Job no: 507886
Work type: Staff Full Time
Location: UMass Amherst
Department: Residence Education
Union: PSU
Categories: Student Affairs & Services, Residence Life & Housing, Professional Staff Union (PSU)

About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

Job Summary

Residential Life at the University of Massachusetts Amherst has adopted Residential Curriculum as its model for student learning and community development. As a member of the Residence Education staff, the Residence Education Coordinator for Student Success is responsible for collaborating with academic partners to develop academic success initiatives and for collaborating with the Residence Directors to implement Residential Curriculum initiatives for first-year students, transfer students, and some returning students. Directly supervises Learning Communities Graduate Assistants and undergraduate Peer Mentors. Reports to an Assistant Director of Residence Education.

Essential Functions

Student Learning & Community Development:

Provides leadership for initiatives and programs implemented by Peer Mentors and Learning Communities Graduate Assistants that foster a purposeful learning environment in first-year student communities. Collaborates with the Student Success staff and academic partners to develop initiatives that focus on student success. Coordinate with Student Success staff to Communicates effectively with the Residential Academic Programs (RAP) Office and RAP instructors to provide a seamless learning environment for students enrolled in RAP programs. Collaborates with academic partners to develop and support initiatives for students assigned to returning student learning communities including transfer students. Supervises services delivered through the Residential Academic Success Centers located in first-year communities. Coordinates assessment of learning initiatives implemented by Peer Mentors and Learning Communities Graduate Assistants. Serves as a member of a residential area staff team who plan, implement, and assess the residential curriculum for the students in that residential area.

Supervision & Staff Leadership:

Directly supervises assigned graduate and undergraduate student staff dedicated to working with first year students. Coordinates selection, training, and evaluation of undergraduate Peer Mentors. Participates in selection and training of Learning Communities Graduate Assistants. May serve as instructor for accredited preselection course for Resident Assistant and Peer Mentor candidates. Provides leadership and direction to all Residence Education staff related to first-year student needs and characteristics. Provides back-up support to other Residence Education colleagues, including providing support to supervise a residence hall community in the absence of a Residence Director. Attains expert knowledge of applicable collective bargaining unit agreements (CBA) for applicable collective bargaining units (CBU). Provides training for all Residence Education staff on first-year student transition, academic success, and learning communities.

University Student Success Initiatives:

Participates in planning and implementing Residential Life, Student Affairs and Campus Life, and University initiatives focused on student success such as New Students Orientation, Admissions Open Houses, Equity/Diversity/Inclusion initiatives, and first-six weeks initiatives.

General:

Serves on related University, Student Affairs and Campus Life and Residential Life committees. Participates in Residential Life processes including searches, move-in, training, and events. In areas of responsibility, collaborates with campus partners, creates and implements assessment and planning initiatives, and creates/contributes to reports and presentations. Engages effectively with student leaders related to position responsibilities. Engages in professional development activities related to Residence Education and position responsibilities. Participates in required training programs related to position. Remains current in related best practices and relevant trends. Position is identified as a Title IX Responsible Employee and a Clery Campus Security Authority.

Other Functions

• Performs related duties as assigned or required to meet Department, Executive Area/Division, and University goals and objectives.
• Understands responsibilities with respect to Title IX, Clery and other compliance requirements.
• Demonstrates capacity, skill and willingness to engage students and contribute to student success.
• Works collaboratively with other campus stakeholders to fulfill the mission of Student Affairs and Campus Life.
• Understands responsibilities with respect to conflicts of interest and behaves in ways consistent both with law and with University policy.
• Contributes toward creating a positive and respectful workplace defined by personal and professional competence, integrity, and collaboration.
• Understands and contributes to implementation of departmental and institutional goals for achieving non-discrimination and creating a respectful, inclusive environment that is supportive of diversity.
• Uses access to sensitive and/or not yet public university related information only in the performance of the responsibilities of position and exercises care to prevent unnecessary disclosure to others.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Master’s Degree in Higher Education Administration or a related field.
• Two academic years of full-time professional experience in Residence Education, Student Affairs or Student Success.
• Contemporary understanding of student learning, student development, and community engagement in a residential setting. Experience and/or familiarity with residential curricular models.
• Demonstrated experience working with diverse populations and developing inclusive communities and work teams.
• Demonstrated experience supervising and/or providing leadership for a team of undergraduate students, including selection, training and evaluation.
• Excellent communication (oral and written) communication skills

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Class D Driver’s License
• Experience developing and implementing student success and academic initiatives.
• Previous work experience in medium to large residential life program (min. 5,000 beds) at a public institution.
• Experience developing and implementing lesson plans.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

• Typical office environment activity.
• Massachusetts Class D Driver’s License preferred upon hire.

Work Schedule

• Typical work schedule M-F 8:30am-5:00pm.
• Required to work some nights.
• Required to work some weekends.

Salary Information

PSU level 27

PSU Salary Schedule

Special Instructions to Applicants

Please submit your letter of interest, resume, and names, addresses, email and phone numbers of three references by the priority deadline of 5/10/2021. Applicants should apply by the priority deadline in order to ensure consideration.

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, military status, or genetic information in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of the UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.

Advertised: Apr 26 2021 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: