Resident Directors

Job Opportunities

Dear Potential RD Candidates,

Thank you for your interest in Boston College and the Resident Director (RD) position. I hope you will find the information below helpful as you discern if BC might be the right fit for you. We take pride in our students, staff, and the opportunities we can provide for everyone in our community. It is our goal to manage a positive, transparent, and professional search process for all candidates. If there are questions you have, or information you do not see available, please feel free to reach out to me and I will do my best to help out. Good luck as you enter into your search process!

Brian Regan, Associate Director, Selection, Development, and Formation

Helpful Links

If you have any other questions, please direct them to reslifejobs@bc.edu

About Our Institution

Founded in 1863, Boston College is a Jesuit, Catholic University with an enrollment of 9,358 undergraduate and 5,142 graduate students representing 48 states and more than 60 countries. The school has a proud tradition of spirit, social justice, and producing students for others.

Student Body Statistics

14,500 Total Student Enrollment

9,358 Undergraduate Students

5,142 Graduate Students

53% Female, 47% Male

33% AHANA (African-American,Hispanic, Asian, or Native American)

8% International

2018-2019 RA Statistics

52% Female, 48% Male

43% Returning, 57% New Hires

Average GPA 3.47

71% Undergraduate, 29% Graduate

46% AHANA

College Rankings

38th overall by US News and World Report

153rd Best Mid-Sized Employer by Forbes

Student Housing

First Year Housing

The Newton Campus is located 1.25 miles form main campus. Approximately 900 students live on this beautiful campus. Newton is home to three traditional-style halls. Upper Campus is an idyllic cul-de-sac at the top of campus. It is home to roughly 1,300 first year students in six traditional-style halls. The first year area is supervised by one Assistant Director and six Resident Directors.

Sophomore Housing

Approximately 2,100 sophomores are housed on campus at Boston College. The living accommodations consist of two styles of residence halls. Sophomores residing on Lower Campus enjoy suite-style halls, while sophomores living on College Road build a strong community in traditional-style residence halls. There are three Resident Directors and two Graduate Resident Directors directly responsible for this area.

Upperclass Housing

The majority of Boston College juniors live off campus or study abroad. Approximately 1,000 juniors continue living on campus in suite-style and apartment-style residence halls on Lower Campus. 97% of all seniors at Boston College choose to live on campus. Housing options for seniors include suite and apartment-style living. One Assistant Director, five Resident Directors and one Graduate Assistant Director supervise this area.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Division of Student Affairs is to facilitate student learning and formation, to prepare students to be thoughtful and engaged citizens, and to advance the Jesuit, Catholic heritage and values of Boston College.

The Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs (VPSA) oversees the Division of Student Affairs and supports all aspects of the student learning experience at Boston College. Inspired by cura personalis, Student Affairs' programs and services seek to care for the entire person, as they promote learning, health and wellness, leadership development, and community engagement for all students.

Other Offices

The Thea Bowman AHANA and Intercultural Center

The Thea Bowman AHANA and Intercultural Center
(617) 552-3358
The Thea Bowman AHANA and Intercultural Center develops, implements, and coordinates programs designed to support the academic, social, cultural, and spiritual development of undergraduate AHANA (African-American, Hispanic, Asian, and Native American) students. Services include personal and group counseling, performance monitoring, advising, tutorial assistance, and mentoring.

The Student Affairs Business Service Center (SABSC)

The Student Affairs Business Service Center (SABSC)
617-552-1586
The Student Affairs Business Service Center (SABSC) process financial transactions for the Band Office, Career Center, Office of Graduate Student Life, Office of Health Promotions, Office of Residential Life, Office of Student Involvement, Office of the Dean of Students, Robsham Theater Arts Center, Women's Center, Thea Bowman AHANA and Intercultural Center, University Counseling Services, Graduate Student Association, and Student Organizations.

The Career Center

The Career Center
617-552-3430
The Career Center offers services to help students begin to build successful careers. Students may obtain guidance in choosing a major or career, gain career-related internship experience, and learn the latest job search techniques. Resources include the Internship Program, AHANA Career Services, the Recruiting Program, and the Alumni Career Network.

University Counseling Services

University Counseling Services
617-552-3310
University Counseling Services addresses the mental health needs of the Boston College community by working with students in counseling or psychotherapy and by working with faculty and administrators on problem solving and policy decision making. Services include individual psychological counseling, group counseling, crisis intervention, referral, and consultation regarding concerns about others.

