Position Description for Housing & Residence Life
Saint Louis University, spring 2014
The Department of Housing and Residence Life enhances the campus experience by creating an environment that facilitates the growth and development of the whole student. Housing and
Residence Life strives to provide a safe and secure environment that fosters healthy, inclusive community-building among residents, supporting and emphasizing their academic success. Our commitment is to intentionally support the development of men and women for others through our support for the educational mission of the University and its Jesuit, Catholic heritage.
General Description
-Housing and Residence Life Mission Statement
The Department of Housing and Residence Life as part of the Division of Student Development helps students develop as leaders who are spiritually formed, critically reflective, and socially and personally responsible.
The Graduate Assistant for Assessment is a 6 month (January- June), live-in graduate assistantship, and is supervised by a member of the Leadership Team. The position requires the ability to have direct interactions with professional staff, faculty, and students, including student leaders and student staff. The Graduate Assistant for Assessment provides direction and support for department assessment and research. The GA assists with gathering and analyzing assessment data through benchmarking, national and campus surveys, focus groups, and other appropriate methods.
Additionally, this GA collaborates with campus partners, committees, and other groups to provide training and make recommendations about changes or modifications addressing potential improvements based on assessment information.
The Saint Louis University Department of Housing and Residence Life is committed to the total development of the resident within an inclusive community through student government, programming, residence hall standards, and supportive learning environments in the residence halls.
The Housing and Residence Life program is built on a student learning philosophy that values social justice, community, spiritual and personal growth, and academic success.
This department is committed to creating and maintaining communities that are welcoming and accepting of people of all races, color, sex, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, disability, age and veteran status. Our goal is to instill respect and foster a sense of community by creating, promoting, and supporting residential environments where students, faculty, and staff are provided opportunities to understand, accept, and appreciate each other. Housing and Residence Life is committed to confronting situations of intolerance which result from lack of respect, knowledge, or awareness.
Staff positions in Housing and Residence Life are not traditional 8-5/M-F jobs. Schedules are influenced by student and community needs. There will be times throughout the year when the
Graduate Assistant for Assessment for Housing and Residence Life could be expected to work evenings and weekends. Availability during this time will be determined in conjunction with the supervisor.
Responsibilities
The Graduate Assistant for Assessment is expected to work with the Assistant Directors, Residence
Hall Coordinators, the Associate Director, Director, and other departmental staff in the development and implementation of assessment initiatives for student learning outcomes, student engagement and student/ family satisfaction for Housing and Residence Life Department.

Assessment
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Coordinates the administration of assessment surveys, including Educational Benchmarking
Incorporated (EBI) and Making Achievement Possible-Works (MAP-Works) and benchmarking efforts.

Assists with assessment of student learning through established learning outcomes of our
Residential Curriculum.

Evaluates program and training goals, student engagement and student satisfaction.
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Coordinates the development and execution of evaluation tools, data entry and analysis.
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Coordinates or leads departmental focus groups.
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Assists staff and students with assessment design and analysis.
 Assists with the preparation of the department’s annual planning and reporting processes.
Leadership and Training

Develops a communication plan to inform staff of upcoming assessments and results.
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Fosters relationships with students, faculty, and staff in order to assist with gaining accurate student feedback.
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Coordinates promotional campaigns for departmental assessment.

Supports the mission, policies, and procedures of the department and the university.
Research and Reporting

Assists with administrative paperwork related to performing or analyzing assessments.

Provide data supported proposals for the continued improvement of departmental initiatives.
Interpersonal Skills

Develops and demonstrates some understanding of student development theory.

Incorporates consideration of how various demographics (e.g. race, gender, class, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, etc.) may impact assessment strategies and results.

Displays initiative in assessing student needs, and working with campus and department partners.

Demonstrates maturity, professionalism, and positive communication skills when working with faculty, campus partners, students, and peers.

Furthers her or his own professional development by participating in departmental and divisional training and professional development opportunities.
Administrative Responsibilities
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Working hours vary depending on class schedule, but are scheduled at 20 hours a week.
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May be assigned some budget responsibilities for assessment initiatives.
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Provide reports regarding assessment, research and development projects.
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Assignment to one department committee.
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Assist with department-wide projects.
Requirements
A Bachelor’s degree is required, Master’s degree preferred supplemented with experience in research and assessment within an area of Student Development, preference of university residence life setting. Enrollment in the Higher Education graduate program (doctoral or masters) at Saint Louis
University is preferred for the Graduate Assistant for Assessment for Housing and Residence Life.
The Graduate Assistant for Assessment for Housing and Residence Life is considered a security sensitive position. Applicants will be subjected to a background check. All candidates will be required to submit academic transcripts to verify education.
The Graduate Assistant for Assessment must be committed to working within an innovative environment that is focused on the education of individuals and groups of college students within a residential setting through the development of cohesive living and learning communities. The successful staff member must have a passion for working with a diverse student population, be

committed to student learning and development, possess strong critical thinking and problem solving skills, demonstrate initiative, communicate effectively, have a positive attitude, and an ability to manage structured autonomy.
It is also critical that all Housing and Residence Life staff understand the importance of educating leaders that are equipped to participate in a global society. For this reason, all staff are expected to expand their understanding of equity, diversity and inclusion while being advocates for and role models of multicultural competence.
Remuneration
The Graduate Assistant for Assessment position is a 6 month appointment with a salary of $800 per month. Additional compensation includes health insurance (6 months), 6 hours of graduate tuition for the spring semester. The Graduate Assistant for Assessment is expected to work all University workdays unless prior arrangements have been made with their supervisor.
A furnished, air-conditioned apartment within a residence complex is provided at no expense, including utilities, local telephone service, extended basic cable television, and wireless and wired internet connections. A staff meal plan is also provided to the Graduate Assistant for Assessment while the dining halls are in service. Reserved parking is available upon the individual purchase of a campus parking permit.
Saint Louis University prohibits discrimination based on race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, or veteran status. In addition, based on our Catholic values and tradition we are committed to protecting the dignity of each person and therefore extend our non-discrimination policy to include sexual orientation. All University policies, practices, and procedures are administered in a manner consistent with our Catholic Jesuit identity.
To apply, send a cover letter, a r ésumé, and the names, addresses and telephone numbers of three references to: Dawn Aldrich, Associate Director, Housing and Residence Life, 3744 West Pine Blvd.,
Brown Hall, Village Apartments, St. Louis, MO 63108 Phone: (314) 977-5510, FAX: (314) 977-1510,
Email: daldric1@slu.edu.
Updated: October 30, 2013