Student Support Associate

Who We Are
We, the Division of Student Affairs, are a student-focused organization that aims to empower student success and support personal development. We act daily to create, enhance, and sustain a culture of respect and inclusion in the workplace, focusing on equity and justice in its many forms, including racial, social, and environmental justice. We intentionally and relentlessly pursue excellence through introspection, vulnerability, empathy, compassion, learning, and courage. We value our internal and external partnerships as vital drivers of the ambitious goals we pursue. We celebrate and take pride in the following:

• Named one of the “Most Promising Places to Work in Student Affairs” by Diverse Magazine.
• Serving a highly diverse student body (click here for more information).
• Leading the way as the #1 ranked institution in the AAU and #3 of all colleges and universities nationally in fostering our students' social mobility.
• Awarded multiple distinctions including philanthropic awards and research grants in experiential learning and career development, voter engagement, student engagement, health and wellness practices, and quality of residential life.

Click here for more about Student Affairs.

Required Qualifications (as evidenced by an attached resume):
Bachelor's degree (foreign equivalent or higher). Two (2) years of full-time advising, counseling, and/or administrative experience. Experience counseling and supporting students. Experience working with students in emergency or crisis situations. Supervisory experience (supervision of students may be considered). Experience working with a diverse student population. Experience with Microsoft Office and/or Google applications.

Preferred Qualifications:
Master’s degree (foreign equivalent or higher) in higher education administration, counseling, social work, or related field. Additional years (3+) of full-time advising, counseling, and/or administrative experience. Experience in a higher education setting. Experience working with faculty, academic affairs, and/or student affairs staff. Experience with student staff training and development. Program development experience. Experience presenting or teaching.

Brief Description of Duties:
The Student Support Associate works in the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students (VPSA/DOS) and is responsible for engaging, supporting, and empowering undergraduate and graduate students in order to help maximize their Stony Brook experience and prepare them for success both on and off the campus. Therefore, the selected candidate must demonstrate a very high level of care, discretion, and support for the safety and well-being of each student in our community. It will also be necessary for the selected candidate to have experience working with a diverse student population.
This position will also be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations for the Office of the VPSA/DOS, managing multiple high-priority projects and supporting multiple outreach efforts and strategies. The incumbent will be expected to provide guidance, support and exceptional service to all visitors of the Office of the VPSA/DOS, including students, faculty, staff, parents, family members, alumni, and other guests.

The selected candidate will also have excellent customer service and interpersonal skills, exercising strong organizational and time-management skills with an exceptional attention to detail. Essential for this role is the adeptness to work independently as well as part of a team with a collaborative approach to problem solving. Given the high level of multiple, independent and oftentimes urgent decisions that will be required of this position, having strategic and analytical thinking skills with an ability to solve problems and make effective decisions is imperative for this role.

As part of the Student Support Leadership team within the Office of the VPSA/DOS, this position will provide a high level of student service to a very diverse population, fostering a positive and professional environment and culture. Manage projects and initiatives that support student success, help students successfully navigate unforeseen challenging circumstances, and collaborate with many constituents across the campus community in support of these efforts. Assist with data and assessment activities that evaluate the quality of Student Support center services to students.

