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Posted: 09-Jan-23
Location: Fitchburg, Massachusetts
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Fitchburg State University is in the process of a nationwide search for the next Director of Housing and Residential Services. Reporting to the Vice President for Student Affairs and serving as a vital member of the Student Affairs Leadership Team, the Director of Housing & Residential Services functions as the institution’s chief housing officer and provides vision, leadership, and strategic direction for a comprehensive department of Housing & Residential Services and Parking Services Management. In collaboration with University Financial Services and the Massachusetts State College Building Authority (MSCBA), the Director effectively manages a $9 million auxiliary budget, ensures sound fiscal operations, develops processes and initiatives that promote a high level of space utilization and occupancy of housing facilities, and coordinates the development of short- and long-range plans for the renovation, maintenance, and improvement of University-owned housing facilities. The Director works in partnership with Capital Planning and Maintenance (CPM) to ensure secure and satisfactory living environments for approximately 1,400 residential students; evaluates and fosters departmental effectiveness and efficiency through ongoing data collection and assessment efforts; and engages an active student body and workforce to foster a welcoming and supportive environment that promotes, values, and supports diversity, equity, and inclusivity. The Director manages, supervises, and provides professional development opportunities for a professional and graduate staff of seven, including four to five direct reports, indirectly oversees 30+ Resident Assistants, and focuses the team toward meaningful learning and exceptional programming, which support student success, retention, and persistence.
SPECIFIC/ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Leadership
- Responsible for the overall mission, vision, leadership, and administration of a comprehensive housing and residential services operation
- Develop a vision and strategies for short- and long-term budget management in collaboration with University Financial Services and the MSCBA
- Develop a vision and strategies to address preventative maintenance, capital projects, and auxiliary projects in collaboration with Capital Planning & Maintenance
- Provide administrative oversight and supervision for professional staff, including hiring, guidance, support, and evaluation of personnel to ensure compliance with applicable laws, policies, and regulations
- Contribute actively to the recruitment of prospective day students with Enrollment Management
- Create the vision and ensure the development of marketing materials representing Housing & Residential Services, in consultation with Enrollment Management and Marketing, to attract new students and retain current students
Fiscal/Budget Management
- Develop and manage a $9 million auxiliary housing budget
- Develop and oversee a fiscal strategy to manage projects for a facilities master plan
- Oversee technology contracts (e.g., Adirondack Housing Director and Parking Management Software)
- Review and revise the Housing Occupancy Agreement, as needed, and enforce all community standards and housing contracts
Operations
- Ensure that occupancy is managed through effective communication and processes and that retention of residential students is a priority
- Report occupancy and other data to the leadership of the University
- In conjunction with CPM, ensure that the housing stock is clean, maintained, and safe
- Oversee and manage parking passes and policies on-campus
Student Development, Health, and Safety
- Develop, maintain, and facilitate participation in activities directed toward residential communities that value and support diversity, multiculturalism, and inclusiveness
- Work with staff to respond to emergencies and provide behavioral interventions and case management to students, including counseling, mediation, problem-solving, policy incidents, and referrals of individuals or groups of students regarding personal concerns, academic needs, or policies
- Serve as a senior-level conduct hearing officer and Title IX investigator/administrative reviewer
- Serve as a point of contact for students, University officials, and other constituents
Support of the Academic Mission of the University
- Collaborate with Enrollment Management, Academic Affairs, and other University constituents on student success (retention and persistence) and other initiatives
- Collaborate with Academic Affairs, the various academic deans, and other constituents to develop, enhance, assess, and evaluate living/learning communities to ensure that each LLC is meeting the desired mission, vision, and goals
Human Resource Development
- Oversee the recruitment, selection, training, supervision, and evaluation of all Housing & Residential Services professional and student staff
- Adjust leadership style as needed to achieve results
- Recognize the value of and promote a diverse workforce
- Value and encourage diverse perspectives, creativity, and teamwork
Other
- Represent Housing & Residential Services, the Vice President for Student Affairs, and the Division of Student Affairs on campus-wide committees and initiatives as interested or assigned
- Serve on or ensure departmental representation on the CARE Team and Bias Incident Response Team
- Maintain a flexible work schedule, which includes evening and weekend responsibilities, to foster student engagement and promote senior-level visibility at student events and programs
- Support the First-Year Experience and Retention Initiatives
- Serve as University Essential Personnel
A master’s degree in student personnel, higher education administration, or related area, and progressive mid- to senior-level experience within a university housing and residential life operation, are required. Other requirements include demonstrated proficiency with budget development and management; knowledge of and experience in diversity, equity, and inclusion work; program planning and project management skills; proven communication skills; the ability to maintain a sense of fairness, sensitivity, and sound judgment in emotionally-charged situations; and demonstrated supervisory skills that foster a motivated staff and build an effective team. Preferred qualifications include experience in and understanding of assessment techniques, co-curricular initiatives, professional training programs, living/learning communities, crisis and emergency response, student conduct processes, Title IX, and student counseling.
To see the full listing of qualifications, please visit the Spelman Johnson site here.
