Associate Director of Basic Needs, Student Care and Resource Center (Student Support Specialist)
Indiana University

Department

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT (BL-CENG-IUBLA)

Department Information

The Office of Student Life is focused on building a strong foundation to ensure every student's Indiana University experience is positive, safe, healthy, and meaningful. The Office of Student Life staff and multiple departments aim to help students navigate their time at IU, providing the tools they need to be successful in school and after graduation. Students are our priority, and their health, safety, and overall well-being are our core mission.

The Student Care and Resource Center/Basic Needs, a crucial department within the Office of Student Life, is dedicated to addressing basic needs support for all students at Indiana University. By ensuring equitable access to food and essential resources, we support the well-being and success of our diverse student body. Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is reflected in all our programs, interactions, and partnerships, creating an environment where every individual feels respected, valued, and affirmed.

Job Summary

The Associate Director of Basic Needs in the Student Care and Resource Center is dedicated to enhancing student well-being by managing essential resources and support programs.

Department-Specific Responsibilities

• Oversees the campus food pantry, emergency meal program, emergency funding and the loaner laptop program ensuring reliable access for students struggling to meet their basic needs.
• Collaborates with campus and community partners, supervises staff and volunteers, and develops impactful programming to address basic needs and promote student engagement.
• Manages the campus food pantry and emergency meal program, ensuring adequate staffing and maintaining partnerships with key stakeholders.
• Manages the emergency funding program.
• Supervises Crimson Cupboard staff, volunteers, and other program assistants, providing training and performance evaluations.
• Establishes and maintains resources for emergency housing, personal hygiene products, utility assistance, rent assistance, and the Loaner Laptop program.
• Collaborates with department representatives and community partners to address food insecurity and other basic needs.
• Develops and facilitates programming for students and stakeholders, utilizing knowledge in program design, implementation, resource management, and assessment.
• Represents the Student Care and Resource Center in creating collaborative resolutions and serve on planning committees as assigned.
• Develops and implements programs and initiatives to improve student engagement and involvement, gathering feedback from students to inform future initiatives.
• Provides guidance to student organizations on operations, budget, leadership, and compliance, promoting leadership and student development.
• Plans and coordinates communications and outreach for student life initiatives to ensure participation and inclusion.
• Measures and evaluates the effectiveness of initiatives, prepare reports and secure funding.
• Provides guidance to other Student Life Specialists and recommend process improvements.
• Serves on campus or cross-functional committees to share best practices.

General Responsibilities

• Develops and implements programs and initiatives geared at improving student engagement and involvement outcomes at the program, department/division, or campus level.
• Interfaces directly with students, attending student life events and programs and gathering satisfaction feedback from student participants to implement into future student life initiatives and objectives.
• Collaborates with staff in own department and other departments, as well as student organization leaders, on shared student life goals, often coordinating funding to sponsor student life initiatives.
• Measures and evaluates effectiveness of student life initiatives against projected outcomes; regularly prepares reports and presents to stakeholders on effectiveness and to secure funding for initiatives moving forward.
• Provides guidance to student organizations regarding operations, budget, leadership, activities, recruitment, registration, policies, and compliance.
• Promotes leadership and student development through advising of individual student leaders and volunteers.
• Contributes to formation, interpretation, and implementation of student organization policies.
• Plans and coordinates communications and targeted outreach for student life initiatives to ensure student participation and inclusion.
• May provide guidance to other Student Life Specialists; makes process recommendations to manager for improved delivery of service.
• May serve on various campus or cross-functional committees to share student life best practices.

Qualifications

Combinations of related education and experience may be considered. Education beyond the minimum required may be substituted for work experience. Work experience beyond the minimum required may be substituted for education.

EDUCATION

Required

• Bachelor's degree in public affairs, public health, counseling, social work, education, business, or related field

Preferred

• Master's degree in higher education student affairs or related field

WORK EXPERIENCE

Required

• 3 years in student services, higher education, or related field

Preferred

• 5 years in student services, higher education, or related field

SKILLS

Required

• Proficient communication skills
• Maintains a high degree of professionalism
• Demonstrates time management and priority setting skills
• Demonstrates a high commitment to quality
• Possesses flexibility to work in a fast paced, dynamic environment
• Seeks to acquire knowledge in area of specialty
• Highly thorough and dependable
• Demonstrates a high level of accuracy, even under pressure
• Possesses a high degree of initiative
• Ability to influence internal and/or external constituents
• Demonstrates ability to maintain confidential information
• Demonstrates customer service skills
• Commitment to working with people from diverse backgrounds and demonstrated cultural competency
• Ability to build strong partnerships with students and other university departments

Preferred

• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring timely completion and effective resource allocation
• Proficiency in assessing program effectiveness, analyzing data, and making informed decisions to improve services
• Confidence and skill in presenting information to diverse audiences, including students, staff, and community partners
• Deep understanding of and sensitivity to the diverse backgrounds and needs of the student population, ensuring inclusive and equitable support

Working Conditions / Demands

This role requires the ability to effectively communicate and to operate a computer and other standard office productivity equipment. The position involves sedentary work as well as periods of time moving around an office environment and the campus. The person in this role must be able to perform the essential functions with or without an accommodation.

Additional Information

Bloomington is not just a place to work- it is a place to live, thrive, and enjoy life. To learn more about what makes this town so special, click here.

Work Location

Bloomington, Indiana

This is an in-person position

Advertised Salary

$70,000-72,000 annually, based on education and experience.

Benefits Overview

For full-time staff employees, Indiana University offers a wide array of benefits including:

• Multiple plan options for medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Health Savings Account with generous IU contribution
• Life insurance, LTD, and AD&D options
• Base retirement plan contribution from IU, subject to vesting
• Additional supplemental retirement plan options
• Tuition benefit for IU classes
• 10 paid holidays per year
• Generous Paid Time Off
• Paid Parental Leave
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Learn more about our benefits by reviewing our online Benefits Brochure.

Job Classification

Career Level: Advanced

FLSA: Exempt

Job Function: Student Services

Job Family: Student Life

Click here to learn more about Indiana University's Job Framework.

Posting Disclaimer

This posting is scheduled to close at 11:59 pm EST on the advertised Close Date. This posting may be closed at any time at the discretion of the University, but will remain open for a minimum of 5 business days. To guarantee full consideration, please submit your application within 5 business days of the Posted Date.

If you wish to include a cover letter, you may include it with your resume when uploading attachments.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Indiana University is an equal employment and affirmative action employer and a provider of ADA services. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment based on individual qualifications. Indiana University prohibits discrimination based on age, ethnicity, color, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, disability status or protected veteran status. Indiana University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its educational programs and activities, including employment and admission, as required by Title IX. Questions or complaints regarding Title IX may be referred to the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights or the university Title IX Coordinator. See Indiana University's Notice of Non-Discrimination here which includes contact information.

Campus Safety and Security

The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report, containing policy statements, crime and fire statistics for all Indiana University campuses, is available online. You may also request a physical copy by emailing IU Public Safety at iups@iu.edu or by visiting IUPD.

Contact Us

Request Support
Telephone: 812-856-1234

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