Resident Director

Position Overview

The Resident Director (RD) supervises the summer residential experience for the Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies Program (SPCS) and the Stanford Online High School (OHS) programs. As the senior staff member living in residence, the RD shapes the culture of the residential experience, ensuring participants have a safe and enjoyable experience.

The Resident Director directly supervises the Associate Resident Director (Associate RD) and indirectly supervises the Assistant Resident Directors (ARDs), attends to student crises, oversees coordination of all residential staff members, and oversees daily program operations. The RD position is closely equivalent to a college or university Assistant Director for Residence Life.

The Resident Director will participate in approximately nine days of onboarding prior to the arrival of participants which include, in-person and online training and administrative work.

Position Responsibilities

• Responsible for the safety and supervision of up to 520 minors living in residence across two sessions of the Summer Humanities Institute, one session of the Stanford University Mathematics Camp, one session of Stanford AI4ALL, one session of Summer @ Stanford High School, and one session of Summer @ Stanford Middle School.
• Directly supervise and manage the work of all residential staff, particularly the Associate Resident Director; working closely with SPCS and OHS professional staff to ensure successful programmatic execution (e.g., improve training, ensure staff duties are executed, confirm expectations are clearly communicated, mediate staff issues).
• Resolve moderate to higher-level participant issues, including crises and emergencies, and ensure all concerns are promptly addressed; support staff and provide feedback during post-incident debrief.
• Monitor incident reports and ensure all incidents are properly documented, including medical emergencies and disciplinary situations; serving as the residential staff’s case manager, tracking each incident report and subsequent follow up.
• Manage parental communications in cases involving the dispensing of over-the-counter medications, participant injuries, incomplete homework assignments, check-out requests, and/or restorative conversations. Support ARDs with managing parental communications as needed.
• Support the well-being of participants by helping them physically navigate campus and off campus locations; complete community walks of multi-story buildings to conduct wellness checks and check-ins with staff.
• Maintain a strong and positive community presence within the program - regularly visit the residences, attend program events, engage in conversations with participants throughout the day, and build relationships with the residential staff and participants.
• Regularly attend floor/house meetings and residential staff meetings; conduct check-ins with residential staff; share trends and feedback with professional staff; and execute staff morale plans.
• Attend weekend field trips and excursions with participants to ensure their safety and well-being.
• Host drop-in office hours for staff to discuss programs, any stress, wellness, or other concerns; refer staff to additional mental health support resources as necessary.
• Respond to calls and text messages promptly at any time during their on-call shift, and address any incident or concern within fifteen minutes of notification.
• Be a good steward of program resources by ensuring that all supplies are properly stored and returned at the end of the program, and that the residence is consistently clean and well maintained.
• Ensure appropriate financial stewardship, budgeting, supply purchasing, and Purchasing Card use; approve or reject any purchase form requests by residential staff and consult with professional staff for further guidance as necessary.
• Serve as a liaison between parents or other offices on the Stanford campus (examples include: Conference Services, Stanford Catering, Dining, Department of Public Safety, etc.).
• Assist with the training of the residential staff and provide guidance and leadership on major program events (i.e., Arrival Day, Commencement, Departure Day, etc.); create the ARD on-call schedule and manage ARD time off.
• Manage administrative tasks, including but not limited to: maintaining rosters, auditing keys, developing check in and check out sheets, purchasing, and event logistics.
• Manage the SPCS-Residential and S@S email inbox; provide regular communication with parents and families as needed.
• Provide regular feedback about the participants and staff to the SPCS and OHS professional staff and notify professional staff of any concerns regarding a participant or staff that require intervention.
• Ensure that all programs and activities are accessible and contribute to participant’s sense of belonging and safety. Lead and actively engage in programs to cultivate a sense of belonging and bring participants together.  
• Ensure that participants and staff adhere to all applicable policies at all times, including the Administrative Guide Memo, program policies, the SPCS Code of Conduct and the Protection of Minors policy.
• Transport participants and/or other staff to various locations within and outside of the Stanford University campus via program-rented automobile or golf cart.

To be successful in this position, you will bring:

• A Bachelor’s degree.
• At least two summers or years of experience in Residence Life at the high school or college level (3 summers or years preferred).
• Experience working with academically motivated students, preferably in an intensive residential setting.
• Demonstrated leadership and supervisory experience in an educational setting.
• Demonstrated ability to establish priorities, manage shifting priorities, and handle numerous time-sensitive tasks with multiple deadlines and frequent interruptions. Including serving on call and responding to crisis situations throughout the day and night.
• Ability to supervise others, enforce policies, solve problems, make decisions, and mediate conflict.
• Flexibility and willingness to work long hours, including serving on call and responding to crisis situations throughout the day and night.
• Ability to maintain a professional demeanor at all times when dealing with staff, participants, and parents.
• Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• Ability to complete a project and direct others with little direct supervision.
• Strong work ethic and acumen for patiently responding to potential crises, including physical and mental health.
• The ability to occasionally climb (ladders, scaffolds, or other), twist/bend/stoop/squat, reach/work above shoulders, grasp lightly/fine manipulation, use a telephone, write by hand, lift/carry/push/pull objects that weigh up to 40 pounds; and rarely kneel/crawl, grasp forcefully, sort/file paperwork or parts, lift/carry/push/pull objects that weigh >40 pounds.
• Must possess and maintain a valid U.S. driver’s license.
  • Physical Requirements: Ability to drive day and night.
  • Work Standards: When conducting University business, must comply with the California Vehicle Code and Stanford University driving requirements.

Additionally, you will preferably bring:

• Graduate level coursework in Education or a related field (graduate students entering their second year of their program are encouraged to apply).
• Experience planning logistics for events or activities coordination.

Notes

• The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.
• Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of the job.
• Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
• Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. All candidates must be eligible to work in the U.S. International students are encouraged to consult with their International Student Office to ensure they have the appropriate Visa to work with another program and/or University before applying.
• All candidates must remain on campus during all work hours.
• All Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies (SPCS) staff are expected to follow university guidelines as outlined in the Stanford Administrative Guide. Of significant note are the university’s Controlled Substances and Alcohol policy for all Stanford employees as well as the policy for youth-designated buildings. If applicable, adherence to all Stanford student policies and the Fundamental Standard.
• Please note that you will be subject to all health and safety policy requirements for Stanford employees.

Compensation

The Resident Director position is a temporary, full-time, residential position with substantial on-call duties averaging 60 hours per week for approximately 9 weeks. The compensation package includes on-site housing, meals, and a total salary of $22,000.00. This position is exempt and is therefore not subject to the overtime provision of the Fair Labor Standards Act. The salary will be paid semi-monthly, via payroll and is subject to taxes. Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies and Stanford Online High School provides an on-call cell phone when staff are on duty, and a $25/month cell phone stipend (pro-rated) which will be paid via Stanford payroll. Stanford does not reimburse cell phone costs or provide cell phones to staff for use during programs outside of on-call shifts.