Live-in staff

Position Description:

The Graduate Hall Director is an essential employee of the professional staff within Residence Life which is in the Division of Student Affairs. The Graduate Hall Director is a graduate student in the Student Affairs Administration in Higher Education program at UW-La Crosse. The Graduate Hall Director’s primary responsibility is to an assigned residence hall. Work hours are 29.5 hours/week on average. The Graduate Hall Director is supervised by a Complex Director who has oversight of multiple residence halls. Residence Life views this position as an apprenticeship for those seeking to enter the field of Residence Life/Student Affairs after graduation.  

The position is a ten-and-a-half-month appointment (July 14 - May 21), with reappointment of year two contingent upon an annual evaluation.

1. RESIDENCE HALL MANGEMENT

a) Together with a Complex Director responsible for the overall administration and facilities management of assigned residence hall.

b) Maintain occupancy and facilitate room change processes through StarRez and frequent communication with the Residence Life Operations Team.

c) Manage internal residence hall budgets, adhere to spending guidelines and conduct audits for purchase reconciliation with a member of the Residence Life Operations Team.

d) Work to establish and maintain a positive relationship with Custodian(s) and Facilities Team. Coordinate with them to create safe, clean, and visually appealing residence halls with timely response to repairs and facility improvements as a foundational component in meeting our students' needs.

e) Respond to urgent mechanical, heating, electrical and plumbing issues; assessing the situation and communicating with the appropriate university personnel.

f) Responsible for all keys within the assigned residence hall and proper security of these keys.

g) In concert with Assistant Hall Director, provide oversight of desk operations within the residence hall ensuring quality customer service as well as efficient and effective systems in the delivery of services.

h) Coordinate payroll verification and approval of student employees in assigned residence hall.

i) Advocate for processes that meet student needs; centering and addressing barriers for underrepresented students.

j) Attend Residence Life team meetings, departmental meetings and professional developments as scheduled.

k) Assist with departmental initiatives which may include a special assignment, ad hoc committees, and advising student organizations/delegations.

2. COMMUNITY AND EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

a) Establish effective relationships with students and encourage interaction to develop interpersonal relationships.

b) Implement a residence hall community development model with measurable outcomes.

c) Design a system for accountability to ensure student staff are achieving expectations of the community development model.

d) Create an academically-focused residence hall environment that supports student success and learning.

e) Provide and promote educational opportunities that focus on awareness and appreciation of cultural differences, and building an inclusive and respectful community.

f) Provide opportunities for cooperative planning between core leaders, student staff and residents.

g) Collaborate with campus entities in developing residence hall initiatives.

h) Utilize department and UWL assessment data to develop and revise the residence hall student experience. Initiate additional internal assessment and feedback pathways as needed to determine student needs.

3. STUDENT STAFF SUPERVISION AND DEVELOPMENT

a) Directly supervise residence hall staff in assigned residence hall. This includes the following: Assistant Hall Director, Resident Assistants, and Desk Assistants.

b) Responsible for supervision and evaluation of residence hall staff according to their position descriptions and employment agreement; including accountability for job performance that may lead to job action including termination.

c) Develop and cultivate an understanding of the intersecting identities on your team.

d) Convene and facilitate weekly student staff meetings to coordinate initiatives and information exchange.

e) Promote and coordinate student development and staff team development.

f) Share in the responsibility of annual department recruitment, selection and training of residence hall staff.

4. LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT AND ADVISING

a) In collaboration with Assistant Hall Director, advise Core Team (in-hall student leadership group).

· Ensure that Assistant Hall Director is meeting regularly with core leaders to assist and support them in their positions.

· Work with Assistant Hall Director to implement orientation and training of core leaders ensuring students of all identities are able to find success in this leadership role.

· Assist core leaders in organizing and implementing events for students.

b) Ensure a wide array of leadership development opportunities are available to residents in assigned residence hall.

c) Disseminate knowledge of campus resources, policies, and procedures to students to assist with their initiatives.

