About SUNY Oswego:

Founded in 1861, SUNY Oswego is a public comprehensive university located in Central New York on the beautiful shores of Lake Ontario, 45 minutes from Syracuse. One of 13 comprehensive colleges in the 64-campus State University of New York (SUNY) system, SUNY Oswego is recognized nationally for its academic quality, focus on student success outcomes, and the growing diversity of its student body. Ranked in the Top Ten among public master's-level universities in the 2021 "Top Regional Universities in the North" by U.S. News and World Report, SUNY Oswego is also recognized among Princeton Review's Best Regional Colleges in the Northeast - an honor bestowed on the college every year since 2003.

Inspired by a d commitment to excellence and the desire to transcend traditional higher education boundaries, SUNY Oswego provides a transformative experience to about 8,000 undergraduate and graduate students. The college offers preeminent academic programs in the arts and sciences, business, communications, and teacher education, and its success is built on providing students outstanding educational experiences with attention to a liberal arts and sciences foundation, practical applications, interdisciplinary approaches, independent scholarly and creative work, and skills for living in multicultural and global communities.

Oswego is committed to enhancing its diversity. SUNY Oswego is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and is actively engaged in recruiting, supporting, and fostering a diverse community of outstanding faculty, staff and students. We encourage applications from qualified applicants regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, creed, age, disability, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, familial status, pregnancy, predisposing genetic characteristics, military status, domestic violence victim SUNY status, or criminal conviction.

In accordance with USCIS regulations, successful applicants must be legally able to work in the United States per the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.

Requests for reasonable accommodations of a disability during the application and/or interview process should be made to the Human Resources Office by calling 315-312-2230 or emailing hr@oswego.edu.

SUNY Oswego is a smoke free/tobacco/e-cigarette free campus.

Pursuant to Executive Order 161, no State entity, as defined by the Executive Order, is permitted to ask, or mandate, in any form, that an applicant for employment provide his or her current compensation, or any prior compensation history, until such time as the applicant is extended a conditional offer of employment with compensation. If such information has been requested from you before such time, please contact the Governor's Office of Employee Relations at (518) 474-6988 or via email at info@goer.ny.gov.

Job Description:

Description of Department:

The Department of Residence Life and Housing at SUNY Oswego is a leader in developing a premier residential environment where students are actively engaged in their learning experience. Our environment places student learning and success at the center of all our formal and informal programs, policies, procedures, and physical facilities. Our department encourages collaboration with other students, faculty, and staff in and out of the classroom to enrich the learning experience. Furthermore, our programs are directed to enhance students' capacity and aspirations for growth intellectually, socially, aesthetically, interpersonally, and physically. The Department purposefully and intentionally provides programs and experiences that will offer our residential students a comparative advantage among college graduates. We affirm a commitment to diversity and inclusive excellence in the operations of Residence Life and Housing.

The Residence Life and Housing Department at the State University of New York at Oswego invites applications to fill a full-time Temporary Residence Hall Director.

Posting Date: December 14, 2022

Review Date: Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

Compensation: Minimum salary $37,600 pro rated (salary commensurate with experience) plus a full New York State benefits package.

Benefit Information: The State University of New York provides an excellent benefit package.

Date of Appointment: As soon as possible

Description of Responsibilities:

Under the direction of an Assistant Director of Residence Life and Housing, Residence Hall Directors (RHDs) work within their assigned residential areas to create living environments that facilitate positive learning experiences, communities and support the academic mission of SUNY Oswego. RHDs play key roles in the department of Residence Life and Housing (RLH) and the broader campus community.

Situated within the Division of Student Affairs, RLH plays a critical role in furthering the mission and vision of the Division and in achieving institutional enrollment goals through cutting edge business services, direct interface with the holistic needs of students and their families, and nationally recognized residential education practices. RLH works to advance student attainment of General Education learning outcomes with residence hall initiatives organized through a curricular approach to residential education.

RHDs provide leadership to paraprofessional staff and student leaders; partner with students to develop vibrant inclusive communities which encourage student engagement, community contributions, a free exchange of ideas, and the cultivation of skills and knowledge so that students may become citizens and leaders in our increasingly global society; and serve on a variety of department and divisional committees and implementation teams furthering strategic aims. Residence Hall Directors live on campus and are therefore available to staff and students outside regular business hours during crisis situations or other critical times.

