Director of Student Services

03-Feb-2023

Faculty of Arts and Sciences

59493BR

Position Description

Reporting to the Dean of Students, the Director of Student Services oversees the office that serves as a primary resource for all Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS) students (approximately 4,800) regarding any issues of concern. The Director coaches students on a variety of personal and academic issues, makes referrals, and provides ongoing case management. This position also works with academic departments and faculty on follow-up and coordination as well as on projects assigned by the Dean of Students as needed.

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

University Partnerships:

• Promotes effective communication and fosters collaborative partnerships with other offices around the University, such as Harvard University Health Services, Harvard University Police Department, the Accessible Education Office, Counseling and Mental Health Services, and the Academic Resource Center to ensure delivery of quality services to all GSAS students.
• Partners with departments and offices to train on various topics, such as managing up, peer mentoring, challenging conversations, and more.

Crisis Management:

• Receives, triages, and provides outreach for emergencies regarding GSAS students and is on call 24/7 as the designated initial contact person for Harvard University Police Department.
• Coordinates support for students who are returning from leaves and hospitalizations.
• Member of the GSAS Local Emergency Management Team.

Title IX Resource Coordinator:

• Serves as one of two Title IX Coordinators in GSAS; meeting individually with students who have questions, concerns or disclosures about sexual and gender-based harassment, helping connect students to appropriate University and community resources, and when appropriate, working with University and School offices to request supportive measures.
• The Director provides Title IX trainings in academic departments and attends monthly FAS and university-wide Title IX Resource Coordinator meetings.

Case Management:

• Coaches students on a variety of personal and academic concerns, makes appropriate referrals to Harvard and community resources, provides follow-up, helps students strategize and problem-solve.
• Facilitates frequent case meetings concerned with student life issues with departments and campus partners.
• Uses Maxient to provide best practices in case management, gather data, and identify trends.

Presentations and Committee Work:

• Makes presentations to department and lab group meetings and orientations to inform faculty and students about resources available for students.
• Serves on the Committee of Deans of Students (CODOS). A member of the Harvard University Safety Committee.
• Project Lead and strategic visionary for GSAS Welcomes (orientation suite of events) for approximately 900 incoming GSAS students.

Management:

• Supervises the Assistant Director of Student Services and Program Coordinator as well as student workers.
• Researches best practices and implements overall strategy for the Office of Student Services.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required
• Minimum of 7 years’ relevant work experience

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• Master’s degree in relevant field, particularly social work, counseling, or higher education administration
• Proven ability to work well with and advise students who are academically, internationally, ethnically, and culturally diverse
• Knowledge of and experience with Title IX in a university setting
• Excellent oral/written communication/presentation and organizational skills
• Demonstrated effectiveness in working with many constituencies to build effective relationships with faculty, administrators, and students, including in the area of student support and advocacy
• Adaptability and flexibility
• Ability to work under pressure in a complex institutional environment essential
• Collaborative style
• Superior oral and written communication and customer services skills required
• Strong presentation/public speaking ability
• Strong analytical and report-writing skills.
• Supervisory experience
• Knowledge of Maxient Case Management system, Microsoft Office Suite, advanced excel skills

Physical Requirements

• Lifting (approximately 20 to 30 pounds), bending, and other physical exertion

Working Conditions

• This position will be based in Cambridge, MA and will require a regular on-campus presence. GSAS currently practices a 3 day on-campus and 2 day hybrid work schedule.   
• The position is part of an Emergency Management Response Team that requires on-call hours.  

Additional Information

COVID Vaccine Policy: The University requires all Harvard community members to be fully vaccinated (primary series) against COVID-, as detailed in Harvard’s Vaccine & Booster  Information. Individuals may claim exemption from the vaccine requirement for medical or religious reasons. More information regarding the University’s COVID vaccination requirement, exemptions, and verification of vaccination status may be found at the University’s “COVID-19 Vaccine Information” webpage: http://www.harvard.edu/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccine-information/ . 

Job Function

Faculty & Student Services

Location

USA - MA - Cambridge

Job Code

S0358M FSS Student Service Mgt IV

Department

Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

Union

00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary

Pre-Employment Screening

Criminal, Education, Identity

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Harvard University views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values.

EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.