Housing Specialist

Twelve-month, live-in position to assist with the selection, training, supervision, and evaluation of student staff, providing oversight to a cluster of 1-3 residence halls. The Housing Specialist will manage operational functions in campus residence halls.  Provides direct services to students including disciplinary advising, social/educational activities, events, and programming planning and execution. Maintains a balance between operational, workload and student interactions. Maintains liaison relationships with other college departments and offices, as well as, serves on college and departmental committees. The Housing Specialist is expected to participate in the overall support of the academic, career, and personal development of resident students

Salary Schedule:E4 05 ($34,298 -$51,793) appropriate placement based on experience

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1. Manages operational functions for resident halls such as key distribution and collection, damage assessment, reporting, billing, maintenance requests, and hall openings and closings; serves as facility manager for residence halls including conducting room checks, reporting and following up on housekeeping, maintenance and room change request. Maintains accuracy of student room roster and facility resources.
2. Supervises 4-8 resident assistants (RAs/SAs), including student office assistants in residence halls.
3. Identifies, recruits, and assists with the selection and training of resident assistants (and desk assistants); provides leadership to staff in setting goals for the year; monitors work performance for accuracy and completeness in accordance with department and college goals and objectives; ensures staff compliance with established Residential Life policies and procedures.
4. Evaluates the performance of resident assistants and desk assistants on a regular basis and during the yearly departmental evaluation process.
5. Serves as resource for staff and students in support of roommate conflicts, personal crises, and other concerns. Works in collaboration with the Counseling Services to support and follow up with students of concern.
6. Demonstrates an on-going commitment to diversity, inclusion, and social justice.
7. Knowledge of campus and community resources to ensure timely and efficient referrals when appropriate.
8. Establishes and maintains communication with students living in the residence halls through individual outreach and community meetings; serve as a mediator/facilitator when necessary to provide resolutions for interpersonal conflicts between students.
9. Works to implement goals and priorities as outlined in the departmental strategic plan, including student learning and development, as well as, operates components in assigned residence halls.
10. Attends, participates, and helps plan professional development sessions and training.
11. In collaboration with the Director of Housing and Residential Life, assists in the development and measurement of student learning outcomes for specific areas; develops and coordinates proactive educational events/activities for students and staff; provides day-to-day oversight for student learning strategies designed to support resident hall community development and individual student growth.
12. Works with RAs to assess student needs and interests; anticipates and promotes educational, cultural, social, recreational, and service programs that are supportive to the residence community.
13. Maintains the confidentiality of student records, including personnel files and communication logs.
14. Manages groups and supervises RA created events, forms, and attendance tracking; develops timely and appropriate communication strategies to students living within residence halls.
15. Works with the Director for Housing and Residential Life to manage and coordinate room assignments and changes in the hall(s) and communicates/resolves housing issues in accordance with established procedures.
16. Serves as a disciplinary officer (under the Director of Housing & Residential Life) for students referred for Student Code of Conduct, Housing and Residential Life Handbook violations and other behavioral concerns; administers appropriate judicial sanctions and/or personal directives to effectively resolve disciplinary problems in consultation with the Director of Residential Life and the Office of the Dean of Students.
17. Remains current in Title IX, FERPA and all applicable College policies, procedures and practices.
18. Provides leadership for the execution and administration of department assessment efforts including student focus groups, and internal and national benchmark surveys.
19. Develops and implements in-staff training and development programs for RAs in conjunction with the Director of Housing and Residential Life.
20. Assists the Director of Housing and Residential Life in planning for summer renovations, making recommendations for the purchase of furnishings and equipment, recommending improvements of housekeeping services, and preventative maintenance and safety measures; proactively and reactively respond to unnecessary/unreasonable hall damages and vandalism.
21. Maintains effective working relationships with Office of Facilities, Campus Police, Student Services, Counseling Services and other college offices.
22. Provides front-line response to crisis situations in accordance with departmental and institutional emergency procedures in cooperation with Director of Housing & Residential Life, Student Services staff, Campus Police, security officers, and college leadership; assume “on-call” responsibility for residence halls on a scheduled basis.
23. Assumes an alternative summer assignment including orientation, conference housing, housing assignments, staff training, and operations.
24. Performs other related duties, as assigned by the supervisor.

