Director of Residence Life

Reporting to the Associate Dean of Students, the Director of Residential Life is accountable to the Vice President for Student Affairs for the administration of a comprehensive residential life and student development program grounded in, and supported by, the Franciscan and Catholic traditions of the College. The Director will be expected to articulate a vision for a residential life program based in the inclusive relational nature of these traditions.

Siena’s residential community consists of 2500 students in traditional hall and townhouse settings. Comprehensive oversight of all aspects of the residence life program include: staff supervision, community development, budget management, policy formation, crisis management and on-call, student conduct, building partnerships/collaborations throughout the college community and implementation of a strategic vision for residential life.

Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

1. Assist and support Siena in its mission as a college community with shared values and institutional culture reflective of the Franciscan tradition of respect for the dignity of each person;

2. Hire, train, evaluate and supervise the Department of Residential Life composed of the Associate Director, Assistant Director and six Residence Hall Directors. Supervise the Resident Assistant staff, consisting of 61 students, in coordination with the Assistant Director;

3. Manage and oversee the departmental budget and expenditures;

4. Advise the newly formed Residence Hall Association;

5. Oversee the department’s housing operations in coordination with the Associate Director;

6. Work collaboratively with the Friars in Residence to promote opportunities for service, reflection and worship within the residential life program;

7. Establish policies, procedures and programs that provide for the safety, security and comfort of the residents and which ensure an environment that promotes student engagement and academic success;

8. Work closely with the Associate Dean of Students to ensure a consistent and fair implementation of the College’s Code of Conduct and Residential Living Guidelines;

9. Maintain all crisis and emergency management policies for the residential life program. Ensure that the policies, procedures and practices are consistent with the departments of Public Safety, Counseling and Student Development, Facilities Management and Health Services;

10. Oversee the execution of a comprehensive assessment model for the department;

11. Participate in the planning and execution of a variety of College-wide programs: Orientation, Admissions programs, Family Weekend, Student Activities. Work collaboratively across the institution with various College offices;

12. Flexibility to work evenings, weekends and at non-traditional times, serve in rotating on-call;

13. Regularly inform the Associate Dean of Students and the Vice President for Student Affairs of matters pertaining to the residential life program and student related issues;

14. Other duties as assigned by the Associate Dean of Students.

Qualifications
The successful candidate will have a master’s degree in student affairs, education, or related field; five-seven years of progressively responsible experience in administration of a residential life program; an understanding of and support for the values and perspectives of a Franciscan and Catholic liberal arts college; demonstrated ability to work with broad segments of a college community-faculty, staff, students ; the ability to be an effective team member who can foster strong relationships across organizational boundaries; and the ability to lead the residential life program within a Franciscan and Catholic work environment.

Application Process
Letter of interest, resume and three professional references should be sent to Human Resources, Siena College, 515 Loudon Road, Loudonville, NY 12211, or email to humanresources@siena.edu no later than April 29, 2010. Candidates are asked to highlight in their cover letter how they understand a residential life program and community standards framed in the Franciscan and Catholic traditions. Review of applications will begin immediately and until the position is filled.

Siena College is a Franciscan and Catholic institution and expects members of its community to be knowledgeable about its mission and to make a positive contribution to that mission. Siena College is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages applications from all qualified candidates.