Director-Student Advocacy Center
About The Position
The Director of the Student Advocacy Center is a critical role to student support within the Office of Student Life at The Ohio State University. As a member of Student Life’s leadership team, the Director is responsible for overseeing the coordination, delivery, and evaluation of comprehensive support services within the Student Advocacy Center. The Director is also responsible for strategic visioning for the Student Advocacy Center and aligning the mission, vision and goals of the Center with Student Life and the University more broadly. Additionally, this role delivers individualized advocacy and holistic case management to students experiencing physical, psychosocial, academic, financial, or personal challenges that may impede academic success. This includes conducting needs assessments, identifying barriers, developing action plans, facilitating timely referrals to appropriate campus and community resources, and follow-up. This role may also provide on-site crisis response as needed. This position provides administrative leadership and guidance to professional and student staff, ensuring high quality, student-centered service. The Director also assists students, families, and campus partners in navigating complex systems of care and university processes. The Director promotes the development of critical thinking, problem solving abilities, and self-advocacy skills for students who present with concerns, grievances, or conflicts related to university policies, procedures, or interactions with faculty and staff. This critical role ensures adherence to institutional policies, operational standards, and best practices in student support and crisis response. The role coordinates communication, intervention planning, and follow-up for student concerns, as well as for emergent situations requiring elevated attention or risk mitigation. Finally, the Director of Student Advocacy serves as a critical member of the Consultation and Assessment Team (CAT), contributing to multidisciplinary behavioral assessment, risk evaluation, and coordinated intervention. Additionally, this position provides direction to the Support and Intervention Team (SIT), overseeing early intervention efforts for students exhibiting indicators of behavioral concerns, distress, or diminished well-being.
Requirements
- Master's degree in Counseling, Social Work, Higher Education/Student Affairs or related field.
- Ten (10) years of experience in a clinical or higher education setting with a focus on case management, counseling, or student affairs.
- Experience in crisis response and conflict resolution/mediation including on-site response.
- Experience with program and fiscal management, as well as staff supervision.
- Knowledge and understanding of relevant laws and policies, such as FERPA, HIPPA, and Title IX, as well as associated reporting requirements.
- Some travel and evening/weekend hours are required.
- Successful completion of a criminal background check.
Nice To Haves
- 15+ years of relevant experience.
- Skilled in developing, implementing, and evaluating programs to align with short- and long-term institutional goals and departmental priorities.
- Ability to make independent administrative and procedural decisions.
- Comprehensive understanding of institutional policies, procedures, and relevant legislation, with awareness of emerging legal and regulatory trends.
- Proficient in budget development, fiscal management, and effective resource allocation.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills, and the ability to work collaboratively across diverse communities and constituencies.
- Knowledgeable about student support services, conflict resolution, and crisis intervention, with the ability to remain calm and effective in emergencies.
- Strong leadership capabilities, including employee development, performance management, and fostering a cooperative, inclusive work environment.
Responsibilities
- Overseeing the coordination, delivery, and evaluation of comprehensive support services within the Student Advocacy Center.
- Strategic visioning for the Student Advocacy Center and aligning its mission, vision, and goals with Student Life and the University.
- Delivering individualized advocacy and holistic case management to students experiencing challenges.
- Conducting needs assessments, identifying barriers, developing action plans, facilitating referrals, and follow-up.
- Providing on-site crisis response as needed.
- Providing administrative leadership and guidance to professional and student staff.
- Assisting students, families, and campus partners in navigating complex systems of care and university processes.
- Promoting the development of critical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and self-advocacy skills for students.
- Ensuring adherence to institutional policies, operational standards, and best practices in student support and crisis response.
- Coordinating communication, intervention planning, and follow-up for student concerns and emergent situations.
- Serving as a critical member of the Consultation and Assessment Team (CAT).
- Providing direction to the Support and Intervention Team (SIT), overseeing early intervention efforts.
Benefits
- Medical, dental and vision coverage, with Ohio State paying a significant portion of the cost.
- Paid time off, including sick and vacation time and 11 holidays.
- State retirement plan or an alternative retirement plan, both with generous employer contributions.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Manager