5. STUDENT CONDUCT AND WELL-BEING

a) Provide direction and accountability to student staff for the enforcement and documentation of Residence Life policies.

b) In consultation with supervising Hall Director, Graduate Hall Directors may adjudicate policy violations involving students living in assigned residence hall and maintain current records within Maxient.

c) Work to establish a positive working relationship with the Student Life Office maintaining a high level of communication and consultation involving behavior of students in assigned residence hall.

d) Responsible for reporting mental health and student safety concerns to supervisor and Associate Director. Follow up may include collaborating with Counseling Center staff, the Campus Assessment Response and Evaluation (CARE) Team, and/or other appropriate campus partners, as well as following up with students regarding care and treatment.

e) Respond to reported incidents of bias with an ethic of care for all impacted students.

f) Work in conjunction with University Police through incidents that involve serious student behavioral or welfare issues.

g) Respond to emergencies and crisis situations providing support and resources to students including proper referrals to other university offices.

h) Serve in a 24/7 on-call duty rotation for Residence Life, that will involve responding in person to situations to assist student staff and University Police

Qualifications

Required:

• Prior Residence Life leadership experience
• Interest in living in a residence hall with a highly engaged student population 
• Commitment to learning and growing in identity development and creating welcoming communities 
• Enrolled in a graduate program

Preferred:

• Student Affairs Administration (SAA) graduate student

Compensation (dates specific to 2026-27)

• $19, 239 for 10.5 months, 29.5 hours/week (July 14, 2026 - May 21, 2027)
  • $2,522 summer onboarding & student staff training (July 14, 2025 - August 28, 2027) 
  • $16,717 graduate stipend (August 29, 2026 - May 21, 2027)
• Residence Life covers tuition $10,746/year (paid in 2 or 3 payments to match course enrollment plans)
• Furnished apartment (year-round), meal plan/campus cash, parking permit, laptop computer
• Financial support offered for professional development travel
• Eligible for health insurance through UWL

Domestic Partner/Spouse (Graduate Hall Director)

The Department of Residence Life supports live-in requests for additional apartment occupants. Partners, spouses, and others often become part of the hall community. Parking spaces and meal plans are not provided for those living with the Graduate Hall Director. However, a residential parking space can be purchased for a fee. The Universities of Wisconsin has more details about this benefit program.

How to apply

All applicants for the graduate positions must apply and be admitted to a graduate program. Here is the SAA program application.

Position Description:

The Residence Hall Director is a member of the live-in staff within Residence Life which is in the Division of Student Affairs. The Residence Hall Director’s primary responsibility is to an assigned residence hall. In addition, the Residence Hall Director has shared responsibility for other significant aspects in Residence Life. The Residence Hall Director is supervised by an Associate Director of Residence Life. The position is a twelve month appointment with reappointment contingent upon an annual evaluation.

The following job responsibilities will require Residence Hall Directors to work evenings and some weekends to meet the needs of the department, and to maximize our effectiveness in working with students.

Qualifications:

Required qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree
• Prior Residence Life leadership experience
• Interest in living in a residence hall with a highly engaged student population
• Commitment to learning and growing in identity development and creating welcoming communities

Preferred qualifications:

• Master's Degree in Student Affairs, Counseling, or a related field
• Experience with managing administrative and operations functions of a residence hall 
• Student supervision or co-supervision of one or more people 
• Understanding of students, student development, and the value of student voice

Compensation

Domestic Partner/Spouse

Residence Life supports live-in requests for additional apartment occupants. Partners, spouses, and others often become part of the hall community. More details are on the Universities of Wisconsin Domestic Partner Benefits website

Pet Policy

Professional staff in Residence Life love pets and we are pleased to have a pet policy that allows full-time, live-in professionals to have a furry friend.  We have a specific approval process and standards that need to be adhered to for our pet policy including, but not limited to, current vaccinations and licensure with the city of La Crosse. Please note that Hall Directors in their first year of employment are permitted to obtain a new pet anytime after October 1. More information on the other stipulations of the pet policy can be discussed when pet ownership becomes a reality.

