Associate Director, Intervention and Support

Department: Dean of Students
Salary/Grade: EXS/9

Student Assistance and Support Services Mission: Through consultation, intervention and advocacy, Student Assistance and Support Services (SASS) strives to support, educate and assist students challenged with complex issues, crises and other barriers that impede academic success. By empowering students to navigate university systems and resources as well as make informed decisions about their individual needs, SASS fosters the development of skills that promote agency and resilience. Learn more about the SASS team here: https://www.northwestern.edu/studentaffairs/sass/

About Student Affairs: By pursuing justice, equity, and belonging, Student Affairs cultivates student programs, services, and skills; disrupts barriers; and partners across Northwestern and neighboring communities to create an inclusive culture in which all students can thrive. Learn more about the Division of Student Affairs here: https://www.northwestern.edu/studentaffairs/about/strategic-plan/objectives.html

Job Summary:

The Associate Director of Intervention and Support coordinates internal and external crisis care with partners such as community mobile crisis units, psychiatric hospitals, academic units, and families. Duties include conducting health and safety checks; exercising independent judgment to make initial assessments; reviewing and routing Incident Reports (IRs); and coordinating follow-up care. They assist with campus outreach and training around crisis management.

This position supports the Evanston campus and is a member of the Student Assistance and Support Services (SASS) team. This position does not provide clinical, mental health or other medical care or treatment to students.

Pay: The pay range for this Associate Director position is $82,000 to $85,000 annually, depending on experience, skills, and internal equity.

Principal Accountabilities:

Student Support 50%

• Provide non-clinical support to students in crisis including determining the appropriate information to communicate to students and their families, student affairs departments, and academic units; coordinate University responses based on students' needs.
• Coordinate and/or conduct health and safety checks for students in crisis. Assess needs in complex and novel situations; escalate to appropriate emergency services or other community partners as situations warrant.
• Provide and coordinate follow-up support following health and safety checks. Work with Northwestern resources and strategize post-hospitalization support and follow up.
• Triage calls and emails to the Dean of Students office seeking assistance for urgent or crisis matters; use judgment and expertise to assess urgency and initial response.
• Identify and execute financial support for students with high financial needs who are going on leave and/or managing crises.
• Provide direct support to a small caseload of students experiencing crisis or barriers to success at Northwestern.

Administration 35%

• Manage, compile and analyze data; prepare reports on crisis response, wellness checks, and other SASS support efforts using Maxient data analytics.
• Document in an effective and timely manner the actions taken on student cases, using the Maxient database.
• Create all relevant Administrator on Call (AOC) and Community Concerns Incident Reports (IRs) cases and route to the appropriate office and staff members for follow-up.
• Participate with area/unit senior staff in the conceptualization, development and presentation of materials used in functional operations.
• Analyze evaluation data from students and identify service improvement opportunities.

Communication, Outreach, Recruitment 10%

• Participates in developing and implementing strategic planning goals, objectives, and Serve as a main point of contact with internal and external Care and Coordination partners
• Develop and maintain a list of campus and community referrals for emergency- related concerns such as food and housing insecurity, mental health treatment and suicide prevention.
• Strengthen partnerships with community partners.
• Liaise with school advising leads, faculty, staff, and other school departments regarding student behavior and management of student-related concerns
• Assist in facilitating education and training opportunities for school advising leads, faculty, staff, and students

Other duties as assigned 5%

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master's degree in social work, higher education or other related fields
• 5-7 years professional, post masters work experience
• Crisis management experience in a university setting

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working with diverse populations in a college setting
• Proficiency with databases; history of tracking and analyzing data

Minimum Competencies:

• Highly developed communication skills to foster collaborative relationships
• Agility and ability to multitask and manage several projects simultaneously
• Excellent customer service skills
• Ability to de-escalate crisis situations, make appropriate referrals, and exercise good judgment

Preferred Competencies:

• Excellent organization and administrative skills.
• Demonstrated experiences with diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice leadership.
• Knowledge of higher education trends, federal and state laws and regulations, and the ability to interpret those to a broad range of audiences.
• Ability to maintain a working environment characterized by effective teamwork and collaboration with peers.
• Ability to excel in a team environment.

Benefits: At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness: Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles. We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth and Development: Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters for people who can obtain them as a critical tool for minimizing severe illness. More information can be found on the COVID-19 and Campus Updates webpage.

The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Click for information on EEO is the Law.

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