Director of Residence Life
Westernalum, Gunnison, CO, United States
Director of Residence Life page is loaded## Director of Residence Lifelocations:
Gunnison, COtime type:
Full timeposted on:
Posted Todaytime left to apply:
End Date: May 16, 2026 (30+ days left to apply)job requisition id:
R828**Position Summary:****Job Description:****Western Colorado University invites applications for the full time position of Director of Residence Life.**
The position reports to a Senior Student Affairs Officer, works closely with other Student Affairs Team members and is responsible for providing leadership for the Department of Residence Life through strategic vision, situational leadership and general department management.**Responsibilities:**
The Director of Residence Life provides strategic leadership and administrative oversight for all aspects of University housing for students and employees, including residential life, facilities management, and housing business operations. This position is responsible for developing and implementing policies, programs, and procedures that support student success, community development, and efficient operational practices as well as devising and implementing long term goals related to inclusivity and belonging. The Director supervises and evaluates professional staff, leads long-range planning, and ensures the delivery of high-quality student support services within the residential environment. In addition, the Director, in conjunction with Facilities oversees the management of the University’s dining services contract and vendor relationship, ensuring high standards of service, fiscal accountability, and alignment with student needs. This role requires strong leadership, a commitment to inclusive community building, and a proven ability to manage facilities and operational systems to enhance the residential experience.
**Minimum Qualifications:** Master’s degree in College Student Personnel, Higher Education Administration, or a closely related field. Six (6) years of professional experience in college or university housing, including direct supervision of full-time professional and Graduate Assistant hall administrators and exposure to key functional areas such as budgeting, student conduct, hall administration, student development, programming, and dining services**Preferred Qualifications:**
Doctoral degree in a related field. Experience in the development and management of substantial budgets, including contract oversight. Familiarity with housing and learning management systems, including StarRez and Blackboard. Demonstrated and in depth knowledge of equity and justice on a college campus. Certifications in CPR, First Aid, Mental Health First Aid, Narcan administration, and ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate) trainingCompensation:
The salary range is $74,000-$78,000.
This position is FLSA exempt.
Western offers an excellent benefits package including shared premiums for a comprehensive health insurance plan, dental insurance, retirement plan, life insurance, and other insurance options. After one year of employment, Western provides free tuition for dependents enrolled full time in undergraduate programs for up to four years.**Application Procedure:**
Apply online at www.Western.edu/jobs. Required attachments for online application include letter of application addressed to Gary Pierson, Dean of Students, along with a resume and contact information for three references.In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.Please direct questions to Gary Pierson, Dean of Students,
gpierson@western.edu.**Application deadline** is April 15, 2026 at 11:59pm (MDT) and will continue until a successful candidate is hired.**Additional Information on Western and Gunnison/Crested Butte**
Western Colorado University is a public institution with an enrollment of ~3,700 students. 47% of students are undergraduates, 33% are graduate students, and 80% receive some form of financial aid. Western students represent 17 countries, 50 states, and almost every county in Colorado. With an average class size of 17, Western’s faculty and staff share a strong commitment to personalized, rigorous, and immersive education. Visit http://www.western.edu to learn more about the university.Western Colorado University is located in Gunnison, Colorado, about 200 miles southwest of Denver amidst over 2 million acres of public land and a vibrant ranching community. The Gunnison valley provides robust cultural programming and exceptional outdoor recreation. A network of dedicated community organizations enrich the lives of many in the tight-knit community. Living in the valley, one appreciates a vibrant culture of festivals, exhibitions, performances, wellness activities, and more. In the winter, many enjoy in skiing at Crested Butte Mountain Resort and along dozens of miles of cross-country trails. In the summer, bikers, hikers, and runners explore 750-plus miles of singletrack trails, while others delight in fishing, boating, and paddleboarding at Blue Mesa Reservoir or on the Gunnison River and its tributaries. Pre-K-12 students are served by the highly-ranked Gunnison Watershed School District.**WESTERN COLORADO UNIVERSITY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER INCLUDING DISABILITY/VETERANS**It is the ongoing policy and practice of Western Colorado University to provide equal opportunity in employment to all employees and applicants.
