Residence Hall Director

South Dakota State University is excited to welcome applications for a Residence Hall Director. We are looking for a creative and innovative professional to join us in leading an energetic and dynamic team of paraprofessionals as well as a person committed to creating an inclusive environment for our students and staff. As a live-in professional, you’ll help shape a vibrant residential community by supporting students’ personal and academic success, providing leadership, and ensuring the effective management of your assigned hall. This position offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on students’ lives while being part of a collaborative Housing & Residence Life (HRL) team. The Residence Hall Director is an essential team member who helps bring the student facing portion of HRL’s mission to life. Located in Brookings, South Dakota, this position is a 12-month, full-time, benefits-eligible position.

SDState is the state’s largest, most comprehensive university with over $94 million annual research expenditures, more than 200 academic programs and an enrollment of approximately 12,000 students. The university is part of a dynamic community for families, students, young professionals, and retirees, which offers an abundance of attractions and activities.

Housing & Residential Life creates welcoming, supportive communities focused on student success. Our team of professional and student staff work together to foster connection, growth, and a positive on-campus living experience.

Must be authorized to work in the U.S. Sponsorship is not available for this position.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Residence Hall Director provides leadership for an assigned residence hall by:

• Recruiting, training, supervising, leading and mentoring Community Assistants.
• Interact with students on a regular basis, providing information and assistance concerning academic issues, peer conflicts, personal problems, etc.
• Supporting the personal, academic, and leadership development of students through intentional interactions, programming via the residential curriculum, and community building.
• Advising hall leadership groups and student leaders to foster leadership development, engagement and involvement.
• Managing hall operations, including administrative processes, occupancy management, room changes, and opening/closing procedures.
• Engaging in departmental initiatives such as staff selection, training, assessment, and summer operations.
• Assist in the oversight of assigned facility in collaboration with custodial, maintenance, and central office staff.
• Responding to student concerns, crisis situations, and policy violations with care, fairness, and accountability.
• Participate in the departmental 24/7 on-call duty and emergency response system for on campus community.
• Participating in professional development opportunities to enhance skills and contribute to the field of student affairs.
• Serve on departmental and university committees, task forces and other opportunities.

BENEFITS:

SDState offers a wide range of excellent benefits including medical, dental, and flexible benefits, retirement plans, compensation packages, paid holidays, and vacation leave. We offer a generous retirement plan that includes 6% matching, 10 hours of annual leave each month, 9.34 hours of sick leave each month, and eleven paid holidays. Employees also have access to internal and state-sponsored training as well as reduced tuition for state-supported courses at all State of South Dakota academic institutions. Relocation benefits are available per university’s guidelines.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• An earned Bachelor’s degree by start date.
• At least one year of housing, student affairs, enrollment management, or leadership experience either during undergraduate experience or post-graduation.
• Effective written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Graduate school degree in Student Personnel Administration, Guidance and Counseling, Higher Education, Student Affairs, or related field.
• Relevant experiences such as student conduct experience, crisis/emergency experience, student leadership or advising experience, and/or programming experience.
• Leadership, supervision, or mentoring experience
• Experience in community building in a college or university residential setting.
• Experience utilizing student-centered approaches and models

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Position closes July 30, 2026.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

SDState accepts applications through an on-line employment site. To apply, visit: https://yourfuture.sdbor.edu, search by the position title, view the job announcement, and click on “apply for this job.” This system will guide you through the electronic application form. This employment site will also require the attachment of a cover letter, which should specifically address how the candidate meets the qualifications as outlined in the advertisement, resume, and a reference page with the contact information for three professional references. Email applications will not be accepted. Please contact SDState Human Resources at (605) 688-4128 if you require assistance with this process.

Any offer of employment is contingent on the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by law and/or university policies, including but not limited to, successful completion of a criminal background check.

SDState is a tobacco free environment. It is the policy of the University to maintain a drug-free environment and to thereby establish, promote, and maintain a safe and healthy working and learning environment for employees and students. This position is subject to South Dakota State University’s Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy 4:14.

For questions on the position, contact Rebecca Peterson at [email protected].

South Dakota State University promotes access to and opportunities for all to receive the benefit of and participate in education, research, and service and is especially interested in candidates that can contribute to this land-grant access mission. SDSU is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to, and SDSU prohibits unlawful discrimination of all legally protected classes in the offering of all educational programs and employment. Arrangements for accommodations required by disabilities can be made by emailing [email protected]. Individuals with concerns regarding discrimination should contact: Equal Opportunity Officer/Title IX Coordinator, Human Resources, Morrill Hall 100, SDSU, Brookings, SD 57007. Phone: (605) 688-4128.