Position Description

JOB SUMMARY:

The Senior Director, Student Conduct and Care (“Senior Director”) is an integral part of the senior leadership team in Student Affairs. Reporting to the Associate Vice-Provost, Student Affairs (AVP), and having cross portfolio responsibility for student conduct and Care cases, the Senior Director leads the implementation of services that foster a safe and welcoming campus environment. The incumbent partners with staff across the division as part of the university’s comprehensive responses to student behaviour, students-at-risk, and crisis response, leading initiatives in support of the Division of Student Affairs’ strategic priorities.

This position oversees the operational and strategic development of special projects and initiatives, and proactively facilitates related conversations among units in Student Affairs, engaging faculty, staff, students, and external stakeholders as appropriate. The Senior Director leads the strategic direction and operations of the Student Conduct Office, the Student Care team, and coordinates investigations of complex non-academic misconduct allegations involving students, including instances of sexual violence and harassment and discrimination.

The Senior Director is a strategic thinker with operational and senior leadership experience that enables the creation, implementation, and oversight of a range of initiatives, promoting community standards, good citizenship, and a safe campus environment for students. The Senior Director works closely with campus partners including Faculty offices, Legal Counsel, Campus Security and Emergency Services, Student Wellness Services, Housing and Ancillary Services, and the Human Rights and Equity Office.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Program Development and Implementation

• Develops and leads the Division’s ongoing strategic work to address student behaviour and student case management services in support of the student at risk process, and guides implementation within the unit.
  
  
• Oversees investigations of Student Code of Conduct allegations in accordance with university non-academic misconduct procedures, managing staff and leading the most complex cases. Provides expert advice to senior leadership in making recommendations on outcomes.
  
  
• Oversees and provides non-clinical student case management service, and support for student-at-risk processes and response for the Division. Provides advice to campus partners about student cases and recommendations on outcomes in complex student Care cases.
  
  
• Develops and implements student crisis protocols in response to incidents such as: student death, medical re-enrollment, and student behavioural risk assessment. Leads campus-wide responses, in consultation with the Dean’s Office, and coordinates the efforts of various campus stakeholders such as Faith and Spiritual Life, Residence Life and Services, Athletics and Recreation, faculty offices and Student Wellness Services.
  
  
• Chairs the student Assessment and Care Team (ACT) in the absence of the AVP, which determines interventions required to support the safety and wellness of individual students and the broader student community.
  
  
• Determines and recognizes potential for liability and refers cases and decisions to senior leadership using sound judgement and best practices.
  
  
• Identifies cases of high risk or threat and ensures diversion or referral to the student-at-risk processes and response for the Associate Vice Provost and other senior administrators.
  
  
• Develops and oversees restorative practices and responses to encourage reintegration, student learning, and rebuilding trust.
  
  
• Oversees the development and delivery of training and educational initiatives related to Non-Academic misconduct, restorative justice, procedural fairness, positive citizenship, behavioural risk management and student case management.
  
  
• Determines and implements the approach to annual tracking and reporting related to student conduct and case management, identifying trends, service impact and delivery.
  
  
• Responsible for the oversight of the Student Conduct Office and Care team records and retention policies and procedures in accordance with applicable legislative requirements (i.e. FIPPA).
  
  
• Acts as a Case Manager for situations that involve students with complex support needs and/or who are engaging in at risk behaviours to self or others including implementing and monitoring short- and longer-term interventions and support plans.
  
  
• Serves as an internal expert resource and advisor to staff and student leaders on related matters.

Strategic Partnerships

• Meets regularly with divisional and university leaders, including student groups, to report on the progress of the development of programs and initiatives, and garner commitments for support.
  
  
• Collaborates with the Division’s administrative staff and student leaders as it relates to the student conduct and case management processes and act as a senior point of contact and expert resource for all staff with shared responsibilities (e.g. Residence Life, Athletics and Recreation).
  
  
• Represents the Division of Student Affairs on university committees and working groups.
  
  
• Develops and maintains positive working relationships with external officials including police and City of Kingston, to engage support for student-focused strategic projects or initiatives.
  
  
• Manages formalized arrangements with city officials related to case management.
  
  
• Acts as a liaison with the Campus Security and Emergency Services and University Secretariat and Legal Council to provide leadership and analysis on matters including identifying gaps and developing procedures and programs that uphold procedural fairness and ensure a student-centred approach.
  
  
• Promotes the University and the Division’s commitment to a climate of inclusion through interaction with a broad range of stakeholders.

Human Resources & Financial Management

• Directs the financial management of the unit’s budget.
  
  
• Analyzes statistical and financial information to establish the unit’s annual operating budget.
  
  
• Collaborates with other units on funding opportunities.
  
  
• Coaches, advises and empowers staff in managing difficult conversations to build capacity, confidence, and competence.
  
  
• Plans, prioritizes, and manages the work of employees, providing strategic and tactical advice, guidance and coaching. Identifies the need for staff resources, participates on staffing committees, and makes effective recommendations regarding employee selection.
  
  
• Manages performance by establishing performance standards, reviewing, and evaluating performance and conducting formal performance reviews on an ongoing basis.
  
  
• Assesses staff training and development needs and ensures that employees receive training required to improve and sustain successful performance.
  
