Associate Director for Equity and Inclusion and Returning Student Communities

Pay Grade: 31E

Context of the Job:

Under the limited direction of the Director of Residential Life Communities the Associate Director for Equity and Inclusion and Returning Student Communities leads and develops living-learning environments for Upper Division residence hall areas in a manner that directly contributes to UD's General Education Objectives and advances student recruitment and retention goals of the University. The Associate Director creates and enhances equity and inclusion initiatives and directs the efforts of all residence hall staff within these areas. Through supervision of staff, student support, and student advocacy, the Associate Director serves as a champion for the student experience in Upper Division residence halls.

Major Responsibilities:

• Working in close collaboration with appropriate staff in Student Diversity and Inclusion:
  • Develop, implement, evaluate, and maintain residence hall programming aimed at reaching outcomes related to intercultural communication. Create curriculum, learning exercises, and assessments for the program and train RAs and professional staff in their associated roles. Oversee Equity and Inclusion Committee and ensure effective structures for the implementation of intercultural programming and support services for traditionally excluded backgrounds.
  • Provide leadership and coordination for Equity and Inclusion efforts within RLH. Identify key frameworks and develop curriculum, learning exercises, and evaluation for Professional and RA staff, and students. Train RA and professional staff in their associated roles. Propose updates and adjustments for future year initiatives.
  • Develop effective points of connection with the Office of Institutional Equity to align RLH Equity & Inclusion work with Division of Student Life and institutional priorities.
  • Assume leadership roles in the design and implementation of equity and inclusion strategic plans and departmental initiatives.
• Supervise and further the development of 6-8 master's level professionals (Residence Hall Coordinators, RHCs) in their work to enhance student learning and support through engagement, student led programs, and sound management of Upper Division residence halls.
• Create and maintain systems to remain up to date on the community climate and needs of their respective residence halls. Maintain relationships with necessary stakeholders and facilities partners to assess and advocate for facility maintenance and improvement efforts.
• Assess student behavior trends in respective communities and formulate response (educational and student conduct) to student concerns. Maintain effective outreach and referral efforts for long-term crisis recovery or mental health concerns. Implement University and department protocols related to Sexual Misconduct response. Educate staff and students about the University Code of Conduct, Residence Hall Regulations, and fire and safety codes. Identify student behavior trends and initiate interventions.
• Coordinate on-site and front-line response to crisis situations, including those that are highly complex in nature and may be life threatening. Assume a case management role with students experiencing long-term mental health challenges. Provide non-clinical student counseling, crisis intervention, and referral services. Direct RHC and RA crisis response efforts within the Upper Division area. Assume University-wide on-call roles and act as primary contact and decision maker for all student crises in compliance with University protocols, State and Federal laws.
• Develop and administer annual administrative, student programming, and training budgets. Work with teams to create and monitor line allocations.
• Provide live-in staff members with direction in day-to-day operations management for the residence halls within scope of responsibility: Opening and closing of halls, key and security systems management, custodial and maintenance issues, occupancy management, and room change process.
• Participate in all RLH department-wide efforts such as strategic plan goals, residence hall openings and closings, and committee roles within RLH and the Division of Student Life.
• Ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community and rapidly changing technical environment.
• Commitment to fostering a workplace culture of belonging, where diversity is celebrated, and equity is a core value.
• Performs other job-related duties.

Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Student Affairs, Education, Leadership, or related field.
• Four years professional experience working with college students or equivalent education and experience.
• Previous on-call and crisis-management experience.
• Behavior management experience.
• Previous work within equity & inclusion.
• Ability to apply college student learning and development theories in a residence hall setting and experience with learning outcome and assessment approaches.
• Commitment to and knowledge of multicultural and diversity issues and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.
• Ability to contribute to the creation and implementation of short and long-range department goals.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and effectively prioritize among competing needs.
• Experience with leadership and supervision of undergraduate and professional student-affairs staff including the ability to motivate, develop, direct and train assigned staff; coordinating and supervising work; fostering a cooperative work environment; and maintaining employee morale in a high stress setting.
• Ability to contribute to the creation and implementation of short and long-range department goals and the ability to manage multiple tasks and effectively prioritize among competing needs.
• Effective interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills.
• Organizing and coordinating skills.
• Preference given to candidates with:
  • o Five years of professional employment in higher education.
  • Direct experience working in a residence hall environment.
  • Experience utilizing assessment for improvement purposes.
  • Ability to articulate theories of learning and teaching relevant to college students.
  • Ability to convert learning theory to practice in a residential environment.
  • Ability to apply learning outcome approaches.
  • Equity and Inclusion training certifications.