Director of Student Involvement

Director of Student Involvement

Job Summary

Central Washington University is recruiting a Director of Student Involvement to join our Student Leadership, Involvement & Community Engagement team in Ellensburg, Washington. This role is an important member of our team as they enhance the vision for the University. The role is a campus-based position, which means you get to see the lives you are impacting. We're offering a salary, depending on experience, from $64,974 - $85,000 plus the awesome CWU benefits.

Who we are:

We are a team of individuals committed to Changing Students' Lives. No matter what job, each of us plays a part in supporting and empowering our students to fulfill their dreams.

Working in higher education provides career growth and career choice. Think of a university campus like a mini city, operating across 380 acres. You'll find diverse academics, libraries, athletics and sporting events, full service and quick serve dining, conferences and events from small to large, recreation centers, housing, health services, police and public safety for the campus population of ~10,000 students.

Central Washington University has been named a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program Top Producing Institution for the 2022-2023 academic year. In addition, for the seventh time in eight years, CWU is a recipient of the prestigious Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. Come join us on our journey to encourage, inspire, and create spaces where all identities thrive on campus.

Tour our campus in Ellensburg here. www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjdhOegDa9A

What we offer:

Our investment in you begins the day you join our team, a healthy and successful future for you is important to us. We offer medical, dental, life and disability insurance, retirement and optional savings plans, tuition assistance for you and your dependents, discounts across town, an employee assistance program for individualized counseling, and a wellness incentive program. Learn more: Benefits, Perks, and Leave.

About SLICE: 

Student Leadership, Involvement, and Community Engagement (SLICE) is dedicated to actively serving the CWU community by creating opportunities that foster both individual and collective engagement within leadership, civic, community, and campus involvement, campus club experiences, publicity, and the radio station. Our mission is to encourage a sense of belonging, facilitate identity exploration, and promote positive social change within individual communities, the university, and beyond. SLICE is under the leadership of the Associate Vice President of Equity and Belonging of Students along with other departments (Diversity and Equity Center, Career Services, the Veteran's Center, Rights & Responsibilities).

About the Role: 

The director assumes a crucial role in leading and directing the Student Leadership, Involvement, and Community Engagement department, including supporting the Associated Students of Central Washington University (ASCWU) in coordination with the Associate Director of Student Involvement. With oversight of the Associate Director, professional staff, graduate intern(s), and student employees, the director focuses on building a team that fosters a vibrant and engaging campus environment. Committed to serving the CWU community, the director actively seeks to enhance individual and collective engagement in leadership, civic participation, student events, and campus club experiences, enriching the co-curricular journey essential for holistic student development. Responsibilities include providing strategic guidance, support, and mentorship to student leaders, supporting student government activities, advocating for opportunities for student involvement both on and off campus, and intentionally supporting university retention efforts. In this pivotal position, the director effectively engages and develops student leaders while maintaining a professional and organized approach in interactions. Additionally, the director serves as an advocate for student needs and support services. Collaborating closely with university partners, departments, and university centers, the director proactively contributes to cultivating a campus culture that prioritizes student success, fosters a secure and inclusive environment for a diverse student body, and nurtures a profound sense of community and belonging among students. The director's role is a key partner in supporting the university's efforts in becoming a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). It is expected that all employees align with CWU's dedication to diversity and actively promote inclusivity within the university environment.

Job Duties

Director Responsibilities
- Provide administrative vision, leadership, supervision and long-term strategic planning for the following programmatic areas and full time FTE staff:

• leadership and community involvement
• academic service learning and High Impact Practices
• student club and organization advising support and mentoring
• leadership, service programs and campus activities coordinated planning with multiple campus partners as designed and requested by the university 
• identify shared learning outcomes and provide assessment practices to identify effectiveness of overall functions and services
• student-initiated program development
• administrative support staff
• Create pathways for diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging student initiatives and programming to further student development and assessment 

- Work with administration to address and resolve issues impacting student life and engagement.
- Oversee development of an array of programs and events
- Facilitate and promote High Impact Practices (HIP) with faculty participation in projects and increasing partnerships
- Manage the fiscal priorities of the department and work within the university approval/audit system and needs for purchases: 

• Routinely assess the necessity of various monthly programming activities and associated expenses
• Meet deadlines for all requests for reports, data, publications, and budgets.
• Provide timely/pertinent budgetary information to staff as necessary throughout the year
• Develop fundraising opportunities that support the programming outcomes and scholastic desires of students served within the Publicity Center 
• Develop, propose, and justify Services and Activities Fee allocations

