The Placement Exchange Job Board

Resident Director, Residential Life, Student Affairs

The mission of the Office of Residential Life is to create safe, inclusive, and well-maintained living communities. We engage our community members in opportunities to develop spiritually, socially, and academically in the Jesuit, Catholic tradition of the University. Under the leadership of the Associate Vice President, Director of Residential Education, and Director of Housing Operations, the department consists of 40 professional staff members, 25 graduate positions, 192 resident assistants, and additional student employees.

Basic Function and Responsibility
Resident Directors are 12-month, full-time live-in professionals responsible for developing a community of 250 to 900 residents. The Resident Director (RD) lives with, ministers to, and provides support services directly to students. The RD supervises a staff of 8-20 Resident Assistants (RAs), one or more Graduate Assistants, and one Office Assistant (OA). They also oversee all operational and programmatic activities of BC’s residences and adjudicate student conduct cases. Summer responsibilities may include participation in department-wide initiatives or special project teams (e.g., Summer Student Housing or Conferences, Training Teams, etc...).

By personal example, the Resident Director strives to create a safe and inclusive environment for all students by living, reflecting, and expressing the values of a Jesuit and Catholic institution, as defined by the teachings of the Catholic  Church with a special commitment to cultural diversity and social justice. Successful candidates will be administratively strong, culturally competent, possess a Master’s degree, and have prior residence life or related student affairs experience.

The Resident Director receives direct supervision from an Assistant Director, and functional supervision from multiple Assistant or Associate Directors, or the Director of Residential Education.

Staff Supervision
The Resident Director is responsible for the following staff supervision in their assigned community:

• Models for students and advocates for a commitment to the Jesuit and Catholic values of Boston College, as defined by the teachings of the Catholic Church, with special attention to cultural diversity and social justice
• Assists in the selection and training of undergraduate and graduate staff
• Plans and conducts staff meetings on a weekly basis
• Meets with each staff member individually on a regular basis
• Plans and implements staff development programs
• Advises staff on appropriate student and floor interventions
• Addresses concerning trends or behavior, as well as recognizes positive efforts

Student Development/Community Standards
The Resident Director is responsible for the following aspects of student development in their assigned residential community:

• Intentional interactions and conversations
• Living among students and setting an appropriate standard for residential living
• Oversees the programming efforts and supervises graduate assistants and RAs in program generation and responsible budgeting
• Serves as a Conduct Hearing Officer for violations of university policy
• Responds as Resident Director on Call (RDOC) for crisis situations, including during non-business and weekend hours
• Provides academic and personal counseling to students, making referrals when appropriate
• Nurtures and supports relationships with their Campus Ministry representatives (Graduate or Resident Ministers) in the service of expressing and modeling the Jesuit and Catholic values of Boston College
• Engages resident population on current events including topics of diversity and equity, social justice, and being a productive community member
• May advise Residence Hall Council (first-year area only) or other student leadership organizations

Operations
The Resident Director is responsible for the following aspects of operations in their assigned community:

• Facilitates the opening and closing of their community
• Conducts health and safety inspections each semester
• Coordinates follow-up for all maintenance and housekeeping concerns/requests through, and with, the facilities team
• Conducts regular walk-throughs of community
• Maintains regular office hours Monday through Friday and will periodically work on nights and weekends for essential responsibilities throughout the year
• Facilitates check-in/check-out procedures and room changes
• Works with the Assistant Director of Housing Assignments & Occupancy to ensure proper occupancy records and reports

On-Call Responsibilities
The Resident Director is responsible for the following aspects of crisis response while on duty:

• Participates in the university Crisis Response duty rotation. When on duty the RD is expected to respond to crises, both on campus and in the surrounding neighborhood, in accordance with our policies and response guidelines
• Responds to students and parents on Residential Life issues or concerns
• Assists with duty during sporting and special events which may be on weekends or in the evening hours
• Acts as a liaison with Boston College Police Department, University Counseling
• Services, the Primary Care Center, faculty, and other University offices during emergencies

Department and University Relations
The Resident Director participates in the following department and university relations:

• Serves on departmental committees, and may have an opportunity to serve on division or university-wide committees
• Attends department and area staff meetings, in-service training programs, and one-on-one meetings with their respective supervisor
• Acts as a liaison with faculty, the Jesuit community, and university offices
• Summer responsibilities may include Training, Operations, Summer Housing, or Special Projects, as assigned by the Director or Associate Directors
• Assists with the implementation of university and departmental goals and objectives, and other duties as assigned
• In order to create a more inclusive community within the Division of Student Affairs, each staff member is expected to support division and university-wide initiatives, staff events, and serve on committees as needed.

• A Master’s degree in Higher Education, Student Personnel, Counseling, or a related field is strongly preferred; Bachelor’s degree required
• 1-3 years of progressively responsible experience working in a student affairs setting at the professional or graduate level
• Prior residence hall experience at the graduate or professional level preferred
• Comprehension and appreciation of the Jesuit and Catholic values and mission and the traditions and heritage of Boston College, and a willingness to express and abide by those values and mission
• Demonstrated knowledge and commitment to issues of equity, diversity, and inclusion
• Demonstrated understanding of student development theory
• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills

About Boston College

Boston College is a Division I Jesuit, Catholic university located six miles from downtown Boston with an enrollment of 9,150 full-time undergraduates and 4,420 graduate and professional students. Located on 118 acres in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, Boston College has 758 full-time and 1,096 FTE faculty, 2,750 non-faculty employees, an operating budget of $956 million, and an endowment in excess of $2.2 billion. The mission of the Office of Residential Life is to create safe, inclusive, and well-maintained living communities. We engage our community members in opportunities to develop spiritually, socially, and academically in the Jesuit, Catholic tradition of the University. Under the leadership of the Associate Vice President, Director of Residential Education, and Director of Operations, the department consists of 40 professional staff members, 24 graduate positions, 192 resident assistants, and additional student employees.

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