Assistant Hall Directors

The assistant hall director (AHD) has a crucial, supportive role in the team that provides hall leadership. The AHD invests in the lives of students both educationally and spiritually, and is a leader in the hall community through a ministry of presence and role-modeling. The AHD serves a key role in fostering community within the residence hall, inspired and informed by the University of Portland's Catholic and Holy Cross tradition of residentiality.

If you're looking to get in touch with a specific assistant hall director, please visit our Contact Us page.

What Does an Assistant Hall Director Do?

Each assistant hall director is assigned to a specific residence hall community in which they live full time. There are four major areas in which assistant hall directors strive to support their residence hall communities through their day-to-day work.

Community Development

Under the direction of the hall director, assistant hall directors assist in developing a culture of community in their hall, building rapport with residents through daily interactions and providing a consistent presence as a role model and resource. AHDs support the planning of educational programming and the development of signature events unique to their hall community. They mentor and advise student leaders involved in Hall Council, coordinate Hall Council elections, and collaborate with the hall director in advising other student leaders. They assist with spiritual activities in the hall, such as annual hall spiritual retreats and Bible studies. Finally, AHDs educate students on University policies and procedures and enforce regulations.

Student Development

Assistant hall directors serve as a pastoral minister, partnering with the pastoral resident(s) to provide support and faith development guidance to students. They assist students with academic, social, spiritual, and personal matters, and they are aware of campus resources, referring students to other offices for additional support. When needed, assistant hall directors mediate student conflicts and help resolve issues.

Staff Development

Assistant hall directors hire and supervise community assistants, coordinating staff coverage schedules and setting performance expectations. They participate in hall staff training activities, attend weekly staff meetings, and assist the hall director in supervision of the resident assistants.

Hall Operations & Administration

Assistant hall directors maintain regular on-call duty hours in their assigned residence hall in rotation with the hall director. They respond to problems and concerns brought forward by students and manage crisis situations through immediate action, sound judgment, and appropriate referrals. They assist the hall director with building and safety issues, coordinating with Physical Plant and Campus Safety as needed. AHDs typically also complete other projects and duties assigned by the hall director or the Office of Residence Life.

Students Say

"My AHD is amazing!! She relates so well with residents and is super fun to talk to. She brings positive energy to our hall and welcomes everybody."

"My AHD is a hard-working person who is constantly working to make the hall a better and an inviting place."

"My AHD has made a huge effort to make me feel included, including just sitting and listening to some problems I've been facing. With that, she gave me advice on going forward with those issues."

"My AHD has helped me through tough times and has given me strong, valuable advice. She cares about everyone and definitely shows us that."

"My AHD is both super fun and energetic, and at the same time is willing to be serious and talk with you if you need it."

Who Can Be an Assistant Hall Director?

We seek qualified candidates who have the education, experience, and skills detailed below:

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Understanding of the structure, mission, and values of institutions of Catholic higher education.
• Demonstrated ability in working with college-age students in university residence halls or in ministry of young adults.
• Experience related to advising, community development, faith development, educational programming, and conflict resolution is essential.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills and leadership skills required.
• Superior interpersonal skills and ability to develop effective rapport with a variety of personalities.
• Capacity to manage stress and maintain personal and emotional stability in a demanding work environment.
• Available to work nights/weekends for assigned hall duty and to respond to critical situations.
• Competence with technology (MS Office Suite, including Word, Excel, Outlook) and ability to learn new systems.

The AHD position is a live-in, part-time, 10-month appointment (typically late July or early August through May) and offers a furnished apartment and a meal plan. This position reports to the hall director of the assigned hall. Assistant hall directors are typically enrolled in the MA in Higher Education Student Affairs (MA HESA) master's program at the University of Portland.

Assistant Hall Director Recruitment & Hiring

The 2024-2025 Assistant Hall Director Selection Process will begin in March 2024!

For the upcoming year, the Office of Residence Life is looking for energetic and passionate professionals who want to work with students and expand their professional development within Higher Education/Student Affairs. This position is live-in and would start on Monday, July 22, 2024. Scroll down for more information about working as an Assistant Hall Director and how to apply. 

Benefits & Perks

Some of these are specific to the Assistant Hall Director role and the Office of Residence Life:

• 10-month position with summers off
• 12-month, fully-furnished, 1-bedroom apartment
• A full meal plan to use in our on-campus award-winning eateries
• A monthly phone stipend
• Full (100%) tuition remission for a master's degree at UP including our MA in Higher Education & Student Affairs
• Professional training in emerging trends within Higher Education
• An opportunity to be a part of a fun and supportive team
• Living on a beautiful campus located in popular Portland, Oregon
• A part-time, flexible schedule that gives you time to explore the Pacific Northwest

Supervision Opportunities 

• Direct supervision of paraprofessional Community Assistants 
• Indirect supervision of paraprofessional Resident Assistants, Hall Council Members, and Hall Ambassadors

Professional Development & Growth Opportunities 

In addition to receiving an annual professional development budget from the Office of Residence Life, Assistant Hall Directors can:

• participate in the University's Leadership Certificate Program
• help teach a 1-credit course for RAs on residential leadership 
• serve on University-wide committees (AHDs currently or have recently served on committees for orientation/FYE, sophomore experience, DEI, food insecurity, Title IX, and Green Dot Bystander Intervention)
• lead RA recruitment, selection, training, formation, and development 
• work alongside and gain experience from other University offices/services for student care and behavioral intervention, student activities, campus ministry, service and justice, health, counseling, career development, disability support services, FGEN support, dining, facilities, DEI, admissions, international student services, athletics, recreation, and more

Our Assistant Hall Directors also benefit from opportunities for growth within the University. Former Assistant Hall Directors are currently serving or have served in other roles at UP including: 

• Program Counselor (academic advisor)
• Wellness Education & Prevention Program Coordinator
• Associate Director for Housing
• Associate Director for Student Support
• Housing Coordinator
• Assistant Director for First Year Experience
• Program Coordinator in Student Activities

Pay

• In addition to year-round housing and an academic year meal-plan our Assistant Hall Directors earn $16.45/hour for 1,000 hours each calendar year (so $16,450). This works about to approximately 25 hours of work per week. 

Staff Apartment Occupancy

Currently, the University does not permit staff to live on-campus with spouses/partners, children, or pets. We welcome and support staff with individualized accommodations through partnership with our Human Resources department.

Get More Information

Potential applicants can email questions anytime Residence Life at reslife@up.edu or give us a call at 503.943.7205. We would love to connect with you and even connect you with a current Assistant Hall Director to hear about their experience!

To Apply

When hiring, our Assistant Hall Director position will be made available on our University Job Board. Click 'Staff' and the select 'Residence Life' in the department selection box. You will be asked so submit a cover letter, resume, references, and a separate sheet with answers to the following supplemental question:

• What about this position at the University of Portland interests you?
• What are your work-related areas of strength? What work-related areas would you like to improve?
• Please explain what diversity, equity, and inclusion means to you. Please describe your education and work-related experiences applicable to diversity, equity, and inclusion.