The University of Chicago is one of the nation’s leading institutions of higher education and research. Campus and Student Life (CSL) is a division comprised of 20 departments that serve the University’s 17,000 college, graduate, and professional school students, as well as the campus community more broadly. CSL is importantly charged with the dual task of supporting all students in the University, graduate and undergraduate, and managing multiple campus departments and services that serve the entire campus community. CSL’s programs and services focus on supporting student academic success, providing opportunities for personal growth and leadership development, developing community and engagement through the residential housing and dining program, and in areas such as artistic expression, community service, spiritual exploration, and athletic competition. The University of Chicago community includes approximately 7,000 undergraduates and 10,000 graduate, professional, and other students and there are over 300 recognized student organizations working together to create a vibrant and dynamic student life. The University of Chicago is located in the Hyde Park/South Kenwood neighborhood, a racially and economically diverse residential community of 43,000 people on the shores of Lake Michigan, about fifteen minutes south of downtown Chicago. The core mission of Housing & Residence Life is to help develop and support inclusive communities that engage residents in exceptional living experiences within secure and well-maintained environments that foster a sense of belonging and support the academic initiatives of the University. The primary strategy for the delivery of such an environment is through a residence life program that which aims to develop strong residential communities that are self-regulating, supportive of academic success; provide a strong sense of belonging, and rich opportunities for personal, cultural, social and intellectual development. The leadership of residential faculty and adult staff in fostering these experiences is key to the success of the mission.
Job Summary
Reporting to the Senior Associate Director of Residence Life in Housing & Residence Life, the Assistant Director of Residence Life (ADRL) has two major areas of responsibility, direct oversight and liaison with a portion of the residence hall communities, central office administrative; and program management responsibilities. Assistant Directors of Residence Life serve in the ADRL on Call duty rotation working directly with Resident Heads to support the 4,550 undergraduate students that live in the House system. Assistant Directors also have the option of serving as Deans on Call (DOC) in the University DOC system, working directly with University police and medical and mental health professionals. The typical work week is M-F with routine requirements for evening and weekend work. In addition, the Assistant Director must adhere to Campus and Student Life core values, including, but not limited to student development, customer service, collaboration, efficiency and effectiveness, credibility, responsiveness, quality, accountability, and mutual respect.
Responsibilities
Supervises the paraprofessional staff in one or two residence halls, including Resident Heads and Resident Assistants.
Works closely with the resident staff as well as student leaders to plan programs and build strong and engaged residential communities at both the House and Hall level.
Reviews residence hall policies and procedures as well as oversees their implementation and enforcement.
Plans and conducts regular staff meetings, including night-time and weekend meetings and serves as the Housing & Residence Life office liaison to the House councils. In partnership with the Resident Heads, coordinates and manages the counseling and discipline of residents.
Serves as the point of escalation for student emergencies and discipline issues for their respective communities and responds to parent inquiries serving as the initial point of contact for parents when student issues arise involving discipline, illness, or injury.
Serves in an ADRL on-call duty rotation.
Attends various programs sponsored by Resident Deans, Resident Heads, and councils; works with an Assistant Director of Operations (ADO) to resolve and communicate building facility issues; and coordinates community-specific programs and services provided by other campus offices.
Serves on committees convened to review issues of importance to the Houses and assists in the formulation and review of Housing & Residence Life policies and procedures.
Serves as a representative of Housing & Residence Life to various academic and administrative offices and committees within the University.
Central office administrative responsibilities such as planning and implementing the staff training program including pre-term and in-service programs. Conducts annual review and publication of resident staff manual and other materials related to resident staff support. Manages Resident Head and Resident Assistant staff selection and evaluation. Coordinates disciplinary review process for students in their communities. Meets regularly with service delivery and operations staff in Housing & Residence Life.
Responsible for budgetary oversight (create and manage budgets and expenses) for the programs the ADRL directly oversees. Provides financial counseling and advising to the RHs and House Councils.
Serves, as needed, on committees of staff and/or students convened to review issues of importance to Housing & Residence Life.
Serves as department liaison to at least two other campus partner offices.
Assists in the formulation and review of Housing & Residence Life policies and procedures.
Assists in the writing of various publications and web-based materials.
Serves as a Housing & Residence Life representative to various academic and administrative offices and committees within the University.
Meets regularly with close campus partners, including The College, Student Wellness, Student Disability Services, Title IX Office, UCPD, and UChicago Dining.
Supervises and evaluates the housing system’s professional and support staff. Prepares and implements housing and dining assignment policies and procedures.
Participates in the selection, training, and management of the Residence Life team. Participates in the selection of faculty Resident Masters.
Performs other related work as needed.
Minimum Qualifications
Education:
Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
--- Work Experience:
Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline, inclusive of experiences as an undergraduate and graduate student.
--- Certifications:
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Preferred Qualifications
Education:
Master's degree.
Experience:
Professional live-in work experience in student housing.
Live full-time in a residence hall; Assistant Director staff are required to live in the residence halls and may do so with or without a spouse or significant other and their respective children.
Supervising graduate level and/or professional level staff.
Working with faculty.
Coordinating academic based programs in a residential setting.
Technical Skills or Knowledge:
Demonstrated understanding of the developmental objectives of the college student residential environment.
Familiarity with Maxient or other conduct systems as well as a housing database software (Star Rez) a plus.
Preferred Competencies
Crisis management response and oversight skills.
Demonstrated ability to supervise, train and evaluate the work of others.
Remain organized and productive in high demand periods.
Remain calm and productive while interacting with individuals displaying intense emotions.
Respond promptly, directly, and effectively to internal and external inquiries and requests for service while managing competing demands.
Work productively with a diverse range of students, residential staff and faculty, and managers across the campus.
Function in a 24-hour on-call environment and maintain productivity.
Give and receive feedback constructively.
Adjust to unpredictable circumstances.
A sense of humor.
Working Conditions
The typical work week is M-F with routine requirements for evening and weekend work.
The University of Chicago is an urban research university that has driven new ways of thinking since 1890. Our commitment to free and open inquiry draws inspired scholars to our global campuses, where ideas are born that challenge and change the world.
We empower individuals to challenge conventional thinking in pursuit of original ideas. Students in the College develop critical, analytic, and writing skills in our rigorous, interdisciplinary core curriculum. Through graduate programs, students test their ideas with UChicago scholars, and become the next generation of leaders in academia, industry, nonprofits, and government.
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