Position: Western Colorado University invites applications for the full-time position of Associate Director of Residence Life. This position reports to the Director of Residence Life, works closely with the Associate Director of Community Wellness, and is responsible for supporting the achievement of Residence Life’s strategic goals.   

Responsibilities: The Associate Director of Residence Life is responsible for supporting critical programmatic and operational functions within the Residence Life department through administrative (office-based) and outreach (student-facing) duties primarily via supervision of 4-5 professional Resident Directors; oversight of the day-to-day operations of five residence halls housing approximately 1,200 students; development and implementation of Divisional Curriculum; and management of student conduct.  

Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree; three (3) years of full-time, live-in Residence Life experience; experience with the supervision of student and/or professional staff members; demonstrated commitment to the principles of diversity and creation of inclusive communities; demonstrated ability to take initiative; effective written and oral communication skills, including creative and interactive presentation experience; effective organizational and administrative skills; ability to analyze problems and make well-reasoned, sound decisions; demonstrated ability to teach, program, and/or present on job-related topics; ability to foster collaborative, collegial relationships with housing and Residence Life staff members and campus constituencies; and experience managing housing database software–preferably StarRez.   

Preferred Qualifications: Master’s degree in College Student Personnel, Higher Education Administration, Counseling, Behavioral Science, or a closely related discipline; knowledge, background, and experience with a comprehensive housing and residence life program that includes hall staffing and curriculum, operations, and facilities; demonstrated skill in managing difficult situations involving students, parents, staff, faculty, and community members; five (5) years of full-time experience managing an office or function in or related to student affairs.  

Compensation: $57,000 including the offering of an excellent benefits package including shared premiums for a comprehensive health insurance plan, dental insurance, retirement plan, life insurance, and other insurance options. After one year of employment, Western provides free tuition for dependents enrolled full time in undergraduate programs for up to four years. Additionally, the person in this role receives a department-sponsored dining plan. 

How to Apply: Required attachments for online application include a letter of application addressed to Dean of Students, Gary Pierson, resume, and contact information for three references.   

In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

Please direct questions to search committee chair, Murphy Miller, at [email protected].   

Application Deadline: March 31, 2025 

Additional Information on Western and Gunnison/Crested Butte: Western Colorado University is a public institution with an enrollment of ~3,700 graduate and undergraduate students, the majority of which reside on the campus and in the community.  With average class sizes of 17 students, faculty and staff share a strong commitment to inclusivity and personalized, immersive education. They are student-oriented, collegial, enthusiastic, and engaged in the campus and community. Western is committed to continual growth in regard to belonging, access, and representation and promotes participation in BAR initiatives from students, faculty, staff, and the community.   

The University is located in Gunnison, Colorado, a rural community 200 miles southwest of Denver and the gateway to Crested Butte, a world class ski community. K-12 students are served by the award-winning Gunnison Watershed School District. Both communities value the arts, quality of life, community-based wrap around services for children and adults, and continued personal growth and learning opportunities. At an elevation of 7,700 feet in the southern Rocky Mountains, the Gunnison Valley provides exceptional year-round outdoor recreational and cultural opportunities including summer arts and music festivals, mountain biking, skiing, kayak/rafting, rock climbing, hiking and camping… all within minutes of the campus.  

Visit http://www.western.edu to learn more about Western Colorado University.