Area Coordinator

About the role

The Area Coordinator (AC) supports student success by cultivating a welcoming residential community that promotes academic achievement, personal growth, and social responsibility. This role combines student development, staff supervision, operations management, and campus collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Staff Supervision & Leadership
  • Supervise and mentor 8–15 Resident Assistants (RAs).
  • Lead staff training, development, and facilitate semester performance evaluation process.
  • Participate in recruitment and selection of student staff.
• Community Development & Residential Education
  • Foster inclusive residential communities through residential curriculum and engagement.
  • Provide advising, referrals, and crisis support to residents.
  • Serve as a Conduct Hearing Officer and uphold university policies.
  • Collaborate on programming that promotes personal, academic, and social development.
• Operations & Administration
  • Manage housing operations for assigned communities, including occupancy, facilities, and room assignments.
  • Collaborate with campus partners across Student Engagement & Transformation (SET), Facilities, Dining, and academic departments.
  • Support summer housing operations, orientation, and conference programs.
  • Respond to maintenance concerns and ensure timely resolution.
• Departmental Leadership & Collaboration
  • Lead or co-lead key collateral assignments which are departmental initiatives (e.g., staff selection/training, student leadership programs).
  • Collaborate with campus partners across Student Engagement & Transformation (SET), Facilities, Dining, and academic departments.
  • Support summer housing operations, orientation, and conference programs.
  • Participate in an on-call rotation for emergency response.
• Student Development & Engagement
  • Promote and commit to equity, inclusion, and belonging within the residential community.
  • Advise student organizations such as Residence Hall Association.
  • Address student concerns related to academic, personal, or interpersonal challenges.
• Professional Development
  • Maintain regular visibility and presence within the residential community.
  • Engage in ongoing professional development and stay current with higher education best practices.
  • Demonstrate initiative, collaboration, and a student-centered approach.
• Secondary Responsibilities
  • Assist with student and professional staff participation on search committees and other initiatives within the Office of Student Living.
  • Provide coverage for other Area Coordinators when appropriate, including supporting emergency response efforts and assisting with events during staff absences, vacations, or position vacancies.
  • Support central office staff by completing additional duties and assisting with operational procedures as assigned.
  • Provide supplemental coverage and support for critical university events, including weekends, such as Homecoming, Move-In/Move-Out, and other key initiatives identified by the SET Division.

Qualifications

• Minimum Qualifications:
  • Bachelor’s degree.
  • One (1+) years of professional experience in residential life, student affairs or related field. An equivalent combination of experience and education may be considered.
  • Experience as a graduate assistant or employee will be considered.
  • Strong leadership, communication, and conflict resolution.
  • Ability to thrive in a dynamic, student-focused environment.
• Preferred:
  • Master’s degree in Student Personnel, Higher Education Administration, Counseling or related field.
  • Previous experience in Residence Life or Student Affairs.

Physical requirements and/or unusual hours

This is a 12-month, live-in position. Ability to lift up to 20 lbs. Availability to work evenings and weekends as needed. Ability to sit at a desk for extended periods of time.

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Widener University is committed to fostering an inclusive community in which faculty, staff, and students from a variety of backgrounds, cultures, and personal experiences are welcomed and can thrive. We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to providing equal educational and employment opportunities for all persons without regard to age, color, national origin, race, religion, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.