Widener University is currently seeking an Area Coordinator in the Office of Residence Life. Reporting to the Assistant Dean of Students for Residence Life, this role provides support to our residential community. The Area Coordinator is responsible for the operation and management of co-ed residential neighborhood of 300-400 students comprised of several residence halls. General responsibilities include, but are not limited to: student staff development, community development, administration, programming, student conduct, advising, professional development, daily collaboration with university stakeholders, and social justice and equity education. Areas of emphasis may include first-year student residential education, upper-class apartment and Greek housing, support of University-owned housing, Residence Hall Association advisement, and participation in initiatives connected to department and Student Affairs priorities.

The Area Coordinator (AC) position is a twelve-month, full-time, live-in professional in Residence Life. An understanding of a private, metropolitan university and the ability to live the values of Widener are critical for the Area Coordinator position. The Area Coordinator's primary role is to assist students in building an inclusive community to enhance personal and academic growth. The Area Coordinator's work is performed within the framework of the Residence Life mission and requires intentional efforts to interact with students, assess their needs and promote community growth and development. Supervision of Resident Assistant staff and undertaking various leadership areas are also central to the Area Coordinator role. This includes assisting with room inventories, maintenance repair requests, programming, discipline and peer counseling. The Area Coordinator will maintain regular upkeep of facilities, including occupancy management and follow up on maintenance requests to ensure timely response to facility concerns. The AC will assist with areas of responsibility including but not limited to: RA Selection, RA/Staff Training, and summer intern and conference groups. The Area Coordinator will conduct regular student conduct meetings to ensure that university policies and protocols are enforced and supported to enhance student living/learning environments. The Area Coordinator will also participate in an on-call duty rotation with other Area Coordinators.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (including, but not limited to):

Essential duties:

1. Supervision

• Develop, promote, and facilitate neighborhood and department staff training programs.
• Participate in the recruitment and selection of student staff positions.
• Supervise a team of 8-15 Resident Assistants in your neighborhood community.
• Facilitate regularly occurring supervision meetings with Resident Assistant team.
• Facilitate semester performance evaluation process of student staff employees.

2. Community Development & Residential Education

• Provide student support, advisement, information and referral services for residents as needed.
• Work with Resident Assistants in the development of student relationships and programs that promote community within residential facilities.
• Promote programs and activities that contribute to academic and personal development of residents and creates a positive atmosphere for residents and guests.
• Serve as a conduct officer for the Office of Student Conduct
• Interpret, communicate, document and enforce university policies, rules and regulations.
• Support summer programs including, but not limited to as New Student Registration, orientation, summer conferences, and intern housing
• Implement community development initiatives including late night and weekend program in collaboration with the Office of Campus Engagement.
• Establish and maintain a healthy, actively engaged residential community and communicate with residence living in their neighborhood through individual contacts, meetings, and facilitated discussions.

3. Department Operations

• Coordinate one or two major department processes or priorities for the office each academic year, including but not limited to, student staff selection, student staff training, Residence Hall Association advisement, and/or Living Learning Community advisement
• Co-lead a department student staff committee with a Senior Resident Assistant each academic year
• Provide intervention and referral for students experience interpersonal, developmental, or academic difficulties, including Dean of Students case management
• Oversee one major summer project including, but not limited to, summer intern housing, Widener university student housing, and/or residential campus and conference management
• Serve as advocate to support the University and division's strategic diversity initiatives to create a welcoming campus for all students.
• Participate in a rotating on-duty schedule to support emergency response including coverage during break and summer periods.

3. Administration

• Maintain office hours and community presence including being available and visible at department and divisional events
• Support housing operations for facilities in their neighborhood including university-affiliated housing with up to 500 students and/or Widener University stakeholders.
• Open and close buildings (at the beginning and end of semesters as well as during break periods) in a well-coordinated fashion and staff them effectively. Preparations include advertisement postings/notices; database data; room and common area inventories; floor meetings and coordination of staff schedules.
• Utilize database software for housing assignments, to check-in and check-out residents, conference assignments, billing and facility information.
• Perform room inventories and appropriate check-in/out procedures each time the occupancy changes within a student room. Submit this information and any billing recommendations to the Assistant Director of Residence Life.
• Communicate with and supports central office staff with housing operations including but not limited to room occupancy, room change administration and accurately reporting no-shows.
• Prepare assessment reports for the Assistant Dean utilizing Resident Assistants' input and database data, focusing on special developments, routine events, staff and resident needs, conference services and areas in need of attention.
• Promote and actualize safety/security and risk management practices for neighborhood community such as health and safety inspections and emergency drills.
• Act as a liaison to university departments, including but not limited to other Student Affairs offices, facilities, Dining Services, and academic departments
• Collaborate with central office staff on routine facility needs, special projects or problems.
• Conduct monthly inventories of all common area furnishings in the building(s) to which they are assigned and reports damaged or missing furnishings to the Assistant Director of Residence Life.
• Assist in the development and evaluation of manuals, educational materials, training programs and procedures to support residential living
• Attend Office of Residence Life staff meetings and other meetings as assigned.
• Participate in regularly occurring supervision meetings with central office staff

5. Professional Development

• Maintain current working knowledge in the field of student personnel and/or higher education administration.
• Work with other campus professionals on matters concerning student development.
• Demonstrate initiative, dependability, and a positive attitude.

Secondary responsibilities:

• Assist with student staff or professional staff search committees or other within the Office of Residence Life as needed.
• Provide coverage for other Area Coordinators when needed and appropriate such as emergency response or events during vacations or vacancies
• Assist central office staff in additional duties and procedures as assigned.
• Provide additional coverage responsibilities for critical university events occurring during weekends such as Homecoming, Move-In/Out, and others as identified by the Division of Student Affairs
• Perform additional duties and responsibilities as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (education/training and experience required):

Required:

• Bachelor's degree
• One or more years of professional housing experience required. Experience as a graduate assistant or employee will be considered.
• Strong administrative, communication, and supervisory skills are required.

Preferred:

• Master's degree in Student Personnel, Higher Education Administration, Counseling or related field
• Previous experience in Residence Life or Student Affairs

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND/OR UNUSUAL HOURS:

• This is a 12-month, live-in position
• Lift up to 20 lbs.
• Some evening and weekend work is required.
• Sit at desk long periods of time.
• All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Widener University is committed to fostering an inclusive community in which faculty, staff, and students from a variety of backgrounds, cultures, and personal experiences are welcomed and can thrive. We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to providing equal educational and employment opportunities for all persons without regard to age, color, national origin, race, religion, disability, veteran status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, or status as a protected veteran.

Widener University, an independent, metropolitan, doctoral-intensive university, connects curricula to social issues through civic engagement. Dynamic teaching, active scholarship, personal attention and experiential learning are key components of the Widener Experience. Located in Chester, PA, Widener's main campus is nestled between Philadelphia, PA and Wilmington, DE, with Law Schools located in both Harrisburg and Wilmington. For more information about the university, please visit our website at

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