Job Summary
The Area Coordinator is a member of the Residential Life Development and Staffing team within University Housing. Responsible for the implementation of a residential curriculum model focused on educating students in a residential area (areas range in size from 1,800 - 2,800 students in a total resident population of approximately 8,500) in the areas of promoting well-being, community engagement, social responsibility, lifelong learning, and cultural and identity exploration. This is accomplished via the direct supervision of full-time professional staff and overall management and leadership within Residential Life, including the development of policies and procedures for the area and unit.
Duties and Responsibilities
Staff Supervision, Recruitment, and Curricular Development
- Directly supervisor 4-5 full-time professional residence hall directors and 1-3 desk supervisor, conducting regular one-on-one supervisory meetings to meet the learning needs of each staff member.
- Participate in the recruitment, selection, and indirect supervision of student staff with the ability to implement residential curriculum strategies as well as operational duties, including Resident Advisors, Office Assistants, Senior Clerks, and Desk Clerks.
- Design, implement, and evaluate a broad range of cultural and educational training and development sessions that support the varied needs of professional staff, support staff, and paraprofessional staff in support of the mission of the University and University Housing
- Role model a scholar-practitioner approach via engagement with student development research and participation in educational training and development opportunities.
- Lead staff in the creation and implementation of lesson plans to achieve the goals and learning outcomes of the residential curriculum in the areas of Promoting Well-being, Community Engagement, Social Responsibility, Lifelong Learning, and Cultural & Identity Exploratoin.
- Oversee the evaluation and assessment of curricular strategies within the area.
- Assist in recruitment and selection of professional and support staff with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to implement our curricular model.
- Serve as chairpersons for various professional staff selection committees as needed.
- Conduct informal and formal performance appraisals for professional and support staff.
- Provide leadership for area staff on all hall operations and administrative duties.
- Report directly to one of the two Associate Directors for Residential Life Development and Staffing.
- Supervisors engage in and implement University Housing’s inclusion, culture, and climate initiatives.
Community Development and Leadership
- Provide leadership, guidance and support to staff, students, and student groups in the ongoing development and implementation of our residential curriculum model.
- Provide leadership in the development of policies and programs that foster fairness, inclusion, and a welcoming environment for all individuals.
- Provide leadership development opportunities for members of area or campus student groups through structured advising and mentoring focused on educational opportunities that develop competencies that equip Illinois students to lead in a global community. Provide educational opportunities for staff and students to consider strategies for the development of intellectually engaging inclusive communities that meet curricular goals and outcomes.
- Provide guidance and direction to Residence Directors responsible for ongoing case management of residents of concern and collaborate directly with relevant partners (e.g., University Housing Case Managers, Connie Frank CARE Center, Counseling Center, etc.) as appropriate.
- Provide guidance to Residence Hall Directors as they consider restorative and educational measures to address student behavior, judicial procedures, and emergency response as hall/campus judicial officers.
- Develop collaborative relationships with staff and faculty in Student Affairs and Academic Affairs.
- Work collaboratively with Program Director(s) of Living Learning Communities (LLCs) in the area, facilitating relationship building and understanding of shared roles and responsibilities between the Residence Hall Directors and the LLC staff as it relates to the implementation of the residential curriculum model for LLC communities.
- Engage in University Housing’s bias and intolerance response by designing and implementing restorative educational responses as a result of complaints filed.
Administrative
- Supervise, lead and manage Residential Life/University Housing operational processes (e.g. opening, closing, damage billing, fire inspections, key inventories, etc.).
- Provide oversight of area/hall offices, ensuring the provision of learning-centered customer service to students.
Hold a lead role in one of four functional areas - Desk Operations, Desk Training, Break Housing, or Hall Opening/Closing - providing direction, coordination, and continuous improvement within the assigned area.
- Collaborate with various Housing units (such as Business Services, Facilities, Family & Graduate Housing, Housing Information & Marketing, Inclusion & Talent Development, Dining and Student Affairs Technology) to support all of Housing’s programs and services. Attend and/or facilitate regularly scheduled meetings (weekly Area Professional Staff, monthly Residential Life, quarterly Housing and Area Team, weekly Area Coordinator, and monthly Desk Operations staff meetings).
