The Catholic University of America

A Community Director (CD) is a full-time, live-in professional staff member who plays an integral role in the structure and leadership of Residence Life and has a significant impact on the development, growth, and formation of students at CUA. The CD’s primary role is to foster the holistic development of students through active engagement and mentoring of students in the residential educational experience. This position is required to live on campus and participate in an after-hours on-call/on-site duty rotation 24-hours a day, 365 days a year for the department: this is a condition of employment.

The projected salary or hourly pay range for this position which represents the full range of anticipated compensation is: $46,000.

Student Support, Development, and Formation

• Cultivate a vibrant, student-centered residential community through active engagement, regular hall visitations, and formal/informal interactions.

• Mentor and advise students on academic, behavioral, and personal concerns, providing individualized support during medical or family emergencies.

• Develop intentional programmatic initiatives and services designed to improve student recruitment, retention, and enrichment.

• Adjudicate student conduct cases as a conference officer and gather information regarding disciplinary incidents.

• Resolve behavioral concerns by utilizing crisis intervention skills and collaborating with campus partners to foster culturally aware student citizens.

Staff Selection, Training, and Supervision

• Supervise, train, and evaluate a residential staff of 6–14 Resident Assistants.

• Facilitate ongoing staff development through individual and group meetings, providing consistent feedback and problem-solving support.

• Implement comprehensive selection and training activities for student staff throughout the academic year.

• Collaborate with staff to establish area goals and community events that align with the department’s programming philosophy.

Operational and Management Responsibilities

• Manage daily residence hall operations, including the supervision of student records, key inventory, and access card security.

• Execute the physical opening and closing of residence halls at the start and end of each semester.

• Maintain a professional presence in the Residence Hall Office (RHO) during business hours and as needed for evening/weekend events.

• Communicate essential protocols and university policies effectively to students, parents, and faculty.

Crisis Response

• Coordinate departmental responses to emergencies and crises by serving in a 24-hour/365-day on-call duty rotation.

• Manage unusual situations involving student safety and campus-wide incidents with clinical judgment and university resources.

Departmental Leadership

• Administer financial resources efficiently by identifying alternative funding sources and collaborating with other offices to maximize budget effectiveness.

• Ensure compliance with national, local, and university regulations, standards, and safety codes.

• Represent the Office of Residence Life on university-wide committees and task forces, assisting with major events like Orientation and Commencement.

• Apply current student development theory and data collection technology to create innovative solutions for student needs.

• Bachelor's Degree
• Master’s degree preferred with a focus in student personnel administration, higher education administration, or a related area of specialization.
• This is an entry-level position; previous graduate or professional experience in managing residence halls and/or other relevant experience is strongly preferred. Background in faith-based settings, student retention, and student support beneficial.

• Proficiency with MS Office applications (Word, Power-Point, Excel, Access), or experience with similar software is required.

• Demonstrated expertise and experience in at least two of the following specialized areas plus general knowledge of all other areas: Counseling, Advising, Educational Programming, Student Development Theory, Public Relations.
• Confirmed skills in mediation, intervention, problem solving, decision-making, and emergency response.
• Sensitivity to the community served in a private, Catholic institution of higher learning.
• Ability to translate a mission and vision into successful programs and services. Ability to plan, organize, set priorities, implement and evaluate programs and services.
• Strong service orientation and ability to relate effectively with diverse individuals and groups at all levels of an organization.
• Ability to work collegially and collaboratively to develop effective student-oriented services. Ability to communicate effectively and by using a wide variety of tools and mediums.
• Proven “hands on” and energetic team leader. Proven analytical, technical and supervisory skills. Ability to develop programs to enable employees to grow in their positions. Must be able to generate the confidence and trust of individuals and the extended campus community.
• Demonstrated ability to be productive, deliver high quality work, take initiative, use good judgment and solve problems.