Director of Student Support and Advocacy

Position Title:

Director of Student Support and Advocacy

Department/School:

Student Affairs

Salary/Pay Rate:

$75,000 - $85,000

Job Summary:

Marist's Division of Student Affairs invites applications for the position of Director of Student Support and Advocacy. Reporting to the Dean of Students, this position is responsible for providing individualized, non-clinical case management for students in distress and/or navigating significant barriers to success. The Director serves as a central point of contact for students, families, and community members and collaborates with campus partners to establish student support networks both on and off campus using a coordinated, multi-disciplinary approach. The Director serves on and supports the cross-campus behavioral intervention team. The Director is responsible for engaging directly with students to build problem-solving skills and for providing comprehensive assistance to students experiencing a wide range of concerns, which include but are not limited to medical emergencies, mental health and well-being concerns, safety, personal/family crisis, unexpected events or challenges, interpersonal conflicts, belonging and adjustment to campus life, and basic needs insecurity (i.e., housing, food, etc.). The Director leads campus-wide training and prevention efforts to foster a culture of care and empowers students by promoting personal development. The ideal candidate will have demonstrated success in working in a collaborative environment to support students holistically across the many dimensions of well-being. This position supports the strategic and operational goals of the division as a member of the Student Affairs Leadership Team.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master's degree in higher education, social work, counseling, public health, or a related field.
• A minimum of five (5) years of professional experience in higher education, social work, or related field.

Essential Functions:

• Serve as a resource to students, families, and staff/faculty to assist students in distress and/or crisis by directly addressing student needs, navigating campus systems, and facilitating access to services both on and off campus using a coordinated, holistic approach. Provide culturally- and identity-responsive and trauma-informed support.
• Assist in the management of student matters that involve psycho-social challenges and/or behavioral/safety concerns, examining underlying factors, serving as a mediator in student conflicts, and implementing behavioral interventions, risk assessments, and other systems such as brief motivational interviewing. Assist in the response to critical campus incidents that impact students.
• Serve as a member of the Behavioral Intervention Team and coordinate the management of referrals, interventions, follow up support, and record-keeping in Maxient software.
• Develop and implement campus-wide prevention, education, and training efforts, offer consultation and outreach to faculty/staff as requested, and develop and maintain comprehensive resources.
• Assist students in transition to and from the university by maintaining contact and supporting returns from medical leaves, suspensions, and withdrawals with a goal of increased retention and facilitation of a successful return to the campus environment. Provide coordinated outreach to students following hospitalizations.
• Analyze and maintain data, prepare reports, and develop and facilitate assessment instruments.
• Assist with Student Affairs initiatives and programs and serve on campus-wide committees.
• Other duties as assigned.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with various on and off campus stakeholders
• Experience in crisis intervention.
• Understanding of best practices of case management and student advocacy in a higher education setting.
• Experience providing trauma-informed and culturally-responsive services and commitment to equity and inclusion.
• Familiarity with higher education legal issues, including Clery, FERPA, HIPAA, and Title IX.
• Experience working with Behavioral Intervention/Care Teams.
• Familiarity with the Maxient system.
• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal skills with the ability to navigate sensitive and complex situations.

Required Application Documents:

Resume, Cover Letter, & Contact Information of 3 Professional References

Benefits:

The position includes a comprehensive benefit package*. Benefits for this position include but are not limited to the following:

• 3 weeks of paid vacation. 4 weeks of paid vacation beginning in the 6th year of employment.
• Unlimited paid sick time.
• 14+ paid holidays per year.
• Medical, Dental & Vision insurance programs at a 15% employee / 85% employer contribution rate. Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Dependent Care (FSD).
• Life insurance.
• Generous short-term and long-term disability programs and workers compensation.
• 403(b) defined contribution plan:
  
  
  
  • First 6 years University contributes 7.5%, Employee contributes a mandatory 4%.
  • University contribution increases to 10.5% in year 7, and 12% after 15 years.
  • Employee contribution decreases to 1% in year 7. Remains 1% thereafter.
  • Typical eligibility requirements: 1 year of service and 1,000 hours with Marist University.
  
  
  
  
• 403(b) Tax Deferred Annuity - Roth option available. Voluntary, up to IRS maximum contribution.
• Tuition Benefits:
  
  
  
  • Up to 16 undergraduate credits per semester. Up to 18 graduate credit per academic calendar. Eligibility extends to employee, spouse, and dependent children under age 26.
  • University pays 100% tuition only.
  • Eligible dependents may be Reimbursed up to $2,000 per semester towards tuition at another accredited institution.
  
  
  
  

*Eligibility requirements including waiting periods and/or employee probationary periods may apply at the discretion of the University.

About Marist University:

Founded in 1929, Marist is a comprehensive, independent four-year institution whose signature educational approach blends the liberal arts with pre-professional studies and emphasizes experiential learning to enrich classroom instruction. With campuses in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., and Florence, Italy, plus over 70 programs offering a variety of international study, Marist is a portal to the world and is devoted to nurturing a welcoming, inclusive community. Through six schools offering almost 50 majors, Marist cultivates the intellectual growth and well-being of its more than 6,000 undergraduate and graduate students and encourages them to color outside traditional academic lines as they pursue coursework and personal experiences that provide valuable occupational expertise and reflect their individual passions. Marist has been acclaimed a top institution in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, the Wall Street Journal/College Pulse, Princeton Review, and others. To learn more, please visit https://www.marist.edu/about

Type of Position:

Full-time

Classification:

Administrative (Exempt)

Months per Year:

12

Work Schedule:

Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Hours per Week:

37.5

Location:

Marist University Main Campus

Number of Position Openings:

1

Equal Employment Statement:

Marist University is committed to creating a diverse workforce on our campus by ensuring that barriers to equal employment opportunity and upward mobility do not exist here. To this end, the University will strive to achieve the full and fair participation of minorities, women, people with disabilities, and any other protected groups found to be under represented.

Equal opportunity means employment, development, and promotion of individuals without consideration of race, color, disability, religion, age, sex, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, or veteran status unless there is a bona fide occupational requirement which excludes persons in one of these protected groups. The University will review its employment policies and procedures to ensure that barriers which may unnecessarily exclude protected groups are identified and eliminated. The University will also explore alternative approaches if any policy or practice is found to have a negative impact on protected groups.

Marist's policy of non-discrimination includes not only employment practices but also extends to all services and programs provided by the University. It shall be considered a violation of University policy for any member of the community to discriminate against any individual or group with respect to employment or attendance at Marist University on the basis of race, color, disability, religion, age, sex, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other condition established by law.