Associate Director of Student Governance
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Job no: 522793
Work type: Staff Full Time
Location: UMass Amherst
Department: Student Engagement AA
Union: PSU
Categories: Student Affairs & Services
UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.
The Associate Director of Student Governance advises student governance organizations on processes and procedures, group dynamics, organizational development, constitutional and procedural issues, and risk management. The Associate Director works collaboratively with student leaders strategizing successful approaches to advance agenda items, advocate and provide, student feedback to governance bodies.
- Advises the Student Government Association (SGA) and Graduate Student Senate (GSS) Executive Cabinet and Senate in all areas of governance, including bylaws, motions and special orders, elections, and all financial transactions.
- Attends all Senate meetings and Executive Cabinet meetings.
- Provides regular training for SGA and GSS Executive and Senate in collaboration with student leaders, including but not limited to bylaws, content neutrality, Roberts Rules of Order, strategic planning, University governance, cultural competence, Title IX, and active bystander training.
- Oversees and establishes assessment efforts for SGA/GSS learning outcomes.
- Coordinates the meeting of Governance Advising Council/ (Agencies), including Financial Advisers, Student Legal Services, and CEPA staff.
- Provides oversight of all SGA officer payroll and GSS Assistantships, payroll and contracts.
- Supervises the SATF Financial Advisor. Supports processes and procedures in the management and allocation of the affiliated student fees for SGA and GSS.
- Supervises students, graduate assistant, and support staff.
- Manages the email distribution and oversees the hiring contract process for student governance officers.
- Acts as a liaison between SGA/GSS and Student Affairs and Campus Life (SACL).
- Participates in the Student Engagement on-call rotation as needed.
- Works in collaboration to support the SGA and GSS budget allocation.
- Develops and implements short-term and long-term funding options for strategic plans and ongoing operations and ensures that transactions are process properly, following internal financial policies (Tax, HR, Legal, and Federal).
- Recommends policy and procedure changes to ensure compliance with all applicable state and federal laws, University policies, and procedures.
- Develops budgets to include forecasting, monitoring and reporting variances/problems. Has signature authority to implement solutions and release funds.
- Accepts institutional responsibility for University funds.
- Performs related duties as assigned or required.
- Understands responsibilities with respect to Title IX, Clery and other compliance requirements.
- Demonstrates capacity, skill, and willingness to engage students and contribute to student success.
- Understands responsibilities with respect to conflicts of interest and behaves in ways consistent both with law and with University policy.
- Contributes toward creating a positive and respectful workplace. Uses access to sensitive and/or not yet public University-related information only in the performance of the responsibilities of position and exercises care to prevent unnecessary disclosure to others.
Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)
- Bachelor’s Degree.
- Three years' experience in a higher education setting, advising student groups , ability to problem solve and strategize solutions.
- Two years’ experience supervising professional staff or four (4) years supervising graduate student staff OR Master’s degree and one (1) year of supervision of professional staff or two (2) years of supervising graduate student staff.
- Experience working with diverse college student populations.
- Demonstrated ability to oversee several projects or areas simultaneously and implement programs in a timely manner.
- Exceptional speaking/written communication and interpersonal skills and ability to relate effectively with broadly diverse constituencies.
- Demonstrated ability to work cooperatively and collaboratively, preferably in shared governance
- Experience in training and workshop design and in program planning and implementation; including performance contract negotiations.
- Experience with MS Office and social media.
Physical Demands/Working Conditions
- Typical office environment activity.
- Ability to lift boxes that weigh up to 25 lbs. for transport and set-up.
- Ability to travel for job related purposes.
- Ability to stand for extended periods of time.
- 37.5 hours per week.
- Requires some evening and weekend work, including on-call coverage and attendance at evening and weekend events.
Special Instructions to Applicants
Upload your resume along with your completed application. Our team will check references at the final stage of the interview process. Please be prepared to provide contact information for at least three (3) professional references. This position will remain open until filled or the advertised closing date, whichever occurs first. Early submissions are recommended.
UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, military status, or genetic information in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of the UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.
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Applications close: Eastern Daylight Time
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