Director of CARE Team and Student Support and Assistant Dean of Students

Description

Director of CARE Team and Student Support
Assistant Dean of Students

Office of the Dean of Students

Elevate Your Career at UCCS: Innovate, Inspire, and Impact in the Rockies!

Who We Are

The University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) is a premier educational institution that prides itself on academic excellence, research, and community engagement and is actively seeking a Director of CARE Team and Student Support and Assistant Dean of Students to join our team! UCCS is committed to academic excellence, professional development, and fostering an environment that supports innovation and student success.

At the base of the Rocky Mountains, Colorado Springs is captivated by its stunning landscapes, making it a paradise for nature lovers. This city is more than its scenery-a mosaic of history, arts, and a vibrant tech scene. We invite you to join a community that cherishes outdoor adventure as much as forward-thinking growth, an exceptional setting for both career and lifestyle.

Salary/Pay Range: $68,204 - $94,075 annually. Compensation will be commensurate upon experience and qualifications. This position is Exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) overtime provisions.

Work Location: Hybrid

Benefits at a Glance

At UCCS, our employees are our most valued asset. We're proud to offer:

• Generous Time Off: Enjoy 22 vacation days, 10 sick days, paid parental leave, 13 recognized holidays, and provisions for bereavement, jury duty, and FAMLI Leave.
• Robust Health Coverage: Our comprehensive medical plans cover preventative care at no cost, including a yearly mental health visit. Plus, benefit from affordable dental, vision plans, and competitive prescription drug prices.
• Financial & Retirement Benefits: Take advantage of our health savings, flexible spending accounts, and life and disability insurance. Plan for your future with our retirement options.
• Further Your Education: Avail twelve (12) waived credits per academic year for courses at any CU campus. We invest in your educational and professional growth.
• Wellness & More: From wellness programs aimed at achieving your best self to various additional benefits through CU Advantage, we prioritize well-being and holistic development.
• Want to know your total compensation? Use our calculator to get the complete picture!

Summary

The Office of the Dean of Students cultivates student success through student support and advocacy, educational opportunities, and the promotion of personal accountability and empowerment. Central to this mission is the Office's responsibility for promoting the safety, wellbeing, and success of all students, particularly during times of challenge or crisis.

The Director of CARE Team and Student Support plays a critical role in maintaining the safety and wellbeing of the campus community. Serving as the chair of the Campus Assessment, Response, and Evaluation (CARE) Team, the Director leads a campus-wide multidisciplinary team responsible for identifying, assessing, and responding to students of concern. This position manages a regular caseload that includes high-level behavioral, safety, and crisis cases. This position provides strategic leadership and oversight for the CARE Team and Student Support Services, ensuring coordinated, timely, and effective responses to complex student situations that may impact individual or campus safety.

Through collaboration with partners across the institution, the Director establishes the strategic direction for CARE Team operations and student support initiatives, helping to foster a safe, inclusive, and respectful campus environment. The position requires strong leadership, strategic planning, and exceptional communication skills to address behavioral concerns and support students in distress. Responsibilities include assessing individual student needs, developing and implementing tailored intervention plans, coordinating multidisciplinary responses, and navigating complex legal, ethical, and institutional considerations.

The Director also hires, supervises, and develops student support staff; provides training and guidance to designated CARE Team representatives across campus; and manages fiscal resources associated with student support initiatives. Through these responsibilities, the Director ensures the CARE Team and Student Support Services function effectively as a central component of the university's approach to student wellbeing, threat assessment, and campus safety.

Essential Functions

The duties and responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to:

CARE Team Case Management and Behavioral Intervention Leadership (40%)

• Provide expert leadership and direct engagement in complex student cases involving behavioral concerns, safety risks, and significant life challenges.
• Maintain a caseload of CARE Team referrals, prioritizing high-risk and complex student cases requiring coordinated institutional response.
• Conduct individualized safety, risk, and needs assessments to determine appropriate intervention strategies and support resources.
• Develop and coordinate intervention plans for students of concern, working collaboratively with campus partners to support student well-being and safety.
• Communicate case updates, action plans, and intervention outcomes to CARE Team members and relevant campus stakeholders while maintaining appropriate confidentiality.
• Lead weekly case management meetings to review emerging cases, coordinate follow-up actions, and ensure continuity of care for students.
• Maintain detailed documentation of CARE Team activities, case interventions, and outcomes within institutional case management systems.
• Provide consultation and guidance to campus administrators regarding complex or escalated student situations requiring coordinated institutional response.
• Communicate with parents, guardians, and emergency contacts when appropriate and consistent with institutional policy and privacy regulations.
• Ensure all CARE Team interventions prioritize the safety, well-being, and educational success of students and the broader campus community.

