Career Center

Position Summary

Join a vibrant campus community whose excellence is reflected in its diversity and student success. West Chester University, a member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education invites applications for the position of Area Coordinator (AC) for the Office of Residence Life and Housing.  

West Chester University, a member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, is a public, comprehensive institution committed to offering high-quality undergraduate education, selected post-baccalaureate and graduate programs, and a variety of educational and cultural resources for its students, alumni, and citizens of southeastern Pennsylvania. We are a community of educators dedicated to developing graduates who succeed personally and professionally and contribute to the common good.

WCU serves approximately 17,000 students at the undergraduate and graduate levels, 23% identify as Hispanic/Latino, Black, Asian, and Native American Indian nations, and 24% are Pell grant eligible. The University has more than 180 international students from 40-plus countries. With approximately 30% designated as the first in their family to complete a bachelor's degree, WCU is among the first to earn "First Forward Designation" by NASPA and The Suder Foundation.

WCU proudly offers a positive and purposeful work environment; comprehensive employee benefits including health, vision, and dental insurance along with many wellness programs; a commitment to work-life balance including generous paid vacation, paid sick time, military leave and paid time off for most major holidays; and a University mission to support employee personal and professional growth including a tuition waiver for self and family members, training and development, and advancement opportunities.

The newly reorganized Office of Residence Life and Housing provides an environment of learning which fosters ongoing holistic development for all community members by creating and sustaining inclusive communities rooted in ethical decision making and intentional and supportive connections. The Residence Life and Housing team is committed to developing a caring, vibrant, student-centered living and learning program.

Reporting to the Assistant Director of Residential Education, the Area Coordinator (AC), is a 12-month live-off position responsible for promoting student learning and success for the operation of three to five residence facilities and the day-to-day operations of a residential area of 1,000-2,500 students. The AC is responsible for the direct supervision of graduate staff hall directors and undergraduate student staff (Resident Assistants and or Front Desk Assistants) in their assigned areas.

Responsibilities of the AC encompass student and community development initiatives, both proactive and reactive, that directly impact the resident student experience as a whole and influence the success of our residential students including staff supervision, community leadership, facilities and administrative management, residential learning development; community development and crisis management. This position requires frequent evening and weekend work and participates in an on-call rotation which requires the ability to report to campus in emergency situations.

Responsibilities Include:

• Cultivate a positive and engaging living environment that fosters a sense of belonging and enables students to build positive relationships with one another
• Maintain high visibility and availability, including attending community events, regularly touring assigned buildings and areas, and interacting with residents
• Maintain daily communication with direct reports regarding task delegation and responsibilities  
• Facilitate weekly area staff meetings and regular staff one-on-one supervisory meetings   
• Collaborate with department staff to organize RA training and in-service sessions throughout the year
• Participate in recruitment, selection, and training for department student leaders
• Train graduate staff on effective staff development, coaching, and evaluation techniques; follow-up with higher-level disciplinary concerns of staff members within the assigned area
• Design and implement co-curricular programs aligned with the Division of Student Affairs curricular approach, and department, university, and division strategic plans; work collaboratively with across campus promote initiatives that further strategic priorities of the department and Division of Student Affairs
• Provide support for all living-learning and themed communities within the area   
• Provide guidance to direct reports on hall government/council advising 
• Serve as a role model for all hall staff and residents in personal and professional behaviors
• Create and maintain positive professional relationships within the department and across the university
• Plan and implement proactive education, outreach, and interventions regarding student rights and responsibilities of living in a residential community and enhance good decision-making by residents
• Participate in rotation of on-call responsibilities
• Provide leadership during times of crisis in and adjacent to the community
• Provide support and intervention as needed to assist in-hall staff to mediate, manage and resolve crisis incidents and conflicts
• Review incident reports and oversee appropriate follow-up with direct reports daily; provide student referrals to campus resources as needed    
• Report and assist students who are referred from the Care Team with medical, mental health, socialization, academic and/or behavioral needs to ensure they access appropriate campus resources
• Serve as a University Hearing Officer for informal conduct meetings, formal university board hearings, and group misconduct cases under direction of the Assistant Director for Health, Safety and Wellbeing and/or the Office of Student Conduct
• Prepare and distribute appropriate adjudication correspondence using protocols established jointly by RLH and the Office of Student Conduct  
• Maintain understanding of current Title IX, Title IV, Title II, Clery Act, Campus SaVE, and FERPA, and other legislation
• Serve, where appropriate, as a Policy & Process Advisor (PPA)   
• Manage all openings and closings of assigned residential area; administer student check-in and check-out during all semesters inclusive of summer
• Conduct frequent walkthroughs of assigned buildings/areas to monitor, document, and communicate concerns related to facilities (e.g., safety and security, housekeeping services, maintenance, and keys) and escalate urgent matters appropriately
• Assist with room changes, room condition reports, and damage billing processes  
• Enforce rules and regulations outlined in the Student Code of Conduct, WCU housing contract and USH lease agreement
• Report, track, and follow up on maintenance issues with appropriate building managers, custodial staff, maintenance, and other Facilities personnel
• Inform, update, and maintain staff manuals, protocols, and other documents supporting housing and residence life operations, programs, and services 
• Participate on Division-wide committees and on division-wide programs and events
• Perform administrative duties associated with the position during fall, winter, break periods, and summer
• Practice ethical stewardship of university resources
• Participate in the recruitment, selection and training of staff members for Residence Life and Housing
• Fulfill other general duties as assigned by Residence Life and Housing, Division of Student Affairs and/or West Chester University
• Serve as an essential employee and may be assigned special duties and responsibilities during emergency periods

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree 
• Two (2) years of postgraduate experience with student or professional staff supervision
• Availability to work frequent evening and weekend shifts
• Availability to participate in an on-call rotation to arrive on campus as required in emergency situations 

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Student Affairs or related field
• Experience in residence life or residential education in a higher education setting
• Experience working within a public-private partnership or in a residential program
• Experience with assignment management software such as The Housing Director or StarRez
• Demonstrated interest in and experience working with college students including diverse college student populations

Special Instructions

Ask about our newly reorganized Office of Residence Life and Housing and opportunities to contribute to our renewed commitment to ongoing holistic development for all community members.

Salary and benefits are dictated by the State College and University Professional Association (SCUPA) Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Apply by the online application at https://www.schooljobs.com/careers/wcupa.  Electronic application allows for cover letter and resume attachments (Both required for consideration). References with contact information will be required before an interview.

Review of applications will begin immediately.

Applicants must successfully complete the interview process to be considered as a finalist.

Developing and sustaining a diverse faculty and staff advances WCU's educational mission and strategic Plan for Excellence. West Chester University is an AA/EOE employer. Women, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

All employment offers are subject to and contingent upon satisfactory completion of all pre-employment criminal background and consumer reporting checks.