Assistant Dean of Students

About the role

The position reports to the Dean of Students and serves as the sub-control point for the MultiCultural Center, LGBT Services, and the Women’s Center and Non-Traditional Student Resources. Provides knowledgeable oversight of these department operations and devises optimal staffing models to ensure strong strategic and day-to-day leadership. Drives student success policies and protocols to ensure a framework of equity and social justice. Ensures teamwork, productivity, and promotes a workplace climate in these units that is inclusive and respectful of difference. Provides leadership for campus- and division-wide initiatives and committees that develop policy and address campus climate issues. Serves as the initial contact for administration to students particularly in the areas of campus climate and identity resources. Works closely with the dean of students and associate vice chancellor for student life on student issues of concern. Represents the dean of students at meetings and events, as necessary. Provides project management and leadership for the associate vice chancellor for student life. Serves as a member of the Student Life leadership team responding on behalf of the Division of Student Affairs to student and campus crises, including student demonstrations.

Responsibilities

• Takes on a primary role in solving problems on a wide array of issues, including addressing campus climate concerns; consulting with departments on changing student needs and demands; and overseeing campus events that require special handling due to their intrinsic importance or controversial nature.
• Keeps abreast of student political issues and activities for the Student Life leadership team and advises the dean of students, associate vice chancellor for student life, and senior associate dean for student life on issues as they arise.
• Works closely with department/program directors and students on student issues, demands, climate issues or other areas of concern.
• Serves as one of five lead members of the Demonstration Resource Team and monitors protests, demonstrations and rallies and manages student emergencies, and interacts with faculty, parents, community members, as necessary.
• Maintains relationships with key student leaders, faculty supporting student requests/demands, and community members.
• Works with program/department heads for the MultiCultural Center, Women’s Center/Non-Traditional Students Resource Center, and the Resource Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity in defining and achieving departmental mission and goals, in problem solving, in maintaining sound fiscal management, and in ensuring compliance with UC policies and procedures and state and federal laws.
• Supervises and evaluates department/program directors and provides advocacy at the cluster level for departmental needs.
• Evaluates programming and assists with the overall curation and design of educational content and programming that supports the needs of current students, particularly around the areas of identity development, culture, LGBTQ+ issues, and non-traditional student needs.
• Serves as a proxy for the dean of students when necessary.
• Promotes and supports the ‘Dean of Students brand’ and marketing, and periodically contributes to social media and other promotional events and materials.
• Is a key member of the Student Life Cluster leadership team. Meets weekly with the leadership team, and assists the team with reaching cluster goals and objectives.
• Works with cluster directors on projects or initiatives that benefit students.
• Oversees the compliance work of subordinate staff in the Dean of Students Office (e.g. digital accessibility, adherence to new and existing federal and state regulations as they relate to the work of Student Life, and new student education requirements).
• Assists the associate vice chancellor for student life, dean of students, and senior associate dean for student life in various projects and initiatives that advance the Student Life mission, vision, and values.
• Works with subordinate staff on priority projects within the cluster.
• Formulates assessment materials and assists with data analysis to support the Student Life departments and services.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree.
• Master’s degree or equivalent experience in Student Affairs and in the areas of campus climate.
• Advanced leadership experience in student activities, student organization advising, leadership development, orientation programs, culturally responsive student support programs and/or first-year experience initiatives.
• Experience working in a higher education setting with knowledge of UC campus policies.
• Experience managing and evaluating employees in a higher education setting.
• Ability to work collaboratively with other staff and community members.
• Experience with cultural competency and identity development.
• This position entails a high degree of independence that requires judgment, discretion, and personal initiative, as well as problem-solving and consensus-building abilities.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, attention to detail, a broad knowledge of current issues in higher education, and an extensive knowledge of University policies, procedures, and federal mandates, as well as a broad knowledge of campus climate issues and an ability to manage tense or politically-charged situations with political acumen, humility, and respect.
• In-depth knowledge of the Division of Student Affairs as well as sensitivity to the political climate, social justice issues, and campus and community cultural sub-groups and an ability to develop successful collaborations across organizational boundaries.

Preferred Qualifications

• Doctorate degree in education, counseling, public administration, social work, sociology, or a related field.

Special Conditions of Employment

• Occasional work in the evenings and weekends.
• Mandated reporting requirements of Child Abuse.
• UCSB Campus Security Authority under Clery Act.
• Satisfactory criminal history background check.
• UCSB is a Tobacco-Free environment.

Pay

The budgeted salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $90,600/year to $115,614/year. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience; the budget for the position; and the application of fair, equitable, and consistent pay practices at the University. The full salary range for this position is $90,600/year to $166,400/year.

Schedule

Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, evening and weekend hours may be required.

Work Arrangement

Hybrid Eligible – This is primarily an in-person role; occasional remote work will be approved. The university has the authority to change or revoke hybrid scheduling with reasonable notice. Incumbent must be available to be in the office as requested or full time should operational needs require it.