CARE Team Strategic Leadership, Oversight, and Resource Management (30%)

• Provide strategic direction, leadership, and administrative oversight for the CARE Team and Student Support Services to ensure programs and services advance the university's mission of student success, safety, and well-being.
• Establish the strategic vision for CARE Team and Student Support Services, while also providing oversight of day-to-day operations.
• Lead a workplace climate that is supportive of employees, encourages professional development, self-reflection, and student growth and learning.
• Develop and implement a strategic plan for CARE Team and Student Support Services.
• Serve as a backup when the Dean of Students and Associate Dean of Students are not available.
• Lead the activities of CARE Team, as the CARE chair.
  • Ensure all team members are effectively contributing to the team's objectives.
  • Facilitate regular meetings, setting the agenda, leading discussions, and ensuring that action items are assigned and followed up on.
  • Stay informed about best practices in threat assessment and behavioral intervention strategies.
  • Ensure that all CARE activities, meetings, and case interventions are documented accurately and confidentially in accordance with legal and institutional requirements.
  • Ensure that interventions are planned and implemented in a timely and effective manner, prioritizing the safety and well-being of individuals and the campus community.
  • Oversee the management of cases referred to the CARE, ensuring they are assessed promptly and appropriately.
  • Provide onboarding and administrative training for new CARE Team members.
  • Maintain records of training, outreach activities, and annual reports summarizing CARE activities and outcomes.
  • Provide monthly and annual report of CARE Team activities.
• Provide direction and oversight to student support functions, including but not limited to, Student Advocacy, Academic Withdrawal for extenuating circumstances, Basic Needs Programming, and Clyde's Cupboard.
• Lead weakly case management meeting for low-risk concerns.
• Hire, train, supervise, and evaluate Student Support staff.
• Develop, review, and revise CARE Team protocols and response plans ensure alignment with legal requirements and institutional values.
• Ensure compliance with relevant federal, state, and local laws and regulations (ie. Cleary Act, Title IX, FERPA, etc.).
• Oversee and administer annual operating budget.
• Manages expenses; oversees expenditures.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for fundraising and advancement efforts related to Clyde's Cupboard.

Partnerships and Training (30%)

• Develop strong partnerships across the institution to support proactive behavioral intervention, student advocacy, and campus-wide awareness of CARE processes.
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with key campus partners including UCCS Police, Residence Life and Housing, Institutional Equity, Financial Aid, Registrar's Office, Disability Services, Academic Advising, and college leadership.
• Design and deliver training programs for CARE Team members, faculty, staff, and students on identifying concerning behaviors, submitting CARE reports, and supporting students in distress.
• Provide consultation and guidance to faculty, staff, and administrators regarding behavioral concerns, intervention strategies, and student support resources.
• Serve as a key resource during campus crises or emergencies by coordinating student support responses following campus incidents or tragedies.
• Participate in campus-wide committees, task forces, and working groups that address student well-being, safety, and institutional risk management.
• Promote awareness of CARE Team services and student support resources through outreach initiatives and campus engagement activities.

Reporting, Assessment, and Institutional Service (10%)

• Support institutional accountability and program evaluation through reporting, documentation, and participation in university initiatives.
• Prepare and present monthly and annual reports summarizing CARE Team activity, case trends, training initiatives, and program outcomes.
• Maintain accurate records of CARE Team training participation, outreach activities, and intervention metrics to support program assessment and continuous improvement.
• Analyze trends in student behavioral concerns and support needs to inform policy development, prevention strategies, and resource allocation.
• Serve as a conduct officer when needed during high-volume periods or in cases involving potential conflicts of interest.
• Participate in institutional programs and events including orientation, outreach activities, welcome programs, and commencement to support student engagement and community building.

Qualifications

• Master's Degree in Higher Education Administration, Conflict Resolution, Social Work, Counseling, or a closely related field is required.
• Must have demonstrated experience leading or coordinating behavioral intervention, threat assessment, case management, or student crisis response initiatives within a higher education setting.
• Proven experience assessing complex student situations, developing intervention strategies, and coordinating campus resources to support students experiencing crisis, distress, or significant barriers to academic success is required.
• Must have professional certification in threat assessment, behavioral intervention, risk assessment, or case management.
• Experience supervising professional staff is preferred.
• Experience using case management software system, Maxient, is preferred.
• Highly qualified applicants will have advanced certification in NaBITA Risk Rubric.
• Advanced certifications in threat assessment (e.g., Digital Threat Assessment, Written Word, Structured Interview, Pathways to Violence), are highly desirable.