accepted until the positions are filled and review of applications will begin immediately.

All employees are subject to adherence to the State Code of Ethics which may be found at http://www.ct.gov/ethics/site/default.asp.

All members of the University of Connecticut are expected to exhibit appreciation of, and contribute to, an inclusive, respectful, and diverse environment for the University community.

The University of Connecticut aspires to create a community built on collaboration and belonging and has actively sought to create an inclusive culture within the workforce. The success of the University is dependent on the willingness of our diverse employee and student populations to share their rich perspectives and backgrounds in a respectful manner. This makes it essential for each member of our community to feel secure and welcomed and to thoroughly understand and believe that their ideas are respected by all. We strongly respect each individual employee’s unique experiences and perspectives and encourage all members of the community to do the same. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

The University of Connecticut is an AA/EEO Employer.