Associate Director of Residence Life and Student Activities

Job Details

Description

Associate Director of Residence Life and Student Activities

VSC-United Professionals (PAT/SUP) Bargaining Unit

Exempt

Grade 14

BASIC FUNCTION

Plan, implement, and administer processes and programs related to the Residential experience along with student activities. This position is responsible for supervising student activities and residence life staff on the following campuses: Lyndon, Johnson, and Randolph. Oversee processes, systems, and programs related to Student Activities and Residence Life throughout the university. Advise the VTSU student government association. Provide training and support to student activities and residence life staff and a wide range of student leadership positions. Coordinate and oversee orientation activities for the university.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Exercise full supervisory authority over professional and student staff within Residence Life and Student Activities, including hiring, training, performance management, and evaluation.
• Provide leadership and direction to Assistant Directors, Residence Hall Directors, Coordinators, and student leaders.
• Establish goals, priorities, and performance expectations aligned with divisional and institutional objectives.
• Promote a culture of accountability, collaboration, and inclusive excellence.
• Lead the design, implementation, and continuous assessment of a comprehensive portfolio of student activities, residence life programs, and leadership development initiatives.
• Oversee university-wide and campus-based orientation programs and major student engagement initiatives.
• Develop and implement policies, procedures, and programming strategies that align with institutional goals and student needs.
• Utilize data, assessment outcomes, and best practices to inform decision-making and program improvement.
• Provide oversight of residence life operations across multiple campuses, including occupancy processes, key systems, room assignments/changes, and residence hall openings and closings.
• Collaborate with campus operations, facilities, and public safety to ensure safe, compliant, and well maintained residential environments.
• Develop and implement training programs for residence life staff and Student Activities, including crisis response and emergency preparedness. Associate Director of Residence Life and Student Activities 2026
• Advise the Student Government Association and support the development of student organizations and leadership structures.
• Oversee the recruitment, training, and supervision of student leaders, including Resident Assistants, orientation leaders, and student organization leaders.
• Plan and support major campus events, including Homecoming, large-scale programming, and Commencement activities.
• Cultivate partnerships with external vendors and community organizations to enhance student programming.
• Integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion principles into all aspects of programming, policy development, and student engagement.
• Promote a campus environment that supports belonging, accessibility, and holistic student development.
• Ensure compliance with institutional policies and relevant legal and regulatory requirements.
• Develop, administer, and monitor operating budgets for Residence Life and Student Activities.
• Oversee financial processes, including purchasing, contract coordination, and allocation of student activity funds.
• Ensure responsible stewardship of institutional resources.
• Serve as a Hearing Officer for student conduct matters in coordination with the Dean of Students.
• Participate in an on-call rotation and provide leadership in crisis response, including evenings and weekends as required.
• Coordinate responses to residential and student-related emergencies in collaboration with campus and external partners.
• Collaborate with Student Affairs, Academic Affairs, and other institutional partners to advance student success initiatives.
• Serve as a liaison across campuses to ensure consistency and effectiveness of programs and services.
• Maintain a visible and engaged presence within the campus community.
• Stay current on emerging trends, best practices, and regulatory considerations in student affairs and residence life.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
  
  

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Direct supervision is received by the Assistant Dean of Students.

SUPERVISIORY RESPONSIBILITY

Supervision of student activities and residence life professional staff and student workers located at Johnson, Lyndon & Randolph.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in appropriate discipline with four to seven years of relevant experience, or a similar combination of education experience from which comparable knowledge and skills are acquired. Valid driver’s license

Preferred Qualifications

Master’s degree with appropriate discipline with five to ten years of relevant experience. Associate Director of Residence Life and Student Activities 2026

Knowledge

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES

• Understanding of the educational goals and objectives of Vermont State University including
• attention to accessibility and diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Understanding of the psychological and cultural characteristics of economically and educationally disadvantaged students, particularly in a rural setting.
• Awareness of developmental, holistic, and proactive approaches to student success.
• Some experience in policy development and enforcement.
• Experience and knowledge of ADA compliance and ensuring accessibility for all students.
  
  

Skills

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Able to meet students where they are and ensure they feel listened to and they are
• comfortable working with advisor to navigate challenges and concerns as they come up.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Experience with (or ability to learn) technologies such as Aviso, Colleague, Self-Service, Slate, Microsoft products, and Perceptive Content.
• Proven record of accountability and follow-through with the ability to meet deadlines.
  
  

Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to positively influence student skill development, such as
• communication skills, leadership skills, academic skills, technical skills, non-cognitive or ‘soft’ skills, and social skills.
• Demonstrated ability to foster student development in the attainment of student success goals, such as academic purpose, sense of belonging/identity, agency, career readiness, civic readiness, access, and equity.
• Demonstrated positive attitude regarding Vermont State University and a desire to improve student outcomes, including attention to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Demonstrated ability to support a diverse community and promote diverse perspectives and cultures in an inclusive environment.
• Ability to work effectively with a wide range of individuals within the University and capacity to work as part of a team to collaborate and choose student success.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with college personnel as well as families/guardians and external resources in carrying out the various coordination, liaison, and advocacy aspects of the job.
• Ability to work some weekends and evenings to provide student support outside of normal business hours.
  
  

Location: Any of the five Vermont State campuses with possible travel to other campuses located in Castleton, Johnson, Lyndon, Randolph and Williston Vermont

Compensation: The budgeted compensation for this position is $52,000 - $60,000

Benefits Package

• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Retirement Plan
• Tuition Waiver to Vermont State Colleges
• Tuition Waiver to UVM* for dependent children
• Employee Assistance Program
• Long Term Disability
• 14 Paid Holidays
• Medical, Personal, and Vacation Leave
  
  

This general outline illustrates the type of work which characterizes the job classification. It is not all-encompassing statement of the specific duties, responsibilities and qualifications of the individual positions assigned to the classification. Other duties as assigned are anticipated and expected.

Vermont State University is a part of the Vermont State Colleges System (VSCS). VSCS values individual differences that can be engaged in the service of learning. Diverse experiences from people of varied backgrounds inform and enrich our community. VSCS strongly encourages applications from historically marginalized and underrepresented populations. VSCS is an equal opportunity employer, in compliance with ADA requirements, and will make reasonable accommodations for the known disability of an otherwise qualified applicant. Please contact our HR office for assistance with accommodations at humanresources@vermontstate.edu.

NOTE: This job is subject to a fingerprint-supported criminal background check. Any offer of employment is contingent upon the satisfactory results of this check.