Director, Military Affairs & Services

The Director, Military Affairs and Services, is a strategic and achievement oriented planner and implementer that creates, initiates, efficiently produces and assesses best practice programs and services that assist currently serving military and those who have served with the ultimate goal of student success. The Director is responsible for the coordination and daily operation of the Office of Military Affairs and Services (OMAS), which is committed to supporting military veteran students with academic and overall student success. The Director works collaboratively with others within and outside the university to support veteran students through their transitions, especially as it relates to enrollment, financial aid, student success and career. The Director is also a member of the leadership team of the Division of Student Affairs and as such has responsibilities related to division and university goals. This position reports to the Vice President, Student Affairs.

Job Description

Duties and Tasks:

• Provides strategic and day to day program planning through initiation, execution, and assessment of programs and services that support the enrollment, engagement, success and satisfaction of student veterans and currently serving military students

• Serves as point of contact for military and veteran students in creatively problem solving barriers through excellent customer service and student-oriented approach using University and external resources

• Provides recruitment, transition and retention services to students including creating and supervising a student mentor/ambassador program for veterans and creating and executing other programs that provide effective assistance

• Supervises, trains, and evaluates student staff to meet the goals and objectives of the program

• Staffs advisory committee to provide services to veterans, including but not limited to, the Veteran Military Education Excellence Funds program

• Establishes liaison relationships between local, civic, and veterans’ groups

• Stays aware of legislative and other issues that may impact military or veteran populations and advises Vice President of potential impact and possible university resolutions for the betterment of all veteran and military students

• Is responsible for the functioning and supplying of the University Military Resource Centers.  Establish additional veteran/military space/resources/supplies as space and needs allow

• Works closely with veterans and military students and available on and off campus resources regarding funding, medical/disability funding and additional support; thorough knowledge of various resources is essential

• Manages the budget

• Establishes strong relationships with veterans and military students serving as an student organization advisor, mentor and role model as they enroll, progress, succeed and graduate

• Works with Career Services and potential employers to enhance opportunities for veteran employment

• Works with the Student Veteran Association student organization and other student organizations that support veteran/military needs

• Plans events and traditions such as Veterans Day commemorations.  Serves as veterans’ liaison for university and community events.

• Provide presentations/workshops/training for veterans/military students on topics of interest; present/train faculty/staff and others on successfully working with veteran students and meeting their needs

• Initiates and executes cutting edge programs and strategic plans with the guidance of the Vice President

• Provides data and information to the Vice President regarding military and veteran students, their status, barriers, programming, etc.

• Serve as an enthusiastic, engaged, effective Student Affairs professional with an excellent work ethic who serves as a University expert on veteran/military student success and who represents the Division of Student Affairs and Saint Leo University in an exceptional manner

• Other duties as assigned may include divisional or university responsibilities

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge:

• Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution required; Masters preferred.

• 10 or more years of military experience and/or knowledge of and familiarity of sociological, cultural, and transitional issues of military and veteran students required. 

• Higher education experience with veterans services office and related issues preferred

• Knowledge of career advising, training, event management, program planning and retention programs is preferred

• Knowledge of federal rules and regulations by the Veterans Administration

• Knowledge of special needs of veterans and available financial aid benefits

Skills:

• Strong initiative and solid judgment abilities/skills

• Excellent written and verbal communications skills

• Skilled in establishing cooperative working relationships in the course of performing assigned duties

• Skilled in working with students in distress and compassionately problem solving while making use of multiple resources

• Outstanding in person and online presentation skills

• Strong marketing skills including brand management and use of technology

Abilities:

• Ability to interpret Veterans Administration regulations and act as a liaison between the college veteran and the Veterans Administration

• Ability to supervise and train professional and student staff

• Ability to develop and maintain program records

• Ability to conceive of, plan, and effectively execute programs and services

• Ability to build relationships and partnerships with a wide variety of stakeholders

• Ability to build and/or enhance an inclusive and equitable working and learning environment for all students, employees, and other guests

• Ability to balance many tasks and responsibilities simultaneously

• Ability to develop and implement creative and innovative programs and services in a timely way

ENVIRONMENT: 

The work environment characteristics described here are a representation of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  The term “qualified individual with a disability” means an individual with a disability who, with or without reasonable accommodation, can perform the essential functions of this position.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to communicate professionally in person, over the telephone, through email and other electronic means, move about the office and University, handle various type of media and equipment, and visually or otherwise identify, observe and assess.   The employee is occasionally required to lift up to 10 pounds unless otherwise specified in the job description.

