Assistant Director of Advising and Student Services

University of Oregon•Portland, OR

2d•$65,000 - $70,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Ballmer Institute for Children's Behavioral Health at the University of Oregon Portland establishes a new national model for behavioral healthcare for children and families by creating the nation’s first undergraduate program in child behavioral health. The institute prioritizes the needs of youth who have been historically or persistently underserved and seeks to make real system change by creating a new mental health profession, delivering support in schools and the community, training existing youth-serving professionals, developing new approaches to support child behavioral health, and transforming the Pacific Northwest into a national model of thought and action. This groundbreaking institute was made possible by an extraordinary gift from Connie and Steve Ballmer, co-founders of Ballmer Group Philanthropy. The Assistant Director of Advising and Student Services – Recruitment and Career Specialist (ADASS) is responsible for undergraduate advising, recruitment and outreach, and career pathway support for the Ballmer Institute. This role works directly with current and prospective students and serves as a key point of contact between the Institute, internal campus partners, and external education and employment partners across Oregon. The Assistant Director provides direct academic advising to undergraduate students, including one on one, drop in, and group advising. Advising responsibilities include supporting student transition into the university and the Ballmer Institute; interpreting and communicating admission and academic requirements; assisting with degree planning and progression toward graduation; and helping students understand how coursework aligns with graduate education and career opportunities. The role also identifies student needs and refers students to appropriate campus and Institute based resources, including academic support, counseling, financial aid, accessibility, and career services, as needed. In addition to advising, the position leads advising informed recruitment and outreach activities. The Assistant Director represents the Ballmer Institute at recruitment and outreach events; provides guidance to prospective students on pathways and program fit; and serves as the primary liaison with Admissions and Enrollment Management to ensure alignment of recruitment strategies and program messaging. The role builds and maintains partnerships with community colleges, Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, high schools, community based organizations, and associate level behavioral health programs statewide. The position provides programmatic oversight of the Institute’s student ambassador program, including coordination of ambassador activities and outreach efforts, and leads student visit and engagement initiatives that support recruitment and access. The Assistant Director plays a key role in advancing career pathways and student outcomes by providing career advising and cultivating strong relationships with employers and workforce partners. The position supports students’ understanding of behavioral health career options, graduate education pathways, and workforce expectations while collaborating with faculty, career services, and external employment partners to promote career readiness, experiential learning, and employment opportunities. The Assistant Director contributes to tracking student progress and outcomes and uses this information to inform career advising practices, employer engagement, recruitment efforts, and pathway development strategies. This role requires regular travel throughout Oregon and occasional travel to other states, including regular cross campus travel to Eugene, to support advising, partnership development, recruitment events, and outreach activities.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
Three years’ experience providing academic advising/student services in a college/university environment.
Two years’ experience supervising employees, students, or volunteers.
Knowledge of and ability to address the advising needs of undergraduate students in a student centered and supportive manner.
Excellent communication skills, with the ability to convey information clearly and professionally.
Ability to effectively present to diverse student audiences, both individually and in group settings.
Commitment to student development and serving diverse populations.
Proficiency in event coordination and logistics planning, including outreach, scheduling, and on site support.
Ability to manage stressful situations, exercising sound judgment and initiative, particularly when handling sensitive and/or confidential information.
Commitment to promoting and enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion, along with experience supporting students from diverse backgrounds.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with recruitment strategies and enrollment trends
Experience with career advising or in behavioral health partnerships
Experience representing an institution in external partnerships or outreach settings
Spanish Language Fluency

Responsibilities

Provide direct academic advising to undergraduate students, including one on one, drop in, and group advising.
Support student transition into the university and the Ballmer Institute.
Interpret and communicate admission and academic requirements.
Assist with degree planning and progression toward graduation.
Help students understand how coursework aligns with graduate education and career opportunities.
Identify student needs and refer students to appropriate campus and Institute based resources.
Lead advising informed recruitment and outreach activities.
Represent the Ballmer Institute at recruitment and outreach events.
Provide guidance to prospective students on pathways and program fit.
Serve as the primary liaison with Admissions and Enrollment Management to ensure alignment of recruitment strategies and program messaging.
Build and maintain partnerships with community colleges, Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, high schools, community based organizations, and associate level behavioral health programs statewide.
Provide programmatic oversight of the Institute’s student ambassador program, including coordination of ambassador activities and outreach efforts.
Lead student visit and engagement initiatives that support recruitment and access.
Provide career advising and cultivate strong relationships with employers and workforce partners.
Support students’ understanding of behavioral health career options, graduate education pathways, and workforce expectations.
Collaborate with faculty, career services, and external employment partners to promote career readiness, experiential learning, and employment opportunities.
Contribute to tracking student progress and outcomes and use this information to inform career advising practices, employer engagement, recruitment efforts, and pathway development strategies.
Travel throughout Oregon and occasionally to other states, including regular cross campus travel to Eugene, to support advising, partnership development, recruitment events, and outreach activities.