Assistant/Associate Director, Office of the Dean of Students

Job Description:

Fairfield University is seeking candidates for the position of assistant/associate director in the Office of the Dean of Students.

Ideal candidates will possess experience conveying community standards and values, implementing various conflict resolution models, and utilizing restorative practices in their work. The University seeks candidates who will actively contribute to the diversity of our campus community.

Reporting to the associate dean of students, the assistant/associate director will have an integral role in the management and processing of student conduct reports including, but not limited to, those alleging violations of University policy and suggesting student welfare concerns. Successful candidates will exhibit the ability to be fundamentally fair and impartial in the execution of the student conduct process, utilize educational and restorative resolution approaches, have a strong understanding of student development theory and practice, and a history of advising and training students and other professionals. Along with other professionals across campus the assistant/associate director will set and clarify community behavior expectations for students. The assistant/associate director will provide administrative and programmatic support for a wide-array of student experiences, namely off-campus student life.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES :

Student Conduct

• Assist with the day-to-day implementation and operation of the student conduct process
  
  
• Serve as a conduct administrator/case manager, reviewing, investigating, adjudicating, and managing conduct cases
  
  
• Assist with campus wide programs and trainings to educate on processes related to the student accountability process and the Student Conduct Code
  
  
• Utilize the Maxient student conduct software to document and process conduct cases, and track conduct sanctions to ensure completion
  
  
• Assist in maintaining accurate student conduct records including appeal deadlines, assigned outcome due dates, overdue cases, as well as placing and removing record holds for overdue sanctions
  
  
• Provide regular statistical and/or other custom analytic reports
  
  
• Work with campus stakeholders to design educational and developmental sanction programs that restore and repair interpersonal and community harm
  
  
• Assist students in the navigation of alternative resolution processes, ensuring they understand their rights, available resources, and resolution options
  
  
• Assist with coordination of the Peer Conduct Board
  
  
• Interpret and articulate the Student Conduct Code, and other related policies for members of the campus community; review and make recommendations for revisions to the dean and other campus administrators
  
  
• Continuously identify and integrate best practices in the field of student conduct and restorative practices; stay abreast of current developments in the field of student conduct and restorative practices
  
  

Off-Campus Student Life

• Assist with off-campus programming and provide support to the off-campus student organization
  
  
• Assist with the orientation of students to off-campus living General
  
  
• Serve as an important team member of the Office of the Dean of Student's staff providing general student support, advising and guiding students, and communicating with faculty and families
  
  
• Assist in the development of guidelines and provide on-site support for campus events as required
  
  
• Provide regular updates on student conduct to associate dean of students and the dean of students
  
  
• Foster a campus climate that provide wholistic support to students and is respectful of differences
  
  
• Develop and maintain relationships and open channels of communication with campus and community partners
  
  
• Perform additional duties as assigned; duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice
  
  

General

• Serve as an important team member of the Office of the Dean of Student's staff providing general student support, advising and guiding students, and communicating with faculty and families
  
  
• Assist in the development of guidelines and provide on-site support for campus events as required
  
  
• Provide regular updates on student conduct to associate dean of students and the dean of students
  
  
• Foster a campus climate that provide wholistic support to students and is respectful of differences
  
  
• Develop and maintain relationships and open channels of communication with campus and community partners
  
  
• Perform additional duties as assigned; duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice
  
  

QUALIFICATIONS :

Education:

• Bachelor's degree or the equivalent in education and experience; Master's degree with professional training in student conduct administration and restorative practices preferred
  
  

Experience:

• At least three years of relevant experience required, with preference give to those with experience adjudicating student conduct incidents in an educational setting. More than five years of relevant experience required for consideration for associate director
  
  

Knowledge and skills:

• Demonstrated experience, knowledge and skills navigating the conflict resolution process, including experience in alternative dispute approaches for resolution of conflict
  
  
• Must have knowledge of student life issues that affect student success including, but not limited to, mental health, alcohol and drug abuse, any form of violence, harassment, or discrimination, homelessness, hunger, etc.
  
  
• Experience in providing advice and counsel to students
  
  
• Expertise in problem solving and referral skills; mediation skills are highly desired
  
  
• The ability to negotiate positive outcomes and develop creative solutions to problems, while upholding University policies
  
  
• Demonstrate knowledge of higher education policies, current state/federal laws related to student conduct including FERPA, Title IX, and the Clery Act.
  
  
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
  
  
• Strong analytical ability, sound judgment, and the ability to handle difficult situations with sensitivity and objectivity
  
  
• Experience working with faculty, student affairs staff, students and family member within a diverse environment
  
  
• Ability to work collaboratively and effectively with multiple constituencies, including students, parents/families, and other campus colleagues
  
  
• Excellent organizational and management skills; ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities and adjust as necessary
  
  
• Demonstrated computer and technological skills
  
  
• Track record of success with programming and presentation skills
  
  

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS :

General open office and campus environment. Position involves sitting, although frequent movement is necessary. Computer usage involving repetitive hand/wrist motion is also necessary. Occasional attendance at evening and weekend events is required.

Duties may be changed and/or be added at any time.

Disclaimer: The above information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.

Category:

Student Affairs - Admin

All offers of employment are contingent upon a satisfactory background check.

Fairfield University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, committed to excellence through diversity, and, in this spirit, particularly welcomes applications from women, persons of color, Veterans, and members of historically underrepresented groups. The University will provide reasonable accommodations to all qualified individuals with a disability.

Load a resume or CV first, then upload supporting documents including a cover letter at the bottom of the third page under the "My Experience" section where it says to upload a Resume/CV. You will be able to upload up to 5 other documents in this section. You will be unable to edit your application, so please have all documents available before applying. Faculty Positions : If you need to upload more than 5 documents, please either combine them to upload or email the additional documents to the applicable contact in the job description. Staff positions : If you need to upload more than 5 documents, please either combine them to upload or email them to hr@fairfield.edu