Career Center

The Associate Director is an integral member of the Campus Life team. The Associate Director provides direct leadership for the student experience through the recruitment, selection, training, supervision, and evaluation of three Community Directors. The Associate Director provides leadership and accountability for the recruitment, selection/election, hiring, and other employment processes for a broad array of Campus Life student leaders and employees. The Associate Director works with the Associate Dean for Campus Life, Co-Curricular Learning, and Assessment to support the campus-wide collaboration necessary for an effective and impactful New Student Orientation (including NSO Guide selection, training, and supervision) and other co-curricular initiatives. The Associate Director provides oversight for PLU’s clubs and organizations, including training for student leaders and faculty/staff advisors, risk management, and financial management. The Associate Director plays a key role in developing and realizing the vision and mission of Campus Life as it contributes to the university mission at Pacific Lutheran University. Reports to the Associate Dean for Campus Life.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Select, train, supervise, and evaluate a diverse staff of 2-3 Lower Campus Community Directors (CD), including support through weekly contact meetings and ongoing interactions.
• Select, train, supervise, and evaluate: 1 Engage Ambassador for Clubs & Organizations and ~40 New Student Orientation (NSO) Guides.
• Provide leadership for recruitment, selection/election, hiring, and other employment processes for diverse Campus Life student leaders, including: Associated Students of PLU, Engage Ambassadors, NSO Guides, and Resident Assistants.
• Actively participate in regular meetings that support departmental function and collaboration.
• Serve as a liaison between students, Campus Life staff, and other University personnel.
• Provide collaborative oversight for Campus Life budgets in support of Associate Vice President (AVP) for Campus Life.
• Attend university, division, and departmental trainings and maintain relationships with colleagues throughout the university.
• Provide university-wide crisis response on a rotating basis as a Student Life Administrator On Call.
• Serve as liaison for students seeking assistance in resolving personal and or community-related conflicts.
• Provide support and follow-up for students and staff in conflict management and resolution, including serving as a departmental liaison with students’ families.
• Participate in the Student Rights & Responsibilities (conduct) System as an educator and high level review officer.
• Ensure resources, proper administration, and engagement with PLU Clubs and Organizations, including regular communication, training/support, management of Campus Life student leadership offices and resources, and accountability of University policies and procedures.
• Partner to develop co-sponsored or complementary retention programs and form strong network ties with campus departments.
• With the Associate Dean and Associate Director, support the design, implementation, and assessment of a university-wide new student orientation, including the selection, training, supervision, and evaluation of NSO Guides.
• Support the development of culturally responsive approaches to address specific learning and transition needs and concerns of students and families from diverse backgrounds and prior learning experiences with the goal of increasing sense of belonging and agency in navigating the PLU environment.
• Support the development, dissemination, analysis, and reporting of assessment outcomes for continuous improvement of Campus Life co-curriculum.
• Support collaboration within PLU to develop, edit and publish student communication.
• Teach a student success related course (PLUS 100).
• Work closely with the AVP and Associate Dean of Campus Life to identify and act on opportunities for student learning, engagement and success, within Campus Life and at PLU.
• Provide strategic, innovative, and efficient contributions to Campus Life outcomes and shared work.
• Maintain appropriate current knowledge necessary for responsive programs and services.
• Responsible, with all Campus Life, for continuous improvement of services and learning opportunities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Demonstrated understanding and conceptualization of diversity to incorporate various intersecting identities that include, but are not limited to race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, religion, age, ability, socio-economic status and additional salient identities.
• Demonstrated intercultural capacity and strength in designing and facilitating culturally responsive, equitable, and engaging programs and services.
• Demonstrated investment in student engagement, persistence, and success.
• Excellent oral and written communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to manage and perform effectively within a highly fast-paced and unpredictable environment while meeting appropriate deadlines.
• Knowledge of current trends in higher education, social justice and equity education, and student success and outcomes.
• Knowledge of Lutheran Higher Education frameworks and understandings of vocation and vocational discernment in a higher education setting.
• Able to collaborate effectively, with strong interpersonal communication, and to build trust and cultivate intentional and varied relationships.
• Ability to work independently with a high degree of initiative and ability to work as a contributing part of a team.
• Budgetary experience.
• Supervisory experience.
• Crisis response and/or conflict management experience.
• High level of confidence and adaptability with technology.

Required Qualifications:

• Two years of Campus Life, Residential Life, Student Affairs, or other related experience.
• Bachelor’s degree.
• Finalist candidates must successfully complete pre-employment background checks.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in College Student Affairs, Higher Education, or related field.

About Pacific Lutheran University

Campus Life integrates the traditional work of Student Engagement and Residential Life to create a more cohesive, intentional, and holistic student experience while enhancing student learning, engagement and success at PLU. Campus Life is situated within Student Life, a Division that strives for improved care, learning and service to students through increased synergies and efficiencies. Through shared departmental leadership, vision and work, the Campus Life department enhances student learning, engagement and success at PLU. At PLU, diversity is intrinsic to the vitality of learning, resilience and growth. PLU is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from members of historically underrepresented and minoritized groups, women, veterans, persons with disabilities, and others who would bring broadly diverse perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds in educational, research or other work activities. PLU offers an excellent benefits package including tuition remission for employees and their dependents, retirement plan, medical, dental, paid vacation, major holidays off, and many other great university benefits. PLU is a qualifying employer under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program as a 501©(3) tax-exempt organization.

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