Residence Hall Director

Salary: $44,000.00 - $47,000.00 Annually
Location : Governors State University, IL
Job Type: Administrative & Professional
Job Number: AP20260004
Division: Non Instructional Academic Affairs
Department: Aux Srvcs And Univ Housing
Opening Date: 07/31/2026
FLSA: Exempt
Bargaining Unit: 0


Description
Governors State University welcomes qualified candidates to apply for consideration to fille the position of Residence Hall Director (RHD ). The Residence Hall Director (RHD) plays an intricate role in fostering the living-learning philosophy of University Housing and makes appropriate decisions and/or recommendations to the Assistant Director of Auxiliary Services & University Housing regarding the management and supervision of the residential program. The RHD provides year-round leadership and direction for a specified residence hall and is responsible for enhancing student learning and academic success through the creation of a community environment that supports the overall development of students.


RHDs are generally responsible for:

• Training, supervising, and evaluating paraprofessional staff and an Assistant Residence Hall Director (graduate assistant).
• Assisting and advising students in matters related to academic support, crisis intervention, referral, programming, discipline, routine conflicts, personal development, and leadership opportunities.
• Advising the hall council on matters of budget, policy, and programming.
• Serving as the communication link with students and other areas of the department and university.

Essential Responsibilities
35% Student Development

• Enter new hire information in the human resource system database.
• Ensure that human resource files and records are maintained in accordance with legal requirements and university policies and procedures.
• Receives and screens visitors and telephone calls.
• Run monthly and year-end reports regarding terminations, transfers, and new hires.
• Processes employment verification forms.
• Responsible for retention and archiving of all personnel records.
• Receives and tracks employment applications.
• Coordinates with related departments as required.
• Coordinate and/or facilitate special projects as needed.
• Types memos and letters as requested.
• Attend and participate in meetings as required.
• Assist in monitoring employee performance appraisal program.
• Ability to provide office management and clerical services for the department; examples (not all inclusive) include routing phone calls, opening and distributing mail, scheduling meetings and resolving calendar issues, filing system upkeep, supply ordering, preparing travel reimbursements, making travel arrangements, preparing purchase orders, monitoring department budget.

30% Counseling

• Counsel students and staff based on student development theory.
• Interpret, deliberate, and enforce university policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Use discretion when adjudicating policy violations.
• Participate in 24-hour on-call/duty coverage with Assistant Residence Hall Director. Use judgment to determine best method of response.
• Counsel individual students seeking assistance in resolving and mediating personal and/or community related conflicts.
• Meet with students needing additional guidance and support and provide them with appropriate services, resources, support, and referrals.

30% Leadership

• Provide leadership for regularly scheduled departmental staff meetings and hall staff meetings and training.
• Manage room/hall changes and consolidation process.
• Synthesize the completion of residence hall assignments, such as room condition reports, no show reports, work orders, check in and arrival reports, etc.
• Maintain regular contact with inter and intradepartmental staff including Campus Dining Services, maintenance and custodial personnel, desk staff, and other administrative staff within the department to oversee the residence hall operations.
• Oversee Summer Operations and/or special projects in University Housing.
• Monitor inventory in storage areas, lounges, and public areas.
• Oversee building opening, closing, check-in, check-out, and room changes.
• Responsible for managing time and establishing work priorities.
• Provide leadership to weekly academic success teams comprised of staff from first and second year advising, the Academic Resource Center, the faculty-in-residence and University Housing & Auxiliary Services staff.
• The RHD is a live-in full-time professional position that includes weekend hours and live-in responsibilities. In consultation and collaboration with the Assistant Director of University Housing the RHD has the authority to act independently and in compliance with departmental and university policy and state law in the resolution of problems, concerns and goal accomplishment.
• RHD staff will routinely be first-line responders to student crises, including mental health situations (i.e., suicidal ideations or attempts), as well as physical plant emergencies (i.e., fire, electrical outages, etc.).
• Be available for evening and weekend programs, contact with students and response to emergencies.

5% Other duties assigned in relation to the position.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of student learning and student development theories.
• Knowledge of working in living-learning centers or theme housing.
• Knowledge of and ability to implement residence hall administrative procedures.
• Advanced administrative skills.
• Excellent interpersonal communication, customer service, and conflict management skills.
• Ability to supervise RHD staff, resident assistants, and student workers) successfully.
• Demonstrated ability to work with diverse students and staff.
• Ability to implement and facilitate social justice education.

Supervisory Responsibility
The Residence Hall Director supervises six (6) Resident Assistants and one (1) Assistant Residence Hall Director directly. The Residence Hall Director supervises indirectly a group of 7-15 front desk workers. Supervision is given by the Assistant Director of Auxiliary Services and University Housing through combination of regular supervision meetings and informal consultations by phone and email. Assignments will be received through written and verbal instructions. Many tasks are recurring and therefore will be done without significant direction from a supervisor. Sources available to assist in performance of assigned tasks are departmental policies and procedures; staff manuals, university policies and procedures; literature from the field of university housing; and programs in practice at other colleges and universities.
Work Environment
This job operates in a professional office environment within a residence hall during work hours; will be required to travel from residence hall to building periodically. After hour calls and duty response may create hazardous conditions that the Residence Hall Director will be expected to assess and direct emergency response on-site in consultation with the Director and/or Assistant Director of Auxiliary Services and University Housing.
Physical Demands
The Residence Hall Director job requires the ability to physically respond on site to crisis incidents if needed, and regular travel throughout the residence hall and around campus to meetings, programs, and other functions. Some additional, light physical demands such as carrying equipment and supplies may be required at times.
Required and Preferred Qualifications

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree and a minimum of one academic year full-time work experience by the time of appointment as a full-time residence hall director or work in a related field (higher education, student affairs, counseling).
• Successful supervisory experience.
• Demonstrated ability to work with diverse students and staff.
• Experience implementing and facilitating social justice education.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, customer service and conflict management skills.

Desired Education and Experience

• Master's degree (or U.S. equivalent) in College Student Personnel or a related field and experience working in a residence hall setting (i.e., at least one (1) year part-time relevant experience at time of hire is required (graduate assistantships are considered part-time work).
• Knowledge of student learning and student development theories.
• Experience working in living-learning centers or theme housing.
• Advanced administrative skills and experience implementing residence hall administrative procedures are strongly preferred.

Supplemental Information


Please attach the following to your application:

• Cover Letter
• Resume
• Transcripts

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until position is filled. You ar encouraged to submit you application as soon as possible to ensure consideration review.
This position qualifies for an expansive suite of fringe benefits including, various insurance options, paid time off, retirement and investment options, and tuition waivers. Visit:
01


Do you have experience managing or supervising staff?

• Yes
• No

02


What is the highest level of education attained?

• GED HS eequivalent
• High School Diploma
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
• Doctorate Degree
• ABD

03


What academic discipline did you earn your degree(s) in?
Required Question