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Job Summary

*All applicants must apply via the search firm.*

The Associate Vice President and Dean of Students (AVP/DOS) is a senior administrative position reporting to the Vice President for Student Affairs (VPSA). This position assists the VPSA with the overall management, planning, administration, and evaluation of the division’s programs, services, personnel, policies, procedures, facilities and budgets. It provides leadership in the design and implementation of coordinated campus/division-wide initiatives.

The AVP/DOS provides administrative oversight, policy development/implementation and leadership for Campus Life focused on directly contributing to student success and retention through building community, increasing student engagement, ensuring a sense of belonging and providing opportunities for holistic development of SJSU undergraduate students. The AVP/DOS leads major campus-wide programs including Fall and Spring Weeks of Welcome, Spartan Speaker Series, and Homecoming. The incumbent also works closely with assigned direct reports to develop and assess learning and developmental outcomes to deliver student retention-focused intervention services. The AVP/DOS provides consultation that focuses on high quality, student-centered approaches, trends, and best practices. Additionally, the AVP/DOS provides visionary leadership in building collaborative campus partnerships to foster access, co-curricular learning, inclusive excellence, student engagement, retention, and deep commitment to student success.

Key Responsibilities

• Provides direct supervision, hiring, training, and evaluation for directors (MPPs) and program directors (SSPs) responsible for a broad portfolio of student support, services, and programs in six (6) functional areas: Student Involvement, Associated Students, Student Union, Student Conduct & Ethical Development, Behavioral Intervention and multidisciplinary Behavioral Intervention Team. Leads over 20 professional staff.
• Leads comprehensive master planning for enhancement of coordinated Campus Life including development, design and implementation of co-curricular, personal/development, cultural and social programming in partnership with Academic Affairs and other Student Affairs areas in leadership development, identity development, student rights and responsibilities, persistence and self-advocacy, engaged citizenship, and inclusive community building.
• Administers complex budget of CSU Operating Fund more than $25M. Provides fiscal oversight and establishment of priorities and encourages departments to seek other funding sources to augment programs and services.
• Controls and monitors operational activities to ensure high-quality services to students, effective mitigation of risk for campus-wide events, and efficient and effective allocation of campus resources.
• Collaborates across university lines to develop policies and protocols to address a wide range of student needs and concerns. This includes support for student conduct, safety, facility usage, reservations, event spaces, and community issues. Leads development, implementation, and training and execution of Time, Place, and Manner for Campus.
• Supports Crisis Management area for units as it relates to students of concern and freedom of expression and protests in collaboration with key university departments.
• Supervises two Executive Directors of Associated Students and Student Union regarding administrative priorities, CSU system and campus compliance, and direction of sub-units and programs. This includes supporting their budget development processes and Finance committee, Personnel committees, Audits, and HR. Works with units in regard to assessments and student service needs.
• Leads the development and oversight of the SJSU Sammy App in support of student engagement. Leads committee that develops app usage, monitoring, assessment and onboarding new features. Collaborates with campus on communication needs posted on the app.
• Assists the Vice President for Student Affairs with implementing the division’s mission and strategies including the development, management, administration, evaluation and improvement of the division’s programs, services, personnel, policies, procedures, facilities, divisional goals and priorities, and other issues of divisional and institutional significance.
• Develops and oversees operational and strategic planning efforts that fulfill the mission of the Division and enhancement of the college experience for students. Leads strategic initiatives related to student engagement.
• Participates as a key member of the VPSA Council and the Student Affairs Leadership Team (SALT).
• Advises the VPSA and other university leadership on student welfare, growth, and development; co-curricular learning; and student access, retention, and success.
• Represents the VPSA at internal and external meetings and functions.
• Participates in professional organizations and professional development opportunities to increase knowledge of current issues, regional and national trends, and best practices in student affairs/services.
• Leads division emergency protocol, critical incident procedures, and threat assessment.
• Leads assessment efforts within the unit to ensure learning outcomes are achieved as well as quality services.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Demonstrated ability in developing and carrying out assessment of strategic goals and evidence of a strong background in data-informed decision making.
• Demonstrated ability and commitment to establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships within a diverse, multicultural environment.
• Demonstrated ability to hire, supervise and train director-level staff.
• Strong skills in developing a comprehensive master plan of coordinated Campus Life activities.
• Demonstrated expertise in contract review and development, fiscal cycle processes and operations.
• Demonstrated knowledge of complex leadership, supervision and organizational theories applied at the unit, division and university levels.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, particularly in the areas of giving vision and direction to staff and working effectively with internal and external constituents.
• Demonstrated knowledge of student development theories relevant to a metropolitan university with a diverse student population, appropriate best practices, and demonstrated sensitivity and understanding of the needs of a large and diverse student body.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality and appropriately handle sensitive communications within the university and with external agencies.
• Demonstrated ability to handle multiple work priorities, organize, and plan work effectively, in a professional manner, in a detail oriented and fast paced environment.
• Demonstrated commitment to collaborative teamwork across academic and student affairs divisions, as well as other divisions, to build a sound campus environment for all
• Demonstrated ability to research, understand and apply a variety of state, federal, CSU, and SJSU policies and procedures.
• Demonstrated ability to lead individuals in team effort to accomplish institutional and divisional goals and objectives.
• Demonstrated knowledge of relevant software applications including word processing, spreadsheets, and database management.
• Demonstrated ability to be self-directed but work effectively as a collaborative team player.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, faculty, staff, students, media, and community members.
• Demonstrated excellent customer service and public relations skills.
• Ability to communicate with constituents in a professional and respectful manner.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in higher education administration, student affairs or a related field
• Eight years of experience with at least five years serving at the director level of a student services unit or above in a college or university environment
• Experience in a comprehensive retention program
• Experience supervising, hiring, training and evaluating professional staff
• Experience administering a budget of at least $100K

