Job Description:

Graduate Resident Coordinator Job Description 2025-2026

Office of Residence Life Department:

At Fairfield University, education within the residence halls, townhouses, and apartments occur in the context of the Jesuit philosophy which recognizes the vital need to develop the whole person. While it is the goal to provide a safe, comfortable and efficiently run residence system, our primary efforts will be directed to the well-being of the student.

Fairfield University is committed to providing residential communities that effectively integrate classroom learning experiences and personal reflection into the residential environment. During the four years of residential experience, all students have the opportunity to engage in living and learning housing options. The Residence Life staff member is an integral team member in organizing and implementing living and learning programs within our communities working along side with our Jesuits, student leaders, faculty members, student development staff, and campus ministers.

Fairfield University is a residential community with about 87% of undergraduate’s students living on campus. Students are housed in the community by class year in a variety of housing options: six traditional residence halls, three suite-style residence halls, three apartment buildings, and one townhouse complex. We also oversee our beach community where traditionally 400 of our senior students live.

Position:

The Graduate Resident Coordinator (GRC) is a graduate student serving in a part-time live-in position in the Office of Residence Life from August 1st through May 31st. This position is designed for graduate students studying the field of Student Life or related field and is interested in gaining leadership experience in the Office of Residence Life at Fairfield University. The Graduate Resident Coordinator is an integral team member in organizing and implementing living and learning programs within our residential communities working alongside the Area Coordinator, student leaders, faculty members and campus ministers. Responsibilities of the Graduate Coordinator include support and development of student engagement, cultivating relationships with the students residing in the area assigned, and supervision of the resident assistants in their assigned area in alignment with implementing the Jesuit and Catholic mission of the University.

Qualifications:

Must have an undergraduate degree and be pursuing a master’s degree, 2nd degree and/or post graduate certificate. Previous residence life experience or other related experiences are preferred. Particular emphasis will be placed on candidates who have experience and demonstrated the ability to facilitate, supervise and cultivate teams of student leaders.

Compensation: One bedroom apartment, shared apartment with single bedrooms or efficiency and 19 hours ($18/hour) pay per week.

Duration of Employment: August 1, 2025 – May 31, 2026

All GRC Positions

Assist with development and advising of community building programs within their residential community including the (Inter-)Residence Hall Association and Living and Learning Communities.

• Serve as a mentor and positive role model for our students by living out the Jesuit mission of Fairfield University

• Participate in the spiritual and religious formation of students through collaborative work with the staff and (Inter-)Residential Hall Association members.

• Assists with advising and training of the (Inter-) Residential Hall Association (RHA) within their community including attending all meetings, programs, and training sessions.

• Assists all (Inter-)RHA programming that complements our programming vision statement that occurs within their communities.

• Plans and Implements late-night weekend programming with staff

Communication

• Respond to all emails and phone calls (office and personal) within 24-48 hours

• Check Dropbox and GroupMe regularly for important communications

Required Professional Development

• Attend weekly staff meetings (every Tuesday from 10:00 am-12:00pm); monthly meetings; weekly one and one meetings with direct supervisor; performance reviews (once a semester performance)

Participate in on Call-Duty rotation

• During the first semester: shadow an Area Coordinator one Friday or Saturday night their first semester; participate in duty during a large scale event (Pres Ball, Concert, Halloween, etc.)

• During the second semester and beyond: GRCs returning to the position will be required to choose at least two “back up AC” duty nights and/or days per semester

• GRCs will have the opportunity to pick up extra hours as the AC on Call during breaks and holidays

GRCS with staff and residence hall oversight:

Supervises and trains Resident Assistants/Commuter Peer Assistants (as directed by supervisor).

• Assists in supervision, training, selection and staff development of resident assistants

• Participates in 15 scheduled weekly office hours for resident assistant contact and communication. Additional 4 hours consist of a resident assistant staff meeting, residence hall association meetings, professional staff meeting and other programs, and on-call duty responsibilities. Once you reach 19 hours, you should adjust your office hours so that you never exceed 19 hours a week.

• Participates in the evaluation process of Resident Assistants once per semester.

• Participates in the training and development of resident assistants

• Attends resident assistant programs during the semester

• Assists with reviewing and approving resident assistant monthly programs and bulletin boards.

Assist their supervisor and staff with residential living and learning programs within their area

• Coordinate and serve as an integral member of the living and learning leadership team for their area by attending weekly staff meetings.

• Communicate, support and implement the philosophy and mission of their living and learning community to resident assistants and students.

• Attends and participates in all training and development opportunities through the Residence Life office for resident assistants and professional staff etc.

• Promoting ongoing vocational questioning and conversation with students.

• Assist in creating a safe community through policy enforcement and awareness

• Participates in opening and closing of the Residence Halls.

Building maintenance and safety

• Assist with opening and closing of designated areas

• Complete bi-monthly common area inspections (due to the 15th and 30th of every month)

• Complete monthly health and safety inspections

Resignation and Termination

The Office of Residence Life reserves the right to terminate GRCs at any time during the academic year, as they are at will employees. GRCs can resign at any time. A terminated or resigning GRC will need to find alternative housing arrangements and cannot be guarantee continued on campus housing.

Emergency Situations

Members of the Office of Residence Life are considered emergency personnel, as such they are expected to remain on campus during an extraordinary inclement weather event or other emergency including but not limited to pandemics, in order to assist with Residential Operations. GRC’s may be required to work offsite in case of a campus shutdown or as otherwise required for the operational needs of the University.

The responsibilities may change based on the needs of the Office and University.

Please upload your RESUME and COVER LETTER (as one document) in the application.

All applicants must submit (1) LETTER OF REFERENCE in order for the application to be considered and reviewed by the Office of Residence Life. You may ask for a letter of reference in advance by sending the following link to your potential references. The link for the reference form is https://fairfield.campuslabs.com/engage/submitter/form/start/676475 .

*Please Note - if you are currently a part of the Office of Residence at Fairfield University you will need to have a current professional staff member submit your letter of reference/support. If you were a former member of the Office of Residence Life at Fairfield University you can utilize a current or former professional staff member to submit your letter of reference/support.

If you have questions or concerns please contact residencelife@fairfield.edu.

Category:

Graduate Assistant

Performs such other duties, responsibilities, and activities as required by supervisor and as departmental/University needs indicate.

*Disclaimer

The above information indicates the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain and should not be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, activities, and/or qualifications required or expected of employees assigned to this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change and new ones may be assigned at any time, with or without notice.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a satisfactory background check.

Fairfield University provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Load a resume or CV first, then upload supporting documents including a cover letter at the bottom of the third page under the "My Experience" section where it says to upload a Resume/CV . You will be able to upload up to 5 other documents in this section. You will be unable to edit your application, so please have all documents available before applying.

Faculty Positions : If you need to upload more than 5 documents, please either combine them to upload or email the additional documents to the applicable contact in the job description.

Staff positions : If you need to upload more than 5 documents, please either combine them to upload or email them to hr@fairfield.edu