What are the responsibilities and job description for the Area Coordinator position at Montana State University and Careers?
University Student Housing (USH) at MSU, offers a unique, on-campus living experience for students and their families/associates as they focus on their academic success. Managing 18 active on-campus communities (11 Residence Halls and 7 Apartments) which are the home of up to 6,500 residents. The departmental mission includes provision of reasonably priced living environments which are clean, attractive, well-maintained, comfortable, and include safety features; ensures the orderly and effective administration of the program through efficient management; and provides a learning environment and related co-curricular programs which promote maturity and academic success.
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the supervision of an Assistant Director, the Area Coordinator (AC) oversees the Community Director (CD) Team and leads their efforts in supporting the execution of daily operations, upholding community standards, and encouraging residential engagement within their assigned communities.
- Directly supervises, evaluates, and trains 2 to 4 Community Directors to successfully execute daily administrative and building services operations.
- Supervises staff in the implementation of the intentional educational residential programming in our residence halls, paying special attention to the populations within that area.
- Assists in the development and implementation of the department programming model.
- Serves as a conduct officer by upholding the student code of conduct, the residence life handbook rules and regulations, and the residence life housing agreement.
- Responds to parent/family member concerns while maintaining student confidentiality.
- Provides leadership for the development and implementation of area and hall educational plans, with input provided by the area team and Leadership Team.
- Oversees the allocated budget for programming in assigned halls.
- Performs a wide variety of administrative tasks in support of the department’s processes.
- Works collaboratively with Housing’s Building Services team, helps to prioritize maintenance work orders based upon area needs and operating priorities.
- Participates in Housing’s campus wide emergency response rotation and reacts to emergency situations as needed across Housing areas.
- Actively participates as part of the team while performing other duties in support of the department’s mission.
Area Coordinators will be assigned and will focus on one of the following areas:
- Student Staff Selection & Training: leads the strategic recruitment, selection, and comprehensive training of student staff across University Student Housing, ensuring equitable hiring practices and developmentally grounded training aligned with departmental priorities. Provides leadership for curriculum design, large-scale training implementation, and ongoing assessment of staff readiness, while coaching Community Directors in effective supervision, feedback, and staff development practices.
- Student Conduct and Welfare: provides leadership for the implementation of a developmental, educational student conduct and welfare framework that promotes accountability, safety, and student success. Serves as a senior conduct officer, oversees case management processes and trend analysis, and coaches Community Directors in effective incident response, documentation, and student support while collaborating with campus partners to address complex behavioral and crisis concerns.
- Student Leadership & Engagement: leads the vision and implementation of residential student leadership and engagement initiatives that foster belonging, leadership development, and connection to campus. Advises major student leadership organizations and large-scale programming efforts, assesses engagement outcomes, and supports Community Directors in implementing intentional, data-informed community development strategies across residential communities.
Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
- Bachelors degree plus two years of progressively responsible experience in a residential housing system or an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.
- Two to three years of progressively responsible full-time professional experience in university housing, residence life, or a closely related student affairs functional area.
- Demonstrated experience supervising, coaching, and evaluating professional, and/or graduate staff.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, lead teams, and maintain effective administrative systems.
- Experience managing complex student situations including crisis response, conflict mediation, and student conduct case management.
- Experience adjudicating student conduct cases and successful case management.
- Experience working effectively with diverse student populations and contributing to inclusive communities.
Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
- Master’s Degree in Student Affairs/Personnel, Education, Business, or a related field.
- Full-time professional experience in university housing/residence life beyond entry-level live-in roles.
- Demonstrated success supervising professional staff (full-time or graduate-level), including performance management and professional development planning.
- Significant undergraduate or graduate experience in campus housing/residence life (e.g., extensive paraprofessional experience, graduate hall director, or professional live-in role).
- Experience working with graduate students, international students, families, or other non-traditional student populations within residential or student support environments.
- Demonstrated ability to analyze trends, use assessment data, and implement improvements to programs, training, or student support strategies.
- Experience collaborating with campus partners such as counseling services, student conduct, international programs, facilities, or dean of students offices.
- Experience leading or coordinating large-scale student staff selection and training processes, conduct programs, or residential leadership/engagement initiatives.
- Experience managing budgets, facilities coordination, or multi-community residential operations.
- Demonstrated competence in one or more of the following areas: (1) Student Staff Selection and Training, (2) Community Standards & Student Welfare, (3) Student Leadership and Engagement.
The Successful Candidate Will
- Demonstrates strong understanding of residential life operations, student staff supervision and development, and inclusive practices that support all community members.
- Effectively manages conflict by exercising sound judgment, facilitating difficult conversations, and supporting fair and consistent outcomes.
- Provides clear, consistent, and supportive leadership for team members, with an emphasis on coaching, accountability, and professional growth.
- Evaluate and communicate with staff about job performance and hold staff accountable to departmental policies and procedures.
- Demonstrates effective training and facilitation skills that support staff learning, development, and consistent practice.
- Communicate effectively with individuals and groups from various backgrounds.
- Demonstrate excellent customer service to students, parents and university stakeholders.
- Exercises sound judgment and makes consistent, well-reasoned decisions in alignment with departmental expectations.
- Sets clear expectations, motivates, and supports employees to achieve and sustain a high level of performance and quality.
- Demonstrate initiative and the ability to work independently while keeping supervisors informed.
- Work effectively in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.
- Meet timelines and maintain accurate administrative documentation.
- Exhibit proficient computer expertise.
- Ability to critically think and resolve problems during emergency and crisis response.
- Represent the department in a courteous and professional manner.
Position Special Requirements/Additional Information
This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
- Full-time, live-on position with a furnished apartment and a board plan (when the food service is open for residential service).
- Occasional travel for professional development.
- Will work evenings, weekends, long hours, holidays (as needed) and consecutive days without breaks during peak times.
- Will participate in Housing’s campus wide emergency response rotation and react to emergency situations as needed across Housing areas.
Physical Demands
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
- Navigate campus and the areas in and around the residence halls and apartment communities.
- Occasionally move and place items to 30 lbs.
- Occasionally work outside and in inclement weather.
This position has supervisory duties?
Yes
Posting Detail Information
Number of Vacancies
Pool
Desired Start Date
June/July 2026
Position End Date (if temporary)
Open Date
Close Date
Applications will be:
Screening of applications will begin on March 12, 2026; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.
Special Instructions
Please address the qualifications in your cover letter and resume.
Questions? Contact: Search Support at auxjobs@montana.edu or 406-994-6468.
Questions? Contact: Search Support at auxjobs@montana.edu or 406-994-6468.
EEO Statement
Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.
In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference, please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.
In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference, please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.