Assistant Dean for Expressive Activity Support and Engagement

University of Texas at Austin

13d•$140,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Assistant Dean is responsible for safeguarding the expressive rights of students, faculty, and staff while ensuring compliance with institutional policy and applicable law. The position requires exceptional skills in proactive monitoring, crisis response, and stakeholder collaboration. This is a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of law, public safety, and student engagement, making a meaningful impact on the campus.

Requirements

BA in relevant field.
Direct experience working in a high stress environment with proven record of exercising good judgement, having strong written and verbal communication skills, and demonstrated fidelity to upholding institutional policies and procedures.
Experience with expressive activity protocols and assessment, experience working with law enforcement, experience with campus safety and student demonstrations, experience working with free speech and expressive activities as protected under the First Amendment or other comparable relevant experience.
Ability to work non-standard hours and handle complex sensitive issues.
May work more than 40 hours a week, as needed.

Nice To Haves

Juris Doctorate or other graduate or professional degree in related field.
Experience in higher education, law enforcement administration, legal profession, campus safety leadership, or related emergency response roles.

Responsibilities

Strategic Planning and Policy Develop and implement strategies to uphold expressive rights while ensuring compliance with institutional policy and state law.
Lead readiness planning and manage all aspects of creating an environment that is supportive of expressive rights for protests, demonstrations, and relevant events that are within the bounds of the law and University policy.
Develop, test and update detailed management plans.
Work closely with Vice President of Legal Affairs to implement chapter 13 policies from a neutral point of view.
Monitor and report on emerging and ongoing issues in higher education, both locally and nationally.
Work with Vice President for Legal Affairs to proactively monitor for potential situations that may violate policy or create harm.
Event and Incident Management Coordinate with campus partners to anticipate potential activities or issues.
Serve as the primary liaison between university leadership, campus law enforcement, and legal counsel during incidents.
Conduct after action reviews, identify gaps, and produce post-event reports with recommended improvements to training, policies and procedures.
Use findings to refine readiness and management plans.
Student Support Oversee training and guidance to campus (students, staff and faculty) on contours of Chapter 13, de-escalation techniques, and protest management.
Communicates and meets with student organizations with planned expressive activity.
Serves as a resource navigating Chapter 13 at the institution.
Responsible for the candidate selection, training and guidance for the Demonstration Team on Chapter 13, de-escalation techniques and protest management.
Organization and Administration Manage Event Management and Readiness annual budget.
Supervise two/three full-time staff and demonstration employees as necessary.
Represent the Dean of Students as requested.