• Provide support to students, family members and colleagues who contact the office seeking help and guidance; make referrals as appropriate. Provide active follow-up to students who are hospitalized, injured, or experience a health concern that involve a response from University Police and/or the Stony Brook Volunteer Ambulance Corp. Gather profile information on students seeking support, including advising history, class schedules, and other relevant facts. Communicate and collaborate with faculty and others as appropriate regarding a student’s short-term or extended absence from class. Troubleshoot problems presented by students, parents/guardians/family members, faculty, staff, and other constituents. Respond and provide oversight throughout a crisis situation, using discretion and judgment regarding communication and escalation of the incident. Coordinate the response to crises with Student Support center colleagues and offer assistance to affected students, families, and University community members. Communicate and collaborate with key constituents throughout campus during a crisis and provide ongoing follow up to resolve the situation.
• Serve as a resource to the student and make appropriate referrals to Academic Advising, Academic Departments, Center for Prevention and Outreach, Counseling and Psychological Services, Office of Institutional Diversity and Equity, Student Accessibility Support Center, Student Health Services, University Police, and other Student Affairs or University departments.
• Respond to and provide oversight throughout a crisis situation, using discretion and judgment regarding communication and escalation of the incident. Coordinate the response to crises with Student Support colleagues and offer assistance to affected students, families, and University community members. Communicate and collaborate with key constituents throughout campus during a crisis and provide ongoing follow up to resolve the situation. Serve as a resource to the student and make appropriate referrals to Academic Advising, Academic Departments, Center for Prevention and Outreach, Counseling and Psychological Services, Office of Institutional Diversity and Equity, Student Accessibility Support Center, Student Health Services, University Police, and other Student Affairs or University departments.
• Serve as the day-to-day operations manager for the Office of the VPSA/DOS, troubleshooting the multitude of issues that may present themselves, escalating as appropriate. Participate in all phases of hiring, training, and supervising of student staff including posting positions on Handshake, setting up interviews, coordinating assignments and schedules, and managing student productivity and performance to maximize their experience. Collaborate with other departments to solicit donations for the Student Hardship Fund and contribute to making decisions on student funding requests.
• Create and update website and social media calendar with content related to Student Support center activities and services. Craft ongoing e-mail and social media communications to students. Write stories about student-focused activities and events that are tied to initiatives within the Division of Student Affairs such as the Student Hardship Fund. Collaborate on projects with the Divisional Communications Manager including the Divisional newsletter.
• Manage special projects and initiatives that support student success. This includes, but is not limited to coordinating division-wide task forces, providing an analysis on SUNY, University, or division-wide initiatives; working with the VPSA/DOS and project team on strategic planning and setting project goals. Responsible for the day-to-day programmatic functions necessary to carry out the objectives of the projects. Perform background fact finding and data-gathering, researching issues relevant to the projects. Evaluate project activities for effectiveness and implement process improvements as needed.
• Coordinate departmental events and outreach that foster a caring, supportive campus community and embrace the diversity of the student community. Participate on divisional committees and professional development opportunities that help accomplish the divisional strategic plan. Serve on the Student Affairs Leadership Team (SALT), attending meetings and contributing to team activities. Participate in and present at admissions events as well as new student and family program orientation events, communicating to audiences about the services provided by Student Affairs and the Student Support center. Initiate and support divisional and campus wide initiatives that promote student engagement, retention, and graduation.
• Other duties or projects as assigned as appropriate to rank and department mission.
• Evening and weekend work may be required at times.

Special Notes:
This is a full-time appointment. FLSA Exempt position, not eligible for the overtime provisions of the FLSA. Minimum salary threshold must be met to maintain FLSA exemption.

Essential Position: This has been designated as an essential position based on the duties of the job and the functions performed. Positions that are designated as such may be required to report to work/remain at work even if classes are canceled, and the campus is working on limited operations in an emergency.

In addition to the employee's base salary, this position is eligible for $3,026 UUP annual location pay, paid biweekly.

THE FOLLOWING PARAGRAPH ONLY APPLIES TO POSITIONS THAT MAY COME IN CONTACT WITH PATIENTS OR PATIENT CARE EMPLOYEES.
In accordance with federal and state regulations that all hospitals and nursing homes require personnel to be vaccinated against COVID-19, candidates who are not already fully vaccinated must obtain the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine within three (3) calendar days of acceptance of a conditional job offer and must obtain any subsequent doses in accordance with that particular vaccine manufacturer’s protocol. Candidates who are partially vaccinated, but not yet fully vaccinated, must complete their vaccination series within three (3) calendar days of a job offer or in accordance with that particular vaccine manufacturer’s protocol, whichever comes later.
The state regulation also includes those who may be affiliated with or interact with employees of a hospital or nursing home. The regulations allow for limited exemptions with reasonable accommodations, consistent with applicable law.

Resume/CV and cover letter should be included with the online application.

Stony Brook University is committed to excellence in diversity and the creation of an inclusive learning, and working environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status and all other protected classes under federal or state laws.

If you need a disability-related accommodation, please call the university Office of Equity and Access (OEA) at (631) 632-6280 or visit OEA.

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