Student Engagement:

• Develop and support, based on national best practices, living environments that promote learning and engagement for students in their residence halls and the SUNY Oswego community by creating opportunities that actively engage students in their college experiences.
• Contribute to the development of a culture of student partnership and ownership within each residential community
• Participate in the creation and implementation of educational programming that intentionally supports the achievement of SUNY Oswego's educational goals for all students.
• Work with residents on individual developmental issues and make referrals as appropriate. Assist students in developing their interests and abilities.
• Assist in the development and implementation of large-scale department programs and campus-wide programs.
• Promote and develop student leadership opportunities. Advise area councils and subgroups and help coordinate the efforts of area councils and student staff toward achieving specific residence hall objectives
• Direct and assist student staff members in promoting responsible student behavior that benefits individual students and the whole residence hall community.
• Develop, through regular presence on floors and in common areas, a positive image and presence in assigned halls to develop connections with residents and create caring personal and community relationships.
• Provide a safe, comfortable, equitable experience for ALL residents, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, socioeconomic class, (dis)ability, first language, gender, sexual orientation, or any other social or cultural identifier.
• Educate staff and students about SUNY Oswego Code of Conduct, Residence Hall policies, and fire and safety codes.
• Help residents understand their rights and responsibilities as good citizens by explaining and enforcing policies and procedures through educational conferences and other methods. Work to solve community and individual student problems.
• Directly engage in formal assessment design, analysis, report authorship, and presentations of student engagement outcomes in a cycle of continuous, evidence-based improvement.
• Assist in the coordination of on-site and front-line response to crisis situations, including those that are highly complex in nature and may be life threatening.
• Manage and mediate roommate conflicts and collaborate with community development specialists on the room move process.
• Designated as essential personnel by SUNY Oswego, serve in a live-in capacity to provide non-clinical student counseling, student mediation, crisis intervention, and referral services.
• Identify critical issues, assess student behavior, and communicate effectively with supervisor to formulate response (educational and student conduct) to student concerns.
• Serve in a designated on-call rotation and respond to and follow-up on emergency and management situations as needed. Communicate through duty reports, incident reports, and email notifications as needed.

Supervision and Leadership:

• Directly supervise and facilitate the development of a team of student staff members, including Resident Student Staff (RSS) and Student Operations Staff (SOS ), to enhance student learning through engagement, encourage student-led programs, ensure the sound operation of the residence halls, and facilitate annual programming initiatives.
• In designated buildings, supervise a Graduate Assistant Hall Director.
• Complete periodic performance appraisals of student staff. Work collaboratively with supervisor to create and implement individual, and group training programs, residential floor and hall meetings, and staff retreats for student staff members.
• Assist supervisor in implementing major departmental initiatives aligned with Residence Life and Housing strategic and program plans.
• Develop strategies to successfully lead a team of student staff members in fulfilling hall priorities. Lead weekly staff meetings to discuss hall activities, explore student ideas and concerns, facilitate team development, provide motivation and direction to the staff, and discuss ideas to improve the living-learning environment in the hall.
• Constructively manage personnel issues and conflicts, respond to job-related issues, and recommend appropriate solutions for the team. Provide student staff with support, leadership, guidance, and mentorship.
• Assume leadership and implementation of responsibilities for collateral assignments as approved by RLH leadership.
• Serve on department and/or division committees in member or chair roles and lead major department initiatives designed to further student learning and development.
• Actively contribute to department-wide meetings, assessment retreats, and department retreats to continuously improve the residence hall living and learning climate.
• Participate in department, division, and institution professional development and growth opportunities to maintain current knowledge of student development and student learning research, theory, and practice that best serve the needs of students. Develop scholar-practitioner practices to create and knowledge with colleagues
• Contribute time and talent to all department-wide staff recruitment, selection, and training activities.

