ASSISTANT RESIDENT DIRECTOR (ARD)
Start/End Date: part-time as early as May 12 – June 9, 2025
full-time June 10 – August 16, 2024 (40+ hours)
Location: Northwestern University, Evanston Campus
Supervised by: Resident Director, College Preparation Program (CPP)
Compensation:
$18/hr
Accommodation: single room and board plan while on contract
Access to University athletic and sport facilities while on contract
Significant professional opportunity in area of leadership development
Program Description:
The Northwestern College Preparation Program (CPP) offers academically advanced high school students from across the US and abroad the opportunity to enroll in one of two academic program options: undergraduate courses for credit, and noncredit IN FOCUS (on campus) seminars. Participants experience college life and academics in a safe and supportive environment, which prepares them for college success in their first years. As either residents or commuters, CPP students may take a variety of 100-and 200-level Northwestern courses to earn college credit, which may be transferred to the university in which they ultimately enroll. Our noncredit courses, IN FOCUS seminars are small, discussion-based offered in special topics. Please visit our website for more information.
Responsibilities:
The central responsibility of the CPP Assistant Resident Director is to provide mentorship and support for the academic, experiential, and co-curricular components of the College Preparation Program. In addition, upholding CPP values, policy and procedures, and managing the duties supporting the functions of the program with which all CPP RAs are assigned. The Assistant RD will directly support the Residential Director in the training and programming for the overall program. The Assistant RD assumes a higher level of responsibility in supervising participants with issues such as health, discipline, and all other aspects of participants’ residential life.
The Assistant RD reports directly to the Residential Director and receives further supervision from the Director of Summer Session as needed. They also act as the primary resource for residential staff and may not have more than 5 hours of outside commitment a week.
Primary Responsibilities:
Be alert to possible crises and serious situations, notify appropriate program staff and take action
Assist with arrival and departure days on Saturdays and Sundays, as well as Orientation for incoming students
Live in residence halls throughout duration of the program
Assume the responsibility of the Residential Director one day a week, taking the lead in overseeing the residence hall
Co-Facilitate weekly staff meetings with the Residential Director
Support the Residential Director in training, evaluating staff and providing leadership and guidance, addressing any personnel issues
Oversee deployment of RAs to ensure assigned duties are completed, facilitating overall team dynamics and effectiveness, and maintain close contact with RAs individually and as a team.
Assume the responsibilities of Co-ARDs on their days off
Participate in multiple 24 hour on-call duty rotations
Serve as an RA if needed
Assist with student room assignments, conference services housing roster, master spreadsheets and CPP rosters
Expected to work holidays
Other duties as assigned by Residential Director and program staff
While each ARD will take the lead in Logistics, Activities, Medical & Academic areas, they are responsible for participating in the success of all three areas.
Logistics
RA (Residential Assistants) Schedule- Including managing any overtime, absences, OFF Requests
Get Ready Series Management
Orientation Set Up- Making sure the room is clean and set up, Presentation is ready to go on the projector.
Placing food orders
Manage all paperwork- staff receipts, filing off-campus slips, incident reports, duty logs, check in binder, as well as online student forms portal
Vehicle Management- Mange check-in/check-out system, parking passes, fueling vehicles
Facilitate one-on-one meetings with the RAs
Managing Wildcard student issues
Manage FOH staff
Reserve spaces/permits including site-wide events
Activities
Manage and oversee purchasing of supplies for activities- tracking inventory, supply runs, organizing supplies
Manage receipts turned in by RAs for activities
Manage program proposals submitted by RA’s- must look over and approve programs
Manage program sign ups- create a system for students to know what activities are taking place on any given day
Manage flyer submission from RAs- RAs will create their own flyers and turn them into you.
Manage activity space- making sure RAs don’t use the same space on the same day for activities
Lead Activities Workshop during training
Manage excursions (Larger activities like 4th of July, program field trips- if any)
Manage event transportation if necessary
Orientation set up- food and drinks, serving the food, trash, etc.
Facilitate one-on-one meetings with the RAs
Manage Opening/Closing Activities
Academic & Medical
Oversees health policy and procedures
Manages student health files
Document details of student illnesses, ongoing health problems, and health emergencies
Oversee transportation of students to urgent care- Must be able to and feel comfortable enough to drive
Oversee field trips, first day of class coordination, and daily attendance all-clear
In coordination with the CPP team, oversee the training and supervision of Teaching Assistants (TAs) and commuter RAs
Coordinate communication across academic and residential departments
Minimum Qualifications
Applicants must have:
Completed three years of college
Demonstrated leadership skills
Excellent communication, coordination, and problem-solving skills
A team player attitude with an ability to work effectively in diverse groups
Experience working with students ages 15 – 17 also desirable
Energy, enthusiasm, positivity, and ability to motivate others
A mature sense of responsibility, professionalism, and work ethic
Preferred qualifications:
Knowledge of the Northwestern environment, preferably as a current matriculated student or CPP/NHSI/CTD alum
Previous experience working with high school students
Previous teaching, mentoring, and/or counseling experience is desirable
Prior residential/student affairs experience is also desirable
Experience working in international contexts or with international students
Previous experience as an RA or prior student affairs experience
Important Dates:
While the deadline to apply is April 15th, qualified candidates are hired on a first apply, first hired basis. Early candidates have an advantage as some positions are filled early in the application cycle.
Applicants will be notified via email if they have been selected for an interview
To Apply:
You will need the following items (2):
A current resume and cover letter
Provide a list of three professional references and their contact information.
Contact Us: Please visit the College Preparation Program website at northwestern.edu/collegeprep to learn more about our programs. If you have any questions, email the CPP office at cpp@northwestern.edu or call 847-467-6703.
The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.
Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Click for information on EEO is the Law.
