Area Director

Earlham College seeks candidates for the position of Area Director within the Office of Residence Life.  The Area Director position is a live-in, full-time, 12-month administrative faculty appointment reporting to the Associate Director of Residence Life.  Compensation includes a furnished two-bedroom apartment in a residence hall or a campus apartment, full college benefits, unlimited laundry, partial meal plan, reserved parking, and a maximum salary of $35,568 for 12 months.

Primary duties and responsibilities

Area Directors assume responsibility for the overall operation and leadership of residential areas housing 200-300 students in the residence halls and campus apartments.  Area Directors lead efforts alongside student staff to build intentional communities that are culturally rich, socially robust, inclusive, and respectful of diversity.  Area Directors are responsible for the supervision and development of multiple student staff to include undergraduate Hall Directors and Resident Assistants within their assigned area.

Area Directors assist in the development of policies, procedures, and programs that support the work of the Office of Residence Life, the Division of Student Life, and the mission of the college.  Area Directors also complete part-time collateral assignments within two of the following areas of Residence Life:  Communication & Publications, Community Development, Housing Operations, Student Leadership & Involvement, Student Staff Search, and Student Staff Training and Development.

Because the primary functions of the position include working with student leaders and/or staff, programming, advising student groups, facilitating student conduct process, and responding to student emergencies after normal working hours, the position requires a high level of campus visibility with regular evening and weekend commitments.

• Directly supervise, mentor, train, and evaluate undergraduate staff in assigned area.
• Collaborate with the Associate Director of Residence Life to implement, and assess an effective residential model for students in your area which is in line with our Philosophy of Residence Education and includes avenues for student governance, peer accountability and review, faculty engagement, and program improvement.
• Design and promote programs and activities supplementing the Residential Experience that build community and meet the developmental needs of a diverse student population. Support, in collaboration with and various campus partners, monthly programming and initiatives.
• Lead, with staff and student input, the creation of educational programming appropriate for student growth and development; including the development of interpersonal skills, healthy lifestyle and personal choices, engagement with social justice issues, appreciation of diversity, improved understanding of consensus decision-making, and peaceful conflict resolution.
• Advise thematic living/learning communities in collaboration with teaching faculty advisor(s).
• Maintain and administer the residential programming budget for assigned areas.
• Assist central office personnel in the administration of housing selection/assignment processes, staff recruitment and selection, fall and spring staff training, May Term/Summer Housing operations and assignments, and community education initiatives.
• Articulate rationale of College, Student Life, and Residence Life policies and expectations. Staff must also appropriately confront and document violations of Residence Life and College policies, as well as ensure timely recording, reporting, follow-up, and referral for all policy violations and behavioral issues documented in assigned facilities.
• Serve as an administrative hearing officer for student conduct interventions. Determine appropriate educational sanctions and ensure appropriate record keeping, timely follow-up, and completion of administered sanctions.
• Act as a liaison for Earlham College with students, parents, and community members as it relates to the administration and operations of the residence halls and college houses. Represent the department through participation in recruitment and educational events.
• Serve in the Residence Life on-call rotation during weekdays, weekends, holidays, and college breaks; be available to respond to student, facility, residential, and campus crisis issues.
• Ensure accuracy of housing records including: room assignments, room changes, check-in and check-out, occupancy reports, rosters, student/guest billing, and other administrative records.
• Report and follow up on maintenance, housekeeping, and safety concerns in and around the residential facilities.
• Promote and model positive support for the goals of the College, the Division of Student Life, the Office of Residence Life, and ethical student affairs practice.
• Serve as a resource person for students and make appropriate referrals to campus services.
• Role model responsible decision-making and self-care, promote and advocate respect for civil discourse and respect for persons different from oneself.
• Establish and maintain effective collaborative relationships with Student Life faculty, service personnel, and College offices and officials (maintenance, housekeeping, dining, et. al.).
• Maintain a high level of visibility and involvement within the campus community through attendance at College events, participation in faculty meeting, service on College committees, and participation in residence hall and college house functions/programs.
• Assume other duties as assigned and needed for the effective functioning of the Office of Residence Life, the Division of Student Life, and the College.

Experience and qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 1-year experience in residence life is required. Master’s degree in student personnel, higher education or related field and two years of full-time professional experience in residence life with collateral or generalist student affairs experience is preferred.
• Understanding of retention issues related to equity, inclusion, persistence, and wellness and a commitment to the creation of spaces where students feel safe, valued, and heard.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity in all forms, teamwork, and ethical student affairs practice with a commitment to student affairs and education broadly and a genuine desire to grow professionally and contribute to student life.
• Excellent communication skills, energy, enthusiasm, motivation, and the desire to be a positive change agent with a demonstrated understanding of the role modeling expectations of a live-in staff member, healthy personal boundaries, and a desire to mentor students.
• Clear understanding of the role of residence life at a private residential liberal arts college, including the expectation to know their residents and a commitment to high visibility within the residence halls and throughout student life on campus with regular evening and weekend availability required.
• Valid driver’s license is required.
• Fluency in a second language and international immersion experiences (i.e. study aboard, volunteer service, etc.) are preferred.
• Familiarity and/or experience working with HMS, Banner, and/or Maxient is preferred.
• Experience advising student groups and/or themed residential communities is preferred.
• Experience with assessment, risk-reduction or alcohol education, or student conduct is preferred.

Application instructions

Candidates from diverse backgrounds are welcome. Please submit the following application materials in a single electronic file:

• Cover letter;
• Resume;
• 300-500 word statement on diversity, equity, and inclusion in which you concretely detail how your values and professional experience would contribute to Earlham’s commitment to DEI.
• Contact information for three references.

All materials should be submitted to the Earlham College Office of Human Resources at [email protected].

The review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

Earlham College is an Equal Opportunity Employer that seeks applications from candidates who contribute to diversity in terms of race, ethnicity, age, religious affiliation, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, and veteran status, among other distinctions and contributions. As a College with a Quaker identity, Earlham also is eager to solicit applications from members of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers).

Earlham utilizes E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility for all newly hired employees within the United States.