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Assistant Director for Basic Needs

University of North Carolina Charlotte
United States, North Carolina, Charlotte
Nov 22, 2024
Assistant Director for Basic Needs
Please see Special Instructions for more details.
  • UNC Charlotte Benefits Information: https://hr.charlotte.edu/benefits/benefits-overview/
  • The finalist will be subject to a Criminal Background Check and/or a Motor Vehicle Report.
  • Your resume and cover letter will be used to evaluate your written communication skills as well as supporting documents of your knowledge, skills, abilities, education, and professional experience.
  • If there is a document, you feel is relevant to this position that you would like reviewed with your resume and application you may upload it to the "Other Documents" section of the Applicant Documents.
Position Information
General Information


Position Number 001200
Vacancy Open to All Candidates
Working Title Assistant Director for Basic Needs
Position Designation EHRA Non-Faculty
Employment Type Permanent - Full-time
Months per Year 12
Work Schedule
8:00 am - 5:00 pm; Monday - Friday with occasional evening and weekend hours required, as necessary.
Hours per week 40
FLSA Status Exempt
Division Student Affairs
Department Dean of Students (Adm)
Work Location The Jamil Niner Pantry and Cone Building
Salary Range $48,846 - $60,961
Primary Purpose of Department
The mission of the Student Assistance and Support Services ( SASS) office is to assist, support, and advocate for students experiencing a broad range of issues, concerns, or challenges interfering with a student's ability to be successful academically or personally. SASS provides resources and care that are safe, timely, effective, efficient, and student-centered.
Through our assistance and support services, we seek to:

  • Enhance students' and parents' knowledge of various University policies, procedures, and campus support resources
  • Facilitate the referral to and promote the utilization of campus resources
  • Empower students' sense of personal responsibility, self-advocacy, and the ability to function autonomously
  • Promote student's help-seeking skills in crisis and experiencing challenging life events
  • Advocate for the development and application of student-centered policies when necessary

Primary Purpose of Position
The Assistant Director for Basic Needs Services works provides assistance and support to students experiencing basic needs insecurity, with specific oversight of the University's Jamil Niner Student Pantry. Specific responsibilities include coordinating stock, tracking resources, creating and maintaining policies, procedures, and advertisement, managing student staff, interns, and volunteers, building relationships with campus and community partners, as well as planning and implementing basic needs-related programs. As a member of the SASS team and when needed, the Assistant Director assists with supporting students experiencing a broad range of issues, concerns, and stressors through interventions, referrals, and follow-up services. Additional duties will include supporting other Dean of Students Office programs and Student Affairs initiatives.
Summary of Position Responsibilities
Operational Oversight for the Jamil Niner Student Pantry

  • Manages the physical space (operating hours, access, furnishings).
  • Coordinates the collection, ordering, and monitoring of items (food, hygiene supplies, etc.) and display of those items.
  • Collaborates with campus and community partners to solicit, organize, and receive donations and deliveries.
  • Recruit, train, and supervise student staff, graduate assistants, interns, and volunteers as they perform the following tasks: stocking, inventory, food distribution, cleaning, and organizing.
  • Collect, organize, and evaluate information associated with basic needs insecurity, develop plans with students based on their individual needs, and communicate with campus partners and others as permitted by FERPA. Implement case management tracking methods of individuals utilizing the pantry and other basic needs.
  • Facilitate communication among a variety of campus partners (housing, academic officials, financial aid, etc.) to coordinate support services, ensure awareness of support resources, and provide consultations on managing student concerns.
  • Communicate regularly with key staff in the Development and Foundation Offices on pantry updates, needs, and potential fundraising projects.
  • Manage volunteer, shoppers, and donations portal and social media/marketing account(s) to promote the pantry as an active space while also promoting relevant campus/community events (including giveaways, free food, etc.).
  • Create promotional and information materials in collaboration with the Student Affairs Marketing Team.



Programming & Outreach

  • Develop programs designed to educate and raise awareness of campus support services focused on basic needs and insecurities.
  • Acts as a liaison to our local food banks and other community partners addressing basic needs insecurity. Coordinates with campus and community organizations to obtain resources for students experiencing basic needs and insecurities.
  • Collaborate with faculty, students, and staff to provide training and educational opportunities related to basic needs and insecurities on university campuses.
  • Build and maintain positive partnerships with key campus partners (Counseling and Psychological Services, Center for Integrated Care, Student Health Center, Charlotte Recovery Community, Disability Services, Financial Aid Office/Niner Central, University Center for Academic Excellence, Housing and Residence Life, Center for Wellness Promotion, Military and Veteran Services, International Student and Scholars Office, The Graduate School, Police and Public Safety, Office of Civil Rights & Title IX, etc.) to provide a comprehensive network of support for students with basic need insecurities.


