Position Information

Posting Number S00196P
Position Title Assistant Director-Student Support and Advocacy
Department Opportunity Program
Position Status Full-Time
Position Type Regular
Months per Year 12 Months
Work hours
8:30-4:30 and some evening and weekends required.

Start Date (For temporary positions only)
End Date (For temporary positions only)
Position Band/Level 150 = AP29
Pay Range $58,000 - $62,000 commensurate with experience
Will Letters of Recommendation be required from references? No

Ad Text

Job Summary
The Assistant Director of Student Advocacy (AD-SSA) provides vital leadership to the Skidmore College Opportunity Program (OP). The AD-SSA is responsible for the administration of several key aspects of OP, a program designed for economically- and academically-disadvantaged students and a source of student diversity for Skidmore College. The AD-SSA manages high-risk students and general support and advocacy, which fosters the retention and success of students, as well as Goal III of Skidmore's Strategic Plan. The AD-SSA represents the Opportunity Program on two institutional committees: the Student Assessment and Intervention Group (SAIG) and the Committee on Academic Standing. Both of these committees play a critical role in OP's ability to succeed and deliver on our mission. In this role, the AD-SSA takes on responsibility for formulating and implementing new policy for the program. The AD-SSA is also charged with managing and creating a variety of support and advocacy services for program students who may be experiencing educational, emotional, and cultural challenges. The AD-SSA will interact with students, campus, and community collaborators to address these needs, making referrals as appropriate. Students deemed to be at high-risk include those who are returning from Personal and Medical Leaves of Absence, and students with two or more consecutive semesters on probation and/or waiver. The AD-SSA will collaboratively work to develop a plan for success with the student and other campus partners. In this role, the AD-SSA also serves as an advisor to these high-risk OP students and is responsible for closely monitoring them as they are working toward meeting college standards by observing their academic progress, their mental and physical health concerns, and ensuring they have appropriate campus and community supports. The AD-SSA will work closely with students as they navigate course selection, scheduling, and connections to appropriate resources that support their academic success. The AD-SSA is solely responsible for assessing needs of students and implement effective programming to support inclusivity and OP students' academic, social, and emotional well-being. In this role, the AD-SSA will keep accurate records of students' academic profile for reporting purposes. The Assistant Director of Student Support & Advocacy works independently and reports directly to the Director.

NOTE: The Opportunity Program plays a critical role in the academic and strategic mission and goals of the College. The members of our team are very visible on campus as supports to students. Essentially, OP is a mini-college dealing with admissions, financial structures, residential life, academic concerns and advising, teaching and education, faculty support, parental concerns, social and disciplinary issues, alumni relations, and the overall mental health and well-being of program students. We are involved in virtually every aspect of the college experience for OP students: from recruitment to admission, from graduation to alumni engagement. In pursuing the College's commitment to creating pathways to excellence, The Opportunity Program affirms and embodies Goals II (Access) and III (Well-Being) of the Strategic Plan. All of this involves dealing with constituents across the College at all levels, and local, national and even international community partners. This reality creates numerous complexities and challenges for the AD-SSA as a key leader in the office.
Candidates are asked to include a diversity statement or description of how they would engage and sustain Skidmore College's commitment to diversity and inclusion in their application materials.

Minimum Qualifications
Level: Masters Required Type: Mental health and advocacy
Specialty (if any): Psychology, Counseling, Social Work Amount: 4+ years
Skills:
• Experience in advising undergraduate students in a higher education setting required.
• Experience in successfully working with marginalized and underrepresented student populations.
• Proven experience with psychological assessment, intervention, and crisis management required.
• Demonstrated leadership skills preferred.
• Demonstrated experience developing and implementing student programming.
• Proven ability to work effectively and cooperatively with college students, faculty, staff, administration, and parents.
• Demonstrated ability to engage and maintain collaborative relationships with community partners.
• Excellent organizational and writing skills required. Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Should be energetic, creative, self-directed, flexible, attentive to detail, and extremely well-organized and hard working.
• Ability to work effectively in intercultural situations and in dynamic, fast-paced atmosphere in which expectations are high. Must be able to handle multiple and complex responsibilities with grace and a good sense of humor.

Preferred Qualifications
PhD preferred

Physical Demands (For Union Positions Only)
EEO Statement
Skidmore College is committed to being an inclusive campus community and, as an Equal Opportunity Employer, does not discriminate in its hiring or employment practices on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, national or ethnic origin, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, predisposition or carrier status, domestic violence victim status, familial status, dating violence, or stalking, or any other category protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.

Employment at Skidmore College is contingent upon an acceptable background check result.

CREATIVE THOUGHT MATTERS.

Special Instructions to Applicant
To be considered for this position, please fill out an online application and attach the following documents: cover letter, resume, diversity statement, and list of three references to include name, title, company, email address and telephone number of three professional references.

Documents must be attached through the application system. If you encounter difficulty, please contact Human Resources at: careers@skidmore.edu or 518 580.5800.

Posting Information

Posting Date 01/17/2019
Open Until Filled
Closing Date
Quicklink for Posting http://careers.skidmore.edu/postings/2621

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

1. * Where did you first learn about this position?
   • Chronicle of Higher Education
   • Diverse Issues in Higher Education
   • Higher Education Recruitment Consortium (HERC)
   • HigherEdJobs.com
   • Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education
   • Indeed.com
   • Inside Higher Education
   • LinkedIn
   • New York State Department of Labor
   • Saratoga Chamber of Commerce
   • Saratogian
   • Scholarly Hires
   • Skidmore Website
   • Times Union
   • Twitter
   • Career Fair
   • Invited by Department to Apply
   • Professional Conference
   • Professional journal/publication
   • Referred by Skidmore Employee
   • Other
2. * Do you have at least a Master's degree in Mental Health and Advocacy, Psychology, Social Work, or a similar field?
   • Yes
   • No
3. * How many years of experience do you have in this type of position?
   • 0-1
   • 1
   • 2
   • 3
   • 4
   • 5
   • 6
   • 7+

Documents Needed to Apply
Required Documents

1. Cover Letter
2. Resume
3. List of Three References
4. Diversity Statement

Optional Documents

To apply please click here!