Interim Residence Life Educator

Below you will find the details for the position including any special instructions, supplementary documentation and questions you should review before applying for the opening.

Position Details

• FLSA Status: Exempt
• Position Type: Staff
• Employee Group: Administrative
• Time Status: Full‑Time
• Time Category: Temporary (Annual Hours 900)
• Number of Months: 5
• Hours Per Week: 40
• Work Dates: Immediate opening for interim hire or January 3 – May 22 2026 (position ends the Friday before Memorial Day)
• Campus: Main Campus (Grantham)

Position Summary

The Residence Life Educator (RLE) is a live‑in, professional educator whose primary responsibility is to deliver a student‑development focused curriculum and co‑curriculum that supports the University’s mission while achieving undergraduate learning outcomes. The RLE educates to impact students’ intellectual, spiritual and personal development by teaching foundations for learning, leadership competencies, self‑awareness, faith development and social responsibility. The RLE actively promotes a safe living‑learning environment and is responsible for the recruitment, selection, teaching, supervision, assessment of learning and evaluation of 9 – 12 undergraduate student staff members, administration of up to 385 residents in residential spaces, and serving as an active member of the Residence Life team.

Education Required: Master’s degree in student affairs, higher education, counseling or related field required. 1 year of post‑undergraduate residence life experience.

Experience, Preferred Skills and Characteristics:

• Ability to see student learning as a central mission to Residence Life and to fully engage students in meeting desired learning outcomes.
• Demonstrated mastery of Student Development subject matter.
• Demonstrated mastery of disciplinary methods for acquiring and expressing knowledge sufficient to initiate students in the search for new knowledge.
• Commitment to the delivery of education in both curricular and co‑curricular contexts.
• Ability to deliver undergraduate learning outcomes via creative pedagogies.
• Commitment to service, reconciliation, and justice, and to teach students to respond effectively and ethically to a diverse and changing world.
• Teaching, curriculum development and delivery, and assessment in both curricular and co‑curricular contexts.
• Knowledge of student development stages and the importance of holistic education.
• Ability to teach skills that promote analysis, reflection and communication.
• Commitment to teaching appreciation for aesthetic dimensions of life and promoting learning as a life‑long pursuit.
• Teaching students how to link faith and learning.
• Teaching students to express Christian commitments responsibly.
• Enhancing students’ vocation discernment.
• Encouraging students to pursue employment, service, or graduate options.
• Modeling Christian faith journey.
• Collaboration within the department and other departments.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Strong administrative, supervisory and decision‑making abilities.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Special Working Conditions: Live‑in position; 40 hours a week, with some hours during nights, weekends and occasional holidays. On‑call responsibilities requiring adult‑neighbor response to crises; no more than four of eight RLEs may be away overnight during classes. Valid driver’s license required. Time off is encouraged when classes are not in session.

Essential Duties:

• Plan, evaluate, and revise curricula and co‑curricula aligned with undergraduate learning outcomes and Student Success and Engagement Educational Plans.
• Develop skills in research, analysis, reflection and communication; support liberal arts foundations in arts, sciences, humanities, natural and social sciences.
• Foster informed convictions about Christian faith and practice; develop identity, character and vocational calling.
• Promote service, reconciliation, and justice, guiding students to respond ethically to a diverse world.
• Deliver curricula in daily sessions and support RA leadership education, including competencies in self‑awareness, leadership, cultural awareness, psychological safety and coaching.
• Provide academic advising for undeclared students.
• Maintain student attendance records and administer administrative duties in the residence hall (housing paperwork, conduct meetings, custodial concerns, budget management).
• Recruit, select, and supervise student staff; manage residence hall operations and help create a safe, hospitable, holistic living‑learning environment.
• Participate in Residence Life team and SSE Divisional meetings; contribute to campus‑wide retention efforts and crisis response.
• Serve on the on‑call response rotation and collaborate with Safety, Counseling, and medical staff.
• Complete special tasks and projects assigned by the Director of Residence Life.

Secondary Duties: Participate in committees through the Community of Educators. Other duties as assigned.

Diversity and Inclusion: Messiah University’s commitment to diversity and inclusive excellence draws inspiration from its mission “to educate men and women toward maturity of intellect, character and Christian faith in preparation for lives of service, leadership and reconciliation in church and society.” Candidates should be able to articulate why diversity and inclusive excellence matter to them and how they will contribute through teaching‑learning, research, service, and engagement.