Dean of Students

Description

GRADE: 19                                                 FLSA: EXEMPT

Union:  Non-Bargaining Unit

BASIC FUNCTION

Serve as the Chief Student Affairs Officer. Provide direct leadership, oversight, and coordination of all programs, services, and activities related to student affairs, including but not limited to housing operations, residence life, student activities, student government, public safety, and health and wellness. Work collaboratively with the VP of Student Success and Assistant Vice Presidents in Student Success to achieve Vermont State University student success goals.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Create, edit, and implement policies and procedures related to student success across functional areas of student affairs.
• Develop and modify services and programs in accordance with institutional objectives and student needs. Identify, design, implement, assess, and continually improve data-informed student success initiatives and processes that are accessible, inclusive, and equitable.
• Develop, implement, and continually improve innovative and creative approaches to residence life in alignment with the design of a hybrid university while maximizing revenue and minimizing expenses.
• Develop, manage, and maintain budgets for all functional areas.
• Oversee programs and communications that address health and safety issues for students.
• In collaboration with university leaders, oversee co-curricular aspects of the new student experience for all incoming students including online orientation, in-person orientation events, first-year programming, and the like.
• Exercise full supervisory authority over functional area program directors and managers.
• Plan and conduct training programs for staff and hold regular staff meetings with functional area team.
• Confer regularly with staff to collaboratively plan and coordinate activities, assign and review work.
• Assist with difficult or unusual tasks, resolve problems, and provide other needed support, including with students, staff, families, and external stakeholders.
• Conduct regular performance evaluations to ensure continuous improvement and identify opportunities for growth among functional area staff.
• Promote a positive and inclusive work environment that supports the professional growth of staff while championing a commitment to service excellence and student success.
• Facilitate collaboration and partnership between all support areas across the University to holistically support students and achieve the university mission and vision (i.e. advising, career services, international student services, academic support services, disability services, financial aid/billing, housing, wellness, athletics, camps and conferences, etc.).
• Demonstrate inclusivity and provide excellent customer service in all modalities, including in-person, telephone, e-mail, video call, live chat, texting, and the like.
• Serve as or designate the Responsible Campus Authority for Title IX and related incidents, including determining consequences when students are found in violation of VSC policy.
• Responsible for understanding, explaining, and training staff and students on university policies and procedures as well as supporting university-wide communication campaigns related to maintaining an educational environment free from all forms of discrimination.
• Lead and oversee communications with faculty, staff, students, and families or other student supporters about student affairs programs and services.
• Develop and maintain relationships with internal and external partners while representing the University.
• Keep abreast of current developments in the field. Participate in various regional and national professional groups and organizations. Participate in professional development.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

 SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Direct supervision is received by the Vice President of Student Success.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY 

Supervision of all functional areas in student affairs, including but not limited to, associate deans, directors, and associate directors in residential life, housing operations, public safety, health & wellness, conduct, student activities, and student government.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Master’s degree in appropriate discipline plus seven or more years of relevant progressive experience in student affairs, or a combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge and skills are acquired.

Valid driver’s license and willingness to obtain a VSC fleet license.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Master’s degree in appropriate discipline with ten or more years relevant progressive experience.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES

Knowledge:

• Understanding of the educational goals and objectives of Vermont State University including attention to accessibility and diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Understanding of the psychological and cultural characteristics of economically and educationally disadvantaged students, particularly in a rural setting.
• Awareness of developmental, holistic, and proactive approaches to student success.
• Experience with developing budgets and running high level operations.
• Experience making data-informed decisions.

Skills:

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Able to meet students where they are and ensure they feel listened to and assist them to navigate challenges and concerns as they come up.
• Strong organizational, supervisory, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience with (or ability to learn) technologies such as Aviso, Colleague, Self-Service, Slate, Microsoft products, and Perceptive Content.
• Proven record of accountability and follow-through with the ability to meet deadlines.
• Experience with leading, managing, and embracing change in various ways – programmatically, organizationally, and with students and staff.

Abilities:

• Demonstrated ability to positively influence student skill development, such as communication skills, leadership skills, academic skills, technical skills, non-cognitive or ‘soft’ skills, and social skills.
• Demonstrated ability to foster student development in the attainment of student success goals, such as academic purpose, sense of belonging/identity, agency, career readiness, civic readiness, access & equity.
• Demonstrated positive attitude regarding Vermont State University and a desire to improve student outcomes, including attention to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Demonstrated ability to support a diverse community and promote diverse perspectives and cultures in an inclusive environment.
• Ability to work effectively with a wide range of individuals within the University and capacity to work as part of a team to collaborate and choose student success.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with college personnel as well as families/guardians and external resources in carrying out the various coordination, liaison, and advocacy aspects of the job.
• Ability to work weekends and evenings to provide student and staff support outside of normal business hours.

Location: Any of the five Vermont State campuses with likely travel to other campuses.

VTSU values individual differences that can be engaged in the service of learning.  Diverse experiences from people of varied backgrounds inform and enrich our community.  VTSU strongly encourages applications from historically marginalized and underrepresented populations.  VTSU is an equal opportunity employer, in compliance with ADA requirements, and will make reasonable accommodations for the known disability of an otherwise qualified applicant.  Please contact Sarah Potter for assistance with accommodations at Sarah.Potter@vsc.edu

This general outline illustrates the type of work which characterizes the job classification. It is not an all-encompassing statement of the specific duties, responsibilities and qualifications of individual positions assigned to the classification.