GRADUATE HALL DIRECTOR POSITION DESCRIPTION
Reporting to the Associate Director (AD) for Residential Programs, the Graduate Hall Director (GHD) supports the
Office of Residential Programs in its efforts to enhance campus living. As a live-in position, the GHD sets
expectations, monitors performance, monitors progressive discipline, and provides direction for the Residential
Programs Staff in the assigned area. The GHD organizes and runs regular staff meetings, informs students and staff
of local and University-wide policies and regulations in relation to residential living, and oversees all day-to-day
aspects of budget for residential programming. The GHD works closely with the area AD to monitor cleanliness and
up-keep of the residence halls. The GHD, depending on the area, will have additional opportunities to work in the
following specialized areas: Greek Letter Organizations, Special Interest Communities, Faculty-In-Residence
programs, and the Living-Learning Center.
On-Call Responsibilities
A. Respond to all emergency situations in a calm and responsible manner, exercising common sense and good
judgment.
B. Serves within rotation of thirteen graduate students as first, on-site responder in incident response protocol for
Columbia College and Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science undergraduates;
C. Participate in a rotating, on-call duty schedule, determined during August and January trainings;
D. On call begins Friday, August 20, 2010 and ends Friday, May 20, 2011;
E. On call hours are 5 p.m. to 9 a.m. during weekdays, 24 hours during holidays, weekends, and when department is
closed;
F. When on call, GHDs must be within five minutes from campus to respond to any incident.
G. Respond to and document the range of community situations;
H. Be familiar with, communicate, and enforce policies and procedures in a positive fashion;
I. Be familiar with campus and community resources and provide such information to residents;
A. Complete thorough incident reports;
B. Follow all other duty procedures as outlined by the Office of Residential Programs and your supervisor.
Personal Development
A. Must be willing to engage in conversations and trainings focused on allowing GHDs to better understand their
own identities;
B. Challenge yourself to achieve higher levels of awareness of people’s perceptions, maintaining appropriate
sensitivity and awareness of cultural norms, diversity, and diversity education;
C. Exhibit effective listening and intervention skills that demonstrate and understanding of as well as a sensitive
and appreciation for diversity;
D. Maintain positive working relationships with other staff members and offices on campus;
E. Be open to feedback as part of regular supervisory meetings as well as formal evaluation periods;
F. Recognize personal limitations;
G. Recognize the limitations of your role and seek appropriate resources;
H. Take responsibility for the decisions that you have made;
Staff Development
A. Supervise the Resident Adviser and Community Adviser staff.
B. Serve as a coordinator, motivator, and resource person in encouraging student staff to take ownership of their
community;
C. Assess the needs of your student staff on a continual basis;
D. Facilitate community standards with your student staff, and review and/or update the standards throughout the
academic year;
E. Prepare student staff to facilitate community standards with students, and reviews and/or updates standards
throughout academic year;
F. Facilitate weekly RA/CA staff meetings;
G. Meet regularly one-on-one for supervisory meetings with area RAs/CAs (a minimum of once every other week);
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H. Oversee programmatic initiatives including generating reports, tracking, providing resources, and identifying program
opportunities for staff;
I. Work with Community Advisers (CAs) on coordinating area programming, carry out needs assessments, and act as a
resource to promote and enhance the programming model of the Office of Residential Programs ;
J. Carry out needs assessments, and acts as a resource to promote and enhance the programming model of the Office of
Residential Programs;
K. Assist AD with budgetary process to ensure timeliness in tracking, spending, and paying vendors in regards to RA,
CA, and area spending;
L. Advise Special Interest Communities (SICs) within your area if applicable (not all residential areas have SICs);
M. Active and visible at student events and meetings beyond business hours;
N. Attend and be active in building, area, and university functions;
O. Other duties as assigned.
Advising and Counseling
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
Know your student staff. Be aware of their personal, social, and academic concerns;
Refer any resident whom you perceive needs professional attention to your Associate Director;
Work with your supervisor to make appropriate referrals;
Be visible, available, and approachable to your student staff and Area residents;
Mediate conflicts between roommates and suitemates when necessary;
Uphold the established standards of confidentiality.
Committee Work
A. Works on two committee projects, including, but not limited to Staff Selection, In-Service Training, Winter Recharge
Training, Spring Orientation, Staff Appreciation, Living Learning Center (LLC) application process, and Special
Interest Community (SIC) application process.
Administrative Responsibilities
Check and respond to your email and your campus voicemail at least once per day;
Facilitate training sessions during August and Winter Recharge Trainings;
Track and maintain programming calendar for residence hall area he/she is responsible;
Attend in monthly GHD staff meeting and on-going development;
Participate in weekly meeting with AD;
Work approximately 20 hours per week; office hours to be determined in conjunction with AD. During this time,
GHD is available for RA/CA consultations, paperwork approvals, budgeting responsibilities, and other projects and
assignments;
G. Complete monthly program tracking for department and additional reports for AD as requested;
H. Conduct thorough monthly walk-through of building(s) to report outstanding facilities and maintenance issues;
I. Conduct performance dialogues with each student staff member;
J. Participate in interviews and file review during Staff Selection;
K. Liaises with Columbia University’s Housing Office to assist with room and facilities issues.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
Staff Standards
A. Role model appropriate behavior at all times. A GHD is a GHD no matter where they are, including on-line
communities;
B. Be familiar with, enforce, and be able to explain campus policies/regulations in a positive manner;
C. Encourage student staff and students to take responsibility for their own actions and increase their consideration
for others;
D. Enforce progressive disciplinary procedures with student staff in partnership with your Associate Director;
E. Immediately address and document all incidents and situations that threaten the health, safety, and security of
the community.
Qualifications
A. Must be a full-time enrolled graduate student at Columbia University, in a degree-granting program. Ineligible
applicants are first year law school, medicine, business students, and 2nd year law school students. Candidates must
have experience working with college-age students, ideally in a residence life setting for at least one year. RA
experience preferred.
Remuneration
A. For live-in GHDs:
 Housing (valued at $10,000) and $5000 stipend; housing varies according to placement;
 Dining Dollars, which varies according to placement due to kitchen access.
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Period of employment
A. The position begins Monday, August 16, 2010 and ends Saturday, May 21, 2011. [Note: The position is a one-year
position (during the academic year) with an invitation to apply to return based on performance dialogue.]
B. Move-in is on Sunday, August 15, 2010 and GAs must vacate their housing by Saturday, May 21, 2011;
C. Participates in GA Training (Monday, August 16 - Friday, August 20, 2010);
D. Participates RA/CA Fall Training (Saturday, August 21 – Friday, August 27, 2010);
E. Returns by Monday, January 10, 2011 to prepare for RA/CA Winter Recharge Training.
F. Participates in RA/CA Winter Recharge Training, which begins on Wednesday, January 12, 2011;
In accordance with its own values and with federal, state, and city statutes and regulations, Columbia does not discriminate in admissions,
employment, programs, or services on the basis of sex, race, color, creed, national origin, sexual orientation, or disability. This job description is
intended as a summary of the primary responsibilities of and qualifications for this position. The job description is not intended as inclusive of all
duties an individual in this position might be asked to perform or of all qualifications that may be required now or in the future.
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