Assistant Resident Director

Assistant Resident Director

WWU College of Business & Economics

Western Washington University (WWU) is looking for an Assistant Resident Director (ARD) to support our University Residences program. The ARD is a full‑time, 12‑month appointed, hourly position (40 hours per week) that requires living on campus and working directly with the supervising resident director (SRD). The ARD will play a key role in creating inclusive, safe, and engaging living communities for 550‑700 students.

WWU serves over 15,000 students across seven colleges and a graduate school. The Bellingham campus is situated on a 90‑mile scenic corridor, and the university has additional sites in Anacortes, Bremerton, Everett, Port Angeles, and Poulsbo. WWU is nationally recognized as one of the top public master’s‑granting institutions in the Pacific Northwest, consistently ranking highly for 25 years in a row by U.S. News & World Report.

University Residences (UR) supports a diverse student body by providing affordable, safe, and well‑maintained housing. UR’s mission is to create inclusive communities where students can grow academically and personally. The department’s vision is that residents are engaged in a unique community that nurtures their passions, purpose, and sense of place at Western.

Under the direction of the SRD, the ARD will coordinate student life activities, conduct adjudication, chair community meetings, and supervise/paraprofessional staff. Responsibilities are grouped as follows:

• Student Development and Residence Education (35%)
  • Plan and coordinate inclusive community dialogues and activities.
  • Lead the implementation of the Residence Life curriculum alongside the SRD.
  • Maintain knowledge of multicultural competence and apply this to create welcoming, inclusive environments.
  • Serve as a visible resource for student interaction.
  • Provide interventions for students on academic or financial aid probation.
  • Serve as co‑advisor to Resident Program Boards (RPBs), including weekly meetings, leadership development, and policy compliance.
  • Communicate and educate residents about conduct standards, decision making, and crisis management.
  • Assist other campus departments (Counseling, Wellness, Student Health) with referrals.
  • Offer crisis, conflict, and mediation assistance.
• Staff Selection, Training, Supervision, and Performance Evaluation (30%)
  • Co‑supervise, train, and evaluate 12‑15 Resident Advisors (RAs), include ROAs and Inclusion Assistants.
  • Participate in recruitment and selection of paraprofessional staff.
  • Conduct bi‑annual performance evaluations of staff.
  • Facilitate one‑on‑ones, staff meetings, and continuous training.
  • Communicate staff, student, and community needs to leadership.
  • Manage risk for the residential community.
• Administration (30%)
  • Participate in departmental committees related to student staff, professional staff, ethics, and affinity.
  • Track and evaluate the URISE residential curriculum.
  • Collaborate on special projects such as banquets, alumni weekend, and intramurals.
  • Coordinate with UR Facilities for occupancy management, front desk operations, and building security.
  • Oversee building supplies and equipment records.
  • Serve as liaison with University Residences Conference and Guest Housing operations.
  • Maintain communications with supervisors and relevant parties regarding incidents.
  • Perform other hall and unit management duties as assigned.
• Campus‑Wide, 24‑Hour On‑Call Duties (5%)
  • Participate in a rotating 24‑hour on‑call system as the emergency responder for approximately 4,300 students.
  • Collaborate with Care Specialists to respond to student staff, students in crisis, and facility issues, coordinating with police, fire, medical, counseling, facilities, and relevant families.

The ARD will live in a furnished 1‑bedroom apartment provided by UR. Depending on departmental needs, the ARD may be required to relocate temporarily or permanently during the summer (mid‑June to mid‑August) to support summer projects and conference operations. The ARD must obtain a Washington state driver’s license within 30 days of position…