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Resident Director Job Description and Benefits

Overview of the Position

The Resident Director is a live-in master's degree-level professional who is responsible for the operation of one or two residence halls, housing between 190 and 450 students. This position requires the Resident Director to reside in their assigned on-campus apartment throughout the term of their appointment. The Resident Director is charged with shaping the environment and experiences of residential students by providing services and programs focused on the Office of Residence Life’s Pillars of Success. This position reports to an Assistant Director of Residence Life. Depending on the size of the residence hall, some Resident Directors supervise a graduate student.

Basic Qualifications

This position requires a master’s degree in education, college student personnel, counseling or human development, or a related field, conferred by the first day of employment as well as the proven ability to effectively work with diverse populations and to supervise staff. The Resident Director must be able to work independently, demonstrate initiative, display strong commitment to student learning, communicate effectively, and work collaboratively with stakeholders inside and outside of the University. Individuals in this position must have the ability and willingness to assume shared responsibility for campus-wide on-call duty and respond to crisis and emergency situations.

Preferred Qualifications

Post-baccalaureate experience in residence life, counseling, teaching, and living/learning environments is desired. Strong administrative and counseling skills are utilized in this position.

Job Responsibilities

Listed below are both specific job duties of the Resident Director position as well as the minimum professional standards expected of all Residence Life employees. These responsibilities encompass student and community development initiatives, both proactive and reactive, that directly influence the success of our residential students. They also detail administrative responsibilities, foundational to this success. Finally, they delineate behaviors that connote professionalism and a commitment to the values of the Office of Residence Life.

Community Development

  • Cultivate a positive and engaging living environment that foster a sense of belonging and enables students to build positive relationships with one another
  • Maintain high visibility and availability, including attending community events, regularly touring the community, and interacting with residents
  • Know the residents and provide personal, social, academic, and occupational support and referral
  • Utilize institutional data to assess and respond to student needs
  • Collaborate with faculty and staff stakeholders to implement programmatic opportunities, some of which may be connected with living learning community themes
  • Serve as the financial, programmatic, and leadership adviser to the Community Leadership Team

Supervision

  • Supervise and train 8-14 resident assistants and possibly 1 graduate assistant
  • Host weekly staff meetings to communicate upcoming events, discuss community concerns, and facilitate professional development experiences related to the four goals of the Residential Curriculum
  • Conduct weekly or bi-weekly one-on-one meetings with staff members
  • Ensure staff members are appropriately confronting and documenting behavioral issues and concerns
  • Provide regular formal and information feedback regarding job performance
  • Ensure that Resident Assistant duty procedures are followed
  • Oversee implementation of programs and strategies that enable student achievement of the Pillars of Success

Student Conduct and Crisis Management

  • Review all incident reports and police reports (if available) for incidents that take place in the community and/or involve residents living in the community
  • Respond to residents in need, referring to other professionals, when appropriate
  • Provide leadership during times of crisis in and adjacent to the community
  • Assume shared responsibility for campus-wide on-call duty year round
  • Assist in emergency situations as needed
  • Implement Miami University and Office of Residence Life objectives, policies, rules, and procedures
  • Provide programs and other proactive educational interventions to enhance good decision-making by residents

Professional Development and Administration

  • Perform administrative duties associated with summer projects and assignments
  • Report, track, and follow up on maintenance issues with appropriate building managers, housekeeping staff, and physical facilities employees
  • Serve as the primary contact for parents and family members of residents
  • Serve on a minimum of two department standing committees
  • Administer student check-in, check-out, and room changes; assist with room condition reports and damage billing processes
  • Participate in departmental and divisional professional development activities
  • Participate in the recruitment, selection, and training of staff members for the Office of Residence Life
  • Teach First Year Experience Course [UNV 101]
  • Teach courses associated with assigned Living Learning Communities, as needed

Overarching Staff Expectations

  • Serve as a role model for all hall staff and residents in personal and professional behaviors
  • Practice ethical stewardship of university resources
  • Demonstrate a commitment to diversity by promoting and attending campus & community multicultural events, facilitating professional development with RA staff, presenting on diversity, or implementing strategies.
  • Demonstrate a consistent willingness to work with individuals from different race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, ability, ideology, religion, and national origin backgrounds
  • Create and maintain positive professional relationships within the department and across the university
  • Fulfill other general duties assigned by the Office of Residence Life, Division of Student Life and/or Miami University 

Resident Director Benefits

  • $38,500 annual salary for 2022 -2023
  • Furnished on-campus apartment
  • Meal plan funds
  • Tuition remission
  • Full benefit plan 
  • Professional development money
  • Access to Professional Development sessions

Statement of Non-Discrimination

Miami University, an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, encourages applications from minorities, women, protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. Miami University prohibits harassment, discrimination and retaliation on the basis of age (40 years or older), color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, military status, national origin (ancestry), pregnancy, race, religion, sex/gender, status as a parent or foster parent, sexual orientation, or protected veteran status in its application and admission processes, educational programs and activities, facilities, programs or employment practices. Requests for reasonable accommodations for disabilities related to employment should be directed to  ADAFacultyStaff@MiamiOH.edu or 513-529-3560.

Smoke Free Campus Statement

All campuses of Miami University are smoke- and tobacco-free.

Criminal Background Check

Employment will require a criminal background check according to University guidelines.

Right to Know- Consumer Information

As part of the University’s commitment to maintaining a healthy and safe living, learning, and working environment, we encourage you to read Miami University’s  Annual Security & Fire Safety Report, which contains information about campus safety, crime statistics, and our drug and alcohol abuse and prevention program designed to prevent the unlawful possession, use, and distribution of drugs and alcohol on campus and at university events and activities. This report also contains information on programs and policies designed to prevent and address sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. Each year, email notification of this website is made to all faculty, staff, and enrolled students. Written notification is also provided to prospective students and employees. Hard copies of the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report may be obtained from the Miami University Police Department at (513) 529-2223.

More Information

For more information regarding the Office of Residence Life, Miami University and the Oxford community, please visit:

Warfield Hall
Contact Us

Office of Residence Life

211 Warfield Hall
451 East Spring St.
Oxford, OH 45056
513-529-4000