"Assistant Director of Student Advocacy and Support"

Req #: 234234

Department: UW TACOMA

Job Location: Tacoma Campus

Posting Date: 05/16/2024 

Closing Info: Open Until Filled 

Salary: $6,120 - $6,380 per month 

Other Compensation: 

Shift: First Shift 

Benefits: As a UW employee, you will enjoy generous benefits and work/life programs. For a complete description of our benefits for this position, please visit our website, click here. 

The University of Washington Tacoma is an anchor institution that is deeply invested in its local communities and in student success. As one of three campuses of a world-class university, UW Tacoma is dedicated to interdisciplinary and innovative teaching and scholarship and to engaging the community in mutually beneficial partnerships. UW Tacoma’s commitment to access and diversity is central to an environment where students, staff, faculty and South Sound residents find abundant opportunities for intellectual, personal and professional growth. More information about UW Tacoma and its strategic plan can be found here.

The Assistant Director of Student Advocacy and Support will be a leader in UW Tacoma’s efforts to strengthen persistence to graduation and increase students’ awareness of, and satisfaction with, the availability and accessibility of resources and supports. The Assistant Director (AD) collaborates with partners on and off-campus to coordinate wrap-around services that address issues including food insecurity, the experience of homelessness, psychological health, physical health, crime victimization, and social adjustment using social work principles. This Assistant Director reports through Student Affairs (Student Life) but works closely with Academic Affairs and the Center for Equity and Inclusion to achieve the position’s goals. The AD for Student Advocacy and Support manages the day-to-day operations of the Office for Student Advocacy and Support (OSAS).

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Program Development (35%)

Works in community partnerships to increase services that address students' basic needs, prioritizing reducing food and housing insecurity. This requires knowledge of state and local governmental, and non-profit/for profit agencies engaged in systemic change, and engaging with partners within these groups to move student needs forward (Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC), College Success Foundation (CSF), KOZ Housing etc.)

Partner with other departments and divisions to enhance the emergency aid program.

Engage in grant writing and creative budgeting to increase services for students.

Manages program grants and additional state funding (such as Supporting Students Experiencing Homelessness (SSEH), WA state proviso funding) to support basic needs.

Case Management and Consultation (20%)

Primary responsibility for developing, implementing, and assessing a case management model in support of students in need of assistance in areas such as (but not limited to) food insecurity, housing, transportation, referral for medical and mental health/addiction services, childcare, and other basic needs, and provide leadership in developing and implementing campus emergency aid program.

Serves as a core member of the Consultation Assessment Response Education (CARE) Team.

Coordinate and collaborate with other on-campus offices and academic units to identify students in need of services.

Outreach and Education (5%)

Develop informal and formal relationships with community agencies and individual providers in pursuit of financially and culturally appropriate and reliable sources of services for students.

Develop and implement outreach and education to increase faculty and staff awareness of psychosocial and economic barriers to academic success and develop their capacity to support and/or refer students in need.

Develop and implement outreach and education to increase students' awareness of campus resources and normalize help seeking behaviors.

Develop program evaluation methods for assessment of services provided by the office, and by outside providers.

Supervision (35%)

Supervises full-time professional staff - Basic Needs Navigator position.

Serve as Practicum Supervisor for Master of Social Work (MSW) and Bachelor of Social Work (BASW) practicum placements within OSAS. This includes interviewing and hiring students in partnership with the School of Social Work and Criminal Justice’s field placement office.

Other Duties (5%)

Serve on UW Tacoma and tri-campus committees related to scope of position's responsibilities.

Participate in on-call duty rotation, providing occasional back-up support for residential life staff.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Master's degree in Social Work from a Council on Social Work Education-accredited program and two years post-MSW degree experience in a human/social services position.

Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Washington State Social Work License

5+ years working in human services, education, counseling, or other similar settings

Demonstrated experience supervising social work practicum experiences

Demonstrated experience supervising staff

Experience working in a college or university

Experience engaging and serving diverse communities and individuals from a diversity of backgrounds

Demonstrated knowledge of local and regional human services resources

Application Process: The application process may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment, you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are access ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.

Committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff, the University of Washington will honor your experiences, perspectives and unique identity. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable and welcoming.

The University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or dso@uw.edu.

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law.