Assistant Director for Residential Education

Assistant Director for Residential Education

Position Announcement

Proposed Start Date - 05/18/2026

Classification Title - Advising and Student Services

Rank - N - No Rank

Working Title - Assistant Director for Residential Education

Department - 670520 - RES Residence Life

Position Number - D91171

Representation - UX - Unclassified Excluded

Renewable - Renewable

Position FTE - 1.0

Tenure Status - N - not applicable

Position Summary

Brief Description of PSU/School/Dept - Portland State University is Oregon's most affordable public research university, located in the heart of one of America's most dynamic cities. Our mission to "let knowledge serve the city" reflects our dedication to turning ideas into action. More than 20,000 students from all backgrounds bring diverse perspectives to our classrooms and campus life, from the tree-lined Park Blocks to the bustling Urban Plaza and state-of-the-art science labs. We are proud of our world-class faculty, groundbreaking research and international reputation for excellence in sustainability, community engagement and innovation. The mission of UniversityHousing & Residence Life (UHRL) is to provide a unique living experience in Portland's urban environment through actively engaged residential communities that promote student success.

Position Summary - The position of Assistant Director for Residential Education has the primary responsibility for the building management and the programming model for Resident Assistants (RA) within our residence halls. This position is tasked to develop and support the education and community environment in the residence halls through program development, coordination and supervision of four professional staff within the residence life program. This position is expected to foster healthy environments for learning and social interaction that promote and model teamwork and establishment of inclusive, supportive, collaborative, service-oriented, multicultural environments. The position participates in the leadership of the department including program and protocol development, professional staff selection and training and evaluation, budget responsibilities and programmatic assessment. The Assistant Director is a member of the Residence Life Leadership Team.

Minimum Qualifications - Bachelor's degree OR Master's degree in College Student Personnel, Higher Education Administration, Counseling or other related field. Three or more years of professional experience working in a college or university housing and residence life department required. Specific experience in handling crisis response, conduct and mediation. Experience supervising a full-time professional(s). Skills in program development, organizing and planning. Training or experience in leadership development, supervision, program planning and evaluation. Strong problem-solving skills in the context of interpersonal and group relations, strong analytical skills, and strong oral communication skills. Practice as a conduct hearing officer. Ability to work effectively on a team. Scheduling flexibility to meet residents' needs. Must pass a criminal background check.

Preferred Qualifications - Experience in areas of staff supervision, housing leadership, learning communities, student success initiatives, leadership training, and the ability to work within a collaborative environment and with diverse populations. Four or more years of professional experience working in a college or university housing and residence life department required. Specific experience in handling crisis response, conduct and mediation. Theme and Living-Learning Community experience. Experience working with effective practices addressing student success and retention. Detail orientated and able to assess needs, plan, and implement new programs. Coursework or experience with conflict management. Mediation skills, conduct process and communication/active listening. Experience with StarRez software Budget experience.

Key Cultural Competencies - Create an environment that acknowledges, encourages, and celebrates differences. Function and communicate effectively and respectfully within the context of varying beliefs, behaviors, orientations, identities, and cultural backgrounds. Seek opportunities to gain experience working and collaborating in diverse, multicultural, and inclusive settings with a willingness to change for continual improvement. Adhere to all of PSU's policies including the policies on Prohibited Discrimination & Harassment and the Professional Standards of Conduct.

Environmental Stewardship - Contributes to a culture of environmental stewardship, practices resource conservation, and actively works toward achieving long-term sustainability goals.

Work Days/Hours - Usually Monday to Friday, 40 hours per week, schedule may vary based on business needs.

Total Compensation Range & Benefits Statement - Salary is dependent on several factors, and new employees will typically start around the Q1 level to allow for later growth within the salary band. PSU has a structured process for determining starting compensation, taking into account years of related experience, applicable skills, knowledge and abilities, market parity, and internal equity. The starting annual salary for this position will be between $61,620 and $69,326, but may be negotiated above this range dependent upon the factors above, the budget of the hiring department, and approval from HR. An excellent benefits package includes 95% premium paid healthcare; a generous retirement and vacation package; and reduced tuition rates for employee, spouse or dependent at any of the Oregon University System schools. Please visit our total compensation calculator to see the full value of our benefits package.

Application Instructions

Additional Information

Additional Application Instructions (deadlines, etc.) - Please list the names, telephone numbers and email addresses for three professional references. Your references will be contacted only if you are selected as a finalist for this position.

Does this position require the employee to drive a motor vehicle? - No

Background Check Required - Yes

Position End Date (if applicable)

If you have questions - Please email University Housing and Residence Life at View email address on click.appcast.io.

Search Details

Posting Close Date

Projected Close Date for Posting - Open Until Filled

Application screening begins - 04/08/2026