Residence Director

Position Details

Posting Summary

Position Title Residence Director Overview

St. John Fisher University is an independent, liberal arts institution that provides a transformative education to approximately 3,800 undergraduate, master's, and doctoral students each year. Across its five Schools, Fisher offers nearly 40 majors in the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, business, education, and nursing; 11 pre-professional programs; and master's and doctoral programs in business, nursing, education, pharmacy, and public health. The University's residential campus boasts a robust living and learning community and a successful intercollegiate athletics program. Fisher is a community where all are welcome, regardless of religious or cultural background.

The University continues to honor its founders, the Congregation of St. Basil, by embracing their motto, "Teach Me Goodness, Discipline, and Knowledge." We are located in Pittsford, N.Y., seven miles outside of the city of Rochester. The campus is situated on 164 park-like acres-a beautiful setting for a warm, friendly campus community.

Job Responsibilities

The Residence Director (RD) is a 10-month, live-in professional responsible for fostering a vibrant, inclusive, and safe residential community for up to 350 students. Reporting to the Director of Residential Life, the RD provides direct leadership and mentorship to a team of 6-10 Resident Assistants, ensuring that the University Mission, departmental goals, and the values of the Fisher Creed are woven into the daily residential experience.

The RD serves as a primary advocate for student success, utilizing proactive case management and community-building strategies to support residents' academic and personal growth. This role requires a balance of high-level administrative management-including building operations and student conduct adjudication-with the critical thinking necessary to lead campus-wide crisis response through a professional on-call rotation. As a key representative of the Office of Residential Life, the RD collaborates with campus partners to maintain a residential environment that is safe, educational, and conducive to student retention.

Staff Supervision and Development:

• Plan, prepare and present sessions for Resident Assistant (RA) training.
• Responsible for supervision and leadership of (6 to 10) assigned RAs.
• Set goals for RAs in consultation with supervisor.
• Conduct performance discussions and make recommendations regarding hiring and termination of RAs that carry significant weight with supervisor.
• Hold weekly staff meetings and individual supervision meetings.
• Design and implement on-going in-service training/development opportunities for RA staff.
• Manage staff development and programming budget as well as oversee Wegmans card and other purchases made by RAs and hall council.

Student Engagement, Advocacy and Support:

• Responsible for the general welfare of up to 350 residents.
• Responsible for ensuring the educational, cultural and social programing implemented in residence hall(s) is appropriate and consistent with the departmental mission statement and the Fisher Creed.
• Facilitate, supervise and help coordinate programming and community building in the residence hall(s).
• Provide basic counseling in the areas of personal safety, conflict resolution, self-care and academic success.
• Collaborate with the Care Team and other campus offices to identify and outreach to students who are struggling with academic, emotional and/or mental health related issues.
• Utilize independent judgement to make referrals to appropriate University resources.
• Support RA staff in addressing roommate conflicts and other community related issues.
• Implement mediation strategies for conflicts escalated above RA comfort or capabilities.
• Advise hall council for assigned building(s).
• Possible opportunities to advise Residence Hall Association.

Operational:

• Responsible for the day to day operations of assigned building(s) in consultation with Assistant Director and Director.
• Prepare assigned building(s) for check-in/check-out periods.
• Administer and oversee the room inspection process.
• Determine priority of and coordinate room changes at the building level.
• Assist with departmental assessment projects at the building level.

Student Conduct and Crisis Management:

• Understand and enforce University and residence hall policies.
• Explain and answer questions related to policies and student conduct process.
• Attend weekly meetings with Director of Student Conduct.
• Serve as a hearing officer and meet with students as assigned.
• Display appropriate critical thinking during emergency response and conduct hearings.
• Perform on-call responsibilities in rotation with other Residence Directors when students are in residence.
• Follow departmental professional staff emergency response protocol.
• Support RA staff in following emergency response protocol and confronting situations.

