Assistant Director for Student Support and Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug Education, Student Support and Advocacy Center (SSAC)

The Assistant Director is charged with the primary responsibility for oversight of the university's comprehensive alcohol and drug education, intervention, and support services. Within this approach, attention is given to serving a diverse audience with needs along a continuum of care. The Assistant Director works collaboratively with campus, community, state, and national groups and agencies. Additionally, the Assistant Director is part of a team, which offers services for students in an effort to foster the safety and well-being of the Mason community. The Assistant Director helps triage and conducts intakes as needed related to students in crisis or distress.

The Assistant Director's responsibilities include:

Educational Programming and Training: Provide direction for substance use prevention, early intervention, and recovery. This includes oversight of workshops, public awareness campaigns, trainings, and technology addressing these topics.

Student Assessment, Intervention, and Referral: Oversee and administer the Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students Program (BASICS) . Meet with individual students who are referred or who voluntarily seek support in exploring their substance use. BASICS is designed as a short-term educational intervention. Students presenting with complex substance use histories will be referred to other professionals and agencies as deemed appropriate for long-term support.

General Student Support: Provide limited case management for students in distress or crisis, implement developmentally appropriate interventions, coordinate resources, and monitor follow-up and progress for ongoing student cases.

Public Awareness: Develop educational materials, from initial conceptual design to final product, in a range of formats (i.e., brochure, poster, flier, PSA, PowerPoint, Web site, and social media).

Needs Assessment, Evaluation and Research: Coordinate periodic assessments of student knowledge, attitudes, perceptions, and behaviors. Methodologies may involve quantitative and qualitative strategies, with linkages to existing offices and departments as appropriate. Collaborate with faculty, staff, and community members to develop, implement and evaluate substance use prevention, intervention, and recovery initiatives.

Policy Support and Development: Collaborate with campus and community offices and agencies on the development, implementation, and support for substance use intervention, education, and recovery related policies and procedures. Serve as the primary SSAC representative to the Medical Amnesty Committee.

Written Reports: Prepare internal documentation and reports as requested by the Director. Compile data for the Biennial Review and serve as the primary SSAC representative to the Biennial Review Group.

Funding and Institutionalization: Seek institutional and grant supplemental funding to advance specific programs, services, and initiatives.

Internal and External Collaboration: Create strong campus and community connections in an effort to promote shared responsibility for substance use prevention, intervention, and recovery. Work closely with a range of university units, with particular attention to University Life and academic departments. Collaborate with community offices and agencies including local and national groups as well as state and federal agencies.

Record Keeping: Ensure that all student records are maintained in accordance with University policies and applicable laws. Additionally, utilize database to record and document all alcohol and drug related assessments and appointments.

Supervision and Advisement: Select, train, and supervise graduate and undergraduate student employees and/or volunteers. Advise and work closely with student leaders and student groups on addressing substance use and recovery in the university community.

Maintain Knowledge of Standards of Practice for Substance Use Prevention, Intervention, and Recovery in Higher Education: Cultivate an understanding of campus approaches to supporting students in recovery and those who struggle with substance use - including best-practices and standards of practice developed by a variety of organizations including the American College Health Association and the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education. Share these approaches with internal staff and university stakeholders as appropriate.

Other Duties: Assist the Director with special projects related to the field of substance use and other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications: * Master's degree is required in a social services area or a related field (e.g., health care administration, public health, social work, counseling, college student personnel administration, or others as appropriate); * Working knowledge of a broad-rage of key trends, philosophies, and best practices in the field of collegiate substance use, prevention, and recovery.

Preferred Qualifications: * Previous experience working in the substance abuse prevention and intervention field; * Previous work experience in a university setting; * Previous experience with crisis intervention/response; * Ability to build and maintain successful collaborative relationships in a diverse campus community; * Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills; * Excellent problem solving and analytical skills; * Ability to maintain confidential information; * Strong attention to detail and organization; * Drive and flexibility to work in a high-paced environment with frequent interruptions

"For full consideration, applicants must apply at https://jobs.gmu.edu/ ; complete and submit the online application; and upload a cover letter, resume, and a list of three professional references with contact information."

"Great Careers Begin at Mason!

George Mason University is an innovative, entrepreneurial institution with national distinction in both academics and research. Mason holds a top U.S. News and World Report "Up and Coming" spot for national universities and is recognized for its global appeal and excellence in higher education.

Mason is currently the largest and most diverse university in Virginia with students and faculty from all 50 states and over 135 countries studying in over 200 degree programs at campuses in Arlington, Fairfax and Prince William, as well as at learning locations across the commonwealth. Rooted in Mason's diversity is a campus culture that is both rewarding and exciting, work that is meaningful, and opportunities to both collaborate and create.

If you are interested in joining the Mason family take a look at our current opportunities and catch some Mason spirit at jobs.gmu.edu/!

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