Assistant Director of Basic Needs Services (Student Services Professional IV)

CSU Careers•Fullerton, CA

About The Position

The Assistant Director of Basic Needs Services independently provides professional, non-clinical case management and student support to students experiencing basic needs insecurity. The role manages cases involving food, housing, and financial assistance; assesses student circumstances; identifies appropriate resources and referrals; coordinates services with campus and community partners; and monitors student progress and outcomes. The Assistant Director independently coordinates and implements Basic Needs Services programs, outreach, and educational initiatives to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and improve access to resources. This includes training and presentations for faculty, staff, and students. The position develops collaborative relationships with campus departments and community organizations, provides professional guidance on complex cases and service delivery, and helps improve practices and protocols by identifying service gaps and implementing strategies to improve student outcomes. The role also completes compliance, assessment, evaluation, and reporting requirements associated with CSU Chancellor’s Office initiatives, grants, and legislative funding, and represents Basic Needs Services at relevant systemwide meetings and initiatives. The position reports to the Associate Director of Basic Needs Services. The schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The role is based at California State University, Fullerton, which provides support to students facing food, housing, and financial insecurity through services such as food assistance, temporary housing, grant funds, hygiene products, professional attire, guidance, and referrals.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent from an accredited four-year college or university in a related field, plus upper-division or graduate coursework in counseling techniques, interviewing, and conflict resolution.
Four years of professional student services work experience, including advising students individually and in groups and analyzing and resolving complex student services problems. A relevant master’s degree may substitute for one year of professional experience; a relevant doctoral degree and appropriate internship or clinical training may substitute for two years.
Thorough knowledge of the policies, procedures, and practices of the assigned program area, or ability to acquire that knowledge quickly.
General knowledge of policies, practices, and activities of Student Services programs outside the assigned program area; principles and methods of public administration, including organizational, personnel, and fiscal management; and advanced statistical and research methods.
Ability to carry out complex assignments without detailed instructions; advise students individually or in groups on varied and complex matters; and determine appropriate actions and techniques in sensitive interactions.
Ability to reason logically, analyze and solve organizational and operational problems, plan and coordinate actions, and implement administrative or group decisions or recommendations.
Ability to analyze complex organizational, policy, or procedural problems; collect and evaluate data; draw valid conclusions; and project the consequences of alternative actions.
Ability to understand others’ roles and responsibilities and account for organizational relationships, motivations, and goals.
Ability to establish and maintain effective, cooperative, and harmonious working relationships, including when denying requests or persuading others to accept a different point of view.
Satisfactory completion of a background check, including a criminal records check.
Inclusive Leadership Statement addressing the meaning of inclusive leadership, experience working with people with different perspectives, and how inclusivity issues have affected the applicant personally or professionally.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in Counseling, Clinical Psychology, Social Work, Higher Education, or a job-related field.
Three years of full-time employment in Student Affairs or a related field.
Working knowledge of Maxient and PeopleSoft student information systems.
Prior non-clinical case management experience and experience working with students experiencing basic needs insecurity.
Thorough knowledge of basic needs work in higher education, including program development, coordination, and implementation.
Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain cooperative relationships with campus and community stakeholders through a student-centered lens.
Demonstrated ability to identify problems and use sound judgment and reasoning to make crucial decisions.
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with multiple interactions.

Responsibilities

Provide professional, non-clinical case management and support to students experiencing basic needs insecurity.
Manage a caseload involving food, housing, and financial assistance.
Assess student circumstances, determine appropriate resources and referrals, coordinate services with campus and community partners, and monitor student progress and outcomes.
Coordinate and implement Basic Needs Services programs, outreach, and educational initiatives to increase awareness, reduce stigma, and improve access to resources.
Provide training and presentations for faculty, staff, and students.
Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with campus departments and community organizations.
Provide professional guidance regarding complex student cases and service delivery matters.
Participate in developing and improving Basic Needs Services practices and protocols; identify service gaps and recommend and implement strategies to improve student outcomes.
Complete compliance, assessment, evaluation, and reporting requirements associated with CSU Chancellor’s Office initiatives, grants, and legislative funding.
Represent Basic Needs Services at relevant systemwide meetings and initiatives.
Perform other duties as assigned.