Description: Under the direction of the Head of Summer Colleges (HSC) and working closely with the Assistant Director of Yale Summer Session (AD), the Residential Directors (RDs) primarily handle student issues in the residential colleges as they develop, to maintain the order and mission of Yale Summer Session (YSS). This entails balancing the competing demands of all stakeholders, including college administrators, students, counselors, parents, etc., and marshalling the resources of YSS to ensure a successful program for all participants. The RDs work as a tight team with the HSC and the Assistant RDs.
RDs are expected to work as a close team and divide their work equitably. They are given great latitude to do so. However, some RDs may be given specialized roles by the HSC or AD leading into the summer.
Responsibilities:
- Student Emergencies, Student Issues, and On-Call: Student emergencies are primarily triaged to the RDs, who are trained about what next steps to take. One RD will be on-call at all times. Takes part in disciplinary meetings with students where appropriate.
- Summer Colleges Office: Divides coverage of the Summer Colleges Office with the Assistant RDs, helping the Summer Colleges Aides (SCAs).
- Leadership: Serves on the Summer Colleges leadership team alongside the ARDs, HSC, and AD.
- Training: Along with the Summer Colleges leadership team, runs training for the Summer Colleges staff and portions of the training for staff in other programs using the Summer Colleges.
- Summer Counselor Groups: Some RDs will have groups of Summer Counselors whom they will be a resource for and supervise, meeting regularly with as a group. They will be assisted in this by ARDs. These groups will also be responsible for an equitable amount of on-campus programming.
- Operations: Spearhead management of Summer Colleges operations (staffing, programmatic, etc.). The RDs who do not have groups of Summer Counselors will take leadership of Summer Colleges operations more than the RDs who do. All RDs will have shifts in the Summer Colleges office.
- Off-Campus Trips: Lead YSS off-campus trips as the Yale purchasing card holder.
- Programming: Supports the execution of the Summer Colleges intramural sports programming, social media presence, communications, and curfew procedures.
- Collaboration: Work with partners in Yale offices and externally. Build and maintain working relationships with all Summer Colleges staff.
- Community: Builds community among Summer Colleges staff and program participants.
- Policies and Conduct: Follows all Yale Summer Session and University policies and models exemplary behavior as a member of the Summer Colleges community.
- Other Duties: May perform other duties as assigned.
It is possible that an RD may be invited to take on additional responsibilities prior to May 20, 2026. These tasks are general program operational preparations, and are beyond those outlined explicitly in this job description, such as general planning work, training meetings, and self-paced training). Such tasks would be eligible for extra compensation and optional, such that the RD can decline them without jeopardizing their summer position.
Required Education and Experience: Bachelor’s degree. Previous residential or supervisory experience strongly preferred. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. Yale College alumni who studied at Yale on a student visa should proactively check with the Office of International Students & Scholars about their eligibility for employment in this role.
Compensation: RDs will receive a stipend of $7,375, with additional compensation offered to those with prior RD experience. RDs will also receive free room and board (approximate value of $8,460) for the entirety of the program. Please note that the stipend may be contingent on other Yale funding received.
Additional Information: The RDs may be expected to begin the planning work for this position during the months of April and May. There will be two required meetings in April and May, along with self-paced training.
The RDs should report to the YSS 55 Whitney Office at 9:00 a.m. sharp on Wednesday, May 20, 2026 to begin training and work.
In addition to daytime office duty several times each week, RDs must be available to work evenings (beginning at 5:00 p.m.) and weekends during the entire program, from Wednesday, May 20, 2026 through Wednesday, August 5, 2026, and must lead an orientation. The RDs must also attend two evening meetings each week (Thursday and Sunday) and help with Session A/B move-in and move-out. There may be instances where an RD needs an evening or a weekend off, which can be arranged with the HSC. The RDs are expected to participate in the end-of-summer staff event. RDs may undertake limited part-time employment and other activities only if these extra commitments do not conflict with their scheduled responsibilities. All other employment must be expressly approved in writing by the HSC and YSS Office.
Residential Directors must hold a bachelor’s degree and may not enroll in Yale Summer Session coursework without explicit, written permission from the HSC.
General Conduct Statement: Yale Summer Session is an academic community dedicated to the advancement of learning and abides by similar guidelines detailed by Yale College’s Undergraduate Regulations as follow: 1) All staff and students should be committed to protecting free expression and peaceful dissent and to preserving mutual respect and charitable relations among all members of the Summer Session community. 2) Physical restriction, coercion, or intimidation of any member of the YSS community is contrary to the basic principles of the University. 3) Violations of these principles may result in immediate and permanent separation from Yale Summer Session.