No person shall be discriminated against in any condition of employment because of age (40 and over), color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, military or veteran status, national origin, ancestry, race, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, marital status, or any other applicable status protected by federal, state, or local law.**ADAAA ACCOMMODATIONS:**Western Colorado University is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Western will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or performing essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to the Office of Human Resources at HR@western.edu or (970) 943-3140.At Western Colorado University our faculty members and staff share a strong commitment to an inclusive and personalized education and take pride in following a set of values that form our vision as a university. Our shared values of courage, growth, inclusivity, integrity and stewardship provide the foundation for our culture and our work. Our faculty and staff are student-oriented, collegial, enthusiastic, and engaged in the campus and community. With the Rocky Mountains as our laboratory, Western is a premier public provider of rigorous, immersive education for our undergraduate and graduate students. The curriculum provides professional flexibility where experiential learning and interdisciplinary approaches are valued. Employees have chosen Western because of the quality of life combined with rewarding careers. #J-18808-Ljbffr
Gunnison, COtime type:
Full timeposted on:
Posted Todaytime left to apply:
End Date: May 16, 2026 (30+ days left to apply)job requisition id:
R828**Position Summary:****Job Description:****Western Colorado University invites applications for the full time position of Director of Residence Life.**
The position reports to a Senior Student Affairs Officer, works closely with other Student Affairs Team members and is responsible for providing leadership for the Department of Residence Life through strategic vision, situational leadership and general department management.**Responsibilities:**
The Director of Residence Life provides strategic leadership and administrative oversight for all aspects of University housing for students and employees, including residential life, facilities management, and housing business operations. This position is responsible for developing and implementing policies, programs, and procedures that support student success, community development, and efficient operational practices as well as devising and implementing long term goals related to inclusivity and belonging. The Director supervises and evaluates professional staff, leads long-range planning, and ensures the delivery of high-quality student support services within the residential environment. In addition, the Director, in conjunction with Facilities oversees the management of the University’s dining services contract and vendor relationship, ensuring high standards of service, fiscal accountability, and alignment with student needs. This role requires strong leadership, a commitment to inclusive community building, and a proven ability to manage facilities and operational systems to enhance the residential experience.
**Minimum Qualifications:** Master’s degree in College Student Personnel, Higher Education Administration, or a closely related field. Six (6) years of professional experience in college or university housing, including direct supervision of full-time professional and Graduate Assistant hall administrators and exposure to key functional areas such as budgeting, student conduct, hall administration, student development, programming, and dining services**Preferred Qualifications:**
Doctoral degree in a related field. Experience in the development and management of substantial budgets, including contract oversight. Familiarity with housing and learning management systems, including StarRez and Blackboard. Demonstrated and in depth knowledge of equity and justice on a college campus. Certifications in CPR, First Aid, Mental Health First Aid, Narcan administration, and ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate) trainingCompensation:
The salary range is $74,000-$78,000.
This position is FLSA exempt.
Western offers an excellent benefits package including shared premiums for a comprehensive health insurance plan, dental insurance, retirement plan, life insurance, and other insurance options. After one year of employment, Western provides free tuition for dependents enrolled full time in undergraduate programs for up to four years.**Application Procedure:**
Apply online at www.Western.edu/jobs. Required attachments for online application include letter of application addressed to Gary Pierson, Dean of Students, along with a resume and contact information for three references.In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.Please direct questions to Gary Pierson, Dean of Students,
gpierson@western.edu.**Application deadline** is April 15, 2026 at 11:59pm (MDT) and will continue until a successful candidate is hired.**Additional Information on Western and Gunnison/Crested Butte**
Western Colorado University is a public institution with an enrollment of ~3,700 students. 47% of students are undergraduates, 33% are graduate students, and 80% receive some form of financial aid. Western students represent 17 countries, 50 states, and almost every county in Colorado. With an average class size of 17, Western’s faculty and staff share a strong commitment to personalized, rigorous, and immersive education. Visit http://www.western.edu to learn more about the university.Western Colorado University is located in Gunnison, Colorado, about 200 miles southwest of Denver amidst over 2 million acres of public land and a vibrant ranching community. The Gunnison valley provides robust cultural programming and exceptional outdoor recreation. A network of dedicated community organizations enrich the lives of many in the tight-knit community. Living in the valley, one appreciates a vibrant culture of festivals, exhibitions, performances, wellness activities, and more. In the winter, many enjoy in skiing at Crested Butte Mountain Resort and along dozens of miles of cross-country trails. In the summer, bikers, hikers, and runners explore 750-plus miles of singletrack trails, while others delight in fishing, boating, and paddleboarding at Blue Mesa Reservoir or on the Gunnison River and its tributaries. Pre-K-12 students are served by the highly-ranked Gunnison Watershed School District.**WESTERN COLORADO UNIVERSITY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER INCLUDING DISABILITY/VETERANS**It is the ongoing policy and practice of Western Colorado University to provide equal opportunity in employment to all employees and applicants.
No person shall be discriminated against in any condition of employment because of age (40 and over), color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, military or veteran status, national origin, ancestry, race, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, marital status, or any other applicable status protected by federal, state, or local law.**ADAAA ACCOMMODATIONS:**Western Colorado University is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Western will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or performing essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to the Office of Human Resources at HR@western.edu or (970) 943-3140.At Western Colorado University our faculty members and staff share a strong commitment to an inclusive and personalized education and take pride in following a set of values that form our vision as a university. Our shared values of courage, growth, inclusivity, integrity and stewardship provide the foundation for our culture and our work. Our faculty and staff are student-oriented, collegial, enthusiastic, and engaged in the campus and community. With the Rocky Mountains as our laboratory, Western is a premier public provider of rigorous, immersive education for our undergraduate and graduate students. The curriculum provides professional flexibility where experiential learning and interdisciplinary approaches are valued. Employees have chosen Western because of the quality of life combined with rewarding careers. #J-18808-Ljbffr