Assistant Director for Student Involvement & Engagement (On-Site)

The University of California, Merced is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience. The salary range the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $53,500 - $66,400.

Remote/Hybrid eligibility: This position is fully on-site.

Initial applicant review will begin on or around February 10, 2025. Posting will remain open until filled.

The University of California, Merced, is the newest of the University of California system's 10 campuses and the first American research university built in the 21st century. With more than 9,000 undergraduate and graduate students, UC Merced offers an environment that combines a commitment to diversity, inclusion, collaboration and professional development. With bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs, strong research and academic partnerships, and community involvement, the UC Merced campus is continually evolving and requires talented, knowledgeable and dynamic educators, researchers, management and staff.

Ranked among the best public universities in the nation by U.S. News and World Report, UC Merced is uniquely equipped to provide educational opportunities for highly qualified students from the San Joaquin Valley and throughout California. The campus enjoys a special connection with nearby Yosemite National Park, is on the cutting edge of sustainability in construction and design and supports the economic development of Merced and the region.

The Merced 2020 Project, a $1.3 billion public-private partnership unprecedented in higher education and completed in 2020, nearly doubled the physical capacity of the campus, enhancing academic distinction, student success and research excellence. UC Merced also operates the Downtown Campus Center, a $33 million, three-story administrative building located in the heart of Merced.

The university's mission of educational excellence and rigorous inquiry is powered by three schools and numerous research institutes and centers that seek scientific and social solutions for the Valley, California and the world. In partnership with UC San Francisco, UC Merced is preparing the way for a rigorous medical education program.

The course of UC Merced's evolution is piloted by a long-range strategic plan. Enacted in 2021, the 10-year blueprint is guiding how the values of equity and justice influence our pathway to earning Carnegie R1 research status, growing enrollment, upholding our identity as a minority-serving institution, and operationalizing how commitments to equity, diversity and inclusion are enacted in each campus unit.

Assistant Director of Student Involvement & Engagement Programs, this position is responsible for supporting the efforts of the Student Involvement Office, primarily in the areas of student organization advising. The Assistant Director for Student Involvement & Engagement Programs is part of a professional staff team in the Student Involvement Office, a department within the Division of Student Affairs. The Student Involvement Office provides programs, services, and advice to enhance the campus life experience for students and others in the University community.