Administrative:

• Maintain assigned number of office hours per week.
• Attend weekly departmental meetings and individual meetings with supervisor.
• Assist with RA staff recruitment and selection processes with recommendations carrying significant weight for hiring decisions.
• Assist in the room selection processes.
• Utilize appropriate software platforms/digital systems to maintain student conduct and housing records.
• Support departmental and division wide strategic plan initiatives.
• Serve as a liaison with other departments in the University.
• Participate in University committees as assigned.
• Assume other responsibilities as assigned.

Other opportunities:

• Participate on departmental committees.
• Committee leadership opportunities after first full year of employment.
• Opportunities to advise students and student groups.

Education / Experience

• Bachelor's Degree required. Master's Degree preferred.
• Strong computer skills and experience with Microsoft Office required.
• Experience living in a residence hall required.
• Resident Assistant experience preferred.
• Experience with housing management (StarRez) and student conduct database systems preferred (Maxient).

Competencies / Skills

• Ability to work well with others and the desire to work in a student-centered environment.
• Ability to think clearly amid changing priorities and circumstances.
• Attention to detail and high accountability for meeting deadlines.
• Maintain professional attitude and demeanor in difficult situations.
• Exercise sound judgment.
• Maintain high level of confidentiality.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Mobility: Ability to move throughout residence halls and campus buildings, including climbing stairs and walking long distances.
• Standing and Sitting: Extended periods of sitting during administrative tasks and meetings; standing during events and student interactions.
• Lifting and Carrying: Occasionally lift and carry items such as packages, event materials, or equipment (typically up to 25 lbs).
• Manual Dexterity: Use of computer keyboard, office equipment, and handling keys or access cards.
• Emergency Response: Physical ability to respond quickly in crisis situations, which may include moving rapidly through buildings or assisting students.

Supervision of Employees

Direct supervision of Resident Assistants.

Work Environment

Busy office with many interruptions.

Equipment to be Used

Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint), Banner, StarRez, Maxient, FisherLink/Starfish, Asset Tiger, Canva, copier/printer, and other campus technology systems.

Job Type Full-time Work Hours

The Residence Director is a full time, 10 month (August 1-May 31) live-in position. During these 10 months, outside employment should be discussed in advance with and approved by supervisor. The Residence Director must be available to work occasional extended hours. (This may include: fall and spring RA training, semester opening and closing, duty rotation, University open houses, etc.)

Special Conditions for Eligibility Minimum Number of References Requested 3 EEO Statement

It is the policy of St. John Fisher University to provide Equal Employment Opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment in accordance with the applicable federal, state, and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in each locality in which the University has employees.

The University does not discriminate against applicants or employees in hiring, promotion, termination or the terms and conditions of employment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sex, perceived sex, gender identity, gender expression, the status of being transgender, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, marital status, military status, veteran status, predisposing genetic, characteristics or genetic information, arrest or conviction record, status as a victim of domestic violence, or any other characteristic protected by law.

The Title IX Coordinator is the designated University official with primary responsibility for coordinating compliance with Title IX and related federal and state laws. The Title IX Coordinator, Meg Flaherty, Ph.D., can be reached by phone (585-385-8232), email (titleix@sjfc.edutitleix@sjfc.edu>), in-person in Campus Center 209, or outside of business hours by contacting the Office of Safety and Security (585-385-8111).

Work Location 3690 East Ave., Rochester, NY 14618 FLSA Exempt Salary / Hourly Range $41,479.00 per year plus room and board Notes

The position includes a furnished one-bedroom apartment, internet, reserved parking, and a meal plan.

Apartment Use

• Spouse/partner and/or dependents may reside in apartment with completion of approval process.
• Pets residing in campus apartments are limited to fish in tanks no larger than 10 gallons.

The salary range for this role is set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to internal equity, qualifications, experience, and education. The above hiring range is one component of the University's competitive Total Rewards package which can be viewed here

Posting Detail Information

Posting Number S00778P Desired Start Date Open Date Open Until Filled Yes Special Instructions to Applicant

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Documents Needed to Apply

Required Documents

• Resume
• Cover Letter

Optional Documents