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Assistant Director for Residence Life

Arkansas Tech University, Russellville, AR, United States


Founded in 1909, Arkansas Tech University is a comprehensive public institution with a rich history, maintaining regional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and classification as a Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) level III institution. ATU was ranked the No. 1 regional public university in Arkansas by U.S. News and World Report in 2021-22 and 2022-23 and CollegeNET recognizes ATU as the No. 1 institution in Arkansas on its Social Mobility Index. Since 2019, Arkansas Tech has been the host institution for the prestigious Arkansas Governor’s School. The 559-acre Russellville campus, located in the scenic Arkansas River Valley between the Ozark and Ouachita Mountains, is just one hour from the capital city of Little Rock. Russellville features a charming blend of historic and modern architecture as well as the recreational opportunities provided by Lake Dardanelle and several state parks. Offering more than 100 undergraduate degree programs and more than 40 graduate degree and certificate programs across five academic colleges and two campuses, Arkansas Tech strives to provide a solid educational foundation for life-long learning to a diverse community.

Position Summary ATU (Arkansas Tech University) Residence Life's educational priority is to provide students with an innovative and transformative learning experience that provides access, equity, health, and leadership development with focus on holistic wellbeing, resulting in students who are engaged in the community and progressive world. The Assistant Director will assist in creating, implementing, managing, and assessing a comprehensive residential curriculum with the outcome of creating a learning-centered environment safe for all students. This is a full-time, non-tenure track, 12-month position.

Additional duties include overseeing residents' academic support, student staff supervision, facilities management, student conduct, and crisis intervention. The Assistant Director of Residence Life also develops and maintains relationships among residential students, their families, various campus departments, community partners, and vendors.

Reporting to the Assistant Dean level staff in the Department of Residence Life, this position includes a meal plan and full university benefits, including medical, retirement, paid time off, and tuition benefits. This is a live-off position.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities Leadership & Supervision

Directly supervise one full-time coordinator and 4-5 Graduate Assistant Resident Directors.

Participate in recruitment, training, supervision, and evaluation of graduate and student staff.

Conduct regular 1:1 meetings with area coordinator and provide support for student staff development and accountability.

Residential Community Oversight

Manage 5-6 residence halls.

Review student staff reports and ensure timely follow-up.

Support the creation of inclusive, engaging communities by participating in programming and monitoring community development efforts.

Community Engagement

Maintain a strong presence in the residential neighborhood through monthly walkthroughs, office hours, and attendance at community programs.

Build relationships with students and staff to promote a positive and supportive living environment.

Programmatic & Curricular Support

Assists with implementation of the Residential Curriculum Model and Academic Initiatives.

Emergency Response & Crisis Management

Participates in the on-call rotation, including during breaks.

Responds to emergencies and operational disruptions.

Handles sensitive student and parent issues, communicating resolutions to appropriate parties.

Departmental Development

Submit regular reports on community engagement and facilities operations.

Represent the department on campus committees and in collaborative initiatives, as assigned.

Facilities Operations & Maintenance

Oversee and ensure timely follow-up on the completion of Room Damage Reports (RDRs).

Lead the organization, management, and oversight of residence hall key systems.

Coordinate with Housing Maintenance to support the work of Student Maintenance Assistants.

Act as primary liaison with external vendors (e.g., Mustang Rental, Collegiate Products, Dormify, USS).

Oversee the room damage reporting process and ensure follow-up.

Monitor cleanliness, upkeep, and maintenance of all residential spaces; review work orders and manage timely resolution.

Assist with building preparation for hall openings, closings, and transitional housing periods.

Manage card access uploads and reconciliation processes across assigned residence halls.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Dedication to creating a collaborative and creative work environment.

Data analysis and report writing.

Ability to manage multiple projects.

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Detail oriented and the ability to prioritize.

Willingness to collaborate and contribute in a team environment.

Commitment to the social and academic development of students.

Graduate-level coursework in College Student Personnel, Higher Education, or a related field.

Full-Time work or Graduate Assistant experience within Student Affairs at a 2 or 4-year institution.

Work experience/involvement in a university residential life program.

Preferred Qualifications

Master's degree in higher education, college student personnel, or college student affairs administration from an accredited institution.

3-5 years with at least 2 years post-masters, full-time experience within a university residential life program.

Served in an on-call rotation for all residential students and facilities.

Supervision experience of graduate and undergraduate staff members.

Experience with recruitment, selection, and evaluation of staff.

Work Location, Environment, and Physical Demands This is a live-off position located on the Russellville campus.

Position is required to maintain office hours within the Department of Residence Life during normal business operations (Monday-Friday 8:00am-5:00pm).

Position requires after hours and weekend work.

Position serves as member of the duty rotation, which can include consultation and/or in person response after hours and on weekends.

Position should be able to access all residential living facilities including climbing stairs, mechanical rooms, and all areas necessary to examine and assess the structure and infrastructure of the facilities.

What to Submit

Application.

Resume.

Contact information for three professional references.

To be considered for the position of

Assistant Director for Residence Life , all applications must be received and processed through our applicant tracking system Cornerstone prior to the closing date on

April 10, 2026

before 6:00 pm central time.

This position is subject to a pre-employment criminal background check. A criminal conviction or arrest pending adjudication alone shall not disqualify an applicant in the absence of a relationship to the requirements of the position. Background check information will be used in a confidential, non-discriminatory manner consistent with state and federal law.

Arkansas Tech University is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination on the basis of color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, race, age, national origin, religion, veteran status, genetic information, or disability.

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