The Assistant Director for Student Involvement & Engagement Programs is responsible for providing strategic leadership for the student organization program in addition to advising 240 + student organizations which include 20 Fraternity and Sorority organizations and committees, coordinating the student engagement platform, and serving as a conduit for the facilitation of student involvement on campus. The Assistant Director establishes and maintains cooperative and collaborative working relationships with students, staff, faculty members, and community members. This position reports to the Associate Director of Student Involvement.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Advise, direct, and monitor all fraternity and sorority recruitment processes including informal and formal recruitment initiatives and Membership Intake Programs (MIP). Monitor a comprehensive calendar of fraternity and sorority and student organization events and meetings using established reservations, policies, procedures, and guidelines. Develop a robust strategic growth and development for the fraternity and sorority community including the potential addition of chapters, programming, and housing, etc. Design and implement a comprehensive marketing plan for promoting the fraternity/sorority experience at UC Merced. Develop and manage the fraternity and sorority expansion process. Advise the Fraternity and Sorority Council (FSC), the Professional Fraternity Council (PFC), and Order of Omega to Generate fraternity and sorority life grade reports, recruitment, and membership statistics.
• Support ASUCM and GSA election procedures, including developing the elections forms, nomination forms, sending out notices to candidates, and provide elections results to senior leadership. Create and communicate a compelling and unifying vision for undergraduate and graduate student organizations that builds community and generates excitement, enthusiasm, and engagement.
• Conduct comprehensive assessments of programs and services to ascertain achievement of learning outcomes as set by the Office of Student Involvement and the Division of Student Affairs. Assess campus community interests, needs, and resources, as well as national trends in student organization programs. Participate in the evaluation and development of student engagement programs and policies related to student organizations and recommend changes necessary based on the needs, interests, and national trends. Manage the construction, implementation, and maintenance of the student engagement platform and student organization engagement database, also known as Presence. Develop and execute learning outcomes and assessment plan for all fraternity and sorority life initiatives. Monitor and support chapter progress through the Expectations of Recognition Program.
• Assist in the recruitment, training, supervision, and evaluation of student assistants who coordinate the planning, implementation, and advising of student organization events and support of the student engagement platform (Presence), fraternity and sorority life student assistants who coordinate the planning and implementation of fraternity and sorority initiatives, programs, and events.
• Serves as a supervisor to staff and a liaison to a wide array of student clubs and organization; Advises individual students and student groups in event planning and management with regards to university policy and event risk management. Maintains regular contact with student leaders to develop responsible decision making, assess student interests, respond to student needs and anticipate student programming/leadership issues. Collect information about available programs may best suit their interests/needs. Monitors student organizations are in compliance with all university and UC Merced policies and procedures. Assists student leaders and their organization in the resolution of conflicts as they arise. Meets regularly with student organization leaders; attends a variety of organization meetings and events as possible. Conducts assessment on advising and developing a plan to support student organizations through content advising and creating of faculty/staff advising best practices.
• Direct the implementation of a comprehensive, multiday, Student Involvement Week program, which takes places during the spring semester. Design and implement an involvement guide to help students plan their engagement during their time at UC Merced. Coordinates and implements annual Student Involvement Fairs encompassing over 240+ student organizations. Develops a series of informational workshops for prospective student organizations seeking university recognition. Works with the Associate Director of Student Involvement to plan and implement a series of workshops that will provide resources and training to student organization leadership.
• Co-Chairs the Anti-Hazing Task Force Committee - a systemwide committee focused on Anti-Hazing initiatives; Develops and maintains collaborative relationships with fraternity and sorority community constituents including inter/national headquarters staff, alumni, advisory board leadership, faculty and staff advisors, and parents to advance the mission and values of the fraternity and sorority community. Works collaboratively with staff in Student Involvement, Academic & Student Services, Athletics & Recreation, and other departments to design and implement a successful student organization management system. Supports and acts as a liaison for the expansion of fraternity and sorority chapters. Coordinates leadership and training programs for the fraternity and sorority community. Conducts needs assessment on community and develops a plan for supporting the organizations through programming, advising, and resources.
• Develops and implements a communication and marketing plan to serve new students, which includes both web and hard copy publications such as newsletters, brochures, website, etc. Collaborates with university partner to maintain, enhance, and update Presence, the OSI website, and the other forms of communications/marketing.
• Participates in overall planning and management of the Office of Student Involvement. Assists in programmatic and planning efforts as needed in other areas of Student Involvement. Assists/participates in the student and staff hiring process for the Office of Student Involvement. Serves on various department and campus committees. Represent the office for Bobcat Day, Orientations, and other campus-wide events.
• Performs special projects and other duties as assigned by the Director, Associate Director, and AVC. Provides direction and supervision to interns, student staff, and/or professional staff. Develops and implement assessment and evaluations of student programs and events. Conducts an annual benchmarking/evaluation initiative regarding selected programs or services. Assists the Associate Director of Student Involvement, with the development of area and assessment goals. Develops and implement innovative ways to communicate with students, faculty, and staff regarding events. Manages content and update department webpages. Conducts quarterly and annual reports. Other duties as assigned. Occasional work during evenings and weekends.

EDUCATION and EXPERIECNE

• Bachelor's degree in related field from an accredited institution.
• Advanced degree Masters degree in related area from an accredited institution. (Preferred)

AND

• 3 years of progressively responsible experience in related field.
• 7 years of progressively responsible experience in related field. (Preferred)
• Valid CA Driver's License required.

