Assistant Director for Student Support

Department: UL

Classification: Professional 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 in the low $60k's; commensurate with education and experience

Restricted: Yes

Criminal Background Check: Yes

About the Department:

The Student Support and Advocacy Center (SSAC) is committed to providing an empowering environment for all George 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 reports to the Director of the Student Support and Advocacy Center (SSAC). The Assistant Director provides non-clinical case management services to students encountering barriers to personal success, which includes managing referrals, identifying concerning behavior, conducting student meetings, helping with resource navigation, developing supportive action plans, facilitating referrals to campus and community partners, and fostering a culture of care.

The Assistant Director addresses all students in distress cases with a particular focus on increasing retention, persistence, and degree completion of students with the greatest need and risk of discontinuing their education. To this end, one of the main responsibilities of this position is to guide students through the Single Stop platform and help them engage with identified local, state, and federal resources. The Assistant Director also develops and implements outreach and education efforts to raise awareness about and increase student usage of SSAC services. The Assistant Director serves as a dedicated professional focused on supporting the holistic development of students while ensuring the well-being and safety of the university community.

Grant funding for the position is anticipated for three (3) years with the potential for future extension. 

Responsibilities:

Student in Distress Case Management 

• Provides individualized support to students in distress by implementing developmentally appropriate interventions, coordinating resources and services, and monitoring follow-up and progress of cases;
• Collaborates with other university departments and community agencies in assisting students in distress;
• Provides support and guidance to offices in matters pertaining to case management and consults with Associate Director and other SSAC leadership, as needed;
• Serves as the primary point of contact for students utilizing Single Stop and helps reduce barriers to access by assisting them with connection to and application for local, state, and federal resources identified in the platform;
• Provides proactive case management to student subpopulations, which might include low-income and Pell-eligible students, Student Transition Empowerment Program (STEP) participants, Early Identification Program (EIP) alumni, first generation students, ADVANCE students, and students who were formally in the foster care system; and
• Enters timely notes and documentation within a case management software and ensures that student records are maintained in accordance with university policies and applicable laws.

Case Management Synergistic Collaboration

• Serves as a member of the University CARE Team, aiding in collaborative support of students in distress and identification of pertinent support mechanisms;
• Serves as an SSAC liaison to key campus departments to ensure clear and timely inter-unit communication to streamline and improve student services; and
• Participates in committees to represent SSAC on matters related to students in distress and Single Stop, ensuring the Center’s interests are represented and addressed as necessary.

Prevention and Community Education

• Develops and implements community education, marketing, and outreach about SSAC services with the goal of enhancing visibility and accessibility, increasing student usage of services, and expanding support services at the university; and
• Maintains positive relationships with campus and community partners, who are invested in supporting George Mason students, via regular communication, collaboration on programs, meeting attendance, or engagement in joint initiatives.

Other Responsibilities 

• Analyzes trends and outcomes related to student in distress cases and Single Stop, providing recommendations for continuous improvement of services; and
• Supports the Director and SSAC leadership with assessment efforts, strategic planning, and special projects focused on students in distress and Single Stop, helping to ensure efficient and effective service.

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in related field or equivalent combination of education and experience; 
• Demonstrated full-time work experience in direct service to individuals facing life challenges;
• Skilled in working in a high-paced environment with frequent interruptions;
• Demonstrated problem-solving and analytical skills;
• Demonstrated interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills;
• Ability to maintain confidential information;
• Ability to be accurate in the performance of duties and to pay attention to detail;
• Ability to build and maintain successful collaborative relationships in a diverse campus community; and
• Ability to operate various software programs, including data management platforms and Microsoft Office products.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Full-time work experience in a university setting within student affairs managing student in distress cases and related issues;
• Experience working with a behavioral intervention or CARE team;
• Experience developing and delivering educational programs, prevention efforts, trainings, and community outreach efforts;
• Work or volunteer experience with basic needs insecurity;
• Knowledge about local, state, and federal basic needs programs and services;
• Knowledge of current national research and trends about college student basic needs insecurity, underserved student populations, and mental health;
• Knowledge of mental health safety planning and ability to manage cases with risk of harm to self or others;
• Knowledge about the development and delivery of education programs, prevention efforts, and trainings;
• Ability to effectively serve a diverse population of students facing a spectrum of life challenges; and
• Ability to effectively engage with committees, coalitions, and community agencies.

This position is not eligible for international visa sponsorship

Instructions to Applicants: 

For full consideration, applicants must apply for Assistant Director for Student Support at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a Cover Letter/Letter of Intent with Resume for review.

Posting Open Date: April 7, 2025

For Full Consideration, Apply by:  April 21, 2025

Open Until Filled:  Yes