Leadership & Administration

  • Serve as a primary resource for students experiencing basic needs insecurity. Assess students' needs and eligibility for programs such as Swipe Out Hunger and Short-Term Emergency Housing; and funds such as Student Mental Health Assistance Fund and Student Emergency Fund.
  • Participate as a member of the campuswide Basic Needs Committee and other committees, as needed, to provide expertise related to basic needs insecurities among college students. Refer students as appropriate and assist with administrative tasks.
  • Provide knowledge and understanding of various University policies, procedures, and protocols related to supporting students' basic needs and the overall functions of SASS.
  • Assist with the overall management and function of SASS as needed by the director and associate director.
  • Serve on Department, Division, and University program initiatives and committees.
  • Fulfill other responsibilities as requested.

Minimum Education/Experience

  • Bachelor's degree in public health, social work, psychology, sociology, communications, education, or related field
  • Minimum of two years full-time experience (or graduate school equivalent) with basic needs insecurity programs or food pantries (in a higher education setting preferred).
  • Familiarity with college student development and basic needs insecurity associated with the college experience.
  • Experience providing services to both traditional and nontraditional college student-aged populations.
  • Demonstrated knowledge in the areas associated with organization, planning, decision making, problem solving, strategic thinking and effective use of resources.
  • Ability to multitask and manage a diverse caseload of student issues, concerns, and complaints with a solution focused approach to addressing a myriad of student concerns.
  • Experience in crisis intervention or conflict resolution, response, and assessment, with the ability to diffuse crisis situations, problem solve, and analyze complex problems.
  • Exemplary communication skills (both written and oral) evidenced by preparing comprehensive reports and summaries incorporating student-focused, data-driven statistics and information.

Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills and Experience

  • Experience with Maxient Conduct Records Management Software and Banner Student Information System.
  • Knowledge of government regulations pertaining to students, including FERPA, HIPAA, Title IX, Section 504, and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Demonstrated sensitivity to the concerns and needs of a college student population.
  • Familiarity with coordinating and navigating complex processes within a university setting (Financial Aid, Student Accounts, appeal processes, etc.).
  • Demonstrated experience navigating and building partnerships with community social services and resources.
  • Familiarity working cooperatively with others in a multidisciplinary team environment.
  • Knowledge of behavioral intervention and threat assessment team policies and procedures.
  • Experience with website development and maintenance and maintaining social media accounts.

Necessary Certifications/Licenses
A valid driver's license. The incumbent in this position will be required to drive university-owned vehicles, such as a van.
Preferred Certifications/Licenses
Special Notes to Applicants


  • UNC Charlotte Benefits Information: https://hr.charlotte.edu/benefits/benefits-overview/
  • The finalist will be subject to a Criminal Background Check and/or a Motor Vehicle Report.
  • Your resume and cover letter will be used to evaluate your written communication skills as well as supporting documents of your knowledge, skills, abilities, education, and professional experience.
  • If there is a document, you feel is relevant to this position that you would like reviewed with your resume and application you may upload it to the "Other Documents" section of the Applicant Documents.

Posting Open Date 08/22/2024
Posting Close Date 11/26/2024
Open Until Filled No
Proposed Hire Date
If time-limited please indicate appointment end date
Contact Information

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).



  1. *
    How did you hear about this employment opportunity?

    • UNC Charlotte Website
    • HERC Job Board
    • Inside Higher Education
    • Circa (formerly known as Local JobNetwork)
    • Another Website
    • Agency Referral
    • Advertisement/Publication
    • Personal Referral
    • Other



  2. Where did you learn about this posting?

    (Open Ended Question)


  3. *
    Do you have a valid driver's license or the ability to obtain one before the first day of hire?

    • No
    • Yes


  4. *
    Please describe your experience working with a food pantry program.

    (Open Ended Question)




Applicant Documents
Required Documents

  1. Resume / Curriculum Vitae
  2. Cover Letter / Letter of Interest
  3. Contact Information for References


Optional Documents

  1. Other Document

Applied = 0

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