- Serve on and lead Residential Life committees focused on strategic planning, and operational processes.
- Serve as crisis response back up / on-call for Residence Hall Directors during the academic year and participate in a rotation of on-call coverage during university break periods for break housing, summer school, and conference season.
- Coordinate response from all Housing Staff in the area (Residential Life/Conferences, Building Services, Dining Services, Maintenance, etc.) during emergencies.
- Participate in the annual review and revision of Building Emergency Action Plans.
- Prepare and monitor program and administrative budgets.
- Coordinate and approve the use of area common facilities for meetings, programs, and other activities.
Minimum Qualifications
- Master’s degree.
- Three (3) years of full-time experience in residential life, college or university conference services, college student housing (on-campus or off-campus), student affairs, or a related field (higher education, counseling, social work). (Graduate assistantships are considered part-time work and do not count toward full-time experience.)
- Experience directly supervising staff. Experience working with individuals from varied background and perspectives in serving the campus community.
- Master's degree in College Student Personnel, Higher Education, Student Affairs,
Counseling, Higher Education Administration or a related field.
- Current work in residential life or university or college housing.
- Advanced supervisory skills, demonstrated leadership and management of day-to-day
residence hall operations, successful community building strategies, conflict mediation
skills, extremely strong interpersonal skills, and sound decision-making and evaluative
skills.
- Demonstrated leadership working with individuals from varied backgrounds and perspectives in serving the campus community and facilitating educational efforts that foster inclusion, belonging, and mutual understanding.
- Experience implementing a residential curriculum.
- A working knowledge of student learning and student development, inclusive community building, and residential curricular models.
- Ability to work independently.
- Strong interpersonal and organizational skills.
- Excellent communication skills.
- Proficiency in any language(s) in addition to English.
- Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues and students while working with all individuals in an inclusive manner.
- Ability to receive, consider and integrate constructive feedback to improve performance and/or strengthen professional practice.
Working Conditions
- The position involves multitasking and effectively navigating around campus and the residence halls in a busy and unpredictable environment.
- Work will take place in office and residence hall environments including but not limited to, student common and meeting space and various administrative offices/spaces on campus.
- Position involves standard business hours with some nights and weekends required for duty and other programmatic or operational responsibilities.
- This position is live-off.
This is a 100% full-time Academic Professional position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the close of the search. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity. The budgeted salary range for the position is $62,000 to $65,000.
Sponsorship for work authorization is not available for this position.
Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on August 02, 2026. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. For further information about this specific position, please contact [email protected]. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.
Candidate Documents
When submitting your application, please submit a cover letter, resume and names/contact information for three professional references. If required by the position, transcripts or other documentation of credentials are to be provided no later than the first day of employment.
At the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign — the state’s flagship public university and one of the world’s leading research institutions — every staff member helps shape what’s next. Founded in 1867, Illinois is home to a vibrant community of 59,000 students from all 50 states and 129 countries, supported by 15 colleges and instructional units, more than 20 research institutes, and one of the most comprehensive student service ecosystems in the nation. Whether you’re empowering first-generation students, fueling breakthrough innovation, or strengthening communities across Illinois and beyond, your work here has a far-reaching and deeply meaningful impact. The university offers a highly competitive benefits package designed to support your well-being, growth, and financial security. Join a top 10 public university that has launched over 330 startups and continues to redefine excellence — where the Illinois Value Proposition ensures that your contributions are recognized, your potential is nurtured, and your career can thrive.
Learn more about Champaign-Urbana and our campus and the community we hope you choose to live and work in.
For more information regarding employment at University Housing, please visit our recruitment website at University Housing Recruitment.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position; however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.
This position is intended to be eligible for benefits. This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.
The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.
Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodation portal, or by contacting the Office for Access & Equity at 217-333-0885, option #1, or [email protected].
Requisition ID: 1036937
Job Category: Education & Student Services
Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu
