Case Manager - Basic Needs

Position Summary

The Student Affairs Case Manager serves as one of four professional case managers within Student Care & Outreach (SCO). This position provides individualized assessment, intervention, and coordinated support for students experiencing complex personal, academic, financial, and well-being concerns. The Case Manager exercises professional judgment in evaluating student situations, determining appropriate courses of action, and coordinating campus and community resources.

In addition to general case management responsibilities, this position assists the Community of Care Coordinator with the management and logistics of the UGA Student Food Pantry, as well as strategic initiatives related to students’ basic needs. The position also provides event support and case management coordination for Embark@UGA, a campus initiative supporting students who have experienced foster care and/or homelessness or who are at risk of housing instability. The Case Manager collaborates with campus partners to address systemic barriers impacting students’ access to basic needs and to enhance institutional support. The position reports to the Assistant Director of Student Care & Outreach and operates with a high degree of autonomy within established university policies and best practices.

Preferred Qualifications

• Masters Degree in Higher Education, Student Affairs, Social Work, or related field.
• Experience managing electronic case management or database systems (e.g., Advocate Symplicity, or similar platforms).

Duties/Responsibilities

(55%) Case Management for Student Care & Outreach:

• Conduct individualized assessments of students referred to Student Care & Outreach (SCO) to evaluate level of risk, stability, and need for intervention; independently determine appropriate courses of action using professional judgment and best practices in student support and case management.
• Develop and implement individualized, multi-faceted support plans that coordinate campus departments, academic units, community providers, and external stakeholders.
• Manage an active caseload of up to approximately 60 cases per week, prioritizing cases based on acuity and institutional impact.
• Evaluate emergency financial assistance requests in partnership with the Office of Student Financial Aid and recommend disbursement of support funds based on documented need and urgency.
• Serve as a liaison between students, families, faculty, and university administrators in navigating complex or sensitive situations; interpret university policies and procedures, and guide stakeholders through appropriate processes.
• Consult with faculty regarding students of concern, behavioral issues, attendance disruptions, and academic impact; provide recommendations grounded in policy and student support best practices.
• Coordinate and participate in degree completion and student retention teams in collaboration with the Office of Student Success and Academic Advising to remove barriers to timely academic progression.
• Facilitate hardship withdrawal and related academic processes, advising students on options and institutional implications.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams of support for students with complex needs, ensuring continuity of care and appropriate follow-up.
• Exercise discretion in responding to sensitive health, safety, and well-being concerns, consulting leadership on exceptional or emergent matters as appropriate.
• Maintain accurate, confidential case documentation within the Advocate Symplicity system in compliance with FERPA and university policies; analyze case data to identify trends and emerging student needs.

(40%) Support for Basic Needs:

• Provide case management and individualized support coordination for students participating in Embark@UGA.
• Collaborate with campus and community partners to identify resources addressing housing insecurity, financial instability, and other issues affecting students’ basic needs.
• Design & implement outreach and engagement initiatives that connect eligible students to Embark@UGA resources.
• Research best practices and emerging issues impacting students who have experienced foster care or homelessness and integrate findings into program enhancements.
• Identify and pursue grant and funding opportunities that expand support services for the UGA Student Food Pantry and Embark@UGA students.

(5%) Other Responsibilities:

• Serve on various University committees.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

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