Dean of Students

Dean of Students

Reports to: Vice President of Student Experience and Retention

Salary: Commensurate with experience

Position Summary:

Ensign College’s (EC) mission is to develop capable and trusted disciples of Jesus Christ. The Dean of Students plays a pivotal role in enhancing the student experience and ensuring the provision of comprehensive support services to students throughout their academic journey. This position requires a deep understanding of higher education, counseling, and student support services, and it involves providing high-touch assistance to students facing significant challenges or distress. The Dean of Students reports directly to the Vice President of Student Experience and Retention and provides strategic leadership to a range of departments and initiatives aimed at fostering student success and well-being. In addition to fulfilling this purpose, each employee continuously strives to bring about the mission of Ensign College, which is to develop capable and trusted disciples of Jesus Christ.

Requirements for Employment Eligibility:

Membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Worthiness to hold and be worthy to hold a current temple recommend.

Receive clearance from the Church Educational System Ecclesiastical Clearance Office.

Strict adherence to company policies and procedures.

Commitment to bring about the purposes of Ensign College.

Reside in Utah and able to work in person at our downtown Salt Lake City campus.

Minimum Qualifications:

Master's degree or higher in Higher Education, Counseling, or a related field.

5+ years progressive experience in higher education or related industry.

Demonstrated expertise in student affairs, counseling, or student support services.

Strong understanding of student development theory and best practices in higher education.

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

Ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders, including students, faculty, staff, and external partners

Essential Job Functions:

-Strategic Planning and Leadership:

Under the direction of the Vice President of Student Experience and Retention, provide strategic leadership to develop and implement plans to support student success, persistence, retention, and completion.

Collaborate with campus stakeholders to align student support services with institutional goals and priorities.

Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of programs and initiatives, making adjustments as necessary to improve outcomes.

-Oversight of Student Support Services:

Supervise the Director of Student Support and Retention, Director of the International Student Office, Manager of Student Life, and Manager of Counseling and Student Wellness.

Provide strategic oversight to student support services, including counseling services, tutoring, success coaching, peer mentoring, first-year experience, new student orientation, student leadership, student activities, international students office, student wellness, and housing.

Ensure the delivery of high-quality, accessible, and inclusive support services to meet the diverse needs of students.

-Honor Code (Student Conduct):

Receive reports of student conduct violations and address them according to college policies and procedures.

Ensure fairness, consistency, confidentiality, and respect in disciplinary proceedings. Implement institutional sanctions for findings of student conduct violations.

Implement strategies to promote a positive campus culture and uphold community standards.

-Managing Crises and Resolving Complaints:

Provide high-touch support to students facing significant difficulties or distress. Chair the CARE/BIT team to coordinate support for students in distress. Be available for occasional after-hours consultation or on-call support for students in crisis.

Address student complaints and ensure a timely and impartial review of their concerns.

Collaborate with stakeholders to identify and address student needs and concerns.

-Institutional Collaboration and Assignments:

Engage in institutional work group and committee efforts as assigned.

Serve as a Decision Maker for Title IX student cases and as a member of the Title IX Hearing Committee.

Serve as a member of the Ensign College Banning Committee.

Skills & Abilities:

Empathetic and inviting demeanor

Highly developed ability to verbally communicate in a clear and concise manner

Active listening

Critical thinking and complex problem solving

Social perceptiveness and high emotional intelligence

Mature judgment

Understanding of higher education structures and student support programming

Detail oriented

Self-starter

Ability to work well independently and collaboratively

Ability to quickly establish and maintain interpersonal relationships

Excellent writing ability, including editing and report writing

Teachable and adaptable

Ability to analyze and interpret data

Ability to deescalate high stress situations

Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and other standard software programs, as well as a working knowledge of office equipment.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Contact Human Resources with questions.

MINIMAL EXERTION - Exerts up to 10 lbs. of force occasionally, and/or a negligible amount of force frequently to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Involves sitting for extended periods of time and walking or standing for brief periods of time.

TALKING – Using the spoken word in order to clearly communicate ideas and messages to other people.

HEARING – Perceiving and understanding the speech of another person.

Ensign College is an equal opportunity employer and does not unlawfully discriminate in its hiring or employment practices on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, disability, genetic information, or veteran's status. As an educational institution owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Ensign College gives lawful hiring preference to qualified, faithful members of the Church who are in good standing.

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