  
• Investigates, addresses, and resolves employee/labour relations issues, including disciplinary matters. Makes decisions or effective recommendations on matters involving possible discipline, discharge, and probationary termination

Position Requirements

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• A graduate university degree with a focus on student affairs, law, counselling, education or in a related field.
  
  
• Minimum 10 years progressively responsible leadership experience within a post-secondary environment.
  
  
• Demonstrated successful experience bringing about positive change and applying principles of natural justice and procedural fairness to administrative and campus-based processes.
  
  
• Minimum of 7 years of experience interpreting laws, legislation and policy required.
  
  
• Demonstrated experience leading a professional team with full human resource accountabilities, ideally in a unionized environment.
  
  
• Experience in conducting complex investigations, applying procedural fairness, credibility assessment, writing investigative reports, administrative law, and dispute resolution are required.
  
  
• Significant and demonstrated administrative experience within an academic environment in areas of; policy and organization development; human resource; and case management.
  
  
• Experience in developing policies, procedures, and practices related to managing case management, individual behaviour, and conflict resolution.
  
  
• Demonstrated knowledge of issues of student transition and development, intercultural and community development, and a demonstrated record of successful application in a related setting.
  
  
• Satisfactory Criminal Records Check and Vulnerable Sector Screening required.
  
  
• Consideration will be given to an equivalent combination of education and experience.

SPECIAL SKILLS:

• Communication; listens to others and expresses, ideas orally and in writing, in a professional and effective manner to ensure that complex messages, recommendations and impacts are conveyed clearly and credibly. Readily shares information and knowledge with others.
  
  
• Builds Relationship; develops and maintains relationships with individuals at every level of the university to support and achieve organizational goals and objectives.
  
  
• Change Management; facilitates the change process, by invoking change management principles and practices and recognizing and dealing with resistance to change.
  
  
• Planning and organizing; establishes a clearly defined course of action to accomplish goals and to organize work efforts in a complex environment with multiple competing demands, priorities and deadlines. Allocates time and manages resources effectively, ensuring accuracy.
  
  
• Initiative; demonstrates a continuous commitment to improvement and development and encourages the participation of others by demonstrating the value of appropriate urgency and action.
  
  
• Strategic Perspective; understands the strategic direction of the organization and unit, and uses this information to develop responsibilities, tasks, goals, and Human Resource initiatives that align with long-term plans and growth.
  
  
• Diversity Management; thorough understanding of issues related to IEDIAA, intersectionality, and protected grounds as outlined in the Ontario Human Rights Code and Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and other relevant human rights legislation. Understanding of how diversity, inclusion and cultural competency prove critical to developing a progressive and equitable workplace and learning environment.
  
  
• Leadership; ability to inspire a diverse and high performing team to work towards shared objectives and optimize team effectiveness by engaging diverse perspectives and empowering others.
  
  
• Client Orientation; fosters a client focused culture, assisting to establish service standards and develop strategies and policies to ensure standards are met.
  
  
• Business Acumen; carries out strategy with a clear understanding of trends and dynamics that affect the university and unit. Demonstrates business foresight along with the ability to integrate diverse perspectives.
  
  
• Decision making and Judgement; superior judgement, tact and political acuity required to address sensitive topics and effectively manage relationships.
  
  
• Collaboration and Teamwork; fosters a culture of cooperation and encourages positive team dynamics to build synergies. Understand and enable diverse viewpoints and approaches to achieve objectives and goals. Gives and receives feedback regarding the impact of behaviour on the group.
  
  
• Integrity; Recognizes sensitivities and risks, using professional ethics to question and challenge issues. Seeks out systematic solutions to problems. Consistently acts with the highest professional standards, exercising tact, judgement, and confidentiality.

DECISION MAKING:

• Determines and prioritizes the allocation of resources for initiatives in the Student Conduct and CARE portfolio, including budget allocations.
  
  
• Makes decisions by weighing several factors for complex situations for which there may be incomplete or contradictory information. Involves the correct people in the decision-making process and develops and recommends solutions that balance competing priorities, address the root cause of the problem, and prevent recurrence.
  
  
• Assesses and mitigates risk through providing appropriate advice, training, and coaching to management.
  
  
• Determines the content of correspondence, reports, and proposals, including the development of procedures.
  
  
• Recommends changes and modifications to policies, procedures and guidelines.
  
  
• Determines when and who to involve or consult in unusual situations that may set future precedents.
  
  
• Makes judgments on the application of policies and procedures.
  
  
• Prioritizes time and duties, within an environment with multiple competing interests, to ensure work is completed within required deadlines.
  
  
• Decides on nature and content of presentation for training and development sessions.
  
  
• Decides on the nature and content of agenda topics and background information for meetings.
  
  
• Evaluates job candidates and makes effective recommendations on suitable hires.
  
  
• Makes decisions and/or effective recommendations regarding transfers and promotions.
  
  
• Evaluates employee performance and decides on appropriate training or coaching to address lack of proficiency in carrying out responsibilities, or remedial action for staff disciplinary situations.
  
  
• Assesses investigation outcome of grievances and makes effective recommendations on appropriate course of action or next steps on grievances.
  
  
• Makes effective recommendations on level of discipline up to discharge and probationary termination.

Salary Information: $100,000 - $137,000 per annum

Application Link to Position Posting: https://clients.njoyn.com/CL4/xweb/xweb.asp?clid=74827&page=jobdetails&jobid=J0924-0659&BRID=EX389965&SBDID=1&LANG=1