Administrative Responsibilities:

• Facilitate the opening and closing of assigned residence halls at the beginning and end of each semester as well as during break periods. There are evening and weekend commitments outside of traditional business hours and consecutive days of work Sunday-Sunday during times of campus opening and re-opening (August and January), professional training (August and January), student staff training (August and January), and closing of residence halls (December and May).
• Utilize position and leadership roles to maximize both the academic and residence hall retention of students. Participate in the development of communication plans and in the implementation of on-campus housing communication strategies.
• Work with graduate and/or undergraduate staff to ensure the efficient and effective functioning of residence hall front desk operation.
• Develop a thorough understanding of the Adirondack occupancy management system and provide assistance to students as they navigate room changes and other occupancy processes.
• Work cooperatively with other College offices such as the University Police, Auxiliary Services, Dean of Students Office, and other administrative and academic departments in response to day-to-day functioning of the halls.
• Address safety concerns, custodial, and maintenance concerns by submitting work requests, and coordinate promotion of services and resources.
• Identify, report and advocate for maintenance concerns throughout the building and residential complex. Respond to facility emergencies. Make recommendations for facility improvements; monitor and assess response to electronic requests for maintenance and/or custodial services submitted for the assigned community.
• Develop and refine a mutually supportive relationship with custodial employees assigned to the residence hall in conjunction with the supervising janitor. Oversee building recycling operation.
• Conduct regular (at least twice weekly) tours/inspections of assigned residence hall communities.
• Partner with the sustainability office to build a diverse sustainability community, facilitate information sharing about sustainability practices and performance, and create incentives for continual improvement toward sustainability.
• Meet regularly with staff of assigned dining center(s) to develop collaborative relationships and discuss any dining hall issues/concerns, including student behavior in the dining centers. A meal plan is provided by Auxiliary Services to assist in this expectation.
• Oversee the hall operations, including student staff scheduling, office hours, security rounds, distribution of mail, and room access (keys/codes). Coordinate administrative, student staff development, and programming budgets for the assigned residential area. Monitor student staff and student leader expenditures. Oversee allocation of hall programming budget.
• Communicate, explain, and enforce procedures, rules, and regulations of the College to residents and staff. Participate in the student conduct process by serving as hearing officer, complainant, or advisor as appropriate. Maintain Maxient database for student conduct, crisis, and students of concern.
• Assume additional responsibilities as assigned by supervisor or other members of the Residence Life and Housing leadership team.

SUNY Oswego works continuously to create an inclusive environment which respects, embraces, and promotes cultural safety, belonging, civil discourse, cultural humility, and other values and goals outlined in SUNY Oswego's Strategic Diversity and Inclusion Plan. As such, the incumbent is expected to contribute to these efforts and possess the communication and interpersonal skills necessary to engage effectively with an increasingly diverse community of students and colleagues.

Requirements:

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree
• Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's Degree preferred
• One year working with college students.
• Familiarity with college student learning and development theories.
• Ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.
• Effective interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills.
• Knowledge of student support programs and services, and crisis intervention techniques; non-clinical front-line assessment and referral skills; and organizing and coordinating skills.
• Ability to understand university environmental sustainability initiatives.
• Ability to apply learning outcome approaches.
• Behavior management experience.
• Skill in crisis intervention, directing and enforcing policies and regulations which pertain to campus life and to student development.

At SUNY Oswego we value the diversity found in each member of our campus community and strive to create a community where that diversity is embraced and enhanced. Recognizing the strength of diversity, our mission is to foster an environment which respects, embraces and promotes cultural competence, civil discourse and active engagement in developing an inclusive and vibrant community of scholars who act as transformational agents of change and responsible citizens of the world. For more information see SUNY Oswego's Strategic Diversity and Inclusion Plan.

As a candidate seeking consideration you are asked to submit a separate statement specifically addressing how your commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion has been evidenced in your career experience and professional activity, and/or community service (volunteer work, etc.), and/or professional development. (Please see Application Instructions)

Additional Information:

If you have any questions about the position, please e-mail:
Renee Landers-Jennings, Search Chair at Renee.Landers@oswego.edu

Visa sponsorship not available for this position

Background checks will be conducted for finalists

Application Instructions:

To Apply Submit:

• Cover letter addressing qualifications
• A separate statement describing your commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in your professional experience or personal life or community engagement
• Resume or CV
• Copy of unofficial (or copy of official) transcript for required degree showing degree awarded and date conferred
• Contact information for three professional references

electronically

Official transcripts are required at time of appointment.

All required documents must be uploaded in order for your application to be reviewed and considered.