- Provide educational opportunities to the University community and surrounding communities-at-large to enhance leadership and mentorship qualities, recognize emerging leaders, and to create an environment where leaders prepare for their future in the globally and culturally-diverse society
- Provide leadership and guidance to students in developing programs that contribute to the cultural growth, increased access, equity and retention efforts of the university community
- Collaborate with all Student Engagement and Success areas and multiple campus partners to promote leadership and community engagement learning opportunities
- Ensure club and departmental involvement in University-wide events, including Student Involvement Fair, Admitted Students Days, Orientation, Week of Welcome, Homecoming, Family weekend
- Assist in advancing the mission, vision, and strategic priorities of the department through work groups, committees, alumni groups, and leadership teams
- Provide leadership to staff on advising, and supporting student engagement opportunities, activities, and programs for all students on campus with particular sensitivity and commitment to our increasingly diverse student populations
- Support celebrations dedicated to acknowledging all student groups, including the array of end of the year student club and organizations' graduation celebrations in cooperation and collaboration with other university offices, faculty and staff; 
- Support and encourage student clubs and organizations that serve a diverse array of interests and passions on campus. Provide leadership to assure that the groups serving diverse populations receive appropriate guidance in meeting their goals and objectives
- Develop, maintain, and implement policies and procedures which minimize departmental and institutional liability and risk

Leadership of Seamless Learning
- Create and support the development for student government, all student organization and club advisors of CWU
- Advise student government and related initiatives, committees, and activities
- Engage with donors and naming members of the endowments for the department
- Direct oversight of leadership development camp for students before fall quarter begins.
- Develop partnerships and collaborations with university staff and faculty to educate and build awareness of issues of leadership development, community and engagement, and academic service learning
- Collaborate with other campus partners to assure inclusion of students from various social backgrounds, race, ethnicity, gender, and class in the broader aspects of student life related to leadership development, training, community engagement, and service learning
- Facilitate leadership development, training and development of assessment initiatives to measure key performance indicators (KPI), satisfaction, accreditation and learning outcomes of programs and services
- Collaborate with students, faculty, and administrators to develop and oversee community partnerships with school districts, businesses, and organizations to enhance CWU's community outreach and collaboration efforts

Supervisor Responsibilities
- Actively engage in recruitment and hiring new employees;
- Clearly defines performance expectations, ensure accountability, and provides ongoing informal feedback, coaching, and mentoring. Conducts formal performance evaluations
- Ensures employees have necessary resources
- Oversees and directs the work of staff; serves as mentor, coach and leader, and resolves complaints or issues
- Promotes professional development opportunities
- Develops and fosters supportive working relationships, motivation and engagement
- Communicates information to staff on an ongoing basis to influence staff engagement and to be a part of a larger community
- Takes corrective action in a timely manner
- Recognizes and rewards employees for good performance
- Schedules employee work hours/shifts; monitor hours worked; approve payable time and absence requests
- Adjusts leadership style as needed to achieve results
- Recognizes value of and promotes diverse workforce
- Values and encourages diverse perspectives, creatively and teamwork
- Perform other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

• Master's Degree in Student Affairs, Higher Education Leadership, or a related field AND progressively responsible experience in student life, leadership, club involvement, community engagement, and/or student government
• Experience with promoting a student-centered and student development philosophy utilizing various student development, learning and retention theories.
• Proven track record of advising diverse student organizations and working effectively with a wide range of student populations including historically excluded populations.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, oversee, and supervise a diverse and inclusive team of professional staff and students.
• Experience in managing and overseeing multiple complex budgets, including dedicated revenue sources.
• Demonstrated strategic planning abilities.
• Successful experience in developing and maintaining community partnerships, both internal and external to the campus.
• Demonstrated ability and/or experience working with students and/or co-workers from a wide range of abilities, backgrounds, and experiences.
• OR applicable combination of education and/or experience which demonstrates the ability to perform the essential functions of the position.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in program development and/or initiatives contributing to serving at an emerging or Hispanic Serving Institution.
• Experience providing advice, counsel, referral, and advisement to students in a diverse campus environment.
• Experience developing, designing, and delivering leadership, civic engagement, and/or academic service-learning courses/curriculum.
• Demonstrated experience with outcomes assessment and program evaluation in a college and/or university setting.
• Demonstrated participation in programs designed to promote inclusion.
• Experience or interest in mentoring students from a variety of backgrounds.
• Demonstrated commitment to improving access to higher education for students through various activities.

