Community Coordinator

Job Description:

Berry College invites applications for the full-time Community Coordinator position, reporting to the Director of Residence Life. The Community Coordinator (CC) is an entry level live-in masters-preferred professional who supervises two residential communities and will be expected to foster a welcoming and engaging environment for students; educate students on living in community; lead departmental efforts in an assigned focus area (Student Staff Recruitment, RA Training, or Special Projects), serve as a resource, educator, advisor and consistent champion for high community standards, and student involvement; collaborate with fellow staff and various departments on committees and projects; serve as a conduct administrator and early intervention specialist for their area residents; provide immediate on-call coverage and respond to emergencies while participating in a rotating on-call duty schedule.

Each Community Coordinator supervises two undergraduate Head Residents and indirectly supervises approximately 30 Resident Assistants. This position also requires the incumbent to be knowledgeable about the facilities in their assigned communities, including responding to emergent maintenance requests, performing key audits, and conducting regular walkthroughs.

The CC is part of a collaborative team of housing professionals responsible for creating a dynamic living environment that integrates the College's mission of educating the head, heart, and hands.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE POSITION (MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES)

COMMUNITY BUILDING (30%)

• Maintain a high level of accessibility by attending area programs and supporting student involvement through engagement on campus.
• Foster an engaging community characterized by respect, inclusion, and affirmation of all forms of diversity.
• Serve as a resource and advocate for the needs of residents.
• Establish personal contact with students to adequately address student needs and concerns by remaining visible, approachable, and active in the residence halls.
• Aid in conflict resolution and mediation when student staff need assistance.
• Guide area programming, emphasizing appropriate learning outcomes for the residential population.
• Investigate and adjudicate potential violations of the Student Code of Conduct and assign developmentally appropriate sanctions in consultation with the Associate Dean of Students.
• Assist students experiencing emotional, academic, physical, and interpersonal difficulties, and refer them to other professionals when appropriate
• Same-day follow-up on student alerts.

SUPERVISION (20%)?

• Direct supervision of two undergraduate Head Residents and indirect supervision of approximately 30 Resident Assistants.
• Co-facilitate weekly Head Resident meetings and bi-weekly one-on-one meetings with Head Residents.
• Follow up with Head Residents and Resident Assistants regularly with ongoing training/communication regarding their roles and responsibilities.
• Meet with individual Resident Assistants once per semester.

ADMINISTRATION (20%)

• Assist in the facilitation of room changes during the academic year when roommate mediation has not worked.
• Assess engagement outcomes in communities and staffs supervised.
• Ensure timely form workflow processes, including room changes, check outs, lockouts, program proposals and evaluations, staff evaluations, etc.
• Contribute to the overall mission of the Office of Residence Life, Student Affairs, and the College by participating in planning, promoting, implementing, and evaluating our overall residential program.
• Lead departmental efforts in one of three assigned areas: Student Staff Recruitment, RA Training, or Special Projects.

FACILITIES MANAGEMENT (20%)

• Conduct biweekly community walkthroughs to note issues of concern and to build relationships with residents.
• Under the direction of the Assistant Director, perform monthly key audits and assess emergent facility concerns.
• Keep Director of Residence Life aware of ongoing operational needs (i.e., furnishings, building maintenance)

OTHER DUTIES (10%)

• Actively engage in training and professional development opportunities presented by the department, division, or College.
• Participate in on-call duty rotation, providing response to emergencies and support to Head Resident on call.
• This position has the authority to perform administrative searches for drugs or other prohibited items when approved by the Vice President of Student Affairs (or a designee).
• Collaborate with fellow Residence Life and campus staff on various committees and projects.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's Degree in higher education, counseling, student affairs, or related field strongly preferred.
• Post undergraduate work experience in housing, residence life, or student affairs.
• Must be able to live in the provided apartment and interact with students and staff on a regular basis. A meal plan is provided with the purpose of dining with students and staff.

KEY COMPETENCIES AND KNOWLEDGE

• Thorough understanding of the role and purpose of a residential community in the holistic development of college students.
• Commitment to fostering an inclusive living-learning environment.
• Must demonstrate experience in community building, leadership, outreach, and engagement, including experience with culturally, socially, and economically diverse communities.
• Ability to develop and maintain professional and collaborative relationships with staff, faculty, students, and campus partners.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office, email, and housing management software.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills including verbal and written communication.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The CC works in an indoor office environment 9a-5p daily. The CC will be required to work some nights and weekends.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The CC must be able to lift at least 20 lbs. with reasonable accommodations.

Additional Information:

This is anticipated to be a 12-month position. A condition of employment is that CC is required to live full-time, in an unfurnished on-campus apartment (all utilities included). Compensation also includes a competitive salary and benefits, a meal plan, and cell phone.

ABOUT BERRY COLLEGE

Berry is a selective independent college of 2,200 students located adjacent to Rome, GA, midway between Atlanta, GA, and Chattanooga, TN. Berry's educational approach deliberately unites challenging academic programs with practical work experience in a residential campus community that encourages faith and emphasizes caring for the needs of others above self. Our mission and values are grounded in the ethic that our founder instilled more than a century ago:

"We educate the head, heart, and hands - to inspire leaders of integrity who cultivate thriving communities. Combining academic exploration with meaningful work responsibilities in a residential setting, our approach emphasizes firsthand experiences and mentoring. We invest in the personal growth and professional preparation of talented students from varied backgrounds, with an enduring commitment to help those hindered by financial need. Guided by Christian principles, we value the dignity of individuals, the search for truth tempered with grace, and the well-being of our neighbors."

Nationally recognized for quality of learning and quality of life, Berry offers first-rate undergraduate degree programs in the sciences, humanities, arts, and human sciences, as well as undergraduate and master's level opportunities in business, physician associate studies, and teacher education. The College's stunning 27,000-acre campus affords opportunities that cannot be duplicated elsewhere. Berry's ongoing commitment is to provide exceptional educational experiences to talented students from a wide range of social, racial, and economic backgrounds.