Assistant Complex Director (ACD) Position Description

Position Overview

As a member of the residence life staff, each Assistant Complex Director (ACD) is part of KU Housing and Residence Life within the Division of Student Affairs, reporting to a Residence Life Complex Director. ACDs hold live-in, .75 positions (30 hours/week), assisting in the management of a residential area housing between 500 and 800 students. KU Housing and Residence Life implements a residential curriculum which supports students as they develop into the best versions of themselves. Through intentional connections and crafted support, residents living in Housing and Residence Life facilities will gain competence in critical thinking, understanding self and others, and well-being. As a result of implementing a residential curriculum within KU Housing and Residence Life, graduate students will learn the skills necessary to become a successful practitioner and educator.
Additional duties of an Assistant Complex Director include community development and building management, staff supervision and development, student conduct, crisis intervention and student support, and administrative tasks. ACDs serve in an on-call duty rotation for the on- campus residential population. KU Housing and Residence Life is home to approximately 6,000 students on the Lawrence campus in nine residence halls, three on-campus apartment complexes, 12 scholarship halls, as well as expanded housing options near the Lawrence campus.
Assistant Complex Director work responsibilities fall primarily during traditional business hours (Monday through Friday, between 8am and 5pm). It should be noted that there are some regular responsibilities that may fall outside of this window of time based on student availability and need, including pre-scheduled meetings and duty responsibilities. At least 50% of assistantship hours must occur during university business hours (Monday through Friday, between 8am and 5pm) on a weekly basis.
The ACD position does not allow for regular student teaching, or out-of-town practicum, internships, or other extensive extracurricular commitments. Approval must be obtained in advance to enroll in a practicum or internship within Lawrence, KS, or participate in major extra-curricular commitments while Housing and Residence Life facilities are open; such approval would not typically be given in the first year of employment.
Required training and development responsibilities include three weeks of training in July/August, one week of training in January, regular staff meetings on Thursdays from 10:00am to 12:00pm, regular in-complex meetings on Tuesdays from 7:30pm to 9:30pm, and consistent on-the-job training and support.

Job Description

Major job responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following; please note that these percentages are an approximation and may differ between ACDs based on community placement:

Supervision & Advising - 50%

  • Supervise, select, train, and evaluate 6-10 undergraduate (UG) staff members directly in the performance of their assigned duties. Undergraduate staff may include Resident Assistants, Senior Resident Assistants, Apartment Living Assistants, Proctors, and Food Board Managers.
  • Maintain regular staff and individual meetings with direct reports and complex team, including individual community and departmental Tuesday evening staff meetings.
  • Ensure undergraduate staff understands departmental and university mission/vision/values.
  • Model good judgment, ethical behavior, respect for laws and policies, and a positive, cooperative attitude.
  • Motivate undergraduate student staff and empower them to promote resident growth and development.
  • Provide frequent formal and informal communication with undergraduate student staff regarding responsibilities, personal wellbeing, and academic success.
  • Implement the KU Housing and Residence Life residential curriculum model and create learning- centered communities using the model with staff to promote individual support and respect.
  • Ensure UG administrative tasks and responsibilities are completed accurately and timely (i.e. food ordering, receipt submissions, etc.).
  • Support and recognize individual and group achievements.
  • Recruit, train, and advise hall governance (inclusive of Scholarship Hall Councils and system governments) and aid in development of student leaders.
  • Advise executive board members in planning initiatives and programs to establish and maintain community traditions.
  • Attend weekly meetings with student groups and host individual meetings with student leaders and executive board members of hall governance organizations.

Crisis Management - 15%

  • Participate in a rotating 24-hour on-call duty coverage system for assigned area.
  • Respond as a member of the senior staff as crisis situations occur; intervene and make referrals as appropriate to individual and/or group concerns.
  • Respond to bias-related incidents and support the department’s commitment to creating safe and inclusive communities.
  • Follow up with students as necessary or as directed after crisis situations.

Student Conduct & Student Support - 15%

  • Serve in the student conduct process as a University hearing officer and adjudicate conduct cases.
  • Coach, train, and follow up with staff in conduct response and reporting protocols.
  • Document incidents using the Maxient system.
  • Engage in follow-up and aftercare with students regarding academic, wellness, and conduct concerns.
  • Advise and adjudicate Judicial Boards (J-Boards) in communities where applicable

Building Operations & Management - 10%

  • Facilitate all building opening and closing procedures.
  • Monitor the physical maintenance of the complex in cooperation with custodial and maintenance staff
  • Other administrative opportunities and/or expectations are complex-specific and may include but are not limited to occupancy management, budgeting, food ordering, etc.

Administration - 10%

  • Participate in staff orientation, training and development, and department committees.
  • Attend weekly Residence Life meetings on Thursdays from 10:00am to 12:00pm. Exceptions may be granted only in instances when a required academic course conflicts with the date and time and there is no other course offering.
  • Provide available office hours open to residents.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Professional Development

Graduate Assistants receive professional development funds which can be used for membership, resources, and/or attendance and participation at a regional or national conference connected to the on-campus student housing experience, contingent upon departmental funding. Additionally, graduate assistants serve on a departmental committee and have the opportunity to pursue collateral or university committee experience. Graduate assistants may also co-advise university student groups with approval. Graduate assistants can attend professional development workshops created by their graduate program, Housing and Residence Life, and the Student Affairs professional development series. All professional development opportunities are contingent upon supervisor approval and successful performance in required job responsibilities.

Required Qualifications

  • KU enrollment as a graduate student in good standing taking at least 6 and no more than 9 hours per semester (more than 9 hours must be approved in advance).

Preferred Qualifications

  • At least one year of residential staff experience, knowledge of residential curriculum practices or experiences, interpersonal and group presentation skills and experience, experience in student engagement and development, and interest in developing a supportive academic atmosphere.
  • Enrollment in the Master’s in Higher Education Administration program
  • It is recommended that you have a valid driver’s license at the time of employment.

Compensation

  • Salary is approximately a $909.20 biweekly stipend for the term of appointment.
  • A furnished apartment including utilities is provided, as well as a dining allowance to meals when the dining centers are serving.
  • Students will receive in-state tuition cost, per the University of Kansas policy for Residential Graduate Assistants.
    • Students with a Graduate Assistantship and full-time enrollment in the Higher Education Administration program receive a full tuition waiver of up to 18 credits during the academic year (August-May).
  • State of Kansas group health insurance is available.

Term of Appointment

Monday, July 21, 2025, through Wednesday, May 20, 2026*

*Term of Appointment may change based on the university academic calendar as needed. The appointment covers the entirety of employment, recognizing that Assistant Complex Directors are also graduate students; in this regard, individual schedules will be coordinated with ACDs to account for university breaks and holidays.