Competencies

• Accountability/Dependability: Accepts responsibility for quality of own work; acknowledges and corrects mistakes. Shows up on time, meets standards, deadlines and work schedules.
• Judgement: Makes timely, informed decisions. Analyzes options and determines appropriate course of action.
• Teamwork: Promotes cooperation and mutual support to achieve goals. Encourages participation and mutual support.
• Adaptability/Flexibility: Responds positively to changing business needs and responsibilities. Adapts approach and methods to achieve results; recovers quickly from setbacks and finds alternatives.
• Commitment to Diversity: Recognizes the value of diversity and helps create environment that supports and embraces diversity.

Don't meet every single requirement? At CWU we're dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't align perfectly with every requirement, we encourage you to apply anyway. This may be the job for you!

Pay, Benefits, & Work Schedule

Salary: This position has a minimum annual salary of $64,974 and maximum annual salary of $94,213. The Hiring Department's expected hiring range is $64,974 - $85,000. In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, the above salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the hiring range is based on the candidate's current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position.

Schedule/Appointment: Monday - Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm (1 hour lunch)

Working Conditions: Work is performed in an indoor office setting with frequent in-person interactions. It is essential to be able to remain at a desk/computer workstation for prolonged periods of time, perform extensive data entry and other computer-related tasks and create/maintain filing systems for departmental records. Some evening or weekend work and/or occasional travel may be required

Benefits: CWU offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical and dental insurance, retirement and optional savings plans, life and disability insurance, along with vacation and sick leave plans depending on employment classification. For additional information please visit Benefits, Perks, and Leave. 

An employee of CWU may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program if the employee has student loans. To learn more, visit: https://ofm.wa.gov/state-human-resources/public-service-loan-forgiveness-program.

How To Apply

To apply for this position, you must complete the on-line application and attach:

• A detailed cover letter clearly demonstrating how your education and experience: (a) meet the required (and, as applicable, preferred) qualifications, and (b) demonstrate the ability to perform the responsibilities as described by the posting;
• Resume including work history, education, training; and
• Contact information for three professional references.

Screening Begins: August 18, 2024

**Priority will be given to applications received by the screening date. Incomplete applications may not be considered.

Contact Information

Name: Cherie Wilson
Title: Director of Student Union Operations
Email: Cherie.Wilson@cwu.edu
Phone: 509-963-1350
Website: cwu.edu/student-life/slice/

Please contact Human Resources at hr@cwu.edu or 509-963-1202 if you require technical assistance with the on-line application process. 

Conditions of Employment

Background Check/Reference Check Process:

Prior to employment, final candidate(s) will be required to sign a Sexual Misconduct disclosure in pursuant to RCW 28B.112.080 and submit to a background check. All information obtained through background investigations will be strictly confidential and revealed only to those required to have access.

Notice to Prospective Employees:

Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Statement

Central Washington University is an EEO/AA/Title IX Institution. Central Washington University's policies and practices affirm and actively promote the rights of all individuals to equal opportunity in education and employment. Discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, age, marital status, disability, or status as a protected veteran is prohibited. The university provides an internal procedure for reporting discrimination and affords protection against retaliation for participating in the complaint process. Central Washington University complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and executive orders including when soliciting bids and in the fulfillment of all contracts with governmental agencies. Direct related inquiries to Civil Rights Compliance, 202 Barge Hall, Ellensburg, WA 98926-7501; Telephone 509-963-2050; or email crc@cwu.edu.

DEI Statement

Justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion are all core to CWU's mission, vision and values to increase access to higher education for everyone regardless of identity. At CWU we work to ensure everyone's voice is not only heard but recognized and valued. We consistently strive to provide a safe, welcoming, and forward-thinking institution for all employees, students, and community members.

Reasonable Accommodations

Central Washington University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities who are employees or applicants for employment. Employment opportunities will not be denied because of the need to make reasonable accommodations for a qualified individual with a disability. If you need assistance or accommodation in applying because of a disability, please contact Human Resources at HR@cwu.edu or call 509-963-1202. This job announcement and other material on this site will be made available in alternate formats upon request to an individual with a disability.

Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (Clery Act)

For the Central Washington University Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (i.e. Clery Report) which includes statistics about reported crimes and information about campus security policies, available online here or call CWU Police and Parking Services at 509-963-2959 for a paper copy.

Apply at:

https://www.cwu.edu/about/offices/human-resources/careers/index.php