What are the responsibilities and job description for the Graduate Hall Director position at University of West Alabama (UWA)?
JOB TITLE – Graduate Hall Director
DIVISION ‑ Student Affairs
DEPARTMENT – Housing and Residence Life
JOB DEFINITION
The Graduate Hall Director (GHD) is a ten-month live-on member of the Housing staff responsible for promoting and maintaining a positive living environment. The GHD position offers experiences in leadership, supervision, advising, mediation, conduct management, crisis response, budgeting, and facilities. The GHD is responsible for the day-to-day management of Gilbert Hall, a 459-bed freshman residence hall. In addition, the GHD assists with department-wide initiatives, such as staff selection and training. The GHD has on-call responsibilities and must respond quickly to emergencies. The GHD is deemed essential staff and may be required to report to work when the University is closed for emergencies and inclement weather. The GHD position is for one academic year and is renewable for up to two additional years based on job performance and continued academic progress towards degree completion. Summer housing may also be available.
DUTIES
- Complete up to 29 hours per week in direct job related functions. This includes 15 hours of office hours, plus time for staff meetings and department initiatives. The typical week will require approximately 20 hours.
- Train, supervise, and evaluate 14 Resident Assistants.
- Coordinate programming and community development efforts within the hall and manage the programming budget for the residence hall.
- Serve as a hearing officer, making appropriate disciplinary referrals as needed.
- Participate in the emergency on-call rotation within Housing and respond to and resolve emergency and non-emergency situations.
- Provide crisis intervention, conflict mediation, academic and general counseling, and resource referrals for residents and Resident Assistants.
- Develop a positive working relationship with the custodial and maintenance staff so as to support cleaning and repairs within the residence hall.
- Coordinate at least one department-wide function (RA training, Room Selection, etc.).
- With Assistant Director of Housing, coordinate front desk operations in Gilbert Hall including training, scheduling, supervising, and evaluating approximately 10 student office assistants.
- Other related duties as assigned.
SUPERVISION
Reports directly to the Assistant Director of Housing but may also receive direction from the Director of Housing and Residence Life and the Housing Services Coordinator.
QUALIFICATIONS
The following qualifications are required:
- An earned Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college/university.
- Admitted as a graduate student by June 1, 2024, and enrollment as a graduate student in at least two classes for a full academic term (Fall or Spring) or one class per online term (Fall 1, Fall 2, Spring 1, Spring 2).
- Prior experience as a Resident Assistant, or related position.
- Demonstrated leadership skills, including ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing, and the desire to work with students, both individually and in groups.
The following qualifications are preferred:
- Experience coordinating and/or presenting training workshops.
- Crisis response experience.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a Graduate Hall Director to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Must live in the assigned residence hall apartment.
- Must be able to hear and speak clearly and concisely, both face-to-face and on the phone. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision and distance vision. The GHD is frequently required to sit, stand, walk, climb stairs, use hands to feel; reach with hands and arms, smell and lift and/or move items up to 10 pounds. The GHD is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl and lift and/or move items up to 25 pounds. Some accommodations are possible, but the GHD must be able to climb stairs to access residence hall rooms located in buildings without an elevator.
ACTIVITY COMMITMENTS
GHDs are prohibited from having off-campus jobs when school is in session. Off-campus jobs are permitted during University breaks, such as winter break. As the GHD position is an extensive time commitment, on-campus jobs, other assistantships, internships, and student teaching, as well as activities requiring significant commitment, must be approved in advance by the Director of Housing and Residence Life. Approval is not guaranteed and may require that activities be dropped or limited.
Appointments
The GHD appointment is for the Fall and Spring semester only, but summer work may be available. The position is renewable for up to 2 years, depending on performance and continued graduate school enrollment.
COMPENSATION
- Furnished apartment with cable, internet, and all other utilities included.
- A scholarship equal to the cost of tuition for 6 credit hours plus student activity and athletic fees each semester (Fall and Spring).
- Partial meal plan while classes are in session.
- $500 deferred scholarship per month.
- Reserved parking space on campus; GHD is responsible for registering, paying for, and obtaining a parking decal to park on campus in order to use the reserved parking space.
APPLICATION
- Review of applications begins May 29th and continues until the position is filled.
- Apply online at https://uwa.jotform.com/award/GAApplication. You will be required to upload your cover letter, resume, and info for three professional references. Only complete application will be accepted.
Prior to hiring, the final candidate(s) must successfully pass a pre-employment background investigation, including information obtained from social media and other internet sources.
The University of West Alabama does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, hearing status, personal appearance, color, sex, pregnancy, political affiliation, creed, ethnicity,
national origin (including ancestry), citizenship status, physical or mental disability (including perceived disability), age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran or military status, predisposing genetic characteristics, domestic violence victim status, or any other protected category under applicable local, state, or federal law, including protections for those opposing discrimination or participating in any grievance process on campus, with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or other human rights agencies.