Assistant Director - Care

This is a full-time (100%), 12 month, annual renewable academic professional/administrative staff appointment. Work will be completed in a hybrid environment.

The Office for Student Affairs (OSA) nonclinical Care Team collaborates to address the needs of students who have medical or mental health situations, shortages in access to basic needs, relationship difficulties, and/or academic challenges through a variety of consultations, interventions, and referrals.

The Assistant Director of Care will serve as the lead of the Care side of the unit. The Assistant Director will exhibit expertise in brief, nonclinical case management, student support and development, and equitable and culturally relevant support strategies. This position offers an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful impact on students' lives by providing them with the support and resources they need to thrive academically and personally within a university environment.

The Assistant Director will report directly to the Director of Care and Student Advocate Services. The Assistant Director will also serve on the Behavioral Consult Team (BCT) and will chair the BCT as needed.

The Assistant Director will be given independence and autonomy to work through cases, ranging in severity. The Assistant Director will serve as a nonclinical case manager for students in crisis/distress or who need additional support and/or resources. Furthermore, the Assistant Director will facilitate threat assessments for students who are a risk to themselves or others. The Assistant Director will work with undergraduate, graduate, and professional student cases. The primary responsibilities of the Assistant Director will be providing student support, with secondary responsibilities of consulting and coaching faculty/staff in supporting students in crisis/distress.

Job Responsibilities

Triage incoming referrals, risk assessment and response (40%)

• Review and triage incoming Care referrals related to students of concern from faculty, staff, students, and community members
• Gather information from and consult on a need-to-know basis with relevant colleagues and units, the Behavioral Consultation Team, and other key campus partners
• Assess risk level of incoming referrals to inform interventions
• Lead the Behavioral Consultation Team and University Care Team meetings, as needed
• Provide equity-minded and culturally-relevant consultations and coordinated responses to faculty, staff, and students, in order to minimize academic disruptions with situations arising from students who may pose a threat of harm to themselves or others and/or demonstrate health and safety concerns
• Provide support to students and campus constituents while adhering to professional boundaries, and align with brief case management scope of practice
• Conduct nonclinical threat assessments such as NABITA's SIVRA, NABITA's Nonclinical Assessment of Suicide, NABITA's VRAWW, WAVR-21, etc.
• Support and provide consultations aligning with all relevant policies
• Understand and communicate the interconnectedness of campus resources to faculty and staff to support engaged student experience

Brief case management (40%)

• Meet with students in person or virtually to learn about the challenges and barriers they face, and help students identify solutions within a student development, equity-minded and culturally relevant framework
• Provide on- and off-campus referrals and coordinate brief assistance and action plans for undergraduate, graduate and professional students who may be navigating personal challenges and barriers, including situations such as: death or serious illness of a loved one; medical illness/injury/hospitalization; mental health-related concerns; financial hardship/distress and basic needs insecurity; and increased stress or other unexpected difficulties
• Conduct timely outreach to meet student needs, build relationships, and encourage connections to care while also respecting student self-determination and setting appropriate professional boundaries
• Strategically refer students to campus and community resources
• Provide caring response and accountability to students who receive student conduct outcomes through Housing & Residential Life due to the need for emergency medical services resulting from excessive intoxication

Outreach and campus initiatives (10%)

• Participate in OSA committees and campus initiatives in alignment with the vision and mission of the unit and university, examine and address systems of oppression, and engage in work from an empowerment and advocacy framework
• Develop materials and resources to be shared with constituents for future
• Present to the campus community on topics related to the Care Team and BCT

Administration (10%)

• Maintain documentation and accurate records of student risk assessments, interactions, progress, and interventions using secure database
• Monitor osacare inbox
• Complete appropriate data tracking forms
• Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor or the Associate Vice President and Dean of Students

Required Qualifications

• BA/BS plus at least 5 years of relevant experience, or master's degree plus at least three years of relevant experience
• Experience triaging mental health crisis situations
• Demonstrated experience & strong commitment to working with University students of all ages, classifications, and backgrounds
• Strong verbal, written, communication, and interpersonal skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in student affairs, counseling, higher education, or related field
• 4 years of related professional experience post master's degree
• Experience with nonclinical case management and/or student conduct in higher education
• Ability to plan, monitor, evaluate, and manage multiple priorities
• In depth understanding of and ability to prioritize college student development
• Demonstrated ability to partner and collaborate with campus faculty and staff
• Experience with using databases and managing case notes
• Highly organized, proactive, strong ability to assist others in navigating complex situations

About Office for Student Affairs

Student Affairs supports all students - our services are designed to help students succeed at the University of Minnesota. The OSA Advocacy and Support units are a group of five units that provide resources and support to students as they navigate complex situations. We are here to provide support, problem solve, advocate for you, and assist with navigating concerns. Care & Student Advocate Services (CSAS) is one of the OSA Advocacy and Support units, and the Assistant Director of Care oversees the Care Team within CSAS.

Department Summary

The department of Care and Student Advocate Services supports students in distress through collaborative interventions, as well as de-escalating crises and threats. For those accused of misconduct, we balance due process rights with fostering developmental outcomes.

Pay Range: $60,500 - $64,000 annually; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment Category: 100% Appointment

Position Type: P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

A resume and cover letter are required for consideration. This position will remain open until filled.

For questions about this position, please contact Rachel Ross-Farmer via email rossx508@umn.edu

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).