Assistant Director for Sexual and Interpersonal Violence and Student Support Services Student Support and Advocacy Center (Arlington Campus)

The George Mason University Student Support and Advocacy Center is looking for an enthusiastic and energetic person for an Assistant Director for Sexual and Interpersonal Violence and Student Support Services on the Arlington campus.

George Mason University has a strong institutional commitment to the achievement of excellence and diversity among its faculty and staff and strongly encourages candidates to apply, who will enrich Mason's academic and culturally inclusive environment. The Student Support and Advocacy Center is committed to providing an empowering environment for all Mason students to seek support services and to explore healthy life choices. SSAC offers educational programming, one-on-one consultations, and resources in the areas of sexual and interpersonal violence, personal wellness, and alcohol and drug use. Center staff assist students encountering barriers to personal success.

The Assistant Director for Sexual and Interpersonal Violence and Student Support Services will report to the Associate Director of SSAC. In concert with the Associate Director, the Assistant Director will support student survivors of sexual and interpersonal violence, address students in crisis or distress, and conduct educational outreach and programming at the Arlington campus. The Assistant Director is a professional who is committed to fostering the holistic growth of students while striving to maintain the well-being and safety of the University community. This position will involve after-hours and weekend work as needed.

Responsibilities:
The primary focus of this position is to support student survivors of sexual and interpersonal violence via direct assistance and connection to University and local resources as well as to help eradicate sexual violence by implementing prevention and education programs. The secondary focus of the position is to support students in distress or crisis on the Arlington campus by connecting them to the appropriate resources and guiding them through University processes. The tertiary focus of the position is to provide SSAC representation at Mason's Arlington campus and to serve as a liaison with the Center on the Fairfax campus.

Approximately half of the Assistant Director's time will be spent providing sexual and interpersonal violence advocacy. This will include conducting intakes with students, providing empathetic support and resource navigation to student victims/survivors, assisting with reporting through the GMU law enforcement and Title IX reporting processes, connecting students to extended support services and counseling opportunities, and exploring safety planning with a specific focus on student survivors/victims on the Arlington campus. The other half of the Assistant Director's time will be focused on meeting with and supporting students in crisis/distress and connecting them with appropriate campus and local resources. It will be essential for the Assistant Director to collaborate with colleagues on the Fairfax campus and the Associate Director for consistent student support. The Assistant Director will also serve as the primary SSAC liaison to the Arlington campus for program and service delivery on other topics covered by the Center.

Intake and Support (Student Survivors/Victims): Conduct intake and screenings with new student victims/survivors of sexual assault, sexual harassment, interpersonal violence, and stalking presenting at the Arlington campus. This includes utilizing active listening strategies, safety planning, screening for lethality and immediate risk, building rapport and support, setting healthy boundaries, problem-solving and providing resources, rights, and options, and developing a plan for support with the student victim/survivor.

Intake and Support (Students in Distress/Crisis): Manage referrals received about Arlington students who are in distress/crisis. Meet with students, implement developmentally appropriate interventions, and coordinate resources and services. Consult with Associate Director or Director when impact of a situation crosses functional area boundaries.

Case Management: Provide case management of student victims/survivors as well as students in distress/crisis; monitor follow-up and progress for ongoing student cases and advise SSAC staff of student progress and needs, as appropriate.

Referral and Resource Navigation: Provide compassionate navigation of campus and community resources to student victims/survivors. These resources include: Student Health Services and off-campus medical resources, as needed; safety resources including on-campus and off-campus police; Compliance Diversity and Ethics/Title IX and or Student Conduct for on-campus reporting and accommodations; academic resources and supports; mental health and counseling options on- and off-campus; Housing and Residential Life and off-campus options for relocation; and additional resources as needed by the student victim/survivor.

Advocacy and Support: Accompany Arlington campus student victims/survivors to in-person meetings with Compliance Diversity and Ethics/Title IX and George Mason University Police Department, as requested by the student. Whenever possible, assist in reducing barriers for student victims/survivors connecting with these resources.

Safety Planning and Risk Reduction: Support student victims/survivors in developing options and ideas for maintaining safety and/or action plans in the event of an escalation of violence. When appropriate, connect the student to resources to assist with safety planning. In lethal situations and/or those that present a threat to the community, notify appropriate staff.

Outreach and Consultation: Support prevention and outreach programs and initiatives with the focus of increasing student victim/survivor resource visibility on the Arlington campus. Develop resources and materials which are focused on student victim/survivor experiences and needs. Additionally, develop and implement outreach and education efforts focused on other needs of the Arlington student community with which SSAC can assist. Work directly with SSAC and in collaboration with University Life Arlington to ensure consistent branding, messaging, and development of resources.

Internal Coordination and Collaboration: Develop and maintain close working relationships with a wide range of university offices and personnel with particular attention to Housing and Residence Life, Counseling and Psychological Services, Student Health Services, Student Conduct, Office of Disability Services, University Police, other University Life offices, academic departments, faculty, and other staff. Provide support and guidance to offices in matters pertaining to case management.

External Collaboration: Develop strong working relationships with community offices and agencies including local groups and resources. Facilitate appropriate and empathetic resource referral to community agencies, as needed. Assist in the development of resources and support options outside of the University for the student victims/survivors and students in distress/crisis. Develop partnerships and collaboration with Arlington area resources and Arlington campus partners.

Record-keeping and Data Management: Ensure that student records are maintained in accordance with university policies and applicable laws and are readily available to internal staff. Ensure that records are updated in a timely and consistent manner. When requested, assist in the completion of statistical reports as needed by internal staff and leadership at the University. Maintain confidentiality of student records in accordance with university policy, local, state, and federal laws.

Communication/Liaison: Maintain open and regular communication with SSAC staff on the Fairfax campus and University Life Arlington staff in order to provide consistent support to students on the Arlington campus. Serve as a member of the University Care Team.

Other Duties: Develop and manage the operation of the Patriot Pantry satellite location serving the Arlington campus community. Assist the Director and Associate Directors of the Student Support and Advocacy Center with special projects and other duties as assigned.

Maintain Knowledge of Standards of Practice for Victim/Survivor and Student in Crisis/Distress Response in Higher Education: Cultivate an understanding of campus approaches to supporting victims/survivors of sexual assault, sexual harassment, interpersonal violence, and stalking as well as students in crisis/distress - including best-practices and standards of practice developed by a variety of organizations including, but not limited to, the American College Health Association, the Higher Education Case Managers Association, and the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education. Share these approaches with internal staff and University stakeholders, as appropriate.

Required Qualifications: * A master's degree in student personnel administration, higher education, counseling, social work, or a related area; * Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills; * Excellent problem solving and analytical skills; * Ability to build and maintain successful collaborative relationships in a diverse campus community; * Ability to operate various software programs, including Pave Software and Microsoft Office products; and * Drive and flexibility to work in a high-paced environment with frequent interruptions.

Preferred Qualifications: * Demonstrated full-time work experience in a university setting within student affairs or equivalent; * Experience in managing students of concern or related issues; and * Previous work with survivors of sexual and interpersonal violence.

"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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