NOTICE:

The intent of this job description is to provide a representation of the types of duties and responsibilities that will be required of positions given this title and shall not be construed as a declaration of the total specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position.  Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.  Saint Leo University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and embraces diversity as a critical step in ensuring employee, student and graduate success

Why Work at Saint Leo?

What it’s Like to Work Here:  Ask our employees and the one word they’d use to describe working at Saint Leo University is “Community.” Our team members all share the Saint Leo core values, positive attitudes, and problem-solving abilities, enabling them to provide excellent student centered service. Our mission is educating and preparing students for life and leadership in a challenging world.  Thank you for your interest in joining the Saint Leo PRIDE!

We are committed to providing our employees with the support they need. At Saint Leo, we offer an array of medical, dental, and vision packages as well as several add-on perks to make your benefits package truly customizable to you and your family needs. Available benefits based on employment status (Full Time vs Part Time).

• Inclusive Group Health Plan (Medical, Dental, Vision)
• Group Health Plan features include Teledoc, Surgery Plus!, Wellness Incentive Program, Nationwide Pet Insurance, just to name a few!
• Health Reimbursement Account (University Paid!) and Flexible Spending Accounts (healthcare and dependent options)
• Tuition Remission (Employee, Spouse, and Dependents)*
• Tuition Exchange opportunity for dependent of employees*
• Paid Personal Leave (Sick, Vacation, Holidays)
• 403b - Annual match 3%-9% of pay based on employee’s contribution. University match and fully vested within one month of hire date.
• Basic Life and AD&D Insurance valued at 30k (University Paid!)
• Income Protection Benefits after one year
• Additional options for supplemental insurance 

*Eligibility based on meeting required service period

Job Description Summary

The Director, Military Affairs and Services, is a strategic and achievement oriented planner and implementer that creates, initiates, efficiently produces and assesses best practice programs and services that assist currently serving military and those who have served with the ultimate goal of student success. The Director is responsible for the coordination and daily operation of the Office of Military Affairs and Services (OMAS), which is committed to supporting military veteran students with academic and overall student success. The Director works collaboratively with others within and outside the university to support veteran students through their transitions, especially as it relates to enrollment, financial aid, student success and career. The Director is also a member of the leadership team of the Division of Student Affairs and as such has responsibilities related to division and university goals. This position reports to the Vice President, Student Affairs.

Job Description

Duties and Tasks:

• Provides strategic and day to day program planning through initiation, execution, and assessment of programs and services that support the enrollment, engagement, success and satisfaction of student veterans and currently serving military students

• Serves as point of contact for military and veteran students in creatively problem solving barriers through excellent customer service and student-oriented approach using University and external resources

• Provides recruitment, transition and retention services to students including creating and supervising a student mentor/ambassador program for veterans and creating and executing other programs that provide effective assistance

• Supervises, trains, and evaluates student staff to meet the goals and objectives of the program

• Staffs advisory committee to provide services to veterans, including but not limited to, the Veteran Military Education Excellence Funds program

• Establishes liaison relationships between local, civic, and veterans’ groups

• Stays aware of legislative and other issues that may impact military or veteran populations and advises Vice President of potential impact and possible university resolutions for the betterment of all veteran and military students

• Is responsible for the functioning and supplying of the University Military Resource Centers.  Establish additional veteran/military space/resources/supplies as space and needs allow

• Works closely with veterans and military students and available on and off campus resources regarding funding, medical/disability funding and additional support; thorough knowledge of various resources is essential

• Manages the budget

• Establishes strong relationships with veterans and military students serving as an student organization advisor, mentor and role model as they enroll, progress, succeed and graduate

• Works with Career Services and potential employers to enhance opportunities for veteran employment

• Works with the Student Veteran Association student organization and other student organizations that support veteran/military needs

• Plans events and traditions such as Veterans Day commemorations.  Serves as veterans’ liaison for university and community events.

