Description
Resident Director
Residence Life and Housing
Elevate Your Career at UCCS: Innovate, Inspire, and Impact in the Rockies!
Who We Are
Rooted in research. Connected to Colorado and powered by YOU!
We’re hiring an Assistant Resident Director and a Resident Director in Residence Life & Housing at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs.
Join a team committed to building residential communities where students from a wide range of backgrounds live, learn, and thrive.
Our live-in teams-including our Assistant Resident Directors and Resident Directors-mentor student leaders, support students in need and help shape an inclusive residential experience for a growing student population.
These live-in positions are based in Colorado Springs — Colorado’s second-largest and one of its fastest-growing cities.
Living here means access to:
Arts, music, and cultural events on campus and across the region
Food and cuisine from all over the country (Whataburger and In-N-Out in the same day? No problem!)
Historic entertainment and culture in Cripple Creek
Big city amenities just an hour away in Denver, including professional sports teams like the Broncos , Nuggets , Avalanche and Summit ️
Recreation, nature, and iconic mountain views near Pikes Peak
This is a great opportunity if you’re passionate about student development, inclusive community building, and would like an opportunity to enhance your leadership in residence life!
Colorado Springs, CO
Resident Director – Residence Life & Housing
The University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) is a premier educational institution that prides itself on academic excellence, research, and community engagement and is actively seeking a Resident Director to join our team! UCCS is committed to academic excellence, professional development, and fostering an environment that supports innovation and student success.
At the base of the Rocky Mountains, Colorado Springs is captivated by its stunning landscapes, making it a paradise for nature lovers. This city is more than its scenery—a mosaic of history, arts, and a vibrant tech scene. We invite you to join a community that cherishes outdoor adventure as much as forward-thinking growth, an exceptional setting for both career and lifestyle.
Salary Range: $48,803 - $56,937 annually. Compensation will be commensurate upon experience and qualifications. This position is Exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) overtime provisions.
Work Location: On-Site Live in required - Includes an unfurnished-on campus apartment.
Benefits at a Glance
At UCCS, our employees are our most valued asset. We're proud to offer:
-
Generous Time Off: Enjoy 22 vacation days, 10 sick days, paid parental leave, 13 recognized holidays, and provisions for bereavement, jury duty, and FAMLI Leave.
-
Robust Health Coverage: Our comprehensive medical plans cover preventative care at no cost, including a yearly mental health visit. Plus, benefit from affordable dental, vision plans, and competitive prescription drug prices.
-
Financial & Retirement Benefits: Take advantage of our health savings, flexible spending accounts, and life and disability insurance. Plan for your future with our retirement options.
-
Further Your Education: Avail twelve (12) waived credits per academic year for courses at any CU campus. We invest in your educational and professional growth.
-
Wellness & More: From wellness programs aimed at achieving your best self to various additional benefits through CU Advantage, we prioritize well-being and holistic development.
-
Want to know your total compensation? Use our calculator to get the complete picture!
Summary
The University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) on-campus residential housing offers students two distinct Villages, Summit and Alpine Valley that are home to the full spectrum of UCCS students. Establishing life-long friends, connections, and memories is what makes on-campus living an integral part of the UCCS Mountain Lion experience.
The Resident Director (RD) is a full-time, live-in, highly visible, professional staff member who, in collaboration with fellow staff members, campus partners, and residential students, is responsible for cultivating and maintaining a supportive, engaged, and thriving residential community. Under the supervision, support, and general direction of the Assistant Director of Residence Life, the RD will directly supervise, coach, and support up to 15 student Resident Assistants (RA). The RD oversees daily operations for multiple buildings in an assigned area on campus, however, all RDs have an instrumental role in creating a vibrant residential experience for all residents that promotes student belonging, engagement, human potential, and student success. With a focus on relationship-building, proactive communication, teamwork, and initiative, the RD team is essential in shaping a welcoming and caring living environment that enhances the overall student experience at UCCS. The position is required to live on campus with frequent evening and weekend responsibilities that support the Resident Assistants (RA) and residential students. The live-in requirement ensures that the RD plays a pivotal role in crisis management and on-call support, contributing to the safety and well-being of the residential community. Rotational on-call responsibilities for up to 1,500 residents is required.
This appointment is temporary in nature. Funding is currently expected to last up to 11.5 months, at which time funding will be reviewed for possible extension. Acceptance of this temporary, at-will, position does not guarantee regular employment.
