Bard Experiential Learning Lab (BELL)

Manager of Residential Life

Employer Website: http://apply.interfolio.com/119369
The Bard Experiential Learning Lab (BELL) seeks a Manager of Residential Life for its program in New York City. BELL is a new Bard College program, which will welcome its first cohort of study away students for the spring 2023 semester. Located in a brand new 200-bed co-living and learning space in the vibrant community of Williamsburg Brooklyn, BELL combines academic study with professional internships and career development for advanced undergraduates from Bard College and colleges across the globe. For more information, please see https://bell.bard.edu/.

The Manager of Residential Life plays a key role in the day-to-day operations of the Bard Experiential Leaning Lab and student residence in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. They report to the Director of BELL and assist in the coordination and oversight of a broad range of student leadership and career development activities central to BELL’s mission. This position requires a person with energy and creativity, dedicated to working intensively both with college students and community partner organizations (a mix of for-profit, nonprofit and governmental agencies) where students intern. They will help create and maintain a supportive educational environment, which promotes students’ individual growth, community responsibility, and academic achievement as they adapt and integrate into life in New York City. A safe and healthy living environment is promoted through oversight of student residents and the supervision of student staff. The Manager of Residential Life develops, plans and runs social and cultural programming aligned with the philosophy and vision of BELL, supporting a vibrant, dynamic student population in New York City. The position includes administrative and office work for the BELL program. This is a full-time, exempt position and includes housing. 

Essential Duties

Internship Program Leadership

• Liaises with private, public and nonprofit organizations across the city where students intern
• Strengthens relationships across the internship network while developing new experiential learning opportunities, helps design progressively more responsible internship placements
• Assists in the facilitation of the internship matching process between student and organization by coordinating interviews
• Helps students with skills related to resumes, cover letters, and professional communication with internship organizations
• Tracks student time sheets and learning agreements with internship mentors and collects data on student learning in the professional setting
• Conducts annual site visits to internship placements and produces an annual evaluation
• Convenes biannual meetings of internship partners to debrief, collect feedback, strengthen collaboration, and refine best practices;
• Coordinates capacity-building workshops and critical issues seminars to help students develop a broad range of personal, leadership, and professional skills, and a deeper understanding of key social justice issues
• Manages alumni program (speakers, coaches and advisors).

Student Advising and Wellness

• Maintains strong relationships with students through one-on-one advising (informally and formally)
• Provides guidance and support for students’ learning and personal development, attending to students’ academic and personal concerns
• Coaches students on professional development, connecting program experiences to their exploration of career pathways;
• Actively seeks out students who have difficulty engaging with the academic or social life of the program or who are experiencing personal difficulties; provide on-going support and work with them to develop strategies for success
• Provides case management for students in psychological or medical distress: counsel and refer students to appropriate professional staff members and resources as needed
• Communicates concerns about individual students to the Director of BELL
• Serves as the primary point of contact in crisis situations and administers appropriate aftercare 
• In coordination with the Director of BELL and other program staff, develops and runs social programming for BELL participants, including a cultural program to help introduce participants to New York City
• Helps students adjust to living and working in New York City and the United States
• Attends regular meetings of BELL program staff
• Reports regularly to the Director of BELL on the health and wellness of program residents

Residence Life Responsibilities

• Assists in the operation of the residence hall in a manner that provides for a comfortable, safe and healthy environment. This includes maintaining a positive working relationship with property management, cleaning, maintenance and security personnel and making regular rounds through the building to identify facility issues that require attention.
• Oversees Peer Counselor selection, room placements, mediation of conflict between roommates, and room changes.
• Communicates and maintains community standards as described by the Student Handbook. This includes informing students of BELL/Bard College policy and procedures and encouraging students to monitor their environment.
• Investigates and follows up on students’ behavioral violations, inclusive of common area vandalism, damages and safety/security violations
• Provides guidance and support to Peer Counselor staff. This includes developing camaraderie among the PC staff through group activities, staff development and regular communication.
• Conducts weekly or bi-weekly one-on-one meetings with PCs. Consistently holds staff accountable for all responsibilities stated in the PC job description and employment agreement by providing formal feedback and evaluating PCs each semester. 

Program Administration

• Represents BELL with internal and external constituencies, including the Steering Committee, campus faculty and staff, community partners and organizations, alumni, donors, etc. as assigned by the Director
• Works with Manager of Recruitment and Communications to regularly update communications materials (website, social media, Annual Report, and press releases)
• Manages purchasing for the program, including office supplies, subscriptions, food for events, tickets for social and cultural programming, and transportation
• Oversees the regular updating of the student handbook
• Completes required paperwork (annual reports, program summaries, meeting notes, etc.) associated with program activities
• Recruits, advises, and supervises work-study students who take leadership roles in program management, internship site coordination, enrichment and training activities, tracking, and reporting
• Interfaces with building management and non-BELL tenants, conflict resolution where necessary
• Basic financial management
• Assists with donor correspondence
• Answers phones, fields inquiries
• Other duties as assigned by the Director of BELL

Qualifications

The Director of Residential Life position is a 12-month, live-in commitment. Compensation includes competitive salary, semi-furnished apartment, basic utilities, work cell phone, and medical benefits.  A commitment to student advocacy and an interest in daily interaction with a variety of creative and independent students is a must. Candidates should have the ability to build relationships with and support a student body that is broadly diverse with regard to race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, gender, gender identity, nationality, sexual orientation, and religion. Flexibility with non-traditional hours is imperative. Start date of this position is as soon as possible.

Educational Requirements   
Bachelor’s degree required; Master's degree preferred.

Experience

• At least five years related work experience preferred
• Residence Life Experience required, Student Affairs experience preferred
• Experience with volunteer management, program planning and civic engagement preferred
• Experience with on-duty crisis management as well as a demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with a range of individuals and proven ability to implement creative solutions to complex challenges
• Familiarity with and experience working and living in New York City is highly preferred

Specific Skills and Competencies 

• Excellent communication and people skills
• Demonstrated experience working with diverse communities
• Commitment to student development and social justice
• Candidate must be able to work independently as well as with a team, and with student leadership
• Candidate should have demonstrated knowledge, skills, and abilities at both managing details and overseeing the big picture of programs  
• Outstanding organizational and administrative capabilities
• Comfort with public speaking in a variety of situations
• Fluency in Microsoft Office

Salary: This is a full-time, exempt, benefits-eligible position and includes housing. The annual salary is $58,500.

To Apply
Please submit a cover letter, resume and list of three professional contact references to Interfolio at: http://apply.interfolio.com/119369
Anticipated starting date is mid January 2023.

AA/EOE