POSITION OBJECTIVE
The Assistant Dean reports to the Senior Assistant Dean of Students and will work with the Dean of Students staff to provide management of the care team, case management, crisis management program, basic needs support efforts, and other student-related intervention strategies. The assistant dean of students will provide support to students facing a range of challenges including but not limited to issues related to mental health, substance abuse, regulating behavior, executive functioning, basic needs, and managing conduct in the university community. The assistant dean of students will help plan and provide a variety of interventions, referrals and follow up services, maintain factual case records and provide outreach and education about the resources and services provided by the Office of the Dean of Students and the Division of Student Affairs to the university community. The assistant dean of students also serves in the dean-on-call rotation responding to student issues and emergencies during business hours, as well as nights and weekends.
The assistant dean is integral to the dean of students' office and will work directly with the Senior Assistant dean(s), Associate dean(s), Senior Associate dean(s) and Associate Vice President/ Dean of Students in all facets of the dean of students office. The assistant dean will be deeply committed to creating university infrastructures to enhance the basic needs support and holistic wellness of students and will enhance the welfare of students, recruitment, and retention.
The nature of this role requires participation in a wide range of activities while regularly collaborating with students, faculty, university administration, and graduate and/or professional school staff.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
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Coordinate the university's process for addressing the needs of students who have crisis situations, academic, family, health, basic needs, and other issues through providing referrals, follow-up services and when necessary, withdraw the student from the university. Collaborate with students, staff, and other individuals to determine a student's ability to return to Case Western Reserve University after a withdrawal (for emotional health or physical health) and help establish criteria for their return. Contact parents, guardians, emergency contacts, and staff as needed when students are hospitalized or at risk to the community and/or self. Serve as a primary liaison with local hospitals, and other local and campus emergency agencies (e.g., police department, coroner, etc.). Provide direct service to students (families), faculty and staff seeking guidance around a range of student-related academic, health, behavioral and personal issues. Participate in the dean-on-call rotation about student related matters. (30%)
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Participate on the Behavioral Intervention Team and provide follow-up communication, non clinical case management and documentation. Coordinate and conduct outreach, education and training for campus community about the Behavioral Intervention Team and Care Management. Manage student related issues that come before the Behavioral Intervention Team and handle subsequent follow-up, tracking and documentation in the Symplicity Advocate System. Enact comprehensive approaches (e.g., emergency protocols, crisis management, policies/procedures, programs and services) to address the needs of students in distress or experiencing insecurities. Create and deliver presentations to students and parents during new student orientation/ discover week regarding the work they do with students and the many resources available for students. (20%)
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Coordinate day-to-day activities and operational tasks of the Case Western Reserve University Community Pantry, including but not limited to, inventory, ordering, temperature logs, deliveries, pick-ups, drop offs of perishable and non-perishable items. Work with the senior assistant dean to enhance intentional partnership with Case Western Reserve University stakeholders while maintaining strong partnerships, and memorandums of understanding, with the Greater Cleveland Food Bank, Goods Bank, Swipe Out Hunger, Ohio Campus Compact, and other future partnerships. Continually assess the campus environment through formal and informal contact/discussion, surveys, focus groups, and other forms of valuable data collection to identify and address student needs. Serve as a Student Emergency Fund Committee member and ensure that the Student Emergency Fund request decision process is based in case-by-case review and equitable distribution of approved funds. (20%)
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Collaborate With University Health and Counseling Services, Undergraduate Advising Support, Disability Resources, Residence Life, Greek Life, and other university partners to manage the care management process for student cases that come to the Dean of Students office. Work with students who are struggling with navigating the resources and support on campus, in an effort to improve the coordination of care and the retention of students. Provide non-clinical case management for students (and their families), faculty and staff seeking guidance around a range of critical and complex student-related issues (i.e., academic, mental/ medical health, behavioral and personal) as part of the daily and after-hours emergency dean-on-call rotation. (15%)
NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
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Serve as a member of the Alcohol Use Policy and Alcohol Use Report review committee. Implement and uphold the standards to the policy and alcohol use report submission process. Liaise with risk managers, Procurement, General Counsel, and the Office of Compliance to ensure that alcohol use reports are submitted, reviewed, and receive decision notifications in a timely manner, per the university policy. (5%)
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Serve as needed as the chair of the university hearing boards (i.e., conduct, academic, sexual misconduct), administrative hearings and ensure that student conduct processes are in compliance with standards of due process, FERPA and The Clery Act, as outlined in the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008. Regularly consult with legal counsel. (2%)
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Manage discover week/orientation presentations, information guides for families of incoming first-year and transfer students, and other written communication related to students. (2%)
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Represent the Student Affairs office and division at functions: open houses, tabling, student activity fairs, etc. (2%)
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Act on behalf of the senior assistant dean of students and dean of students staff in their absence. (2%)
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Perform other duties as assigned. (2%)
CONTACTS
Department: Daily contact with the university office of Student Affairs to discuss with all members of the department about students who may be struggling academically, mentally, physically or with personal issues.
