The Office of Student Life is focused on building a strong foundation to ensure every student's Indiana University experience is positive, safe, healthy, and meaningful. The Office of Student Life staff and multiple departments aim to help students navigate their time at IU, providing the tools they need to be successful in school and after graduation. Students are our priority, and their health, safety, and overall well-being are our core mission.
The Student Advocates Offices (SAO) is proud to be a department within the Office of Student Life, committed to promoting learning and respect by integrating diversity, equity and inclusion in all programs, interactions, and partnerships. We commit to creating and maintaining an inclusive environment where all people are respected, valued, and affirmed so that they may know they matter and belong at Indiana University.
Job Summary
The Director will work closely with Assistant Dean for Care and Advocacy to ensure that university processes and policies are followed regarding grade change appeals, financial aid appeals, student conduct issues and rights and responsibilities while providing support and care to students bringing forth complaints and concerns.
Department-Specific Responsibilities
Oversees the daily case management and support of students experiencing administrative, academic, or conduct issue obstacles at Indiana University Bloomington.
Responsible for directing the daily work of three full-time employees, two to four part time student staff/interns and the volunteer management of an average of twenty-five retired staff and faculty advocate volunteers.
Provides direct supervision, support, and guidance to SAO Associate Director and Assistant Director; Oversees weekly case management of Associate and Assistant Director for student concerns regarding Indiana University Bloomington policies and process regarding academic, administrative, conduct issues; Provides support and guidance to all full-time/part-time staff, student employees, as needed.
Tracks case resolutions, as needed; Reviews final documentation packet for all Grade Change Requests (GCR) including medical documentation review; Addresses institutional issues that may be impacting populations of students and legally mandated guidelines. Develops standards, procedures for sound systemic processes of cases to ensure high impact practice and effective communication.
Serves the Dean of Students On-Call Response Team throughout the year and is SAO liaison to the Care Team, attending weekly meetings; works closely with the Assistant Dean of Students, Care and Advocacy to ensure that university processes and policies are followed while providing support and care to students of concern.
Regularly recruits and trains new advocates; supports, evaluates current retiree advocates.
Coordinates large SAO events and programs, such as Student Advocates Office Fall Orientation, End of Year Celebration and attends semester Conduct and Academic Advocate team meetings, trainings as available and/or needed.
Works with IU Student Government (IUSG) to develop and train their Student Rights and Responsibilities student advocates.
Develops collaborative working relationships and partnerships with academic departments and other student service areas to facilitate easier resolution of problems and concerns that arise.
Provides presentations and public speaking, as needed. Maintains strong network, collaborations with assigned campus and community contacts, including but not limited to, IU Office of Student Conduct, Office of Institutional Equity, Office of Student Life. Participates in short and long-term planning to assess best practices.
Participates in and/or attends job-related trainings, professional development, or meetings, including but not limited to: Diversity/Inclusion training; FERPA; Maxient; IU Legal Compliance for Managers; Data Protection and Privacy; Title IX; Campus Security Authority; Sexual Misconduct Policies, Processes, and Resources; HR Performance at IU, Mental Health First Aid (MHFA), QPR Suicide Prevention Training, ETC.
Oversees record management within the department using the computer systems, Ex. Maxient. Provides quarterly data narrative to OSL; Ensures that SAO website and other marketing materials are kept current. Represents SAO by serving Office of Student Life Leadership Team and other campus wide committees, as needed and if available. Provides coverage when needed in SAO or OSL campus emergencies. Other duties as assigned.
General Responsibilities
Provides highest level of operational leadership and coordination of assigned staff members to define student support methodologies and standards; provides direction and guidance on high priority student support projects/initiatives.
Establishes short-term business plans and long-term operational objectives, including managing project timelines/deliverables and developing resource plans for multi-project/multi-phase student support initiatives.
Conducts a variety of personnel actions to include, but not limited to hiring, promotion, performance management, and dismissal.
Manages high level assignments and allocation of student support resources, including negotiating and coordinating initiatives that involve staff in other departments/areas/teams; may coordinate large-scale student support projects with a wide audiences in support of academic initiatives.
Makes budgetary recommendations/proposals based on resource needs and ensures cost containment.
Researches and stays up-to-date on new industry student support standards, technologies, policies, and procedures; responsible for the implementation of new protocols/procedures to address business needs.
Works collaboratively with other student support leaders across departments in recommending standards, best practices, and related policies/procedures.
