Assistant Dean of Students and CHO (Chief Housing Officer)
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Job Title: Assistant Dean of Students and CHO (Chief Housing Officer)
Posting Number: 20110618
Pay Rate: Annualized salary ranging from $60-80K
Position Type: Administration
Key Responsibilities : The Assistant Dean provides vision, strategy and leadership in support of a robust and vibrant residential community. The Assistant Dean is an innovator, shaping environments where residents experience belonging, connection and that develop qualities of character and leadership consistent with the mission of Juniata College and the institutions learning outcomes. The Assistant Dean is a change-oriented leader, excited to explore and promote emerging opportunities to deliver high quality experiences that are effective and efficient. As Chief Housing Officer (CHO), the Assistant Dean is responsible for contributing to the development of: collaborations, outreach and programming that fosters community, belonging and educationally-purposeful engagement; a rich and vibrant co-curricular environment; activities and experiences that contribute to the ongoing transition of students through and beyond the first year as they develop, explore and grow their skills, knowledge and capacities in pursuit of the attributes of a Juniata graduate.
The Assistant Dean directly supervises a team of four professional staff Residential Life Coordinators and 20 undergraduate para-professionals and administers budgets that exceed $500K annually. The team works closely with two additional professional colleagues housed within the department of Campus and Residential Life (CRL). Individually and with colleagues, the Assistant Dean is empowered to design, promote, implement and assess programs in the unit and seamlessly across the division of student life. Efforts of the student life team are collaborative, critical and constructive, and align with its mission: We foster inclusive campus learning environments where Juniatians thrive and engage with purpose and meaning in citizenship practices characterized by empathy, empowerment and respect for all.
Typical Duties and Responsibilities:
Contribute to the development and implementation of a vision for the holistic student experience that reflects the mission, strategic plan and values of the College.
Clearly articulate a vision for and the value of residential and living-learning experiences. Engage in program development that captures opportunities, aligns with enrollment and retention goals, and creates dynamic living experiences that support and delight students outcomes and interests.
Foster belonging and community with a demonstrated commitment to valuing people relationally and individually. Support development of self-efficacy, identity and leadership through individual, policy and institutional influence. Promote community unity and personal well-being.
Provide direction, oversight, support, and professional development for professional residential life staff and for all student residential life staff.
Select, train and evaluate Residence Life Professional Staff and paraprofessional staff;
Coordinate regular performance evaluations for paraprofessional staff, and feedback mechanisms for professional staff and student experiences.
Develop, lead and assess vibrancy and engagement initiatives and a curriculum of student staff leadership trainings that contribute to the strategic plan, institutional learning outcomes, and departmental mission. Staff trainings, engagement and recognition activities should foster position competency, staff satisfaction and retention, and ensure alignment with residential life best practices.
Assist in the creation of program learning and development outcomes, and assessment measures to describe effectiveness, inform incremental positive change.
Identify needs, coordinate efforts and develop policies that promote safety, responsibility, and respectful living conditions to support student engagement and learning. Address issues of student conduct as assigned in partnership with the Dean of Students and designees.
Understand and support a residential life and housing system that meets institutional revenue goals through occupancy predictability and stability.
Contribute to strategic implementation of the room selection process for all residential students. Oversee room change process in consultation with the students involved and the residential life professional staff.
Serve as a resource/referral person for individual student concerns about residence life.
Maintain a positive working relationship with Facilities Services and Public Safety regarding facilities, safety and student needs.
Keep accurate records, data and statistics on institutional platforms pertinent to scope of role;
Participate in the student life on-call after-hours rotation; handle crises and hospitalization of students, including contact with parents, and medical and public safety personnel.
Performs related duties as assigned.
Juniata College is committed to cultivating an equity-minded and equity-engaged campus culture, one that is inclusive and supportive of its students, faculty, and staff. We believe that all members of the College community share the responsibility to value diversity, seek equity, promote a sense of belonging. We seek candidates who are sensitive to the needs of an academic community that is diverse with regard to gender, race, ethnicity, religion, nationality, sexual orientation or identity, disability status, and protected veteran status ..EOE
Position Qualifications: Masters degree, preferably in higher education administration, college student personnel, or related field
An understanding of student development theory, cultural identity development theory, and trajectories of growth and development that apply to traditional college age student populations;
5-10 years of increasingly progressive leadership experience; preference for backgrounds in residential life, housing operations, or administration, or equivalent skills gained from additional or related student affairs or administrative positions.
Have a working knowledge of legislation and regulations that affect residential life programs (i.e. Stop Hazing Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, the Fair Housing Act, and Title IX)
Evidence of successful collaboration and cooperation with diverse individuals and groups including administrators, faculty, staff, students, and parents.
Prior experience with, and a commitment to, the residential liberal arts experience.
Presence, charisma, and ability to articulate a vision for residential engagement to a variety of institutional stakeholders that inspires confidence, investment and partnership.
A collaborative, inclusive and transparent management style.
Must maintain availability to respond to periodic emergencies and student crises outside of traditional work hours.
Experience with residential life software such as Adirondack Solutions or an equivalent system
A willingness to work nights and weekends as program and college demands dictate.
Supervision Required/Given: Reports directly to the Vice President for Student Life and serves on the Student Life Leadership Team. Receives general direction and guidance while working with independent discretion.
Provides direct supervision of para-professional staff and student employees and leaders in a variety of positions and leadership roles.
Special Instructions to Applicants: This 12-month live-on position includes:
Annualized salary ranging from $60-80K determined based on individual congruence with desired characteristics and qualifications, with exceptionally or highly qualified candidates positioned higher in the salary band
Institutional support for professional development engagement to gather and share best practices, innovative approaches, and develop collegial networks
Housing unit provided on or adjacent to campus with private entrance; campus policy allows for pets, including cats and small dogs
Meal plan when classes are in session
Benefits including health insurance, retirement fund, etc.
Open Date: 07/16/2025
Open Until Filled: Yes
- Location:
- Huntingdon, PA, United States
- Job Type:
- FullTime