Student Assistant Complex Director (ACD)
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 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 training in July/August, one week of training in January, regular staff meetings on Tuesdays or 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.
This position serves as a mandatory reporter under Title IX and is a Campus Security Authority (CSA) under the Clery Act. They will uphold the confidentiality standards required by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) along with completing all required training and promptly fulfill reporting and privacy responsibilities.
Terms of employment are subject to adjustments in the university academic calendar but currently anticipated to be from Monday, July 27, 2026 – May 19, 2027.
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 training in July/August, one week of training in January, regular staff meetings on Tuesdays or 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.
This position serves as a mandatory reporter under Title IX and is a Campus Security Authority (CSA) under the Clery Act. They will uphold the confidentiality standards required by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) along with completing all required training and promptly fulfill reporting and privacy responsibilities.
Terms of employment are subject to adjustments in the university academic calendar but currently anticipated to be from Monday, July 27, 2026 – May 19, 2027.
Job Description
50% - Supervising & Advising
- 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.
- 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 communities of belonging and wellbeing.
- Follow up with students and campus partners as necessary or as directed after crisis situations.
- 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.
- Participate in staff orientation, training and development, and one departmental committee.
- Attend weekly Residence Life meetings on Thursdays from 10:00am to 12:00pm.
- Other administrative opportunities and/or expectations are complex-specific and may include but are not limited to occupancy management, budgeting, food ordering, etc.
- Provide available office hours open to residents.
- Other duties as assigned.
- Facilitate all building opening and closing procedures.
- Monitor the physical maintenance of the complex in cooperation with custodial and maintenance staff.
- Collaborate with facilities services to address building and facilities concerns.
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.
Position Requirements
During the semester term of the appointment, the student hourly must be enrolled in no fewer than 6 credit hours. For summer periods the student hourly must: (1) have been enrolled in no less than 6 hours in the past spring semester or (2) be pre-enrolled in the upcoming fall semester in no less than 6 hours or (3) be enrolled in summer session or (4) be admitted to study in the upcoming fall semester. Student Hourlies may be undergraduate or graduate students. (Exceptions granted for GRA/GTA/GA appointments DO NOT apply to Student Hourly appointments).
Employment Conditions
(1) Student employees are not eligible for remote work arrangements unless an exception is approved by the unit leadership and HR.
(2) This is a salaried/exempt position. A student employee cannot hold an hourly/non-exempt position and a salaried/exempt graduate or undergraduate position (GRA/GTA/GA/RUA/RGA) concurrently.
(2) This is a salaried/exempt position. A student employee cannot hold an hourly/non-exempt position and a salaried/exempt graduate or undergraduate position (GRA/GTA/GA/RUA/RGA) concurrently.
Additional Candidate Instructions
In addition to the online application, the following documents are required to be considered for this position:
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.
Additional Compensation
The salary for 2025-2026 is currently $15.94/hour paid biweekly for a .75 appointment (30 hours/week), which will be the minimum salary for 2026-2027 unless an increase is confirmed through KU processes. A furnished apartment including utilities is provided, as well as a partial dining allowance for meals when the dining centers are serving.
- A cover letter addressing how required and preferred qualifications are met.
- Resume or curriculum vitae.
- Contact information for three professional references.
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.
Additional Compensation
The salary for 2025-2026 is currently $15.94/hour paid biweekly for a .75 appointment (30 hours/week), which will be the minimum salary for 2026-2027 unless an increase is confirmed through KU processes. A furnished apartment including utilities is provided, as well as a partial dining allowance for meals when the dining centers are serving.
Contact Information to Applicants
Carrie Fitzwater
residencelife@ku.edu
residencelife@ku.edu
Advertised Salary Range
$15.94 per hour
Anticipated Start Date
Monday July 27, 2026