Director of Conduct and Community Standards - UT Southern

About the role

The Director administers the University disciplinary system for residential, academic, and non-academic concerns as the primary Student Conduct Officer. This role develops programming, conducts training, and implements the disciplinary system to ensure consistent, fair, and timely resolution of conduct cases. The Director assists the Vice Provost for Student Experience with oversight and management of the area as a member of the Student Experience Leadership team. Additionally, the Director serves as the Title IX Coordinator, maintaining policies and procedures, training staff, implementing educational programs, receiving complaints, overseeing adjudication, and ensuring compliance. The Director also chairs the University-wide CARE Team for behavioral intervention and threat assessment.

Responsibilities

• Engage students interacting with the student disciplinary system, prioritizing student development and growth.
• Develop and administer the student conduct program to uphold academic and behavioral standards of the University:
  • Ensure a timely response to complaints, conducting investigations, and administering educational/disciplinary hearings.
  • Determine educational and behavioral sanctions.
  • Monitor all educational sanctions for compliance.
  • Oversee the formal hearing process and manage the appeal process.
• Support the administration of the Student Conduct Board system and direct Student Conduct Board proceedings.
• Serve as the administrator of the Maxient system and update student records related to conduct, student concerns, Student Conduct Board outcomes, and behavioral intervention discussions.
• Oversee and administer the Office of Title IX:
  • Maintain policies and procedures.
  • Train staff and implement educational programs.
  • Receive complaints and oversee adjudication.
  • Maintain compliance for the program.
• Disseminate, interpret, and enforce campus policies and procedures.
• Foster and create a culture of student advocacy, support, mattering, and belonging.
• Educate the University community through developing and presenting trainings and educational materials on:
  • Conduct policies and procedures.
  • Faculty-specific obligations and procedures regarding academic conduct.
  • Title IX policies and procedures.
  • Resources and request processes.
• Oversee the development of publications, communication, and marketing tools regarding student conduct and Title IX.
• Develop training materials for Honor Council members, hearing officers, and others involved in the student conduct process.
• Maintain the Student Handbook.
• Serve on the Student Experience leadership team and assist the Vice Provost for Student Experience with oversight of the area.
• Work closely with the Vice Provost to develop division strategic plans, goals, and initiatives, and to formulate and interpret policies.
• Assist with conducting departmental program reviews to provide internal and external evaluation of administrative areas.
• Manage the resolution process for inquiries and concerns submitted by students, faculty, staff, parents, university administration, and community members.
• Facilitate and provide support and guidance for the Residence Life department.
• Manage student safety, crisis management, and student emergency programs for Student Experience.
• Support students in crisis.
• Serve as the chairperson for the University-wide CARE Team for behavioral intervention and assessment.
• Assist with UT System priorities around eliminating achievement gaps in target populations.
• Serve as the liaison for efforts in retaining and supporting students from populations traditionally underrepresented in higher education, including adult learners, community college transfer students, first-generation students, males, students from rural and distressed communities, underserved groups, veterans, and other historically marginalized groups.

Requirements

• This position is on-campus. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without needing sponsorship for employment visa status now or in the future.
• Three (3) to four (4) years’ experience in student affairs demonstrating leadership and supervisory abilities and administrative accomplishments in positions of increasing responsibility.
• Substantial experience in a college or university conduct process, investigations, case management, crisis response, student safety, organizational supervision, conflict mediation, and community relations.
• Experience advocating and supporting students in higher education and in leadership and engagement roles.
• Experience in budget management.
• Demonstrated commitment to the intellectual, professional, and personal development of a diverse student body.
• History of working collaboratively with diverse constituencies.
• Bachelor’s degree (required).

Skills

• Communication and conflict management.
• Crisis management and response.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, display a professional demeanor, and maintain confidentiality in compliance with FERPA and professional standards.
• Ability to analyze complex, sensitive, and difficult situations and make effective decisions.
• Ability to prioritize amongst many processes and day-to-day interruptions.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with diverse individuals.
• Ability to manage crisis-related incidents, civil rights investigation methods, and functions.

Preferred Qualifications

• Five (5) or more years’ experience in student affairs demonstrating leadership and supervisory abilities and administrative accomplishments in positions of increasing responsibility.
• Five (5) or more years’ experience in a college or university conduct process, investigations, case management, crisis response, student safety, organizational supervision, conflict mediation, and community relations.
• Understanding of legal issues and university, federal, and state statutes impacting higher education.
• Master’s degree.
• Skills and abilities working in student conduct issues in higher education.
• Knowledge and demonstrated abilities in conducting investigations, policy training, and outreach.
• Knowledge of CAMS, Pharos 360, and Ready Education, or ability to learn such systems.
• Ability to create and deliver training.
• Ability to create and deliver violence prevention programs.