Prepares management reports and summaries for senior administration, executive, steering and advisory committees; acts as advisor to executive committees; serves on various university committees, communities of practice, and task forces related to student support.
Qualifications
Combinations of related education and experience may be considered. Education beyond the minimum required may be substituted for work experience. Work experience beyond the minimum required may be substituted for education.
EDUCATION
Required
Bachelor's degree in social work, law, or related field
Preferred
Master's degree in higher education, social work, counseling or related field
WORK EXPERIENCE
Required
4 years in student support, higher education student affairs, or related field
1 year of management experience in relevant field
Preferred
5 years of professional experience in higher education or comparable setting
Indiana University experience
Experience with full time staff supervision and fiscal management
SKILLS
Required
Proficient in English written and verbal communication skills
Maintains a high degree of professionalism
Demonstrated time management and priority setting skills
Demonstrates a high commitment to quality
Excellent organizational skills
Excellent collaboration and team building skills
Effectively coaches and delivers constructive feedback
Instills commitment to organizational goals
Demonstrates excellent judgment and decision making skills
Effective conflict management skills
Builds and manages effective teams
Demonstrated ability to maintain confidential information
Demonstrated customer service skills
Knowledge of student development, counseling, or career development theories and practices
Knowledge of current needs and trends of diverse student populations
Ability to develop accurate reports, correspondence and prepare and deliver presentations
Commitment to working with people from diverse backgrounds and demonstrated cultural competency
Ability to build strong partnerships with students and other university departments
Preferred
Strong written and oral communication skills, excellent diplomacy skills, and experience managing complex student issues including crisis intervention, de-escalation of conflict and threat assessment
Well-organized, able to think clearly, competently handle multiple simultaneous cases and issues, and solve multi-faceted and sensitive problems in a fast-paced environment
Excellent communication and multi-tasking skills, attention to detail, and ability to work independently, be aware of confidentiality/privacy protocols and to work with a diverse population of people and identities, including retiree populations, in a knowledgeable, respectful, and pleasant manner
Ability to listen non-judgmentally and with compassionate care as this position and office team assists students experiencing medical and mental health concerns, while navigating academic, administrative, conduct obstacles
Ability to make independent decisions based on office and university policies regarding client service and IU policies, with overview as needed by Assistant Dean of Students, Care and Advocacy
Ability to use standard office equipment including a computer and applicable computer programs
Working Conditions / Demands
This role requires the ability to effectively communicate and to operate a computer and other standard office productivity equipment. The position involves sedentary work as well as periods of time moving around an office environment and the campus. The person in this role must be able to perform the essential functions with or without an accommodation.
Additional Information
To learn more about Bloomington, Indiana, click here.
Work Location
Bloomington, Indiana.
This is an in-person position.
Advertised Salary
$80,000-$85,000 annually based on education and experience.
Benefits Overview
For full-time staff employees, Indiana University offers a wide array of benefits including:
Multiple plan options for medical insurance
Dental insurance
Health Savings Account with generous IU contribution
Life insurance, LTD, and AD&D options
Base retirement plan contribution from IU, subject to vesting
Additional supplemental retirement plan options
Tuition benefit for IU classes
10 paid holidays per year
Generous Paid Time Off
Paid Parental Leave
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Learn more about our benefits by reviewing our online Benefits Brochure.
Job Classification
Career Level: Sr. Operational
FLSA: Exempt
Job Function: Student Services
Job Family: Student Support Click here to learn more about Indiana University's Job Framework.
Posting Disclaimer
This posting is scheduled to close at 11:59 pm EST on the advertised Close Date. This posting may be closed at any time at the discretion of the University, but will remain open for a minimum of 5 business days. To guarantee full consideration, please submit your application within 5 business days of the Posted Date.
If you wish to include a cover letter, you may include it with your resume when uploading attachments.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Indiana University is an equal employment and affirmative action employer and a provider of ADA services. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment based on individual qualifications. Indiana University prohibits discrimination based on age, ethnicity, color, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, disability status or protected veteran status. Indiana University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its educational programs and activities, including employment and admission, as required by Title IX. Questions or complaints regarding Title IX may be referred to the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights or the university Title IX Coordinator. See Indiana University's Notice of Non-Discrimination here which includes contact information.
Campus Safety and Security
The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report, containing policy statements, crime and fire statistics for all Indiana University campuses, is available online. You may also request a physical copy by emailing IU Public Safety at iups@iu.edu or by visiting IUPD.