Dean of Student Affairs, Director of Care & Conduct

If you have any questions about the position or our application process, reach out to us at recruiting-u@smith.edu.

Job Summary

The Dean of Student Affairs, Director of Care and Conduct assists the dean of students in providing leadership and direction to student affairs departments and initiatives in addition to assigned position responsibilities. The Dean of Student Affairs, Director of Care and Conduct, in their work with the dean of students, should strive to create a student experience framed by the core values of the student affairs division which include inclusion, access, growth and engagement. The Dean of Student Affairs, Director of Care and Conduct oversees and coordinates the development and administration of case management system, the student conduct system, the tiered student support system, and supervises Case Management.

This position is responsible for assisting the college in developing and coordinating services and programs designed to aid the success of all students, particularly the struggling and at-risk students, in compliance with legal requirements and in accordance with college policies. This position provides direct support, information, and service coordination to students of significant concern as they navigate and pursue the academic and social responsibilities of being a Smith student. The work requires proactive and reactive strategies that are culturally and developmentally appropriate to identify and support diverse students, including meeting one on one with students, identifying campus and community resources, and collaborating with staff in various departments across the college and community.

The Dean of Student Affairs, Director of Care and Conduct will be expected to attend regular meetings and serve on other departmental and all campus committees, as needed. The division of student affairs, strives to create a support system framed by the learning aims of exploring, engaging and belonging and team members will take appropriate actions to support a diverse workforce and participate in the College's efforts to create a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming work environment.

Essential Functions

Case Management 50%

• Develops a caseload in conjunction with various offices within the college to address the needs of students who are experiencing significant difficulties related to mental health, physical health and/or psycho-social adjustment.
• Assist in cases identified by the Accessibility Resource Center, Student Affairs, Class Deans and other campus stakeholders who need additional assistance in finding supports or navigating systems.
• Establish and maintain records concerning student cases, as assigned.
• As appropriate, and with appropriate permission, works with families and guardians as part of the Care Team.
• Works with the Accessibility Resource Center, Class Deans, Schacht Center for Health and Wellness, Athletics, the Office of Equity and Inclusion and other campus stakeholders to identify and recommend accommodation and service needs.
• Assist in cases involving instances of disciplinary violations or behavioral issues and follow up on cases to monitor compliance with recommendations.
• Work with various offices and stakeholders to identify students needing additional support.
• Develop Care Team guidelines and privacy waiver systems.
• Develop and maintain an updated database of referral resources and community services.
• Provide referrals to support services within the college as well as through community agencies.
• Collaborate and consult with constituents including staff, faculty, health care providers, families, campus stakeholders, and other campus community resources to address/resolve student issues.
• Assist students in identifying supports and resources needed when navigating a significant life event or transition, such as returning from a medical leave, a sexual assault, physical impairment, or medical/family crisis.
• Serve as support for students returning to campus who have been recently hospitalized.
• Serve on and follow up on recommendations specified by the Care System
• Facilitate and make arrangements to assist students when they need to leave the college.
• Provide ongoing one-to-one transitional support when students re-enter the college.

Student Affairs Support 30%

• Assume responsibility for special projects and committee work as assigned by the dean of students; acts for the dean of students in their absence.
• Supervise Case Management.
• Support various staff and departments as they work to address emerging student problems, particularly in the classroom and in residence halls.
• Chair Care Team operations.
• Maintain appropriate records of these support systems.
• Coordinate and advise the student disciplinary system, serve as the non-voting chair of the disciplinary board.
• Maintain appropriate records and coordinate division reporting (e.g. Clery) of these support systems.
• Develop and manage assigned budgets.
• Other duties as assigned, including periodic evening and weekend work.

Outreach, Training and Education 5%

• Provide outreach and assist in training and consultation for faculty, staff and students (e.g. responding to concerns, crisis intervention, campus and community resources.)
• Develop and distribute appropriate educational and program materials.

Systems Management and Reporting 5%

• Provide outreach and assist in training and consultation for faculty, staff and students (e.g. responding to concerns, crisis intervention, campus and community resources.)
• Develop and distribute appropriate educational and program materials.

Other Functions

Special Projects 10%

• Assume responsibility for special projects and committee work as assigned by the dean of students. Participate in emergency on-call system. Develop and manage assigned budgets. Other duties as assigned.
• All employees are expected to participate in the College's efforts to create a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming work environment.

Minimum Qualifications (knowledge, skills, education, experience, certifications, licenses)

• Master's degree in Higher Education, Social Work, Counseling, Public Health or related field. and 7-10 years professional experience in related student affairs area or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience working with individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Preferred Qualifications

• Higher education experienced preferred.

Skills

• Knowledge of student development theory;
• Significant experience working with diverse populations across race, class, disability and gender, and international students;
• Experience responding to crisis situations;
• Experience working as part of multi- and interdisciplinary support teams;
• Excellent communication skills;
• Ability to quickly synthesize information from a variety of sources in order to make informed recommendations, supporting the welfare of the students;
• Knowledge of current case management trends and literature preferred; and,
• Demonstrated interest in and experience working with college students including diverse, disability, and/or underrepresented college student populations.

Review of applications will begin

Position Type:

Located in Northampton, MA, Smith College is one of the largest women's colleges in the country and is dedicated to excellence in teaching and research across the liberal arts. A faculty of outstanding scholars interact with students in small classes, as advisors, and through student-faculty research projects. The College is a member of the Five College Consortium with Amherst, Hampshire and Mt. Holyoke Colleges, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst.Students cross-enroll and faculty cross-teach across the Five Colleges.

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 151B, it is the policy of Smith College to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact our recruiting team at recruiting-u@smith.edu.

As set forth in our mission and values, Smith College is committed to promoting a culture of equity and inclusion among students, staff and faculty. The College will not discriminate in employment on the basis of age, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, genetic information, age, veteran status, physical or mental disability, or any other classification protected by law. Smith College is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all state and federal laws that prohibit discrimination.