Posting Title

Assistant Director of Housing Services (Occupancy Management)

Overview

In support of all aspects of the mission of the Department and University, the Assistant Director will coordinate and provide direct oversight of housing and dining assignments and billing related to occupancy management within the department.

The Assistant Director will manage the daily operations of university-affiliated housing and assist with transitional housing operations and marketing efforts.

 

The assistant director is responsible for developing, implementing, and evaluating systems and processes that are student-centered, reflect institutional thinking, support the formation of community, foster student retention, promote the development of the whole student, and are consistent with best practices in higher education.

 

The assistant director ensures that programs and services are implemented with attention to high standards, quality, collaboration, and fiscal soundness. In addition, the assistant director will support departmental and divisional programmatic initiatives that positively impact student retention, academic success, and enrichment.The assistant director is primarily responsible for the following:

● Assist with developing a vision, plan, and direction for year-round student on-campus housing assignments that is consistent, fair, and in accordance with departmental policies and practices, as well as the mission and goals of the University. These policies and practices should be student-centered, reflect institutional thinking, support the formation of community, foster student retention, and promote the development of the whole student.

● Coordinate programs and services including on-campus housing assignments and billing, dining assignments and billing, University-affiliated housing, extended housing, and marketing initiatives.

● Develop, coordinate, and implement systems and practices that ensure departmental operations are fiscally responsible, support student development needs, and are consistent with best practices in higher education.

● Manage the housing and dining assignment and billing software package, The Housing Director

● Collaborate with University departments to ensure the seamless delivery of housing-related services to students, parents, and administrators.

● Manage operations of a highly active, student-centered, customer-oriented focus area serving current and prospective students and families, staff, and other University community members and constituents.

● Compile data and statistics, conduct research, and disseminate reports concerning on-campus assignments and processes and make recommendations for future programs and initiatives.

● Compile data and statistics, conduct research, and present information to eligible students regarding off-campus housing options.

● Participate in strategic planning to establish short-term and long-range goals and objectives.

● Serve as a resource for students, parents, and administrators.

 

The projected salary or hourly pay range for this position which represents the full range of anticipated compensation, is: $65,000-70,000.

Responsibilities

1. Plan, develop, implement, and evaluate outstanding, educational and developmental systems and processes which supplement global University and departmental objectives.

a) Establish and maintain appropriate up-to-date protocols, policies, procedures, and practices that are communicated effectively to staff, students, and the broader University community.

b) Participate in the recruitment, supervision, retention, training, development, and evaluation of staff resources, including student staff/interns.

c) Develop and apply best and emerging practices, consistent with the Catholic Identity of the University.

d) Ensure compliance with national, local, and University laws, regulations, standards, and codes. Implement appropriate compliance measures. Maintain applicable housing records.

e) Develop initiatives to address service satisfaction and continuous improvements through appropriate data collection, reports, and assessments.

f) Use and support information technology applications, including the implementation of data collection software.

g) Develop formal, collaborative working relationships with associated departments, including Residence Life; Events and Conference Services; Dining Services; Enrollment Services; Technology Services; Facilities Maintenance and Operations;

Disability Support Services; Global Education; and Office of International Services (OIS).

h) Remain actively engaged with appropriate and effective professional organizations.

 

2. Coordinate programs and services including on-campus housing assignments and billing, dining assignments and billing, off-campus housing services, university-affiliated housing, and marketing aspects of departmental operations. Provide indirect support for auxiliary operations within the department. Develop and enhance a vision for responsibilities that provide and promote outstanding, educational, developmental programs and services.

a) Implement strategies designed to support the effective administration of occupancy management plans, including: housing and dining contract oversight; room selection and assignments processes; extended occupancy housing; university-affiliated housing; occupancy reporting and trends; policy review and implementation; student billing

and charges; and opening, closing and transition periods.

b) Manage university-affiliated housing operations including direct support of residential students, graduate staff supervision, keys and building access, maintenance requests, delivery of utility services, room changes, and check- in/out.

c) Create and refine off-campus housing services to support upper-level and graduate students who transition into the greater metropolitan community. Collaborate with the Dean of Students office, Student Conduct and Ethical Development office, and Graduate Admissions on outreach initiatives.

d) Propose and develop marketing strategies and plans focusing on websites, publications, forms, and model correspondence; ensure that messages are consistent and reflect institutional thinking.

e) Prepare, in coordination with supervisor and the Office of Marketing and Communications, brochures and handbooks to promote housing programs and services.

f) Assist with developing plans for managing transitional housing periods (including summer to fall, fall to spring, and spring to summer) and opening and closing transitions (fall opening, fall closing, spring opening, and spring closing).

g) Utilize best practices in housing operations to improve programs, service to students and members of the university community, and support the creation of seamless residential learning environments.h) Implement streamlined systems and processes that model customer service and are philosophically consistent with departmental expectations, clearly articulate departmental messages, and are appropriately applied.

i) Collaborate with colleagues within Residence Life, Events and Conference Services, Dining Services, Disability Support Services, Facilities Maintenance and Operations, and Housing Services to prepare for, assess, and ensure timely response to workflow-related issues involving the residential and housing services programs.

