Area Coordinator for Residence Life

Location: Hickory, North Carolina

Position Summary

The Area Coordinator (AC) is a 12-month, live-in professional staff member within the Office of Residence Life at Lenoir-Rhyne University. The AC is an integral member of the Residence Life team, providing direct support to students through community engagement, programming, crisis response, and individualized student outreach.

As part of a collaborative and student-centered Student Life team, the AC helps foster a safe, inclusive and vibrant residential environment. The AC is responsible for the day-to-day management of residential area housing approximately 400 students, including training and supervising a team of resident assistants. The AC also serves in an on-call rotation to provide crisis intervention and emergency response support.

To support on-call responsibilities and integration within the residential community, the Ac is provided with a private, fully furnished apartment in a residence hall. This includes a full kitchen, utilities, cable and internet, offered as part of the overall compensation package.

Supervision

• Train, supervise and evaluate a team of undergraduate and graduate Resident Assistants, ensuring strong performance, leadership development and support of departmental goals.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Promote individual and community growth through one-on-one and group advising, staff development, intentional role modeling and collaborative programming.
• Collaborate with campus partners to enhance community engagement, share resources and increase visibility of residence hall events and initiatives.
• In collaboration with the Director of Residence Life and Student Conduct, oversee the student development and housing operations of assigned residence halls.
• Coordinate and support check-in/check-out procedures and related housing logistics.
• Develop and implement programs independently and in partnership with staff and students that foster inclusive communities and meet the educational, cultural, recreational and social needs of residents.
• Serve as the lead on one or more departmental collateral areas (e.g., RA recruitment and selection, RA training and development, housing operations, facilities, assessment) based on departmental needs, individual strengths, and professional growth goals.
• Assist with student retention initiatives as needed.
• Serve as a hearing officer for student conduct matters, providing fair and educational processes that support student growth and uphold community standards.
• Provide occasional support to the Office of Student Support and Outreach, contributing to broader student well-being efforts.
• Respond to emergencies efficiently and compassionately to ensure the safety and well-being of residents.
• Participate in a rotating on-call schedule with other Residence Life staff, providing 24-hour emergency response, including responding to medical incidents and accompanying students to the hospital when necessary.
• Assist the Director of Residence Life and Student Conduct in reviewing and developing residential policies and procedures.
• Build and maintain collaborative partnerships with campus stakeholders across all university locations.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of Residence Life and Student Conduct.

Required Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Experience using social media platforms for communication or engagement.
• Prior experience in Residence Life or a related student affairs area.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to manage sensitive and confidential situations with professionalism and effectively interact with individuals at all levels of the university.
• Exceptional time management and organizational skills with strong attention to detail.
• Well-developed analytical, problem-solving, and conflict resolution skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Higher Education, Student Affairs, Counseling, or a related field.
• Experience in planning and implementing residence hall programming.
• Experience supervising student staff or peer leaders.
• Experience using residential software, such as eRezLife.
• Training in crisis intervention, de-escalation, or related response techniques.

Compensation

• Compensation includes salary, benefits, a private one- or two-bedroom, one-bath apartment in student housing with utilities, cable, internet, free parking and a limited meal plan.

Work Schedule

• Standard office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with rotational and occasional evening and weekend responsibilities as needed.
• Participation in an on-call rotation with other Residence Life staff is required.
• Schedule is subject to change based on university needs, the academic calendar and institutional growth.

The requirements outlined in this position description indicate the minimum knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to perform the job competently. Role descriptions are an overview of the duties, responsibilities and requirements of the position and are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of the position. Employees may be required to perform other job-related assignments as requested and acquire new skills and responsibilities. Lenoir-Rhyne University reserves the right to modify, add, remove, or waive the position's responsibilities, duties, and skills required.

Application Process

While completing the application, candidates will be prompted to submit: 

1. Resume
2. Cover letter
3. Three professional references 

References will only be contacted for finalists, and candidates will be notified in advance.

The university’s mission, vision, and values statements may be reviewed using About LR.  

Lenoir-Rhyne University promotes a welcoming campus environment that is integral to the university's commitment to excellence in engagement and education. We are particularly interested in candidates who have demonstrated experience nurturing a welcoming community, working with faculty, staff and/or students from all walks of life and/or incorporating varied perspectives and traditions in their current or previous positions. This commitment is rooted in our Lutheran tradition of fostering wisdom, nurturing vocation and preparing students for lives of purpose while serving the common good. 

About Lenoir-Rhyne University

Lenoir-Rhyne University is a co-educational, private, comprehensive institution founded in 1891, with its traditional campus located in Hickory, North Carolina, a city of more than 40,000. The university has additional graduate centers in Asheville, N.C., and Columbia, S.C. Situated in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Lenoir- Rhyne is less than an hour’s drive from Charlotte, and the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton Metropolitan Statistical Area has a population of about 365,000. The university now offers more than 45 undergraduate and 20 graduate degree programs to approximately 2,400 students. Lenoir-Rhyne University seeks to liberate mind and spirit, clarify personal faith, foster physical wholeness, build community, and promote responsible leadership for service to the world. Affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), Lenoir-Rhyne is open to people from all religious and non-religious backgrounds.

Non-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity Policy    

Lenoir-Rhyne University is committed to providing a workplace and educational environment, as well as other benefits, programs, and activities that are free from discrimination, harassment and retaliation.

LR is committed to creating a safe campus environment for all members of the LR community, including, but not limited to, those who identify as transgender and gender non-conforming. To that end, LR does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex (including sex stereotypes and sex characteristics), ethnicity, national origin, physical or mental disability, age, marital status, pregnancy or related conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran or military status or any other characteristic or status protected by applicable law.

To ensure compliance with federal and state civil rights laws and regulations and to affirm its commitment to promoting the goals of fairness and equity in all aspects of the educational program, activity and employment, LR has developed internal policies and procedures that provide a prompt, fair and impartial process for those involved in an allegation of discrimination or harassment, and for allegations of retaliation.

LR values and upholds the equal dignity of all members of its community and strives to balance the rights of the parties in the grievance process during what is often a difficult time for all those involved.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

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