Director of Student Life

Position Summary:  

The Director of Student Life (DSL) functions in a leadership role at Mansfield Hall and is therefore expected to embody the mission, values, philosophy and approach of the organization.  In addition to serving as one of two primary Case Managers for students living in the Mansfield Hall community, the DSL leads initiatives and works collaboratively with all members of the team to promote a pro-social community atmosphere and to effectively coach students in the MH core areas of Living, Engaging, and Giving.

Supervises:  One to three coaching staff

Essential Functions:

• Manage a caseload of approximately 14-17 students in areas of independent living and social development and communication and vocational and volunteer opportunities. 
• Conduct weekly coaching sessions with students to support intrinsic motivation, growth, and goal setting within the core areas of Mansfield Hall.
• Communicate with parents and key stakeholders on a weekly basis around the supports and structures in place to support growth and skill development for their students.
• Assess supports to be added, removed, or modified to student plans on a regular basis.
• Lead a team-based weekly meeting to update staff on current support plans and assess how well support plans are being executed by staff members and ensure the whole team is working in alignment with each other and with the program mission, vision, and values.
• Understand students’ medication needs and support their ability to achieve consistent and independent medication management.
• Coordinate and collaborate with the Executive Director, Academic Director, Community Outreach Director, Student Life Coaches, school officials, service providers, and other internal and external stakeholders to ensure programmatic goals are being met. 
• Manage the creation of each Student Plan and chart the progress of student’s individualized Student Plans by conducting weekly goal setting, goal review, and coaching sessions with students.
• Develop and implement strategies to help empower students and improve executive functioning, self-advocacy, and independent living, and pro-social communication skills.
• Build relationships with and provide timely and relevant updates to parents and referral sources.
• Manage the various services and activities related to a student’s enrollment (including, but not limited to, doctor’s appointments, therapist appointments, travel arrangements, attending to needs, etc.).
• Provide direct supervision of Coaches, including ensuring that staff is adequately trained in their duties.
• Attend weekly Community and Director-Level Meetings, serve on various committees, and provide leadership and training to direct-care staff. 
• Participate in recruitment, admission, and marketing activities as determined by the Vice President, Enrollment and Business Development, and Executive Director.  
• Participate in the Leadership Team On-Call Rotation 
• Facilitate the completion of formal and informal tracking tools, such as the BRIEF, Pathway to Independence Inventory, and OQ-45. 
• Read academic and student life shift notes and ensure accurate daily reporting of student progress.
• Monitor and adhere to budgetary parameters in performing job duties.
• Follow and enforce policies and procedures in managing staff and carrying out responsibilities

In performing their job responsibilities, our employees are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that reflects Mansfield Hall’s commitment to a supportive and encouraging living and learning environment.  This includes effective and respectful interaction with co-workers and students alike, embracing our inclusive work and living environment, and always acting in consideration of the privacy and integrity of our students.    

Minimum Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s Degree in behavioral sciences or related fields;  graduate degree preferred.

• Three or more years of experience working with diverse learners, and/or in a higher education setting coordinating multiple stakeholders.
• Proven success working independently, in a flex-space environment at times.  
• Experience supervising one or more direct reports.
• Experience supporting families and stakeholders around student academic/social growth and development in a higher education environment. 

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to develop strong professional relationships with community partners (therapists, campus and community resources, etc.).
• Commitment to creating an inclusive, supportive, and fun community.
• Strives to demonstrate values of equity, diversity, and inclusion.
• A passion for supporting team goals and success. 
• Direct and respectful communication and listening regarding interpersonal issues
• Ability to act with high regard for the privacy, integrity, and confidentiality of all students. 
• Strong organizational and administrative skills that reflect a customer service focus, attention to detail, the ability to perform and prioritize multiple tasks, and effectively maintain systems.
• Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills, including the ability to effectively synthesize and summarize information.
• Ability to anticipate the needs of the team and plan ahead.
• Ability to work under pressure, adapt to changes in the work environment, and manage competing demands.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as a contributing team member and with people at all levels within the organization.
• Ability to accept feedback, reflect on one’s own strengths and challenges, take accountability for actions, and have a sense of humor.
• Excellent skills in Word and Excel; Google platforms; and data systems.
• Commitment to the Mansfield Hall mission and goals.
• Knowledge in social communication challenges, executive functioning deficits, ADHD, learning disabilities, Asperger’s Syndrome, nonverbal learning disabilities, and mild autism.
• Familiarity and facility with Collaborative Problem Solving, Motivational Interviewing, Universal Design for Learning, Social Thinking, and Restorative Justice.

Physical and Mental Demands

Work involves standing and walking for brief periods of time, but most duties are performed from a seated position.  There is potential for eyestrain from reading detailed materials and computer work.  The ability to lift up to 30 pounds (office equipment, paper, etc.) is required.  Deadlines, workloads during peak periods and changing priorities may cause increased stress levels. Work normally requires finger dexterity and eye-hand coordination to operate computer keyboards at a moderate skill level. Repetitive motion injuries may occur.  Mansfield Hall will provide adaptive devices as needed.

Work Environment::

Internal- Work is normally performed in a climate-controlled office environment, where exposure to conditions of extreme heat/cold, poor ventilation, fumes, and gases is very limited. Noise level is moderate and includes sounds of normal office equipment (people, computers, telephones, etc.). No known environmental hazards are encountered in the normal performance of job duties.  We operate in a flex-space work environment that by nature may include distractions and interruptions.

External- Limited travel may be required.  Work outside the office normally takes place in similar office environments, although occasionally work may include classroom environments.  

Disclaimer:  The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification.  All of the listed functions are important and are in no particular order. This is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required.  All employees are required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.

Mansfield Hall is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workplace. People from diverse racial, ethnic and cultural backgrounds, women, and persons with disabilities are highly encouraged to apply.