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Residence Hall Director Jobs in Renton, WA (NOW HIRING)

Residence Hall Director information

See Renton, WA salary details

$21.9K

$49.3K

$77.1K

How much do residence hall director jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for residence hall director in Renton, WA is $49,310.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $41,100.00 and $57,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a residence hall director?

Residence Hall Directors are professional staff members responsible for managing the daily operations of a college or university residence hall. They oversee student housing, provide support and guidance to residents, supervise student staff such as Resident Assistants, and help create a safe and inclusive living environment. Residence Hall Directors also enforce policies, coordinate programs and events, and respond to emergencies to ensure student well-being and community development within the residence hall.

What does a residence hall director do?

As a residence hall director, the students living in your hall are your biggest priority. You play an essential role in student development by building a healthy community, interacting with students, and working with other programs and communities to make your hall and campus a safe and healthy place to live. In addition to managing student life housing operations, which includes emergency management, your duties may also include managing student workers. Typically, you perform your duties full-time as well as in an on-call fashion, which means you are available at all times during those periods. Your precise responsibilities depend on your institution’s Code of Conduct and related documentation.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a residence hall director, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Residence Hall Director, you need experience in student affairs, a bachelor’s or master’s degree (often in higher education or a related field), and strong leadership abilities. Familiarity with campus management systems, incident reporting software, and basic budgeting tools is typically required. Outstanding interpersonal skills, conflict resolution, and cultural competency help you build community and address diverse student needs. These skills are crucial for fostering a safe, inclusive, and supportive living environment that promotes student success.

What are some common challenges residence hall directors face when managing student communities, and how can they effectively address them?

Residence Hall Directors often encounter challenges such as mediating conflicts between residents, fostering an inclusive and respectful community, and responding to crises or emergencies. Effectively addressing these challenges requires strong interpersonal and problem-solving skills, clear communication, and the ability to build trust with students. Directors typically collaborate with resident assistants, campus safety, and counseling services to support students' well-being while maintaining a safe and positive living environment.

What is the difference between Residence Hall Director vs Resident Advisor?

AspectResidence Hall DirectorResident Advisor
CredentialsTypically requires a bachelor's degree, sometimes a master's, in student affairs or related fieldsUsually undergraduate students with leadership experience, no formal degree required
Work EnvironmentFull-time, administrative and supervisory role in college residence hallsPart-time, peer leadership role within the residence hall community
ResponsibilitiesOversees residence hall operations, manages staff, enforces policies, plans programsBuilds community, provides peer support, enforces residence hall rules

The main difference is that Residence Hall Directors hold full-time administrative roles with higher responsibilities and required credentials, while Resident Advisors are peer leaders with part-time duties focused on community building. Residence Hall Directors manage staff and operations, whereas Resident Advisors primarily support residents and foster community engagement.

What job categories do people searching Residence Hall Director jobs in Renton, WA look for?

The top searched job categories for Residence Hall Director jobs in Renton, WA are:

What cities near Renton, WA are hiring for Residence Hall Director jobs?

Cities near Renton, WA with the most Residence Hall Director job openings:

Infographic showing various Residence Hall Director job openings in Renton, WA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 17% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $49,310 per year, or $23.7 per hour.

Resident Director, Live-in (multiple opportunities)

University of Washington

Seattle, WA • On-site

Full-time

Vision, Life

Re-posted 26 days ago


University Of Washington School Of Medicine rating

8.5

Company rating: 8.5 out of 10

Based on 12 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

82nd of 628 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Job Description
Housing & Food Services has an outstanding opportunity for a Resident Director, Live-in to join their team.
About this Opportunity
  • Oversee the development and overall operations of a Residential Life Program within a residence hall or apartment community.
  • This position is not eligible for remote work.

Key Responsibilities
Supervision - 25%
  • Directly supervise, train, and evaluate 6-19 resident advisers (RA), 1 office assistant (OA), and one assistant resident director (ARD) in developing residential communities for and responding to the needs of 300-1000 residents. Larger communities (900+ students) operate with a co-RD model and share supervision responsibilities.
  • Facilitate individual meetings with direct reports, weekly team meetings, and continuous training as well as team development and recognition opportunities for student leaders.
  • Integrate practices to foster a work environment that supports diverse perspectives, encourages growth, and offers equitable opportunities to all team members.
  • Hold student leaders accountable to job expectations in alignment with Residential Life's performance management process to address performance concerns.

