In 1839, Westfield State University was founded on the ideals of Horace Mann who sought to improve society through education. We were the first public education institution without barrier to race, gender or economic class. The spirit of innovative thinking and social responsibility is forged in a curriculum of liberal arts and professional studies contributing to the development of knowledge, skills, and character essential for students to become responsible leaders and engaged citizens.
Westfield State is a highly residential campus with approximately 55% of our 3,100 full-time undergraduate students living on campus. The campus is ideally situated on the edge of the Berkshire Mountains in western Massachusetts just 30 minutes from the thriving cultural centers of Springfield, Northampton, and Amherst with a selection of museums, theater, collegiate and minor league sports, hiking trails, and restaurants. The University is within 1.5 hours of Boston and Albany and within 3 hours of New York City and the Green Mountain range of Vermont.
Thank You for Your Interest in Becoming a Westfield State Community Member
You are welcome here. You can advance your career and make a difference here. We invite you to bring your whole self and talents to Westfield State University. The University seeks applicants whose record of teaching, student advising, research, and administration positions them to contribute to the everyday practice of our institutional values.
Our Values
Westfield State commits to values that strengthen a common bond among all members of our community and promotes a rich campus environment.
Embrace Diversity - We treat all members of our community with dignity and respect.
Maintain Excellence and Integrity - We maintain excellence and integrity in all that we do.
Collaborate with Each Other - We make decisions in a transparent and collaborative manner.
Provide Accessible Education - We commit to providing an accessible, affordable public higher education for all.
Build a Strong Community - We are inclusive and ensure equity, supporting the personal development of all community members, and embracing multiple perspectives.
Engage the Outside Community - We support civic engagement in local, regional, and global initiatives.
Job Description:
Campus Title: Residence Director
State Job Title: Staff Assistant
Department: Residential Life
Job Code: HA5600
FLSA Status: Exempt
Funding: 7115-6001
Bargaining Unit: APA
Job Type: Full-Time Permanent
Timeframe: 43 Weeks
Shift: TBD
Regular Days Off: TBD
Supervision Received: The Residence Director reports to the Assistant or Associate Director of Residential Life.
Supervision Exercised: The Residence Director supervises approximately 7-10 paraprofessional staff members.
Salary: $42,000.00
Two positions will be hired off this one posting.
General Statement of Duties: The Residence Director (RD) is a full-time, 10-month, live-in position that plays a critical role in promoting the success and well-being of residential students and in achieving the goals and objectives of the Department of Residential Life; the Division of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs; and the University. The RD provides comprehensive oversight of 1-2 residence halls, while assisting residents with a full array of personal, developmental, academic and residency issues. The RD advises the hall council, supervises paraprofessional staff members, and serves as a vital communication link between residents, the Residential Life department, and the University community. The RD also provides on-site response, critical emergency support, and information on student matters both within and outside the Department of Residential Life.
RDs are expected to support the vision, mission, and values of Residential Life, and their job responsibilities align with the following values:
Build Strong Inclusive Communities - We are inclusive and ensure equity, supporting the identity development of all community members and acknowledging multiple perspectives.
Collaboration with Each Other - We work with each other and campus partners to create a seamless student experience.
Social Justice - Residential Life strives to create spaces that are validating for all social identities. While creating completely safe spaces might not be possible given the oppressive world in which we live, our goal is social justice and our work moves us closer to that goal every single day.
Student Development & Personal Growth - We provide tools and experiences that promote student growth and empower students to find and use their voice.
Student Service - Student needs, their feedback, and best practices in the field drive our decisions and services, and we maintain excellence and integrity in every interaction.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Duties include but not limited to:
Essential:
Support the educational mission and goals of the Department of Residential Life; the Division of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs; and the University with a primary emphasis on building a positive residence hall community and engaging students in their university experience.
Serve as a student advocate and educator, helping residents to be positive and responsible members of the residential community.
Know the residents of the community well and be available and accessible to students on both a scheduled and non-scheduled basis; counsel and advise students on issues related to on-campus residency and their personal, social, and academic development.
Coordinate overall management of the hall by tracking and reporting hall damages/incidents, and by monitoring hall facilities, security, and maintenance concerns.
