Graduate Assistant - Area Coordinator

Job Title: Graduate Assistant - Area Coordinator

Department: Student Life

Reports To: Director of Residential Life and Community Standards

Job Type: This is a part time, exempt position.

General Description

The Office of Student Life is committed to a philosophy of student learning. The primary function of the Area Coordinator is to assist students in maximizing their opportunities for learning and to support an environment conducive to learning. The Area Coordinator (AC) must be a dynamic individual who is willing and able to reach out to others and must be capable of positively responding to a wide variety of situations. The AC must strive to combine living and learning while working actively work with Community Advisors and students to create environments that enhance the academic and personal growth of students. The AC must be committed to the concept of community development and student learning to enhance the out-of-classroom learning experience for all students.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

Major responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

• Serve as a role model and an educator for students. Maintain appropriate conduct throughout the residence halls.
• Supervise and mentor Community Advisors (CA, undergraduate staff) in the residence halls. Ensure the prompt completion of all administrative responsibilities associated with the supervision of residence hall staff.
• Work cooperatively with the Director of Residence Life and Community Standards and in such matters as room changes, facilities audits, key security, reporting custodial and maintenance concerns, etc.
• Develop a community environment by building a positive rapport with residents. Focus on living conditions that promote studying, and support CAs in this effort. Encourage self-responsibility among residents and promote consideration and respect among and between all residents.
• Work collaboratively with all members of the Residence Life staff. Oversee and support program activities in the residence halls.
• Aid in the coordination and implementation of Residence Life activities which could include selection, programming, evaluation, staff development opportunities, the coordination and facilitation of training programs including fall training in August, mid-year training in January, as well as monthly in-service training opportunities.
• The AC will oversee educational programming in the halls.
• Carry out all of his/her responsibilities in a manner that will promote self-discipline and responsibility-taking. Work cooperatively with all university departments.
• The AC will work a minimum of 20 hours/week beyond on-call responsibilities. It is important that the AC be available to staff and students in their halls. Requirements will include evening meetings, hall/campus events and scheduled office hours in addition to on-call responsibilities. One AC will be on call and readily available during the academic year. It is expected that the AC will respond to crisis situations or emergencies and assist as necessary. The AC’s are responsible for developing the on call schedule.
• Maintain and respect issues of confidentiality. Know when and how to make judgment calls regarding confidentiality in accordance with staff training
• Attend regular meetings with Residence Life staff to discuss hall business and disseminate campus-wide information. Coordinate and facilitate area staff meetings every week and meet with CAs in assigned area.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Work with CAs to assist students with academic, social, or personal concerns and refer students to appropriate resources. Be attentive and sensitive to the uniqueness of each student’s personal growth, to the diversity of backgrounds and lifestyles.
• Be familiar with WWU Residence Life policies. Be able to respond to all emergency situations.
• Plan and present new developmental and educational programming initiatives within the residence halls; support the campus-wide programming efforts of the Office of Student Life.
• Be available and accessible to students.
• Duties subject to change based on skills of applicant and needs of Office of Student Life.
• Time off: AC’s are expected to set aside an adequate amount of time to devote to their academic program, if applicable, and personal needs and interests. The AC is not required to work during scheduled university vacation periods (Thanksgiving, and Winter Breaks); however, the ACs are responsible for the opening and closing of the residence halls for each break (including Thanksgiving, Winter, and Spring Breaks) and each semester. Travel arrangements should be made with this understanding. Note: Spring Break is not a scheduled university break for staff.
• Be cognizant of physical surroundings. Be prepared to respond to maintenance needs in the buildings.

Requirements

Position Requirements:

• Genuine interest in and willingness to work with students; understanding of student attitudes, concerns and problems
• Good understanding of residential learning environments and philosophy
• Ability to exercise basic human relations skills in directing and motivating staff, and dealing with varied constituencies on and off campus
• Strong organizational and computer skills
• Completion of Bachelor’s Degree no later than May 2015
• Must be enrolled in a graduate program at WWU.

Preferences

• Experience in supervision, training, and/or diversity
• Experience living or working in a residence hall, being a peer counselor, or campus/student leadership position(s)
• Successful work with others in a non-university setting, e.g., camp counselor, social work volunteer, etc.

Typical Physical Demands

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Ability to climb several flights of stairs several times each day

Ability to crouch, kneel, bend or stand for long periods

Ability to work outdoors in inclement weather

Ability to speak and read English fluently

Ability to hear

Ability to use a computer keyboard

Effective mobility skills required to move about freely and quickly in office and on campus

Compensation

Work Schedule:

• Stipend paid monthly over 10 months.
• Board, staff only (reported to IRS) (meals only offered when Tucker Dining Hall is open for traditional students)
• This is a 10-month live-in position beginning Monday, July 17, 2023 and ending Friday, May 17, 2024; however, arrangements may be made for the AC to remain on campus and work as an hourly employee during the summer if their contract is renewed. Housing assignments may change during the summer months. Check-in and check-out of apartment should be arranged with the Office of Student Life.
• Area Coordinators may not hold a full-time job. Other part-time employment in or outside the University must be receive prior approval from the Director of Residence Life and Community Standards.
• Tuition remission for graduate classes at William Woods University for up to 9 credit hours for Fall and Spring semester and up to 6 credits for summer.
• Professional development funds may be available
• Apartment w/ a furnished bedroom, and free internet access through the campus network (apartment available year round with or without summer assignment)

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.

William Woods University is an independent institution chartered by the State of Missouri with main campus facilities in Fulton, MO. It has been operating continuously since 1870, taking its current form as a coeducational university with undergraduate and graduate programs in 1993. Today, William Woods draws approximately 2,000 undergraduate and graduate students from 35 states and approximately 11 foreign countries. William Woods has been ranked as a Top 100 Midwest University by U.S. News and World Report, and has been recognized for the quality and affordability of its online degree programs. With a full liberal arts curriculum, William Woods also offers a strong professional tradition, with nationally ranked programs in Equestrian Studies and American Sign Language. Its graduate education program figures strongly in the administration and leadership of Missouri's state school system. William Woods University is governed by a self-perpetuating board of trustees, and remains committed to serving the public good by helping students link intellectual development with the responsibilities of citizenship and professional life.

William Woods University is an Equal Opportunity Employer