Assistant Director of Community Standards

Department: Dean of Students
Salary/Grade: EXS/8

The Office of Community Standards is part of Northwestern University's Dean of Students office. The Office of Community Standards fosters individual and community development through thoughtful engagement with Northwestern University's policies, expectations, and standards. We aim to build trust with our students and community partners by implementing a fair, transparent, and equitable student conduct process that acknowledges individuals' capacity to learn and grow from challenging experiences. Learn more about the Office of Community Standards here: https://www.northwestern.edu/communitystandards/index.html

About Student Affairs: By pursuing justice, equity, and belonging, Student Affairs cultivates student programs, services, and skills; disrupts barriers; and partners across Northwestern and neighboring communities to create an inclusive culture in which all students can thrive. Learn more about the Division of Student Affairs here: https://www.northwestern.edu/studentaffairs/about/strategic-plan/objectives.html

Job Summary:

The Assistant Director (1) of Community Standards is primarily responsible for (a) serving as a conduct administrator for allegations of moderate to serious student misconduct, (b) investigating separation-level cases, and (c) administrative functions supporting student conduct case management and resolution.

Note: This position may require "on call" hours, overnights, and/or weekends.

Workplace Flexibility: This position is eligible to work remotely up to 2 days per week.

Pay Range: The salary range for the Assistant Director position is $70,000 to 73,100, depending on experience, skills, and internal equity.

Principal Accountabilities:

Case Management, Investigations, and Hearings 50%

• Serve as a case resolution coordinator, managing conduct cases including both non-separation level and those that have the potential to result in separation from the University (e.g., suspension or expulsion). This includes investigating, determining responsibility, and as appropriate, assigning sanctions.
• Serve as a backup for coordination of sanctioning panels. This role includes assembling panel members, ensuring all processes and procedures are followed, providing consult on sanctions and past precedent, and drafting outcome letters.
• Serve as a liaison with the Office of Civil Rights & Title IX Compliance (OCR) on cases when both Student Code of Conduct and OCR policies are under review. Consult on referrals and reports as needed.
• Manage student conduct cases involving off-campus students and partner with Off Campus Life (OCL) around matters of outreach and engagement.
• Maintain detailed and appropriate records associated with all student conduct cases using the Maxient database.
• Serve as lead and/or co-investigator for most matters that have the potential to result in separation from the University including: gathering relevant evidence, documenting all steps, maintaining accurate and thorough records, composing comprehensive written investigative reports.

Informal/Alternative Resolution Process

• Develop and facilitate the alternative resolution process.
• Develop liaison relationships with the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, Ombudsperson, and other Student Affairs partners.

Office of Community Standards Administration 35%

Collaborate with and divide responsibility for leadership/management of administrative functions with other professional staff in the Office of Community Standards. This could include, but is not limited to:

• Assist with quarterly and annual updates to the Maxient systems such as, letter template and sanction language edits, routing rule updates for various IRs, and routing rules.
• Lead the recruitment, training, and coordinator for process advisors
• Develop and coordinate outreach and education initiatives for the office

Department Representation 5%

Serve as a resource to administrators, faculty, staff, and students regarding general and special conduct issues and assist in ensuring university-wide understanding of and compliance with the Student Code of Conduct and University Hearing and Appeals System.

• Represent the Office of Community Standards on topical/functional committees and lead the Office's involvement in initiatives related to informal resolution and restorative practices.

Other duties as assigned 5%

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master's degree in college student personnel administration, conflict resolution, or other relevant discipline required.
• Minimum of four (4) years' full-time professional experience, and two (2) years' at a college/university specifically in student conduct, conflict resolution, or a related field.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Five (5) to seven (7) years of full-time experience strongly preferred.

Minimum Competencies:

• Demonstrated experience in program facilitation, education and outreach efforts, marketing, and/or training.
• Commitment to fostering student learning, social justice, restorative justice, and community values.
• Knowledge of issues and challenges facing undergraduate and graduate students living on- and off-campus.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Understanding of the educational environment at highly selective institutions like Northwestern.
• Evidence of commitment to continuous professional development.

Preferred Competencies:

• Presentation skills and familiarity in writing technical reports

Benefits:At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness: Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles. We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare, and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth and Development: Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters for people who can obtain them as a critical tool for minimizing severe illness. More information can be found on the COVID-19 and Campus Updates webpage.

The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Click for information on EEO is the Law.