Preferred Qualifications

• Doctoral Degree
• Ten years of progressively responsible professional experience in higher education in academic or student affairs administration or related fields, including responsibility for planning, policy, program development and program implementation, and managing budgets, at the director level (or equivalent) for a student services unit or higher
• Experience enhancing the university experience for a diverse student population
• Experience working with at risk student populations and maximizing their access to higher education and developing student retention strategies
• Experience working closely with and maintaining strong positive relationships with the full range of internal and external constituents
• Leadership experience in student affairs/life at the university level
• Experience administering a budget of at least $500K
• Experience supervising Associate Director and/or Director level
• Experience assessing programs and demonstrating improvement of the program over time

Compensation

Classification: Administrator IV
Anticipated Hiring Range: $14,583/month - $16,250/month
CSU Salary Range: $9,625/month - $30,896/month

The final hiring salary will be commensurate with experience.

San José State University offers employees a comprehensive benefits package typically worth 30-35% of your base salary. For more information on programs available, please see the Employee Benefits Summary.

Application Procedure

All applications, nominations and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as separate documents, a CV or resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in this profile. Application materials should be submitted using WittKieffer’s candidate portal.

For fullest consideration, candidate materials should be received by January 6, 2025.

Please direct nominations and inquiries to SJSU-AVPDOS@wittkieffer.com

Contact Information

Shelley Arakawa, J.D., Corin Edwards, M.Ed, and Jen Meyers Pickard, Ph.D.

SJSU-AVPDOS@wittkieffer.com

CSU Vaccination Policy

The CSU strongly recommends that all individuals who access any in-person program or activity (on- or off-campus) operated or controlled by the University follow COVID-19 vaccine recommendations adopted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) applicable to their age, medical condition, and other relevant indications and comply with other safety measures established by each campus. The system wide policy can be found at https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/9779821/latest/ and questions may be sent to jobs@sjsu.edu.

Additional Information

Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. SJSU will issue a contingent offer of employment to the selected candidate, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was offered the position on a contingent basis.

The standard background check includes: criminal check, employment, and education verification. Depending on the position, a motor vehicle and/or credit check may be required. All background checks are conducted through the university's third-party vendor, Accurate Background. Some positions may also require fingerprinting. SJSU will pay all costs associated with this procedure. Evidence of required degree(s) or certification(s) will be required at time of hire.

SJSU IS NOT A SPONSORING AGENCY FOR STAFF OR MANAGEMENT POSITIONS. (e.g. H1-B VISAS)

All San José State University employees are considered mandated reporters under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and are required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment. Incumbent is also required to promptly report any knowledge of a possible Title IX related incident to the Title IX Office or report any discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation to the Office of Equal Opportunity.

Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act and Campus Housing Fire Safety Notification: 

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, the Annual Security Report (ASR) is also now available for viewing at https://www.sjsu.edu/clery/docs/SJSU-Annual-Security-Report.pdf. The ASR contains the current security and safety-related policy statements, emergency preparedness and evacuation information, crime prevention and Sexual Assault prevention information, and information about drug and alcohol prevention programming. The ASR also contains statistics of Clery crimes for San José State University locations for the three most recent calendar years. A paper copy of the ASR is available upon request by contacting the Office of the Clery Director by phone at 408-924-1501 or by email at clerycompliance@sjsu.edu.

Pursuant to the Higher Education Opportunity Act, the Annual Fire Safety Report (AFSR) is also available for viewing at https://www.sjsu.edu/clery/docs/SJSU-Annual-Fire-Safety-Report.pdf. The purpose of this report is to disclose statistics for fires that occurred within SJSU on-campus housing facilities for the three most recent calendar years, and to distribute fire safety policies and procedures intended to promote safety on Campus. A paper copy of the AFSR is available upon request by contacting the Housing Office by phone at 408-795-5600 or by email at uhs-frontdesk@sjsu.edu.

Campus Security Authority - In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) and CSU systemwide policy, this position is subject to ongoing review for designation as a Campus Security Authority. Individuals that are designated as Campus Security Authorities are required to immediately report Clery incidents to the institution and complete Clery Act training as determined by the university Clery Director.

Equal Employment Statement

San José State University (SJSU) is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, creed, disability, ethnicity, gender, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, race, religion or lack thereof, sex, sexual orientation, transgender, or protected veteran status consistent with applicable federal and state laws. This policy applies to all SJSU students, faculty and staff programs and activities. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and certain other federal and state laws, prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex in all education programs and activities operated by the university (both on and off campus).