The Housing Specialist will be expected to work a flexible schedule which may include day, evening, night and weekend hours. This job description is a general statement of required major duties and responsibilities performed on a regular basis. It does not exclude other duties as assigned. This job description and specification should not be construed to imply that these requirements are the exclusive standards of the position. Incumbents will follow any other instructions and perform any other related duties, as may be required by their supervisor.

Qualifications

1. Associate’s Degree from an accredited institution in a related field required; Bachelor’s Degree preferred.
2. Student Affairs Experience preferred.
3. One year of experience (combination of paraprofessional or professional) in a related field required.
4. Collegiate residence life or Student Affairs experience preferred.
5. Skilled in automated computer systems and programs, to include Microsoft Office.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
 

1. Ability to lift and carry up to 40 lbs.
2. Ability to physically participate and engage students in activities.
3. Ability to push, pull, bend, stand, walk, run, climb, etc.

REQUIRED LICENSE, CERTIFICATION, OR SPECIAL CREDENTIALS:
None
OTHER QUALIFICATIONS AND JOB REQUIREMENTS:
 

1. Demonstrated leadership and supervisory experience.
2. Excellent written, verbal, analytical and interpersonal skills are required.
3. Ability to effectively work and interact respectfully and tactfully with a diverse and inclusive environment.
4. Ability to create, coordinate, plan, organize and manage projects and programs.
5. Ability to connect, engage, motivate and build rapport with students, RAs and Student Assistants.
6. Ability to be a self-starter and meet deadlines.
7. Effective organizational and time-management skills.
8. Ability to use technology and tools associated with the work.
9. Ability to live and work in the residence hall 12 months per year and work a flexible schedule to include day, evening, nights and rotating weekends.

Application Procedures/Additional Information

Applicants may apply at www.lawsonstate.edu. For questions please contact the Office of Human Resources at 205-929-3408 or at humanresources@lawsonstate.edu. All application materials will become the property of the college. It is the sole responsibility of the applicant to ensure his or her application packet is completed. Only applications received during the period of this announcement will be considered. No previous application files will be transferred for consideration for this position.

A complete application packet consists of:

• A cover letter
• An Online application
• A current resume
• A copy of relevant post-secondary transcripts identifying the applicant, institution, and date of degree conferred.

If employed, all official transcripts must be received in the Office of Human Resources prior to the employment start date.

Applicants who fail to submit a complete application packet will not be considered. Before an offer is made, the top applicants must provide the following: Employment verification letter(s) from a current or previous employer detailing all relevant experience. Employment verification letters must include employment dates and job title and be on official letterhead with an authorized personnel signature. Work experience verification from a current employer may be delayed until an official offer of employment has been made. Applicants must submit a written request to delay submission or work experience verification from a current employer. More than one position in the same job classification may be filled from the applicants for this position should another vacancy occur during the search process.

EEOC, E-VERIFY, AND BACKGROUND CHECK STATEMENTS:

Lawson State Community College is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of the Alabama Community College System, including all postsecondary community and technical colleges under the control of the Alabama Community College System Board of Trustees, that no employee or applicant for employment or promotion, on the basis of any impermissible criterion or characteristic including, without limitation, race, color, national origin, religion, marital status, disability, sex, age, or any other protected class as defined by federal and state law, shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program, activity, or employment. 

Lawson State Community College will make reasonable accommodations for qualified disabled applicants upon request. 

In accordance with Alabama Community College System Policy and Guidelines, the applicant chosen for employment will be required to sign a consent form for a criminal background check. Employment will be contingent upon the receipt of a clearance notification from the criminal background check. Lawson State Community College is an active participant in the Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-verify). E-verify electronically confirms an employee's eligibility to work in the United States as required by the Department of Homeland Security.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications as indicated on this vacancy notice and must submit a completed application packet in order to be considered for this position. Complete application files must be received no later than the application deadline. Applicants who fail to submit all required information will be disqualified. Only applications received during the period of this announcement will be considered. Applicants must adhere to the College's prescribed interview schedule and must travel at their own expense. The College reserves the right to withdraw this job announcement at any time prior to awarding