CRITIAL KNOWLEDGE and SKILLS

• Thorough knowledge of advising and counseling techniques.
• Ability to counsel, refer and advise individuals and groups of students.
• Knowledge of counseling practices and crisis management techniques.
• Knowledge of common University-specific computer application programs and knowledge of University and departmental principles and procedures involved in risk assessment and evaluating risks as to likelihood and consequences.
• Thorough knowledge of Student Affairs/Student Life specializations of Fraternity and Sorority Life and Student Conduct. Ability to manage multiple systems and procedures.
• Proven experience with college & university student life programs.
• Skills in judgment and decision-making, problem solving, identifying measures of system performance and the actions to improve performance.
• Ability to work with a diverse set of colleagues, supervisees, administrators, students, faculty, staff, and other parties in reviewing procedures, setting policy, resolving problems, and following through to implement change.
• Ability in problem identification and reasoning.
• Ability to develop original ideas to solve problems.
• Skill to work independently and ability to be inventive and creative, including but not limited to initiating new programs, conceptualizing, organizing, and implementing change.
• Ability to foresee needed change, set realistic goals and objectives, organize resources, and schedule the efforts of others to achieve goals.
• Working knowledge and understanding of student development, leadership development, and community development theory and practice.
• Knowledge of assessment theory, strategies and tools.
• Knowledge, experience and understanding of student conduct philosophy, procedures, and practice.
• Skill and experience in writing, interpreting, implementing and enforcing policy.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to write complex and comprehensive program reports, business reports, marketing copy, correspondence, and other documents.
• The ability to make clear, informative and persuasive presentations to internal and external groups.
• Demonstrated supervisory, leadership, and personnel management skills to effectively hire, manage, and evaluate others.
• Demonstrated experience hiring and supervising student staff.
• Knowledge, appreciation of, and experience working with diverse student, staff, and faculty populations. Skill and temperament to provide an open climate and create opportunities for communication, learning, and sensitivity to individual differences.
• Knowledge and experience monitoring operating budgets.
• Ability to provide leadership in creating and implementing educational, recreational and social activities and programs for students and professional staff.
• Experience creating and implementing effective training models and programs for student and professional staff. (Preferred)
• Ability to deliver educational workshops.
• Knowledge and experience working and advising student organizations including academic, social, and professional clubs and councils.

Background check required.

How to Apply:
An online application is required for each position to apply.The University of California, Merced is aware that some web-based application processes may be cumbersome for differently abled applicants. Where appropriate, alternative accommodations will be provided. For applicants with disabilities who need additional assistance using TAM, or reasonable accommodations during the interview or search process, please contact ucmjobs@ucmerced.edu.

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

Equal Employment Opportunity:
The University of California, Merced is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer advancing inclusive excellence. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, pregnancy, or status as a disabled veteran or Vietnam-era veteran, or other protected categories covered by the UC Nondiscrimination and Affirmative Action Policy. UC Merced intentionally promotes and maintains a discrimination- and harassment-free workplace by demonstrating it neither condones nor tolerates employment practices that discriminate against or harass any person or specific group of persons on the basis listed above. We seek candidates who will support our vision to cultivate a vibrant, equity-minded, inclusive excellence university community. When applying to UC Merced, we strongly encourage you to reflect on our Principles of Community and our 2021 strategic plan.

Vaccination Program Policy:

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Vaccination Program Policy. All Covered Individuals under the policy must provide proof of Full Vaccination or, if applicable, submit a request for Exception (based on Medical Exemption, Disability, and/or Religious Objection) or Deferral (based on pregnancy) no later than the applicable deadline. For new University of California employees, the applicable deadline is 14 days after their first date of employment.

Smoke and Tobacco Free Policy:
The University of California, Merced is a smoke and tobacco free workplace. Information and the Smoke and Tobacco Free policy is available at http://smokefree.ucmerced.edu.

E-Verify:
All employers who receive Federal contracts and grants are required to comply with E-Verify, an Internet-based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA). E-Verify electronically verifies employment eligibility by comparing information provided on the I-9 form to records in the DHS and SSA databases. Certain positions funded by federal contracts/subcontracts requires UC Merced to notify job applicants that an E-Verify check will be conducted and the successful candidate must pass the E-Verify check.

Pay, Benefits & Work Schedule:
For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University of California visit: http://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/

This position is eligible for the UC Merced Employee Referral Program (ERP). If you were referred by a UC Merced employee, please identify that employee by name in your application as follows:

Step 5 of 7 Referrals

How did you hear about the job? (select) "other"

Additional information? (select) "other"

Specific Referral Source? (write in) first and last name of referring employee

Referring employee MUST be named on application for eligibility.