A Resident Director (RD) is a full-time graduate student who supervises a staff of Resident Assistants and Desk Assistants. Each RD develops and coordinates Housing activities and services in his or her community. Opportunities include working with first-year, living-learning, honors and fraternity/sorority communities in traditional and suite-style residence halls and apartment areas. RDs report to full-time professional Area Coordinators. RDs will be challenged to foster and establish staff training and development and community building in addition to mentoring and counseling students. RDs also serve as student conduct hearing officers, organization advisors and Housing and University committee members. This is a live-in position.

Requirements

• Demonstrated leadership ability
• Experience in housing, fraternity and sorority life, orientation, student government and/or campus student activities is highly preferred
• Acceptance by Clemson University's graduate school and admittance into the Master of Education in Student Affairs is required
  *You must apply for admittance to the Graduate School no later than March 1, 2009.

Remuneration

Stipend of approziamately $10,000, full tuition remission (except fees), professional development funding, furnished apartment, cable, local phone and voicemail, high speed internet access, office with computer and special parking privileges. All positions are ten month, with summer employment possible on a limited basis.

Start Date and Important Dates

All staff are expected to arrive on campus during the weekend of July 24 2009. Staff are also required to work through the day following graduation in both fall and spring semesters.

More information about the position and specifics about what to expect can be found on our Resident Director FAQ webpage.

What is the "real deal" about the position?

The position at Clemson is demanding. The average staff of RAs is approximately 10, as low as 5 to a high of 18. Additionally, depending on the area of appointment, you may have 5 to 20 Desk Assistants. Building and community size also varies from 200 to 700. Of course, positions are balanced to be as fair as possible. In some areas with larger staff and residents, desk supervision may be assisted by undergraduate staff. As well, in smaller areas of responsibility, staff are involved as advisors to organizations or have more demanding committee roles. We look for particular strength and interest areas when it comes to placing staff. We will, of course, take all of your interests in mind but may feel that your strength areas may benefit the department in very specific ways.

We feel that the position at Clemson is unique in the fact that you are responsible for your hall or community. Many have compared our position to an entry level Resident Director position, but at the same time the professional staff are very sensitive to this fact. We look for staff who are ready to take on this challenge and are ready to see what they are learning in the classroom come to life. When you leave after your two years with us, we feel that you will be ready and prepared to sell your experience above and beyond the typical graduate assistantship in housing.

How many positions are we searching for?

Residential Life employs 19 Resident Directors. Considering the Master's program in our approved program area is a 2 year commitment, we typically turn over half staff each year. Currently, we anticipate hiring 10 positions to start in July 2009.

Where might you work?

In late January we will be opening up all anticipated vacancies for current staff to transfer. We allow this opportunity for the current staff to gain experience working in different residential settings. Due to this, we anticipate hiring for any of our areas, but keep in mind that we will not be able to confirm specific vacancies until closer to the on-campus visitation days.

Please refer to the University Housing page for more specific descriptions on these areas.

What do you need to submit to apply?

1. Application: Complete our on-line application.
2. Resume: Forward a copy of your resume, highlighting clearly your experience related to our position requirements.
3. Letter of interest (optional): Although this is not required, we encourage you to forward this so that we have a better understand of why you are interested and what your qualifications are. This can be particularly helpful if you will not be attending a placement exchange.
4. E-mail, mail or fax your information to:
   GASP c/o Jeff Brown
   Clemson University Housing
   200 Mell Hall
   Box 344075
   Clemson, SC 29634-4075
   Fax: 864-656-7615
   E-mail: brownj@clemson.edu

Notes:

• Letters of reference are not necessary. We will be contacting references prior to invitations being offered for on-campus visits. Reference names will be provided in your application.
• We prefer that you use one method to submit your information. If you chose to mail, please mail or fax, please submit everything together. As well, if you chose to use the online method, please email your resume and/or letter at the same time. This will reduce confusion and the potential loss of information.
• Make sure that you check out the Academic Programs webpage for information related to the application processes for your program of interest. We encourage you to start that application process as soon as possible, as well.
• All candidates must apply to the Graduate School prior to March 1, 2009.

What is the process?

• Application deadline: We will be accepting applications for positions until February 18, 2009. Candidates who apply by this deadline will be given preference.
• Placement exchanges: Individuals who are attending either the Oshkosh Placement Exchange (OPE) can contact us to schedule interviews on site at the placement exchanges. We will also contact individuals based on their descriptions on the OPE website.
• Phone interviews: For those who will not be attending the Oshkosh Placement Exchange, we will begin offering telephone interviews for candidates after February 18, 2009.
• On-campus offers: Invitations for on-campus visits will start immediately after the placement exchanges and phone interviews.   
• On-campus visitation: Clemson's On-Campus Visitation Days will be March 12-14, 2009.  Candidates attending the On-Campus Interview Days will be expected to arrive on campus on March 12th and depart on March 14th. During the On-Campus Interview Days, candidates will be hosted by current staff, go through several traditional interviews with administrative and Resident Director staff, participate in an interactive exercise with RA staff, have the opportunity for campus tours, as well as meet with faculty from the Student Affairs program. (More extensive information will be provided to those offered on-campus visits).
• Offers: We expect to be able to begin offering positions no later than Monday, April 1, 2009. If you have not been accepted to a graduate program by that date, an offer will be pending your acceptance.

If you have any questions about this information, please contact us!