Student Development and Residence Education - 20%
  • Support the implementation of the Learn to Live community development model through facilitation of roommate agreements, student leader programming, residence hall programming, and small group/one on one engagement with residents.
  • Provide leadership and support to hall council in collaboration with the assistant resident director including:
    • Provide guidance, direction, and resources to the assistant resident director who serves as the primary adviser to hall council
    • Ensure hall council is following university policies and procedures for programs, events, and purchasing

Building Operations Management - 20%
  • Utilize Housing & Food Services management system, StarRez to assist in occupancy, communication, and operational processes.
  • Consult and work in collaboration with custodial, facilities maintenance, student & desk services, and dining to assess and address building, community, and individual student needs.
  • Manage opening and closing procedures in assigned community in collaboration with the community management team.
  • Effectively manage and track the budget and cost center for assigned community including a budget up to approximately $450,000 including an operating budget and overseeing the alignment of payroll expenditures within the cost center.

Student Support & Crisis Management - 15%
  • Participate in an On-Call emergency response rotation throughout the calendar year to respond to incidents and emergencies as they occur for a residential population of approximately 9,300 students.
  • Apply DEIB informed approaches in emergency and crisis response by recognizing the diverse identities and experiences of those impacted and reflecting on one's own identity in decision-making.
  • Implement Departmental/University emergency and crisis response protocols.

Student Conduct - 10%
  • Facilitate conduct meetings with students emphasizing personal responsibility and an understanding of how one's behavior impacts self and others.
  • Respond timely and effectively to bias incidents and other situations that can have high individual or community impact.

Organizational Engagement - 10%
  • Support and assist in the leadership of delivering the mission, goals, values, and culture of Residential Life, Housing & Food Services, and the University of Washington.
  • Engage and uphold Residential Life's Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging vision and agreements including commitment to understanding privilege, enhancing awareness of bias and mitigating bias, advocacy, and continuous learning and self-reflection.
  • Serve on committees to create or enhance programs, processes, and operational shifts; seek opportunities to develop new and/or enhance current programs and activities.
  • Maintain awareness of current trends and best practices within the field of student development and operations within a residential life program.

Reports to the Area Director for Residential Life.
Required Qualifications
To be considered for this opportunity your application must demonstrate you meet both the minimum qualifications and additional qualifications listed below.
Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license, certification, and/or registration.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Applicants who do not meet these qualifications WILL NOT be forwarded to the Hiring Manager.
  • Bachelor's degree
  • One year of residence hall supervisory experience required.
  • Demonstrated commitment to equity, inclusion, and belonging in addition to the ability to create an inclusive residence hall community.
  • Experience in the supervision of paraprofessionals (Resident Adviser, Community Assistant, etc.)
  • Experience in the selection and training of paraprofessional staff.

Additional Desired Qualifications
  • Master's degree in student personnel or related field.
  • Experience with emergency response and crisis management.
  • Experience hearing students conduct cases or judicial matters.
  • Experience advising student leadership organizations.
  • Experience in the development of student learning initiatives and/or experience working with a programming or community development model.
  • Experience serving on committees or leading departmental initiatives.

Working Conditions
  • The position works on a Monday through Friday schedule; however, it requires significant evening and weekend commitments throughout the year including but not limited to: move-in, move-out, admitted student day, training activities, weekly hall council and student leader meetings, and On-Call responsibilities.
  • This position is required to live on campus in University Housing.

About the Team
"Working together to enhance student life" is the Housing & Food Services mission statement. Housing & Food Services is a large and complex organization with a unified commitment to supporting student learning, growth, and success.
Compensation, Benefits and Position Details
Pay Range Minimum:
$48,564.00 annual
Pay Range Maximum:
$48,564.00 annual
Other Compensation:
+ University Housing on campus
Benefits:
For information about benefits for this position, visit https://www.washington.edu/jobs/benefits-for-uw-staff/
Shift:
Alternate Work Shift (United States of America)
Temporary or Regular?
This is a regular position
FTE (Full-Time Equivalent):
100.00%
Union/Bargaining Unit:
Not Applicable
About the UW
Working at the University of Washington provides a unique opportunity to change lives - on our campuses, in our state and around the world.
UW employees bring their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to building stronger minds and a healthier world. In return, they enjoy outstanding benefits, opportunities for professional growth and the chance to work in an environment known for its diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.
Our Commitment
The University of Washington is committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful and welcoming community for all. As an equal opportunity employer, the University considers applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, pregnancy, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, or veteran status consistent with UW Executive Order No. 81.
To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or dso@uw.edu.
Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law.

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