ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF STUDENT ACTIVITIES
VSC-UP BARGAINING UNIT, EXEMPT, GRADE 11
BASIC FUNCTION
Coordinate and support a wide range of co-curricular activities, including management of student organizations, advising student government, and facilitating campus activities. Support community service, new student programming, and other Student Success programs.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
- Plan, implement, administer, coordinate, monitor, and evaluate in the development and implementation of a vibrant and diverse set of co-curricular programs that support and enhance student life at the University, including operating policies and procedures.
- Facilitate and promote student advocacy, diversity, involvement, and inclusivity in developing and mentoring student leaders to ensure accessibility and equity of opportunities for all students.
- Recruit, train, supervise, and support student leaders in accessible, equitable, and culturally sensitive ways. Promote student leadership development opportunities.
- Plan, in collaboration with appropriate Student Government officers, the allocation of Student Activity Fees, and administer the program operating budget. Supervise the processing of cash receipts from student activities.
- Support appropriate student groups to facilitate the planning and implementation of a wide variety of social and recreational programs for students including location-specific traditions.
- Advise local student governance organizations. Oversee the advisement of student clubs and organizations Provide student organizations with a wide range of information and assistance.
- Plan and support volunteer service opportunities for students in collaboration with outside agencies in support of the University’s experiential learning initiatives in a diverse and equitable manner.
- Provide leadership and coordination of continuous evaluation of student engagement and participation in events and implementing changes to initiatives as needed.
- Ensure social justice practices are embedded in student organization practices by creating healthy, high-performing teams that ensure equitable access to resources and opportunities for all, and an environment that enables individuals and groups to feel safe, respected, engaged, motivated, and valued for their contributions toward organizational and personal goals.
- Demonstrate inclusivity and provide excellent customer service in all modalities, including in-person, telephone, e-mail, video call, live chat, texting, and the like.
- Review all contracts, invoices, and purchase orders as they pertain to campus programming.
- Assist with planning and implementation of the University’s new student programming such as Orientation, Homecoming, Alumni & Family Weekend, and Commencement.
- Establish and manage room reservation policies and procedures for student organizations and student programs in conjunction with University administrators.
- Monitor physical spaces used primarily by or for co-curricular programs to ensure that students’ needs and interests are being met.
- Confer regularly with the other Student Success departments and University personnel to plan, coordinate, and evaluate programs/activities/policies, exchange information, resolve problems, and the like. Serve on various University Committees.
- Deal regularly with a variety of outside entertainment agencies, vendors, and others to coordinate events/services, negotiate contracts, and the like.
- Plan and administer departmental records systems and prepare various administrative/management reports.
- Keep abreast of current developments in higher education student activities programs, including relevant legal/liability matters, civic engagement, and diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice.
- Manage student engagement software.
- Ensure accuracy of web information regarding student engagement, student organizations, student governance, and student programs.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED
Direct supervision is received by Associate Dean of Students.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY
Direct supervision of Student Activities Program Coordinators and student workers.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor’s degree in appropriate discipline. Two to three years relevant experience, or experience from which comparable knowledge and skills are acquired. Possession of a valid driver’s license.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Master’s degree in appropriate discipline with three to five years relevant experience.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES
Knowledge:
- Understanding of the educational goals and objectives of Vermont State University including attention to accessibility and diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- Understanding of the psychological and cultural characteristics of economically and educationally disadvantaged students, particularly in a rural setting.
- Awareness of developmental, holistic, and proactive approaches to student success.
- Knowledge of contracts, fiduciary responsibilities, copyright laws, and potential liability issues.
- Familiarity with resources available through professional organizations such as ACUI, NACA, and APCA.
Skills:
- Excellent interpersonal, supervisory, mentor, and communication skills.
- Able to meet students where they are, ensure they feel listened to, and that they are comfortable working with advisor to navigate challenges and concerns as they come up.
- Strong organizational and problem-solving skills.
- Experience with (or ability to learn) technologies such as Aviso, Colleague, Self-Service, Slate, Microsoft products, and Perceptive Content.
- Proven record of accountability and follow-through with the ability to meet deadlines.
Abilities:
- Demonstrated ability to positively influence student skill development, such as communication skills, leadership skills, academic skills, technical skills, non-cognitive or ‘soft’ skills, and social skills.
- Demonstrated ability to foster student development in the attainment of student success goals, such as academic purpose, sense of belonging/identity, agency, career readiness, civic readiness, access & equity.
- Demonstrated positive attitude regarding Vermont State University and a desire to improve student outcomes, including attention to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- Demonstrated ability to support a diverse community and promote diverse perspectives and cultures in an inclusive environment.
- Ability to work effectively with a wide range of individuals within the University and capacity to work as part of a team to collaborate and choose student success.
- Ability to collaborate effectively with college personnel as well as families/guardians and external resources in carrying out the various coordination, liaison, and advocacy aspects of the job.
- Ability to work some weekends and evenings to provide student support outside of normal business hours.
Location: Castleton Campus
This general outline illustrates the type of work which characterizes the job classification. It is not an all-encompassing statement of the specific duties, responsibilities and qualifications of individual positions assigned to the classification.