Develop a highly competent and committed building staff team through training, supervising, mentoring and evaluating staff members. Conduct weekly building staff meetings and at least bi-weekly individual supervision meetings. Develop positive, professional, and effective working relationships with all members of the Residential Life staff team.
Offer quality programs and services that meet identified resident and campus needs; and provide these programs and services in an effective, efficient manner.
Track and report residence hall programming initiatives, including budget. Attend a minimum of one program each week during the academic year.
Serve in the on-call duty rotation by responding to afterhours and weekend emergencies in accordance with the University and Residential Life emergency response procedures and the direction of the Administrator on Call as applicable.
Complete daily rounds of the residence hall to ensure familiarity with all student and staff concerns.
Develop a positive and collaborative partnership with the residence hall's maintainer staff in order to effectively respond to student concerns. Meet regularly with the Head Maintainer to discuss concerns/issues raised by students and staff.
Become proficient with The Housing Director (housing software package) in order to understand and maintain the integrity of the University's housing data.
Assist with operational tasks including hall opening, occupancy reporting, damage and incident reporting and tracking, and on-site monitoring of hall security facilities and maintenance matters.
Serve as initial review hearing officer, adjudicate conduct cases, and administer educational sanctions.
Advise the hall council as applicable by providing regular contact including attendance at meetings and events; offering support, guidance, and leadership and skill development activities; and promoting the formation of a cohesive, effective group. Support the initiatives of the Residence Hall Association.
Represent Residential Life on University committees and functions; or assist with Residential Life projects, functions and initiatives; and perform other duties as assigned by the Director or their designee.
Requirements:
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor's Degree required.
One year of post-graduate, live-in experience as a Residential Life professional. May substitute two years of graduate live-in experience for one year of post-graduate live-in experience.
Understand and embody a live-in professional lifestyle. Position requires non-traditional work hours (i.e. evenings, weekends, peak periods, etc.).
Able to work independently in assigned residence hall(s), as well as with others in a team environment.
Well-organized and detail-oriented; strong written and verbal communication skills; and excellent customer service skills.
Able to prioritize and perform diverse duties in a high-energy, fast-paced environment.
Flexible and adaptable when meeting the needs and demands of students, campus partners, the Residential Life department, the Division of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs, and the University community.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Master's Degree.
COMPENSATION: Residence Directors receive:
A salary of $42,000.00
Furnished one-bedroom apartment
Partial meal plan
Free parking permit
$500 of professional development funding
Additional Information:
Salary:
Salaries for current Westfield State University employees and individuals currently working for the state of Massachusetts must be calculated individually in accordance with collective bargaining agreements as well as state policies. State job specifications may be found on the Department of Higher Education's webpage.
Employee Benefits:
Benefits are an important component of an employee's total compensation package.
Health Insurance: Westfield State offers a variety of HMO, POS, and PPO-type health insurance plans for eligible employees with coverage effective on the 1st of the month following the 60 days of employment.
Retirement: the MA State Employee Retirement System provides eligible employees with a retirement pension following a 10-year vesting period. In lieu of the retirement pension, eligible employees may select the Optional Retirement Plan with a maximum 5% employer matching contribution.
Tuition Waivers & Discounts: eligible employees, including spouses and dependent children, receive reduced tuition at MA state colleges, community colleges, and universities.
Paid Time Off: employees receive 12 paid holidays and generous vacation, personal, and sick leave benefits.
Additional information regarding employee benefits is available on the University's Benefits & Wellness webpage.
Disability Accommodations
Westfield State University is committed to the full inclusion of individuals with disabilities and will ensure the availability of reasonable accommodations. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact Human Resources at (413) 572-8809 or visit us in the Horace Mann Building, 1st floor.
Background Check
Employment is contingent upon the successful completion and review of a background check. A criminal record will not automatically disqualify an applicant from consideration.
Application Instructions:
An on-line application is required. The successful candidate must submit an official transcript at the time of hire. Interested candidates should electronically attach the following documents:
Resume
Cover Letter
Contact information for three references *
Copy of unofficial transcript of highest degree
* Provide the contact information for reference providers in the reference section of the online application.
Deadline: The job posting will be open a minimum of ten days and, if needed, will remain open until finalists have been selected.
NOTE: If you need assistance completing your application please contact our online Help Desk. The link to the help desk can be found at the top of the page via Contact Us.
