Career Overview
Coordinate activities in resident facilities in secondary school and college dormitories, group homes, or similar establishments. Order supplies and determine need for maintenance, repairs, and furnishings. May maintain household records and assign rooms. May assist residents with problem solving or refer them to counseling resources.
Also Known As
- Residence Hall Director
- Residence Life Director
- Resident Assistant
- Resident Director
Alternate Job Titles
- Cottage Parent
- Cottage Supervisor
- Dormitory Counselor
- Dormitory Supervisor
- Hall Coordinator
- Hall Director
- House Father
- House Mother
- House Parent
- Housefellow
- Housing and Residence Life Director
- Housing Assistant
- Housing Director
- Residence Director
- Residence Hall Director
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- Communicate with other staff to resolve problems with individual students.
- Observe students to detect and report unusual behavior.
- Supervise, train, and evaluate residence hall staff, including resident assistants, participants in work-study programs, and other student workers.
- Provide emergency first aid and summon medical assistance when necessary.
- Make regular rounds to ensure that residents and areas are safe and secure.
- Mediate interpersonal problems between residents.
- Enforce rules and regulations to ensure the smooth and orderly operation of dormitory programs.
Emerging Responsibilities
As this field evolves, you may also:
- Advise student organizations.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Customer and Personal Service
- Administration and Management
- Public Safety and Security
- Education and Training
- English Language
- Sociology and Anthropology
- Administrative
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Social Perceptiveness
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Monitoring
- Coordination
- Critical Thinking
- Negotiation
- Service Orientation
- Time Management
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Oral Comprehension
- Problem Sensitivity
- Oral Expression
- Speech Clarity
- Speech Recognition
- Deductive Reasoning
- Written Comprehension
- Written Expression
- Inductive Reasoning
- Near Vision
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Dependability
- Cooperation
- Empathy
- Social Orientation
- Optimism
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Relationships
- Support
- Independence
- Achievement
- Working Conditions
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: Some College Courses
On-the-Job Training: Anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month
Education Details: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Experience Required: Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Google Docs
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Word
Tools & Equipment
- 10-key calculators
- Automated lock systems
- Cash drawers
- Compost bins
- Computer data input scanners
- Computer inkjet printers
- Copy machines
- Desktop computers
- Emergency first aid kits
- First aid ice packs
- Laptop computers
- Laser facsimile machines
- Multiline telephone systems
- Passenger vans
- Portable fire extinguishers
Work Environment
- Contact With Others
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
- Telephone Conversations
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $28,490 |
| Median | $39,180 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $58,350 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 82,810
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
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Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $78,240
Rehabilitation Counselors
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $46,110
First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers
Education: Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
Median Salary: $47,080
Child, Family, and School Social Workers
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $58,570
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $65,140
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.