How to apply

If Residence Life at UW-La Crosse is a place where you can envision incorporating your experiences and putting your experience into practice, apply via the Human Resources Website.

In your cover letter, please include what interests you about being a Residence Hall Director at UW-La Crosse.

Position Description:

The Complex Director is an essential employee of the Professional Staff within Residence Life which is in the Division of Student Affairs. The Complex Director’s primary responsibility is to the overall management of multiple (2-3) residence halls. In addition, the Complex Director has shared responsibility for other significant aspects in Residence Life. The Complex Director is supervised by an Associate Director of Residence Life for Staffing, Training and Development. The position is a twelve-month appointment with reappointment contingent upon an annual evaluation.

The following job responsibilities will require Complex Directors to work evenings and some weekends to meet the needs of the department, and to maximize our effectiveness in working with students.

Qualifications:

Required qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in Student Affairs, Counseling, or a related field
• Full-time Residence Life experience
• Supervision experience of undergraduate students in a college setting
• Commitment to learning and growing in identity development and creating welcoming communities

Preferred qualifications:

• 3 years full-time experience as a live-in/on Hall Director (managing administrative and operations functions of a residence hall)
• Supervision experience of graduate assistants
• Understanding of students, student development, and the value of student voice
• Interest and experience in summer camps and conferences
• Interest in serving the UW-La Crosse community and student body

Compensation

Benefits include salary, a partially furnished apartment, comprehensive State of Wisconsin benefits package, departmental professional development travel funds, digital cable, internet, private in-hall storage, reserved parking, laptop computer, and a personal washer and dryer.

Are you wondering how the UWL salary compares with other institutions? Be sure to take into consideration the cost of living in each area. This neat tool will help you compare (La Crosse is most similar to Eau Claire, Wisconsin).

Domestic Partner/Spouse

Residence Life supports live-in requests for additional apartment occupants. Partners, spouses, and others often become part of the hall community. Parking spaces and meal plans are not provided for those living with the Hall Director. However, a residential parking space can be purchased for a fee. More details are on the Universities of Wisconsin Domestic Partner Benefits website

Pet Policy

Professional staff in Residence Life love pets and we are pleased to have a pet policy that allows full-time, live-in professionals to have a furry friend.  We have a specific approval process and standards that need to be adhered to for our pet policy including, but not limited to, current vaccinations and licensure with the city of La Crosse. Please note that Hall Directors in their first year of employment are permitted to obtain a new pet anytime after October 1. More information on the other stipulations of the pet policy can be discussed when pet ownership becomes a reality.

How to apply

If Residence Life at UW-La Crosse is a place where you can envision incorporating your experiences and putting your Master’s degree into practice, apply online.

In your cover letter, please include what interests you about being a Complex Director at UW-La Crosse.

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION

Downtown La Crosse, view of the Mississippi River

The UW-La Crosse campus is nestled in a residential area of the City of La Crosse (pop. 52,000) located in western Wisconsin within close proximity to both Minneapolis and Madison.  The area, known as the 7 Rivers Region, is famous for its exceptional natural beauty which includes the Mississippi River on one side, majestic bluffs on the other, and views of rolling farmland and forested valleys in between. Previously ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of the top ten “Best Places to Live”, La Crosse is one of the most scenic places in mid-America. Abundant water, woodlands and varying terrain provide ample opportunities for year-round outdoor recreation. La Crosse enjoys the affordability and charm of small town living with larger city benefits. Three colleges, two world-class medical institutions, the La Crosse Symphony Orchestra, a restored nineteenth century downtown business district, and a number of galleries and art centers have made La Crosse a regional center for culture, entertainment, medical care, shopping, sports and recreation.  

Explore La Crosse

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