University of Minnesota Hiring for Residential Life Area Coordinator for the Upper Division Experience at Morris, MN  Full Time

Residential Life Area Coordinator for the Upper-Division Experience

Purpose of the Position
Residential Life is a core component to the UMN Morris student experience – 95% of first-year students and half of the student body live on-campus without a housing requirement. The Area Coordinator (AC) provides oversight and manages Upper-Division residential life areas: Green Prairie Community (suite-style), Clayton A. Gay Hall (single rooms and traditional double spaces), Blakely Hall (all single rooms), and On Campus Apartments (2 bedroom units; serving 300 2nd-4th year students. The Area Coordinator directly supervises 15 undergraduate student staff (Hall Community Development Assistants, Apartment Building Advisors, and Hall Community Advisor). They establish and help to sustain welcoming, inclusive, and diverse residential communities that foster student wellbeing and success while also advancing the UMN Morris mission, vision, and strategic plan. Responsibilities may evolve to best meet emerging campus needs and utilize the candidate’s skills, strengths and interests. This is a 12-month, annually renewable live-in, academic professional appointment reporting to the Associate Director of Residential and Community Life.

Job Responsibilities

Community Life Development and Residential Life Programs (35%)

• Develop and assist with implementing Residential Life student engagement programs and initiatives encouraging student learning, persistence, and success.
• Mentor and assist Residential Life student staff in developing engaging programs on areas such as making friendships, healthy time management, increasing intercultural competencies, practicing problem-solving skills, adopting wellbeing practices, engaging with mental and physical health resources, utilizing academic support resources, and other timely, relevant resident issues that show a responsiveness to student needs
• Teach a Morris 1101 fall semester college transition and success course section (1 credit); engage with the Morris 1101 instructor group; serve as a primary University staff resource and mentor for 15 first-year students (Master’s degree required)
• Coordinate and assist in implementing a Residential and Community Life social media strategy; supervise and train student staff contributors
• Promote and encourage resident engagement in Residential Life and University programs, as well as support and attend key campus programs, meetings, and activities (e.g. Campus Assembly, Campus Conversations, the Healing Ceremony, Homecoming, the Undergraduate Research Symposium, Honors and Awards, Commencement, etc.)
• Ensure program tracking, assist with on-going assessment and evaluation of area programs
• Maintain availability and accessibility to area residents through office hours, community walk-throughs, and Residential Life resource sharing about Welcome Week and move-in, food resources during University breaks, preparation for closing, etc
• Solicit residents’ feedback on their experience, area programming, and community building
• Work with University departments and services to design or collaborate on programming initiatives and campus resources for residential life students
• Participate actively in ORL weekly meetings, Student Affairs division meetings, shared University governance opportunities, and campus-wide initiatives that require Residential Life representation and/or knowledge
• Assist campus partners, Student Life Care Team, and Alert Teams with resident wellness checks when needed and, in consultation with the Associate Director, provide appropriate follow-up and resources to residents

Residential Life Student Staff Supervision and Staff Development (35%)

• Supervise student Community Development Assistants, Building Advisors, and Community Advisors; develop supportive supervision practices that create a positive learning environment for student staff professional and personal development
• Assist in developing and facilitating weekly staff meetings; conduct bi-weekly one-on-one meetings with all student staff
• Develop and lead on-going leadership development trainings, workshops, and learning activities; assist with all aspects of Fall and January Student Staff Training and Development
• Provide mentorship, feedback, and evaluation on a consistent basis to all student staff
• Participate in recruiting, interviewing, and selecting Residential Life student staff
• Serve as a resource on University and departmental policies and procedures

Residential and Community Life Operations (30%)

• Serve in the Student Life On-Call rotation with other Residential Life and Student Affairs professional staff (approximately 2 – 3 weeks a semester)
• Assist with the developing and implementing community safety and wellbeing initiatives
• Facilitate opportunities to address resident/community conflict or concerns by working with student staff and appropriate offices through mediation, dialogue, forums, talking circles, or other restorative justice practices
• Serve as an informal hearing officer for lower-level residential life policy violations
• Work collaboratively with the Housing Operations Coordinator on room change requests and emergency/short-term housing requests in Upper-Division residential areas
• Represent Residential and Community Life at relevant campus events, such as Admitted Student Day, New Student Orientation, Student Employment Fair, and others
• Provide summer operations support for student housing, camps, and conferences
• Meet regularly with the Housing Operations Coordinator to ensure financial responsibility with the management of program and activity budgets

Essential knowledge, skills and abilities

• Bachelor’s degree
• Knowledge of residential life operations on a college campus
• Education or training on student development, community building, sustainability practices, student leadership, college success, and/or conflict resolution
• Demonstrated awareness of and sensitivity to diverse student populations and the ability to contribute to the University’s commitment to a diverse and inclusive learning environment

Preferred knowledge, skills and abilities

• Master’s degree (required for teaching duties)
• Professional and/or student experience working in college residential life or housing
• Professional experience in addressing student behavior, student conduct processes, and/or restorative justice processes
• Professional and/or student experiences related to critical incident and crisis management

Working at the University

At the University of Minnesota, you’ll find a flexible work environment and supportive colleagues who are interested in lifelong learning. We prioritize work-life balance, allowing you to invest in the future of your career and in your life outside of work.

The University also offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefits.

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your “My Job Applications” page and uploading documents in the “My Cover Letters and Attachments” section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail [email protected] or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota Morris (UMN Morris)

The University of Minnesota Morris (UMN Morris) makes its home on a 121-year-old campus on the western edge of the state and is one of the top public liberal arts colleges in the nation. The small, close-knit campus emphasizes faculty/student collaboration in research, study abroad, and community engaged learning. Deeply rooted in the tall grass prairies of Minnesota, the campus also has advanced sustainable, environmentally friendly initiatives that have grown to levels of national leadership and touch nearly all aspects of campus life.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America’s Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).