Assistant Director for Substance Use and Recovery

George Mason University's Student Support and Advocacy Center (SSAC) is looking for an enthusiastic and energetic person for the Assistant Director for Substance Use and Recovery. 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.

About the Student Support and Advocacy Center:

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, financial well-being, substance use, and collegiate recovery. The Center staff assist students encountering barriers to personal success.

About the Position:

The Assistant Director is charged with the primary responsibility of overseeing the University's comprehensive alcohol and drug prevention, 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. 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, and therefore, might occasionally triage and conduct intakes related to students in crisis or distress. This position involves after-hours and weekend work, as needed.

Responsibilities:

Prevention:

Comprehensive Prevention:

• Develop, coordinate, and maintain a comprehensive offering of co-curricular prevention programs and opportunities that include primary and secondary prevention strategies, risk reduction, and additional strategies related to substance use. This includes continuance of traditional Mason programs as well as development of new programs and content relevant to Mason's students; assistance in the coordination of workshop and educational requests from the Mason community; and active involvement with Mason committees, taskforces, and partners;
• Work closely with the Assistant Director for Sexual and Interpersonal Violence Prevention and Response to ensure that George Mason University's bystander intervention program is a key part of comprehensive substance abuse prevention;
• Develop and implement educational materials and campaigns such as brochures, posters, fliers, public service announcements, infographics, PowerPoint presentations, trainings, websites, and social media content on the subject of substance use, recovery, and related topics.

Peer Education Program Coordination:

• Serve as the primary coordinator for the Substance Use Peer Educators (SUPEs), who educate Mason students on topics of substance use and recovery. This includes the recruitment, training, workshop development, evaluation and overall management of the SUPE program.

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.

Needs Assessment, Evaluation and Research:

• Coordinate periodic quantitative and qualitative assessments of student knowledge, attitudes, perceptions, and behaviors. Strategize with other units, 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 and Associate Director. Compile data for the Biennial Review and serve as the primary SSAC representative to the Biennial Review Group.

Intervention:

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.

Intake and Support:

• Conduct intake and screenings with students surrounding their substance use habits and/or recovery. This includes utilizing active listening strategies, building rapport and support, setting healthy boundaries, problem-solving, exploring risk reduction methods, and providing resources and options to the student.

Case Management:

• Provide case management of students in recovery for substance use disorders, eating disorders, or other process addictions, and occasionally students in distress; monitor follow-up and progress for ongoing student cases as needed and advise SSAC staff of student progress and needs, as appropriate.

Referral and Resource Navigation:

• Provide compassionate navigation of campus and community resources to students. These include referrals to Counseling and Psychological Services, Student Health Services, and off-campus medical resources, and community substance use and recovery treatment providers. Build and maintain awareness of the resources available to George Mason University students around substance use, eating disorders, and other process addictions.

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.

Recovery:

• Provide leadership and direction to the collegiate recovery community. This includes facilitating programs and spaces, conducting intakes and screenings of potential members, working to increase visibility and awareness of recovery resources at George Mason University, securing resources and sponsors of programs and events, and continuing to grow recovery supports for George Mason University students.

Collaboration and Advancement of the Substance Use and Recovery Functional Area:

• Provide support and consultation to SSAC staff, campus student leaders and student groups, and other Mason community members on topics associated with substance use and recovery, program coordination, content expertise, etc.;
• As requested by the Director or Associate Director, serve on and participate in committees, task-forces, event planning groups, trainings, and other various opportunities with the goal of continuing to expand and develop the area of substance use prevention, risk reduction, and recovery within SSAC and in the Mason community;
• 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 to include 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.

Funding Acquisition:

• 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.

Other Duties:

• Assist the Director and Associate 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.

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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.
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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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