Why Policy? For a better world. Why Harris Public Policy? Because when it comes to better policymaking, evidence matters. We work at the frontiers of data collection and analysis, using the latest technology and social science methods to design policies that work for society. We conduct rigorous inquiry in an environment of innovation and risk taking. We collaborate across the private, public, and nonprofit sectors, adopting new methodologies to drive better solutions. We engage with our city, our world, and our leaders every day to evaluate and test our ideas. And we lead with our passion for driving social change, knowing that passion alone does not equal impact.
Job Summary
The Harris School's Office of Student Engagement and Belonging is rooted in the Chicago Principles with purposeful engagement, programming, and support to create an environment that fosters belonging for students at the Harris School. Our goal is to help students find community, engage in policy praxis, experience positive mentoring relationships, and establish policy networks. Our collaborative programming will provide graduate students with academic community and professional development opportunities critical to their success at Harris and beyond.
The Office of Student Engagement and Belonging is looking for an experienced, creative, and self-driven individual who will initiate, implement, and independently manage the student-facing portfolio of student engagement and belonging programs and initiatives. This person will also participate in a variety of student affairs activities including orientation and onboarding programs for incoming students. An ideal candidate must be comfortable with public speaking, have strong facilitation skills, and excellent project management skills. Acts as the primary point of contact for student inquiries. The job uses specialized knowledge and breadth of expertise to improve program/functions within the unit with limited supervision.
Individual must be genuinely passionate about fostering an inclusive student engagement experience that leads to student belonging. Creates and sets clear priorities from a broad range of potential initiatives. This position reports to the Associate Dean of Student Engagement and Belonging.
Responsibilities
Manage existing student programs and create new opportunities for student engagement.
Collaborates in the facilitation of the CP3 (Chicago Principles, Policies and Perspectives civil discourse training and programming series.
Coordinates with relevant campus offices and boards, including the Center for Leadership and Involvement, UChicago Grad, the Institute of Politics, Health Promotional and Wellness and others to collaborate on services and events for Harris students and connect Harris students to campus resources related to student life programming.
Create content related to Student Engagement and Belonging for the Harris website and coordinate closely with Marketing and Communications to ensure coverage of Harris Student Engagement, Diversity and Belonging initiatives.
Create and facilitate events for students as needed, especially in response to world events that impact students in our community.
Serve as an advisor to designated Harris Student Organizations (HSOs)and consult with all other student organizations as needed to promote belonging.
Oversees all financial transactions of designated student organizations and the financial stewardship of student leadership, including processing expenditures and basic budget accounting.
Facilitate orientation programming.
Help develop Harris' civil discourse, belonging and identity training series.
Help assess current portfolio of programs/initiatives and develop metrics for measuring success.
Manages and supervise at least one graduate assistant to support programming efforts and one graduate assistant to support communications efforts.
Serve as a resource to all students on diversity and belonging matters.
Uses in-depth knowledge and experience to recommend concepts for programming to leaders of various organizations and programs.
Markets student activities programming throughout the year. Develops and implements protocols for evaluating the effectiveness of programs.
Performs other related work as needed.
Minimum Qualifications
Education:
Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
Work Experience:
Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
Certifications:
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Preferred Qualifications:
Education:
Master's degree.
Degree in higher education, student life, public policy, or similar field helpful.
Experience:
Five - seven years of relevant experience in a university environment working directly with students.
Experience advising student groups.
Experience with diversity and belonging programming and initiatives.
Experience with civil discourse training.
Experience working with international students.
Experience with student organizations and event planning.
Familiarity with higher education environment and knowledge of the University of Chicago's unique culture.
Experience in successfully providing direction, setting priorities, identifying opportunities for improvement, and implementing initiatives for change.
Excellent project management, analytical and organizational skills.
Preferred Competencies
Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information.
Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook and other common software programs.
Willingness to work evenings on occasion.
Must be able to enthusiastically support the initiatives of the school, while being able to maintain a calm and courteous demeanor and to work productively despite a heavy workload.
Must be able to problem-solve and follow an issue through to resolution.
Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to handle all constituents with courtesy, maturity, discretion, and diplomacy.
Must be able to collaborate and work with other colleagues, particularly faculty and staff supporting Admissions and Student Affairs/Programs.
Proven ability to set and maintain standards for a high volume of productivity in a fast-paced environment.
Must possess a high degree of accuracy with attention to detail and the ability to effectively prioritize multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Professional demeanor, including tact, discretion, and a customer-service oriented approach to the job.
Ability to quickly garner credibility with students.
Ability to problem solve with minimal supervision, exercise good judgment, prioritize, and work under pressure during high volume times.
Demonstrated ability to review and prioritize work in order to take appropriate actions without advanced approval, ensuring close attention to detail.
Excellent project management skills.
Application Documents
Resume (required)
Cover letter (required)
List of References (required)
When applying, the document(s) MUSTbe uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.
Job Family
Student Affairs & Services
Role Impact
Individual Contributor
Scheduled Weekly Hours
37.5
Drug Test Required
No
Health Screen Required
No
Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
No
Pay Rate Type
Salary
FLSA Status
Exempt
Pay Range
$64,600.00 - $83,600.00 The included pay rate or range represents the University's good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.
Benefits Eligible
Yes The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.
Posting Statement
The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.
Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.
We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.
All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.
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