Assistant Director Residence Life for Residence Education

Engineering a world of possibilities

Join Mines as our next Assistant Director of Residence Life and manage, coordinate, and provide leadership for programs related to Residence Life student development and resident education efforts for all residential communities. Specifically, the Assistant Director, in coordination with other team members, guides processes related to the recruitment, training, and development of live-in staff and student leaders. Additionally, the Assistant Director supports the development and implementation of the strategic vision and direction for student development programs in the residence halls and apartment housing while making recommendations on related policies.

This position requires on campus presence most or all days of the work week. Weekend and evening work may be required from time to time.

Primary Responsibilities

RESIDENCE EDUCATION LEADERSHIP

In partnership with other members of the Residence Education Leadership Team, the Assistant Director of Residence Life will provide leadership to essential functions related to the recruitment, selection, training, and development of student leaders, paraprofessional staff, and the professional Residence Education (RED) Team. This responsibility could include: 

• Lead recruitment and selection processes for paraprofessional and professional staff focused on hiring a diverse and dynamic team.  

• Lead training and development processes that support the Residence Education Team in serving a diverse residential community.  

• Coordinate the summer internship program.  

• Lead department committees responsible for the planning and coordination of annual recruitment, selection, training and development initiatives for paraprofessional and professional Residence Life staff. 

• Develop and facilitate on-boarding for incoming professional staff.  

• Manage the advisership of the Campus Living Student Association (CLSA).  

• Oversee and support the development and advising of Community Councils. 

SUPERVISION 

• Responsible for the direct supervision of Residence Life Coordinators (3-5). Residence Life Coordinators (RLCs) are full-time live-in professionals responsible for the leadership of a designated residential area.  

• Facilitate development and ongoing training of supervisees through weekly one-on-one meetings, professional development plans, and annual evaluations. 

• Co-develop and implement on-going training for entire professional staff team. 

• Indirectly hire, supervise, train, and evaluate paraprofessional live-in student staff (20-40), Desk Directors (2-4), and Desk Assistant Staff (25+). 

• Develop/support and oversee the recruitment, selection, and training for professional and paraprofessional staff. 

RESIDENT EDUCATION AND SUPPORT

• Assist in the development and management of educational initiatives for all residential communities including, first-year, second-year, upper-class, and graduate-focused housing.  

• Support implementation of programming, liaising between the academic faculty, appropriate branding, and assessment for Signature Learning Communities and the Signature Second-Year Residential Experience programming. 

• Support the Residence Life conduct process administered by the Residence Life Coordinators within a designated residential area. Serves as a Case Manager as needed under the guidance of the Office of Community Standards. 

• Handle emergencies and crises that pertain to students living within Residence Life housing. Serve as the back-up on call to the Residence Life Coordinators in the on-call rotation for the Residence Life and Student Life division. 

• Maintain strong relationships with campus colleagues such as Mines Police, Student Wellness Center, Student Activities, Involvement & Leadership, New Student & Transition Services, and the Dean of Students office.  

• Participate in Residence Life programs, orientation programs, and campus specialty weekends, and support the efforts of the Division of Student Life. 

• Work with students, parents, and other stakeholders to support students experiencing academic or personal difficulties.  

• Dine with students in campus dining facilities when appropriate for student development and to maintain a thorough knowledge of the comprehensive campus dining program to respond to student and family questions and concerns. 

• Support the efforts of the Campus Living Student Association and Community Councils in their programming and collaborative efforts. 

ADMINISTRATIVE

• Collaborate with facilities management and custodial services to ensure the maintenance of the residential community through regular, intentional communication. 

• Work with the Operations Team to collaborate on large department-wide operations.  

• Contribute to the Division of Student Life and the greater campus community through participation in annual events, programs, meetings, and committee work. 

• Professional Development that contributes to your daily work and the department is supported and encouraged. 

• Serve on departmental and campus committees. 

• Support the maintenance and utilization of software platforms (e.g., Maxient, StarRez, eRezlife, Area Access Manager, etc.)  

                                                                                                 

Minimal Qualifications

• A master’s degree from an accredited four-year institution of higher education in student affairs administration or a related field.
• Progressive professional experience within a comprehensive student affairs or residence life system in a higher education setting.
• Outstanding administrative, planning, and supervision of professional staff skills are essential.
• Skill in fostering a positive, collaborative, and cooperative work environment.
• Knowledge and skill of training professional and student staff utilizing learning theories as a basis.
• Knowledge of and experience with crisis intervention techniques and ability to react calmly and effectively in emergency situations.
• Skill in the development, planning, and implementation of short- and long-range goals.

Preferred Qualifications

• Supervision of professional staff.
• Development and facilitation of staff recruitment and selection processes centered around intentional outcomes and assessment.
• Development and facilitation of staff training and development centered around learning outcomes and assessment.
• Serving as an advisor for student organizations.
• Utilization of software programs that support residence education and housing operations (i.e., Maxient, StarRez, eRezlife, Area Access Manager, etc.).
• Skill in supporting the planning, evaluation, revision, and implementation of student development programs and community building.

