Assistant Director for Student Support and Community Outreach

Department: University Life

Classification: Administrative Faculty

Job Category: Administrative or Professional Faculty

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Fairfax, VA

Workplace Type: Hybrid Eligible

Salary: Salary range starting low $60k, commensurate with education and experience

Criminal Background Check: Yes

About the Department:

The Student Support and Advocacy Center (SSAC) is committed to providing an empowering environment for all Mason students to seek support services and to explore healthy life choices. The Center offers educational programming, one-on-one consultations, and resources in the areas of sexual and interpersonal violence, financial well-being, basic needs, substance use, and collegiate recovery. Staff also assist students encountering barriers to personal success.

About the Position:

The Assistant Director for Student Support and Community Outreach reports to one of the Associate Directors of the Student Support and Advocacy Center. The Assistant Director is primarily responsible for addressing the needs of students in distress, which includes overseeing incoming referrals, identifying concerning behavior, conducting student meetings, helping with resource navigation, implementing prevention strategies, and facilitating referrals. The Assistant Director also conducts educational outreach to the university community as it relates to non-clinical case management.

Responsibilities:

Students in Distress Work:

• Manages student referrals related to mental health concerns, self-harm, food insecurity, financial distress, and other life crises. Implements developmentally appropriate interventions, coordinates resources and services, and monitors follow-up and progress of students in distress cases. Collaborates with other units in assisting students in distress, including Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS); Student Health Services (SHS); Student Conduct; Housing and Residence Life (HRL); Disability Services (DS); University Police; and appropriate academic administrators and faculty from around the university. Serves as a member of the University CARE team. Serves as a member in the University AIM (All Incidents Management) group. Oversees timely case management, including notes and other documentation in Guardian. Ensures that student records are maintained in accordance with university policies and applicable laws.

Community Outreach and Education:

• Establishes and maintains positive working relationships with various campus units, faculty and staff, and other campus stakeholders in an effort to raise awareness about SSAC services throughout the university community. Creates and delivers presentations, workshops, and other prevention methods on SSAC's functional areas of responsibility. Assists the Director and Associate Director of SSAC with other outreach and marketing efforts.

Assists with Other Administrative Tasks:

• Assists the Director and Associate Director of SSAC with special projects and other related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Master's degree in related field or equivalent combination of education and experience;
• Experience typically obtained in 1+ years of full-time work in direct service to individuals facing life challenges;
• Highly developed interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills;
• Problem-solving and analytical skills, especially as it pertains to common challenges college students experience;
• Ability to build and maintain collaborative relationships in a diverse campus community;
• Ability to maintain and manage confidential information and handle sensitive issues, including interactions with students in crisis and students who experienced trauma;
• Ability to work in a high-paced environment with frequent interruptions; and
• Ability to operate various software programs and navigate new technology quickly.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience typically obtained in 2+ years of full-time experience in a university setting within student affairs managing student in distress cases and related issues;
• Work experience with a behavior intervention or CARE team;
• Experience in presenting to campus audiences and marketing of services;
• Knowledge about college student mental health concerns;
• Ability to effectively engage with a diverse population of students facing a spectrum of life challenges; and
• Ability to effectively collaborate on committees and with various campus partners.

Instructions to Applicants:

For full consideration, applicants must apply for the Assistant Director for Student Support and Community Outreach at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a cover letter and resume.

Posting Open Date: February 18, 2025

For Full Consideration, Apply by: March 4, 2025

Open Until Filled: Yes