 

3. Manage operations of a highly active, student-centered, customer-oriented focus area serving current and prospective students and families, staff, and other university community members and constituents.

a) Manage departmental database (Housing Director and StarRez) and serve as an expert for and liaison to this software.

b) Provide ongoing training for the Housing Director and StarRez database to staff in Housing Services, Residence Life, Events and Conference Services, Dining Services, Postal Services, and other identified users as appropriate.

c) Collaborate with supervisor and colleagues in Technology Services to ensure the Housing Director and StarRez software is maintained, remains current, and provides the functionality necessary to provide seamless delivery of services to students.

d) Communicate with Enrollment Services, Disability Support Services, Dining Services, Dean of Students, Admissions, and other appropriate offices in order to assess and provide students with appropriate housing and dining assignments and billing records.

e) Maintain official records and files of students in accordance with office retention schedules.

f) Ensure that systems and processes maintain the confidentiality of all student information.

g) Coordinate the recruitment, supervision, retention, training development, and evaluation of student staff resources.

h) Direct and coordinate applicable office communications including phone calls, e-mails, and mailings.

 

4. Compile data and statistics, conduct research, and disseminate reports concerning aspects of assignments and off-campus housing services. Directly manage this information and make recommendations for future programs and initiatives.

a) Provide regular reports on housing demand, vacancies, and waitlist management

b) Review best practices at competitor institutions related to core functions. Provide a summary report including fast facts and recommendations for implementation.

c) Coordinate the collection of student feedback as it relates to core functions. Provide recommendations for improving programs and services based on the feedback received and best practices.

d) Ensure compliance with national, local, and university laws, regulations, standards, and codes. Implement appropriate compliance measures.

e) In collaboration with other departmental staff, maintain a list of housing facilities that can accommodate various students’ needs as recommended by Disability Support Services.

 

5. Serve as a resource person for students, parents, and administrators. Participate in on-going programmatic initiatives and services that positively impact the recruitment, retention, and enrichment of students.

a) Implement and maintain a system to educate and inform the campus community of departmental initiatives. Serve as a liaison with faculty and staff to foster an understanding of departmental initiatives.

b) Advise students in regard to intra- and interpersonal, social, and academic problems and make appropriate referrals to university services and resources when necessary.

c) Create, develop, and implement strategic plans and intentional programming to support student retention and satisfaction with housing, including the publication of informational and educational materials.

d) Resolve student concerns, utilizing crisis intervention skills and resources.

e) Support curricular and co-curricular programs and services that improve/support student academic success, extra-curricular involvements, and student retention.

f) Participate in university initiatives that foster an environment of civility, accountability, and understanding.

g) Utilize existing and new communication tools (i.e. websites, listservs, etc.) related to core functions.

6. Departmental Leadership (general)

a) Acquire and maintain a strong working knowledge of related university departments, systems, and processes, including Residence Life, Events and Conference Services, Dining Services, Enrollment Services, Admissions, Dean of Students, Disability Support Services, Global Education, Office of International Services, Campus Ministry, Athletics, Facilities Maintenance and Operations, et al.

b) Develop and maintain strong working relationships with professional colleagues on and off campus.

c) Maintain strong working knowledge of the student development field. Apply and share knowledge to produce fundamentally sound and creative solutions to critical student needs.

d) Serve on committees and task forces as requested.

e) Participate in and contribute to the strategic and operational planning processes of the department.

f) Provide administrative coverage, in collaboration with other office staff, for Housing Services.

g) Support departmental response to emergency, crisis, and unusual situations involving students and/or the campus community.

h) Maintain high visibility and accessibility, and initiate regular communications with the university community, including students, faculty, staff, and executive management.

i) Create goodwill for the university in service to families of students, visitors, patrons, government officials, community leaders and the general public.j) Assist with the cultivation of positive community relations.

 

7. Excel in a dynamic area with some ambiguity and requiring multifaceted skill development. Cross training and continuous development will be provided.

 

8. Contribute to the overall success of the Office of Housing Services and the University by performing all other essential duties as assigned. Directly support other staff members and areas within the office, as well as the broader Division.

Qualifications

A bachelor's degree with at least one (1) year of experience is required, with an emphasis in residence life, housing services, or a similar logistical position within a higher education setting if preferred. Consideration will be made for a combination of an advanced degree and experience.