Salary and Benefits

$68,000 - $72,000 annual salary

Mines takes into consideration a combination of candidate’s education, training and experience as well as the position’s scope and complexity, the discretion and latitude required in the role, work location, and external market and internal value when determining a salary level for potential new employees.

Colorado School of Mines offers a robust portfolio of benefits for all employees. For this role, that includes:

• Flexible health and dental care options
• Generous sick/vacation time: 13 paid holidays per year – including a week-long winter break for entire campus.
• Fully vested retirement plan on first day of employment, with generous employer contribution
• Tuition benefits (6 credits per year for employees, 50 percent discount for dependents)
• Free RTD Ecopass

All Mines employees also have access to discount programs through the State of Colorado and free tickets for Mines Athletics home games, as well as access to the state of the art Recreation Center (fitness classes and training, swimming pool and more) and equipment rentals through the Outdoor Rec Center. We are proud to have recently opened an on campus daycare center. For more details about benefits at Mines, visit mines.edu/human-resources/benefits.

How to Apply

Complete an online application (personal information, demographic information, veteran status)

• Upload a resume or CV
• Upload a cover letter

Candidates must be currently authorized to work in the United States. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

This posting may be used to fill more than one vacancy based on business needs.

References will not be contacted until later in the selection process and you will be informed before that contact is made.

Application review will begin March 23, 2026. This posting will remain open until filled and may close without notice. For best consideration, apply by March 22, 2026 t 11:59 p.m. as applications received after that date may not be reviewed.

Successful completion of a background investigation is required for this position.

About Mines & Golden, CO

When the world looks for answers, the world looks to Mines.

Colorado School of Mines is a top-ranked public university solving the grand challenges facing our society, particularly those related to the Earth, energy and the environment. Founded in 1874 with specialties in mining and metallurgy, Mines’ scope and mission have continually expanded to meet the needs of industry and society. Today, we are the No. 36 public university in the nation, recognized for our innovation and undergraduate teaching in science, technology engineering and math (U.S. News and World Report, 2025).

Mines graduates are change makers, boundary breakers and problem solvers. Since our earliest days, a Mines education has been and continues to be a transformational opportunity, with one of the strongest returns on investment out there for talented STEM students of all backgrounds.

At the same time, Mines faculty members are pushing their fields in new directions, whether that’s manufacturing, space resources, quantum engineering, carbon capture or more. Mines was recently classified as a R1 “Very High Activity” research institution by Carnegie, a notable feat for any university but particularly one of our size.

That size – roughly 8,200 undergraduate and graduate students – also translates to a close-knit campus community, where employees have opportunities to get involved in multiple ways, continued professional learning is valued and everyone can make an impact.

Community Alliance groups bring together employees for professional development, networking, and community involvement, and all Mines employees also have access to the wealth of activities happening every day on campus – nationally-renowned speakers, special events and Mines traditions like Engineering Days, just to name a few.

And don’t get us started on our hometown. We are located in the heart of Golden, Colorado --with its charming historic downtown and nearby hiking trails – and in close proximity to all that Denver and the Rocky Mountains have to offer. That includes the sunny, high-altitude climate and outstanding outdoor recreation opportunities that make the Denver area an ideal place to live, work and play.

Are you looking for an inspiring, mission-driven workplace where you can contribute to solving the world’s problems and educating the next generation of change makers? Are you an individual who values a community where our individual perspectives and experiences enrich the educational and work experience?

Look to Mines.

Additional Information and Reasonable Accommodation Requests
It is the intent of Mines to comply with the applicable requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008, and their implementation rules and regulations, in support of equal opportunities for qualified applicants with disabilities. To meet this goal, Mines will make reasonable accommodations during the employment selection process and within our working environment.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings or apply for a job on our site as a result of your disability. You can request a reasonable accommodation by contacting our Human Resources team at hr@mines.edu or 303.273.3250 for assistance.

Successful completion of a background investigation is required for this position.

Equal Opportunity

Colorado School of Mines is committed to equal opportunity for all persons. Mines does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, gender (including gender identity and gender expression), ancestry, creed, marital status, race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status or current military service. Further, Mines does not retaliate against community members for filing complaints regarding or implicating any of these protected statuses.

Mines’ commitment to nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and equal access is reflected in the administration of its policies, procedures, programs and activities and in its efforts to achieve a talented student body and workforce.

Through its policies, procedures and resources, Mines complies with federal law, Colorado state law, administrative regulations, executive orders and other legal requirements to prevent discrimination (including harassment or retaliation) within the Mines campus community and to address potential allegations of inequality or concerns for safety.

Colorado's premier engineering and applied science university for 150 years and counting