The Office of the Dean of Students

The Office of the Dean of Students
617-552-3470
The Office of the Dean of Students is dedicated to facilitating student development and learning in all facets of the undergraduate experience. Utilizing a comprehensive approach to community development that is informed by the Jesuit, Catholic values of Boston College, the office addresses a variety of issues including civility and respect, inclusion, disability, gender and sexuality, diversity, alcohol and substance abuse, and student conduct both on and off campus.

The Office of Graduate Student Life

The Office of Graduate Student Life
617-552-1855
The Office of Graduate Student Life provides outreach to Boston College graduate students through a variety of programs, services, and advocacy efforts. The John Courtney Murray, S.J. Graduate Student Center (located across Beacon Street from McElroy Commons) provides a welcoming space for graduate students and offers many amenities and services.

The Office of Health Promotion

The Office of Health Promotion
617-552-9900
The Office of Health Promotion directs programs and services that foster the health and well-being of Boston College students and the campus community. The Office of Health Promotion provides information on a range of topics related to student health, including: stress management, alcohol and drug use, nutritional health, sexual health, bystander education, prevention of relationship violence, LGBTQ health issues and more.

University Health Services

University Health Services
617-552-3225
University Health Services provides confidential medical care and educational programs to safeguard the physical well-being and mental health of students. Professional staff include primary care physicians, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, and specialty consultants. The Primary Care Center offers outpatient services by appointment and a 10-bed Inpatient Unit with 24-hour nursing care and evaluations during the academic year.

The Robsham Theater Arts Center

The Robsham Theater Arts Center
617-552-4800
The Robsham Theater Arts Center consists of a main theater, large lobby, exhibit space, studio theater, green room, design studio, shops, dressing rooms, and administrative offices. The main theater is a traditional, proscenium-style house. The building also houses the Bonn Studio Theater, a "black box" flexible space used for dance, student-directed productions, and theater classes.

The Office of Student Involvement

The Office of Student Involvement
617-552-3480
The Office of Student Involvement provides co-curricular opportunities for students that foster leadership development, self-exploration, social interaction, and student formation. The Office of Student Involvement works with students in a variety of capacities, however its primary focus targets four key areas: leadership development, student governance, event programming, and student organizations. Student Involvement advises over 150 student organizations, the Undergraduate Student Government, the Student Organization Funding Committee, the Emerging Leader Program, Campus Activities Board, Welcome Week, Senior Week, the Student Involvement Fair, Student Leadership Awards, O’Connell House student union, and Sub Turri yearbook.

The Women's Center (WC)

The Women's Center (WC)
617-552-3489
The Women's Center (WC) is open to all students, faculty, and staff, and offers a comfortable atmosphere to seek information, find peer support, participate in programming, and meet new friends. The WRC was founded to support and encourage women in the full attainment of their personal, professional, spiritual, and educational goals. The WC sponspors many programs throughout the year with the goal of meeting a wide range of needs and interests at Boston College.

Qualifications & Application

Because the Resident Director (RD) position is highly demanding of your time and energy, we hope our candidates will bring a maturity and level of flexibility with them to the position. We also hope to see new professionals come with new ideas, energy, and a positive spirit to engage students and professionals in meaningful dialogue around important issues. Click on the following link to view the full position description: Resident Director Position Description.

Minimum Requirements

Minimum Requirements:

A Master’s degree in Higher Education, Student Personnel, Counseling, or related field is strongly preferred; Bachelor’s degree required.
1-3 years of progressively responsible experience working in a student affairs setting at the professional or graduate level. Prior residence hall experience at the graduate or professional level is preferred.
Comprehension and appreciation of the Jesuit values and mission, and the traditions and heritage of Boston College.
Demonstrated knowledge and commitment to issues of equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Demonstrated understanding of student development theory.
Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.

General Application Information

General Information and Application Process:

We hope you consider applying to work within our department. Below are a few notes, as well as the general process and procedures for the RD position.

We only accept applications through our Human Resources (HR) website www.bc.edu/hr. If you have challenges uploading documents on the HR website please feel free to email reslifejobs@bc.edu with them.
A typical process involves two screening interviews prior to being offered an on-campus visit.
If offered an on-campus interview, they typically last the majority of the day. We try to expose our candidates to a variety of people, including Residential Life Education and Operations staff, student leaders, campus partners, Human Resources, and other key stakeholders. It is important to us that we get input from our community, but also that our candidates get a full and honest look at what working at Boston College and within Residential Life has to offer a new professional.
All offers and negotiations are concluded through the Human Resources office.

