Assistant Dean, Residence Life (Term Vacancy)

UNIVERSITY OF ST. MICHAEL’S COLLEGE

JOB OPPORTUNITY

This position is covered by United Steelworkers “All Employee” Bargaining Unit

POSITION SUMMARY

Reporting to the Dean of Students, the Assistant Dean, Residence Life (“ADRL”) is responsible for overseeing all aspects of residence life programming at St. Michael’s College.   The ADRL promotes community and the personal growth of residents through the development of programming initiatives including educational and wellness projects, and managing the developing our 16-member don team.  The ADRL investigates policy violations, handles conduct issues and enforces sanctions. The ADRL shares on-call duties with the other members of the Dean’s staff, responds to crisis situations and plays an active role in the case management of students who are experiencing difficulty.  The ADRL provides mentorship and guidance to the St. Mike’s Residence Council (SMRC) and works closely with various departments to ensure the quality of the residence experience in maintained.  The successful candidate will have an understanding and willingness to support the mission of St. Michael’s College as a Catholic College federated with the University of Toronto. This role is intended to be a ‘live-out’ position.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Supervision of Don Team

• Oversee the hiring process for our don team (both Residence and Summer) including advertising, recruiting, and interviewing.
• Plan and implement all aspects of the Residence Don Training Program including working collaboratively with counterparts at other college to facilitate joint training
• Develop, supervise and evaluate the work of the dons individually and collectively, ensuring performance standards are clearly communicated and understood.
• Oversee the evaluation of the don team by their residents through the annual survey
• Chair regular meetings with the Don team, the Senior Dons and the Dean to share information, interpret policy, and address disciplinary and other issues.

Responsibility to Residents

• Meet with students who are experiencing difficult to provide support and connect them with appropriate resources.

• Meet with students about conduct issues to educate them on expectations and enforce sanctions,
• Serve as mediator for disputes between residents, and/or between residents and dons.
• Organize educational and/or information sessions on issues of importance to the university community.
• Chair the Food Service Committee and work with Chartwells to address issues of concerns related to the meal plan.
• Represent the Dean’s Office on various Residence Life committees at SMC and central UofT.
• Provide support and mentorship to the St. Mike’s Residence Council as well as the individual House Councils.
• Respond to crisis situations that occur outside of regular business hours keeping the Dean of Student apprised as necessary.

Dean of Students Office

• Regularly attend bi-weekly Dean’s Office meetings
• Work with Residence Operations Coordinator to address resident’s concerns with the appropriate staff (Housekeeping, Janitorial, Facilities, Network Administrator).
• Attend and participate in provincial and national conferences where appropriate, in particular the Ontario Association of College and University Housing Officers (OACUHO) and the Canadian Association of College and University Student Services (CACUSS)

• Assist with the development of residence informational materials including the regular distribution of residence newsletters (Top 5) and the Residence Handbook.
• Assist in organizing and/or providing resources to various College/University events such as Welcome Days, Fall Campus Tours, Parent’s Day, Convocation, and Recruitment Events.
• In cooperation with the ADCL, provide leadership and make decisions in the absence of the Dean of Students.

SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS

Formal Education: Bachelor’s degree; graduate degree considered an asset.

Experience: A thorough knowledge of residence life and university culture is essential.  Minimum two years prior work experience as a Residence Life Coordinator or equivalent, with experience managing a don team.  Experience dealing with students in crisis.

Skills:  Demonstrated understanding of and respect for a student centered, multi-cultural milieu.  Demonstrated project management skills with an ability to meet deadlines and manage a competing set of priorities with equanimity and efficiency.  Excellent written and verbal communication supported by strong computer and technical skills.

Other: Knowledge of various offices and resources available for student referral at the university and in the larger community.  Tact, sensitivity, flexibility, ability to work independently and get along with all types of people.

Working Conditions: Open office and/or working from home.  Schedule will include attendance at functions during the evening and on weekends.

We thank all applicants for their interest. Only those considered for an interview will be contacted.

The University of St. Michael’s College is strongly committed to diversity within its community and especially welcomes applications from racialized persons/persons of colour, women, Indigenous/Aboriginal people of North America, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ persons, people who take a religiously informed view of human experience, and others who may contribute to further diversification of ideas.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

If you require accessibility accommodation, please contact Human Resources at hr.stmikes@utoronto.ca.