• Provide presentations/workshops/training for veterans/military students on topics of interest; present/train faculty/staff and others on successfully working with veteran students and meeting their needs

• Initiates and executes cutting edge programs and strategic plans with the guidance of the Vice President

• Provides data and information to the Vice President regarding military and veteran students, their status, barriers, programming, etc.

• Serve as an enthusiastic, engaged, effective Student Affairs professional with an excellent work ethic who serves as a University expert on veteran/military student success and who represents the Division of Student Affairs and Saint Leo University in an exceptional manner

• Other duties as assigned may include divisional or university responsibilities

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge:

• Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution required; Masters preferred.

• 10 or more years of military experience and/or knowledge of and familiarity of sociological, cultural, and transitional issues of military and veteran students required. 

• Higher education experience with veterans services office and related issues preferred

• Knowledge of career advising, training, event management, program planning and retention programs is preferred

• Knowledge of federal rules and regulations by the Veterans Administration

• Knowledge of special needs of veterans and available financial aid benefits

Skills:

• Strong initiative and solid judgment abilities/skills

• Excellent written and verbal communications skills

• Skilled in establishing cooperative working relationships in the course of performing assigned duties

• Skilled in working with students in distress and compassionately problem solving while making use of multiple resources

• Outstanding in person and online presentation skills

• Strong marketing skills including brand management and use of technology

Abilities:

• Ability to interpret Veterans Administration regulations and act as a liaison between the college veteran and the Veterans Administration

• Ability to supervise and train professional and student staff

• Ability to develop and maintain program records

• Ability to conceive of, plan, and effectively execute programs and services

• Ability to build relationships and partnerships with a wide variety of stakeholders

• Ability to build and/or enhance an inclusive and equitable working and learning environment for all students, employees, and other guests

• Ability to balance many tasks and responsibilities simultaneously

• Ability to develop and implement creative and innovative programs and services in a timely way

ENVIRONMENT: 

The work environment characteristics described here are a representation of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  The term “qualified individual with a disability” means an individual with a disability who, with or without reasonable accommodation, can perform the essential functions of this position.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to communicate professionally in person, over the telephone, through email and other electronic means, move about the office and University, handle various type of media and equipment, and visually or otherwise identify, observe and assess.   The employee is occasionally required to lift up to 10 pounds unless otherwise specified in the job description.

NOTICE:

The intent of this job description is to provide a representation of the types of duties and responsibilities that will be required of positions given this title and shall not be construed as a declaration of the total specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position.  Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.  Saint Leo University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and embraces diversity as a critical step in ensuring employee, student and graduate success

Why Work at Saint Leo?

What it’s Like to Work Here:  Ask our employees and the one word they’d use to describe working at Saint Leo University is “Community.” Our team members all share the Saint Leo core values, positive attitudes, and problem-solving abilities, enabling them to provide excellent student centered service. Our mission is educating and preparing students for life and leadership in a challenging world.  Thank you for your interest in joining the Saint Leo PRIDE!

We are committed to providing our employees with the support they need. At Saint Leo, we offer an array of medical, dental, and vision packages as well as several add-on perks to make your benefits package truly customizable to you and your family needs. Available benefits based on employment status (Full Time vs Part Time).

• Inclusive Group Health Plan (Medical, Dental, Vision)
• Group Health Plan features include Teledoc, Surgery Plus!, Wellness Incentive Program, Nationwide Pet Insurance, just to name a few!
• Health Reimbursement Account (University Paid!) and Flexible Spending Accounts (healthcare and dependent options)
• Tuition Remission (Employee, Spouse, and Dependents)*
• Tuition Exchange opportunity for dependent of employees*
• Paid Personal Leave (Sick, Vacation, Holidays)
• 403b - Annual match 3%-9% of pay based on employee’s contribution. University match and fully vested within one month of hire date.
• Basic Life and AD&D Insurance valued at 30k (University Paid!)
• Income Protection Benefits after one year
• Additional options for supplemental insurance 

*Eligibility based on meeting required service period