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Position Details
Position Information
Position Type Professional Staff Faculty Track Position Title Assistant Director for Pre-College and First Year Experience Employment Status Full Time Months 12 Campus Biddeford, ME Description
The Assistant Director for Pre-College and First-Year Experience serves as the primary staff member responsible for the planning, implementation, and assessment of the University's Living-Learning and Theme Living Communities. This individual will develop and implement a comprehensive programming model grounded in learning outcomes that promote the engagement, success, and sense of belonging of all first-year students, including both residential and commuter populations.
In addition, this position supports residential, dining, and social/recreational programming associated with on-campus pre-college academic experiences for high school students. The Assistant Director reports to the Director of Housing and Residential/Commuter Life and collaborates closely with departments across the Division of Student Affairs, the undergraduate colleges, and units led by the Associate Provost for Student Success.
The successful candidate will develop and facilitate a wide range of educational, leadership, and social programs in partnership with campus stakeholders. This individual will foster a collaborative, team-based approach to supporting first-year student success, engagement, retention, and overall well-being.
The Assistant Director is required to live on campus, participate in the professional staff on-call rotation, and be available to work occasional evenings and weekends as needed to support departmental and university programs and initiatives.
About The University of New England
UNE is Maine's largest private university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study-abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of flexible online offerings. In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to positively impact a world full of challenges. We are the state's top provider of health professionals and home to Maine's only medical and dental colleges, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care programs, and nationally recognized programs in the marine sciences, the natural and social sciences, business, the humanities, and the arts.
Benefits Overview
- Multiple health and dental plan options, plus vision coverage.
- Up to 8% retirement plan match.
- Generous leave time, including vacation, sick, and personal time, and 12+ holidays per year.
- Educational benefits:
- UNE tuition waiver for employees, spouses, and domestic partners
For more information about our outstanding benefits, please visit: UNE Benefits Overview
Responsibilities
- Develop, implement, and assess a comprehensive First-Year Experience co-curriculum that includes peer mentoring, Living-Learning and Theme Living Communities, and educational, leadership, and social programming designed to promote student engagement, belonging, and success.
- Collaborate with academic and student affairs partners to plan, implement, and evaluate Living-Learning and Theme Living Communities and other first-year initiatives.
- Serve as the primary coordinator for first-year co-curricular programs, working closely with the College of Arts and Sciences, Westbrook College of Health Professions, College of Business, and other campus partners.
- Coordinate the student life components of pre-college programs, including housing, dining, and social/recreational experiences.
- Recruit, train, supervise, and evaluate student staff, including Resident Advisors, First Year Experts, work-study students, and community assistants.
- Partner with Residence Life staff to support the training, development, and success of Resident Advisors and first-year residential communities.
- Collaborate with the Director of Student Engagement and campus partners to plan and implement New Student Orientation, Weeks of Welcome, Convocation, Homecoming, and other signature campus programs.
- Develop and maintain marketing and communication materials for First-Year Experience initiatives, including website content, social media, and promotional materials.
- Assist with student leader recruitment, selection, onboarding, and training processes.
- Work closely with the Associate Provost for Student Success and other campus partners to support retention, student success, assessment, and family engagement initiatives.
- Provide leadership in departmental planning, assessment, strategic initiatives, program development, and professional staff training.
- Build and maintain collaborative relationships with key campus partners, including Admissions, Academic and Career Advising, Safety and Security, Dining Services, Student Engagement, and Campus Center Operations/Recreation.
- Serve as an advisor to student organizations and provide guidance to students regarding academic, personal, behavioral, and community concerns, connecting them with appropriate campus resources.
- Serve as a University conduct officer and support student accountability and success through educational conduct processes.
- Participate in departmental and university-wide committees, programs, and events, including Orientation, Convocation, Commencement, and other institutional initiatives.
- Participate in the professional on-call rotation, serving as a senior on-call administrator for residential emergencies and crisis response. Provide guidance during emergency situations, collaborate with campus and external partners, and support university emergency response efforts.
- Directly supervise two Area Coordinators responsible for residential communities housing first-year students.
- Provide shared administrative and functional supervision of Resident Advisors, First Year Experts, work-study students, and community assistants.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree and at least three years of relevant residence life administrative experience, including one or more years of live-in experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge and skills have been acquired.
- Previous experience working with first-year students.
- Demonstrated strong administrative, collaborative, supervisory, and student advisement skills.
- Experience with living-learning and/or themed living communities strongly preferred.
- Experience with Residence or similar housing management software preferred.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office products preferred.
- Experience serving as a student conduct hearing officer preferred.
- A master's degree in College Student Personnel, Higher Education, or a related field preferred.
EEO Statement Summary
Consistent with federal and state law and University policy, the University of New England is committed to the fundamental concept of equal opportunity for all of the members of the University community. The University prohibits, and will not tolerate, discrimination in employment, the provision of academic services or in any other area of University life based on race, color, sex, physical or mental disability, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, ethnicity, genetic information, HIV status, or status as a veteran. Prohibited bias factors should not motivate decisions regarding students, employees, applicants for admission, applicants for employment, contractors, volunteers or participants in and/or users of institutional programs, services, and activities.
Vaccination Statement (PLEASE NOTE)
Employees in clinical settings must meet the State of Maine's immunization requirements for clinical activity.
Additional Note
This position is not eligible for H-1B visa sponsorship.
Posting Detail Information
Posting Number 2022PS0911P Open Date Close Date Open Until Filled No
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
Documents Needed to Apply
Required Documents
Optional Documents
- Letter of Recommendation
- Additional Document (Please see Posting Details for more information)