Benefits

If You Are Attending The Placement Exchange (TPE) 2020:

A delegation from our office will be attending TPE in Austin,TX in 2020. If you would like more information, please click here.

If You Are Not Attending The Placement Exchange (TPE):

If you are unable to attend TPE, we will be accepting applications on a rolling basis as we have openings. You may apply on our Human Resources website at bc.edu/hr (only when positions are available).

Boston College Resident Director Curriculum

As new professionals in the Office of Residential Life we feel it is extremely important for you to have opportunities to develop as a professional. With that in mind we have come up with a proposed Resident Director Curriculum.

You will be working throughout the year with your supervisors to develop and execute a Professional Development Plan for yourself. The following suggestions will help guide that process. This is not an exhaustive list, so please feel free to seek out additional opportunities that interests you. Please also note that you will be asked to present to the staff about your experience for conferences that you attend.

Residential Life Core Competencies: Supervision; Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion; Crisis Management; Student Development and Community Standards; Administration, Operations and Technology; Department and University Relations; Personal Foundations

1st Year Resident Director - Master Your RD Role

Learn RD role and responsibilities
1. ResLife Processes and Procedures
2. RD Role within the context of Area, Department, and Division
Learn about BC student culture
1. Familiarize and attend hallmark campus programs (Showdown, First Flight, Kairos)
2. Get to know students and staff (Resident Minister (RM), Graduate Minister (GM), Graduate Staff Assistant (GSA), Programming Graduate Assistant (PGA))
Learn how to effectively supervise student staff, including Graduate Staff
1. Effective 1:1s and staff meetings
2. Giving and receiving feedback
3. Holding staff accountable
Learn to support residents
1. First year area: advising
2. Increase knowledge of campus resources and campus partners
Complete Human Resources Diversity Modules
Participate in Res Life Committee
Consider attending one of the following
1. NEACUHO
  1. New Professional Conference (fall)
  2. Drive-in (spring)
2. Attend at least one professional development session through Employee Development (in addition to the Diversity Workshop)
Begin to connect with offices, departments, and other stakeholders across campus

2nd Year Resident Director - Build ResLife Experience On/Off Campus

Buddy/Mentor and new RD
1. Share supervisor and first year success ideas
2. Assist first-year RDs navigating flow of the academic year, helping them become proactive in planning for issues and busy times
Res Life Committee work
Campus involvement
1. Collaborate with campus partners on initiatives and areas of interest (academic advising, retreats, student organization advising, affinity groups, etc.)
2. Work with residents outside of RD role
Participate in an Assessment Project for your hall, or for the department
Attend professional development sessions outside of the Office of Residential Life
1. Submit a presentation proposal at one of the following conferences:
  1. NASPA Region I
  2. NEACUHO Drive-in
  3. Annual NEACUHO Conference
  4. New Professional Conference
2. Submit an article to be published in a Student Affairs publication such as:
  1. NEACUHO Newsletter
  2. StudentAffairs.net
  3. ResidentAssistant.com
  4. The Talking Stick
  5. About Campus
3. On-Campus Personal Development Opportunities
  1. Attend a retreat (Halftime, 48 Hours, Kairos)
  2. Lead a service trip
  3. Advise a student organization on campus
  4. Register for an academic course of interest
Continue on-call experience as Administrator on Call

3rd and 4th Year Resident Director - Build student Affairs Experience On/Off Campus

Attend annual/National Conference (NASPA region 1, NASPA, ACPA, ACUHO-I, ASCA, NCORE, NACURH)
1. You may need to cover the cost yourself for some conferences
Choose new/different campus involvement
Continue and increase involvement in departmental committee work
Contribute to other departmental initiatives and ideas, 4 options:
1. Submit Presentation Proposal at an Annual/National Conference
2. Publish an article in a Student Affairs Publication such as:
  1. NEACUHO Newsletter
  2. StudentAffairs.net
  3. ResidentAssistant.com
  4. The Talking Stick
  5. About Campus
3. On Campus Personal Development Opportunities
  1. Attend a retreat (Halftime, 48 Hours, Kairos)
  2. Lead a service trip
  3. Be on a senior task force
  4. Advise a student organization on campus
  5. register for an academic course of interest
4. Participate in a Divisional Committee
Preparing for Transition
1. Begin reviewing job postings online to help you identify what type(s) of position(s) you would be interest in for your next step
2. Conduct informational interviews with professionals in a position or department that aligns with your goals and future career aspirations
3. Reach out to conduct mock interviews as your prepare to interview for your next position
4. Begin reviewing documents that you could potentially use in your next position