Associate Director, Student Wellbeing

• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Bargaining Unit:
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• End Date if Temporary:
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Standard Work Schedule:
• Building:
• Salary Range: $87,000 - $97,000

Position Summary

Reporting to the Assistant Dean of Student Wellbeing & Support, the Associate Director provides non-clinical case management, resource referrals, crisis intervention, and preventative wellbeing programming for students across Columbia University’s School of Professional Studies (SPS). The Associate Director supports students experiencing academic, personal, or professional challenges and collaborates with University partners to coordinate comprehensive interventions and resources.

In collaboration with the Assistant Dean, the Associate Director has primary oversight of wellness services for SPS Pre-College Programs, including the summer residential experience serving nearly 1,000 high school students. The incumbent will deliver preventative education and outreach related to all areas of well-being to all SPS students - this may include stress management, time management, mental health, financial wellness, and many others.

The Associate Director works closely with partners across the University, including Counseling & Psychological Services, Disability Services, the Center for Student Success & Intervention, Medical Services, Student Financial Services, and other student support offices. Additional responsibilities include overseeing the SPS Emergency Fund and supporting the assessment of student wellbeing initiatives and annual reporting to leadership.

This is a non-clinical case management position and does not provide clinical supervision toward professional licensure or certification.

Responsibilities

Programming & Preventive Education

• Develop workshops and initiatives that focus on a proactive approach to student well-being. This includes but is not limited to mental and emotional health, basic needs, stress management, self care, physical health, financial well being, nutrition and time management.
• Assist faculty and staff as they incorporate well-beingconcepts and self-care in their interactions with students.
• Serve as a co-liaison to CU Health and related offices.
• Develop engagement initiatives that foster social connection, learning and student development.
• Oversee the design, implementation and assessment of all programming components.

Crisis Triage, Referrals and Case Management 

• Provide non clinical case management and direct support to students navigating well-being related concerns that include but are not limited to personal, financial, medical, mental health, and academic concerns. Serve as a non clinical case manager for a caseload of students identified as students of concern across all programs at SPS.
• Serve on the CARE Team on-call rotation and exercises judgment in triaging student concerns, determining appropriate referrals, coordinating follow-up with Wellbeing team and University partners, documenting actions taken, and escalating urgent, sensitive, or high-risk matters in accordance with established protocols.
• In collaboration with Assistant Dean, oversee SPS emergency fund application and withdrawal with intent to return for medical reasons requests.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for the Pre-College team on student wellness and support matters and provide direct supervision, guidance, and oversight to Pre-College Wellness Counselor. Will also serve as a member of the Pre College CARE Team providing consultation on complex or elevated student concerns. Coordinate appropriate interventions and referrals in partnership with Pre-College leadership and University resources.
• Provide support to staff and faculty to identify students of concern and ensure these are on the radar of appropriate department leaders.
• Manage updates to the student of concern tracker and ensures timely case management, intervention and follow-up actions for referrals and students of concern.
• Consult with CARE team members regarding current students of concern; develops action plans to manage and follow up with situations.
• Assist with implementation and support of students receiving accommodations from Disability Services.
• Assist in the development of proactive strategies to identify and help students in need and provide ongoing support, guidance and problem solving to address any obstacles to academic success and student wellbeing.
• Manage partner relationships with a network of on and off campus services to support student well-being.
• Draft internal and external facing documents that promote and highlight well-being and support services.
• Participate in and contribute to school-wide cornerstone events including but not limited to New Student Orientation, Admitted Student Events, Graduation/Commencement, and others.
• Assist in the development of an annual well-being and support overview that outlines key findings from office initiatives and contributions to department learning outcomes.
• Maintain accurate and FERPA compliant records in accordance with institutional policies

Supervision & Training

• Supervise temporary pre-college wellness counselors as well as intern level staff who plan and facilitate marketing, preventative education workshops, and events.
• Assist in development and management of Pre-College wellness team that includes training for all Pre-College staff members.
• Organize and promote ongoing training and educational opportunities for SPS students, faculty, and staff on key wellbeing, safety, and community care topics.
• Supervise assigned staff on an as-needed basis.

PERFORMS OTHER DUTIES AS ASSIGNED OR REQUESTED

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree desirable.
• 4 years related experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree from an accredited institution in mental health counseling, social work, higher education and student affairs, public health or a related field
• 2-4 years of experience in a specific student personnel position at college, university or high school setting
• Previous experience working with a behavioral intervention team or students of concern
• Experience managing health and well-being initiatives in a university setting
• Ability to assess services and learning outcomes
• Understanding of the application of FERPA, medical privacy guidelines and other applicable laws and policies
• Experience in a supervisory role including the training and development of staff is strongly preferred
• Prior emergency/crisis response experience preferred

Other Requirements

• Ability to work with multiple stakeholder groups in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to take initiative and manage a variety of tasks and projects simultaneously, with impeccable attention to detail
• Effectively handle confidential information and adhere to policies and procedures
• Occasional evening and weekend work required

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.