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Area Coordinator Job Description and Benefits

Area Coordinators are full-time professional staff members of the Office of Residence Life. They are responsible for providing overall management and leadership in residential neighborhoods housing 700 to 1,320 residents each. They are responsible for the operation of one or more residence halls, housing between 287 and 452 students. This role involves directly supervising master’s-level Resident Directors (RD) and bachelor’s-level Community Managers (CM) to ensure their assigned area runs effectively and provides a positive student experience. The Area Coordinator plays a pivotal role in shaping the environment and experiences of residential students by guiding the implementation of services and programs that align with the Office of Residence Life's mission and values. Area Coordinators will report to an assistant director in Residence Life.

Basic Qualifications

This position requires a master’s degree, conferred by the first day of employment as well as the proven ability to effectively work with diverse populations and to supervise staff. The Area Coordinator must be able to work independently, demonstrate initiative, display strong commitment to student learning, communicate effectively, and work collaboratively with stakeholders inside and outside of the University. Individuals in this position must have the ability and willingness to assume shared responsibility for campus-wide on-call duty and respond to crisis and emergency situations.

Preferred Qualifications

Post-baccalaureate experience in residence life, counseling, teaching, and living/learning environments is desired. Strong administrative and counseling skills are utilized in this position.

Job Responsibilities

Listed below are both specific job duties of the Area Coordinator position as well as minimum professional standards expected of all Residence Life employees. These responsibilities encompass student and community development initiatives, both proactive and reactive, that directly influence the success of our residential students. They also detail administrative responsibilities, foundational to this success. Finally, they delineate behaviors that connote professionalism and a commitment to the values of the Office of Residence Life.

Community Development

  • Cultivate a positive and engaging living environment that fosters a sense of community and belonging and enables students to build positive relationships with one another.
  • Maintain high visibility and availability, including attending community events, regularly touring the community, and interacting with residents.
  • Meet with residents one-on-one in order to provide personal, social, academic, and occupational support and referral.
  • Convene Living Learning Community neighborhood councils.
  • Oversee and implement programming in the residential community as prescribed by the department
  • Collaborate with faculty and staff to plan and implement living learning community programs.
  • Coordinate neighborhood programs.
  • Budget, manage, expend and reconcile programming funds.
  • Serve as the financial, programmatic, and leadership adviser to the student Community Leadership Team(s).

Supervision

  • Directly supervise two to three professional staff members (RDs and/or CMs), each of whom oversees at least one residence hall in the residential neighborhood.
  • Supervise and train a team of 8-20 resident assistants.
  • Host weekly staff meetings to coordinate upcoming events, discuss community concerns, and facilitate professional development experiences.
  • Conduct weekly or bi-weekly one-on-one meetings with staff members.
  • Ensure staff members are appropriately confronting and documenting behavioral issues and concerns.
  • Provide regular formal and informal feedback regarding job performance.
  • Assign and oversee collateral duties as needed.
  • Assist in the recruitment, selection, training, development, and evaluation of paraprofessional and professional staff members.

Administrative and Operational Management

  • Responsible for the administration and management of a residential neighborhood made up of 3-10 buildings, housing between 700 to 1,500 students during the academic year.
  • Serve as a resource person for students and staff.
  • Ensure timely and accurate documentation of hall incidents and referrals.
  • Conduct regular rounds of the neighborhood to ensure the cleanliness, maintenance, and security of facilities.
  • Collaborate with Campus Services and assist with building management and room changes.
  • Serve as the primary contact for concerns from parents and family members of residents.
  • Serve on committees based on departmental needs, including summer projects as needed.

Student Support and Crisis Response

  • Advise, counsel, and develop residents in alignment with the department's mission, vision, and goals to create and sustain a supportive living environment.
  • Respond to crises and other facilities, safety, and security issues.
  • Provide leadership during times of crisis in and adjacent to the community
  • Assume shared responsibility for campus-wide on-call duty, year round.
  • Provide individual and small group support, advising, and roommate mediations as needed.
  • Some evening and weekend hours will be required throughout the year based on the schedule for student activities and programs.
  • Teach 1-2 courses per year, as needed, including EDL 301: Student Development in the Residence Halls [RA Class], UNV 101: I am Miami, or courses associated with assigned Living Learning Communities.
  • Serve as a hearing administrator as needed, including but not limited to adjudication of individual hearings and/or serving as a member of a university hearing board.

Overarching Staff Expectations

  • Serve as a role model for all hall staff and residents in personal and professional behaviors.
  • Practice ethical stewardship of university resources.
  • Demonstrate a commitment to supporting the diverse viewpoints of the Miami community.
  • Exhibit a consistent commitment to having a welcoming community for all.
  • Create and maintain positive professional relationships within the department and across the university.
  • Fulfill other general duties assigned by the Office of Residence Life, Division of Student Life and/or Miami University.

Area Coordinator Benefits

  • $50,000 annual salary for 2026-2027
  • Furnished on-campus apartment
  • Meal plan funds
  • Tuition remission
  • Full benefit plan
  • Professional development money
  • Access to professional development sessions

Statement of Non-Discrimination

Miami University, an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, encourages applications from protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. Miami University prohibits harassment, discrimination and retaliation on the basis of age (40 years or older), color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, military status, national origin (ancestry), pregnancy, race, religion, sex/gender, status as a parent or foster parent, sexual orientation, or protected veteran status in its application and admission processes, educational programs and activities, facilities, programs or employment practices. Requests for reasonable accommodations for disabilities related to employment should be directed to ADAFacultyStaff@MiamiOH.edu  or 513-529-3560.

Smoke Free Campus Statement

All campuses of Miami University are smoke- and tobacco-free.

Criminal Background Check

Employment will require a criminal background check according to university guidelines.

Right to Know- Consumer Information

As part of the University’s commitment to maintaining a healthy and safe living, learning, and working environment, we encourage you to read Miami University’s Annual Security & Fire Safety Report at MiamiOH.edu/campus-safety/annual-report, which contains information about campus safety, crime statistics, and our drug and alcohol abuse and prevention program designed to prevent the unlawful possession, use, and distribution of drugs and alcohol on campus and at university events and activities. This report also contains information on programs and policies designed to prevent and address sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. Each year, email notification of this website is made to all faculty, staff, and enrolled students. Written notification is also provided to prospective students and employees. Hard copies of the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report may be obtained from the Miami University Police Department at 513-529-2223.

More Information

For more information regarding the Office of Residence Life, Miami University, and the Oxford community, please visit:

Warfield Hall
Contact Us

Office of Residence Life

211 Warfield Hall
451 East Spring St.
Oxford, OH 45056
513-529-4000