University: Contact with Student Affairs, Graduate Studies/ professional schools, VISA Office, International Student Resources and Engagement, Undergraduate Advising Support, University Health and Counseling Services, Residence Life/Housing, Greek Life, Human Resources, Office of Equity, Office of Campus Enrichment and Engagement, Public Safety and Security and other university offices. Gather information about students from the professionals in these departments who know of students of concern that may be struggling academically, mentally, physically, with personal issues, or basic needs to coordinate efforts and discuss action plans for students who are on the Behavioral Intervention Team or students who are presented at the threat assessment behavioral intervention team. Investigate issues related to discrimination and representation, when necessary.
External: Provide frequent contact with parents, guardians, family members, emergency contacts of students, and community constituents when and where appropriate to notify the appropriate parties when a student withdraws through the emergency withdrawal and return to campus policy, or to notify when a student is hospitalized or missing.
Students: Daily contact with undergraduate students to coordinate actions and communication. Contact graduate/professional students when necessary. Regular contact and interaction with students on troubleshooting issues. Support students through academic, personal concerns, roommate conflict, and mediation with faculty, staff, or students. Help students get connected with internal and external resources.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY
None
QUALIFICATIONS
Experience: 3 or more years of progressive responsibility in higher education, preferably working in a position with direct student relations, case management, behavioral intervention experience and basic needs initiatives.
Education: Master's degree in Student Personnel Administration, Counseling, Psychology, Social Work, or related field required.
REQUIRED SKILLS
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Must have familiarity with academic, personal, basic needs, and health/emotional needs of university students.
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Excellent organizational, group facilitation, interpersonal communication and conflict resolution skills are required.
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Strong project management skills with the demonstrated ability to coordinate, manage, implement and evaluate multiple projects over varied timelines.
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Strong computer skills including MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint), Symplicity Advocate, Google Suite platforms, as well as relational database experience.
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Commitment to working with all in support of the Case Western Reserve University community and must be creative and proactive and self-starter.
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Must be able to handle difficult situations and confidential information with sensitivity and professionalism.
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Must be familiar with Title IX and if not already trained, receive Title IX/Equity training.
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Experience implementing student conduct interventions and hearings and awareness of legal issues in higher education.
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Excellent attention to detail and high standards for quality of work.
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Experience working with Symplicity Advocate or similar system.
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Ability to demonstrate successful support, education, and advocacy for all students, aligned with the values, mission, and messaging of the university, while adhering to the staff policy on conflict of commitment and interest.
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Ability to meet consistent attendance.
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Ability to effectively interact with colleagues, supervisors and customers face to face.
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Transformational Leadership Skills including an awareness of team dynamics and functioning.
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Willingness to learn and work with Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools and technologies.
WORKING CONDITIONS
General office setting. Must be available to work evenings and weekends as needed. Ability to lift 10 to 20 lbs.
