Community Director for Lutes Commute & The ARENA

Posting Number:

0603058

Recruitment Type:

Open to All Applicants

Position Title:

Community Director for Lutes Commute & The ARENA

Position Type:

Staff

Benefits Status:

Benefits Eligible

FLSA:

Non-Exempt

Hiring Range:

$20.43 per hour with benefits. Hours worked over 40/week paid overtime. Position includes on-campus housing ($15,130.00/yr value) and meal plan ($7,174.00/yr), will be prorated based on start date. Location Tacoma, WA 98447.

Department:

Campus Life

Posting Date:

04/27/2026 Closing Date When a sufficient number of qualified applicants have been identified.

Work Schedule:

Full-time; 12-month position; Monday - Friday, 8am-5pm with opportunities for remote and flexible work schedules. Some evenings and weekends required. Must be available to work occasional weekends, nights, and holidays either scheduled or on an on-call basis.

General Description:

Community Directors are an integral part of the educational community at Pacific Lutheran University (PLU). They collaborate with faculty, staff, and students to create and manage purposeful and dynamic learning environments across campus that support student wellbeing and thriving. They have a broad knowledge of student development theories and implement these theories into daily practice, particularly in support of retention and persistence for historically marginalized students (e.g., Students of Color, First Generation, LGBTQIA+, and other students). Finally, Community Directors are reflective educators who are able to communicate with diverse individuals and communities. Community Directors report to the Associate Director(s) for Campus Life. Campus Life integrates the traditional work of Student Engagement, Commuter Services, and Residential Life to create a more cohesive, intentional, and holistic student experience while enhancing student learning, engagement and success at PLU. Campus Life is situated within the Student Life Division, Through shared departmental leadership, vision and work, the Campus Life department enhances student learning, engagement and success at PLU. The Campus Life Community Director team comprises six (6) staff members with responsibility for student communities including PLU's residence halls, the CAVE - a learning community space for commuter students, and the ARENA - a collaborative workspace for student leaders across campus. This team directs our twelve (12) learning communities, provides care through participation in an on-call duty rotation, and supervises our student leaders (Resident Assistants [RA], Commuter Advocates [CA], Residential Operations Student Assistants [ROSA], and Campus Life Coordinators[CLC]).

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

Safe, Inclusive Communities Supervise, train, recognize, and regularly meet with 6-8 CAs and 2 CLCs Lead departmental visioning and implementation of programs and services focused on retention, well-being, outreach, and support for commuter students; advocate for these students' needs at the University level Lead data and assessment tactics specific to Commuter students and services Direct overall operations for the ARENA (a collaborative workspace for student leaders across campus, including purchases and space management) and the CAVE (the Lutes Commute learning community for commuter students) Assist Associate Director in supporting Clubs & Orgs, including Engagement Fairs, training, marketing, purchases, liaising with CLCs, and other support as needed Collaborate with campus partners in how spaces and services are provided to meet the needs of PLU's expanding Commuter population Perform regular walkthroughs of the CAVE and ARENA to survey maintenance needs and submit facilities requests as needed Support campus-wide retention and well-being priorities, particularly for historically marginalized students, including Students of Color, First Generation Students, LGBTQIA+ students, and others Participate in the on-call duty rotation with all Community Directors Provide support and follow-up for students and staff in conflict management and resolution Maintain regular contact and communication with Campus Partners, including: Facilities Management, Wellbeing Services & Resources, and Center for Diversity, Justice & Sustainability Serve as educator and review officer within the Student Rights & Responsibilities (care and conduct) system Belonging, Enjoyment & Learning Collaborate with colleagues within Campus Life to design, implement, and assess university-wide initiatives specifically focused on the Commuter student experience Facilitate a First Year course, PLUS100: Transition to PLU, in support of new student transition, holistic wellbeing, thriving, and retention Direct the co-curricular development of one's learning communities (LCs), including organizing LC socials, and meetings Participate in one's Learning Communities through formal programming, intentional interaction and assessment Coordinate & supervise student leaders in staffing the CAVE and ARENA spaces Support the Student Leader Selection or Training Committee Participate in the coordination of Campus Life student leader training and professional development activities, including coordinating specific activities for CAs and CLCs Collaborate with Campus Life and university colleagues to support the design and implementation of a student leadership curriculum Attend university, division, and departmental training and maintain relationships with colleagues throughout the university Continue one's own learning and support student learning and development surrounding multicultural competencies, issues of social justice, power, privilege, and oppression Educate students in the identification and articulation of personal and community values through the PLU and Campus Life mission statements, including lenses of Care and Diversity, Justice, and Sustainability Maintain awareness of issues affecting college students and respond promptly and appropriately to student concerns Work to understand the influence and impact of an ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) Lutheran Higher Education framework Campus Life Leadership & Administration Actively participate in regular meetings with Campus Life, Community Director Staff, and individual meetings with Associate Director for Campus Life Actively lead weekly student leadership meetings, which occur on weekday evenings during the academic year Oversee CAVE/ARENA and Learning Community co-curricular budgets/funds Serve on University-wide committees as a Campus Life departmental representation (to be determined) Perform other duties as assigned

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Experience working in, developing, and/or implementing Learning Communities. Communicate clearly and effectively in both oral and written forms. Passion for or interest in learning more about supporting commuter students. Knowledge of student learning and development, and ability to apply in daily practice. Leadership skills and an ability to work effectively with university students. Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and other departments. Capacity to respond to serve as an initial and referring response to student mental health concerns and to engaging with well-being resources and priorities. Skills in counseling, administration, and community development. Proficient computer skills including word processing and spreadsheet software. Regularly required to walk, stand, climb stairs, and sit for long periods of time during the course of regular job duties.

Required Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree and post-undergraduate commuter services or related experience. Successful candidates are required to live in a residence hall apartment. Finalist candidates must successfully complete pre-employment background checks.

Preferred Qualifications:

Master's degree in College Student Affairs, Higher Education, or related field

Work Conditions:

Physical Requirements:

Regularly required to sit for long periods of time during the course of regular job duties Special Instructions to

Applicants:

Other Information:

PLU is a small, private university where caring means more than kindness and consideration — it means a bold commitment to expanding well-being, opportunity, and justice. Because PLU is a community committed to the creation and advancement of knowledge through diversity and inclusion, the university actively recruits a diverse faculty, staff, and student body. PLU is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from members of historically underrepresented and minoritized groups, women, veterans, persons with disabilities, and others who would bring broadly diverse perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds in educational, research or other work activities. PLU offers an excellent benefits package including tuition remission for employees and their dependents, generous retirement plan, medical, dental, paid vacation and sick leave, major holidays off (including Christmas/New Year's break and extra time off during the summer), and many other great university benefits. PLU is a qualifying employer under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program as a 501©(3) tax-exempt organization. Click here for detailed benefits information. For general application questions or if you need accommodations at any point in the application and/or interview process, please contact the Human Resources Office at 253-535-7185 or humr@plu.edu.