Essential Functions
The duties and responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to:
Community Development and Student Support
Cultivate and maintain a positive living environment that supports academic achievement, personal growth, engagement, belonging, and retention
Support development and delivery of an engaging and enriching residential experience tailored to the specific demographics of the residential population assigned to the RD and their staff of RAs
Promote and facilitate residents' personal development through programming, workshops, and one-on-one interactions that foster a sense of community and belonging
Educate staff and students on policies and procedures, and how to respect the rights of others through community standards
Encourage resident involvement in events, programs, and leadership opportunities
Maintain a high degree of visibility for all residents and members in the community
Provide individual support to residents, addressing their personal, academic, and social concerns
Coordinate responses, including coaching and modeling for the RA staff, to roommate conflicts, personal crises, and other concerns, including mediating conflicts among residents and enforcing community standards
Resident Assistant Supervision and Development
Coach, train, evaluate and support Resident Assistants (RA) to become effective leaders through 1:1 meetings, coaching discussions, small groups, and staff meetings
Provide leadership to RAs in setting goals for the year, monitor work performance for accuracy and completeness in accordance with department and divisional goals and objectives, and ensure compliance with established Residence Life policies and procedures
Conduct RA performance evaluations on a regular basis and during the annual departmental evaluation process
Engage in accountability practices to ensure RAs meet performance expectations and maintain GPA and credit hour requirements
Provide RAs with guidance about university policies, procedures, and resources
Utilize departmental resources for ongoing development and training
Recognize and praise RAs for strong performance and significant achievements
Emergency and Crisis Response
Serve on an on-call 24-hour duty rotation. Provide crisis management support and intervention, which may be required on weekends, at night, etc. Respond to additional emergency situations as necessary
Develop knowledge of campus and community resources to ensure timely and efficient referrals when appropriate
Refer all mental health concerns to appropriate resources, such as the Wellness Center and maintain thorough documentation
Utilize the CARE Team as a resource and for appropriate referrals
Consult with leadership when appropriate and follow pro-staff on call protocols/guidance when responding to situations and circumstances
This position is a Campus Security Authority (CSA)/Mandatory Reporter and must be comfortable confronting and reporting all crimes as outlined by the Code of Conduct, University or Regent Policy and Colorado Revised Statutes.
Student Confidentiality and Student Data
Resident Directors are expected to maintain strict confidentiality regarding all student information, including but not limited to conduct records, academic status, health-related disclosures, and personal circumstances shared in the course of their role. Student information must only be accessed, discussed, and shared on a legitimate educational need-to-know basis and in alignment with institutional policy and applicable laws (e.g., FERPA).
RDs are responsible for modeling appropriate information boundaries with Resident Assistants, ensuring undergraduate staff are not given access to sensitive information beyond what is necessary to perform their duties. Casual, speculative, or unauthorized sharing of student information—whether in conversation, training settings, or digital platforms—is not permitted.
Collaboration and Partnerships
Collaborate with key campus partners such as facilities, Wellness Center, UCCS Police, Student Life, Dining and Hospitality Services, Dean of Students, and other university partners to provide educational and academic initiatives
Participate in campus-wide events and initiatives that enhance the residential experience
Serve on University-wide committees, as assigned or approved by the Assistant Director or Senior Director of Residence Life and Housing
Student Conduct
Serve as a Hearing Officer for students referred alleged violations of the Student Code of Conduct, Residence Life and Housing Handbook, and other behavioral concerns; administer appropriate sanctions to effectively resolve disciplinary problems in consultation with Residence Life staff and Dean of Students
Facilitate the conduct process to serve as an educational opportunity
Facilitate informal conduct resolutions, such as educational conversations, letters of notice, etc.
Update and maintain accurate and timely conduct records for assigned cases in Maxient.
Administrative
Manage operational functions for residence halls, such as move in/move out, damage assessment, billing, maintenance requests, conducting room inspections, reporting, and following up on custodial issues and maintenance requests
Attend and participate in meetings, including, but not limited to, department meetings, staff meetings, collateral meetings, and one-on-one meetings
Chair a Residence Life collateral, such as but not limited to: RA Training & Development, or RA Recruitment & Selection
Maintain administrative and informational records in all appropriate channels such as Roompact, StarRez, Maxient, and/or Microsoft Teams
Manage a budget and keep efficient records for procurement purposes
Lead and participate in meetings, including, but not limited to, staff meetings and one-on-one meetings
Impact of Errors
Due to the scope of responsibility and level of independent decision-making required in this role, errors in judgment, communication, documentation, supervision, or execution of duties may result in adverse impact to students, staff, and the institution. Such impacts may include compromised student safety and well-being, inconsistent application of policies, diminished staff performance, and increased institutional risk related to compliance, legal exposure, and operational effectiveness.
Resident Directors are expected to maintain professional standards, including confidentiality, accurate documentation, and consistent presence, availability, and responsiveness within the residential community. Failure or inability to meet these expectations or adhere to established policies and procedures may result in performance management action, up to and including disciplinary action and termination.
Tentative Search Timeline
-
Priority will be given to applications submitted by: June 7th, 2026.
-
Potential interview dates: June 23rd - June 26th, 2026.
-
Potential start date: July 15th, 2026.
CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
In accordance with the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, UCCS does not discriminate based on sex in our employment or compensation practices.
