Academic Director

Position Title: Academic Director

Date/Revision: 03/2021

Position Status: Full-Time

FLSA Status: Exempt - Executive

Reports to: Associate Director

Supervises: Approximately Two Coaches

Position Summary:

The Academic Director serves as the primary academic case manager and coach for assigned Mansfield Hall students, guiding the development of students’ academic and self-advocacy skills as they learn how to navigate and find success in a post-secondary learning environment.

Essential Functions:

• Provide exceptional academic case management for a caseload of 14-18 students.
• Communicate regularly with families on their students’ areas of growth and success.
• Develop strong professional relationships with campus and community partners.
• Maintain organizational databases (academic, communication, student planning) via Google Suite.
• Support students and families in the transition from Mansfield Hall to campus and/or community, including overseeing the housing processes.
• Schedule and hold regular weekly academic coaching sessions with students that include the opportunity for students to identify and review learning goals, stay organized with their coursework, and receive academic skill instruction.
• Regularly update both staff and families regarding goal setting, academic progress, challenges, and the potential need for intervention. Early prevention, detection, and communication is a key element of this position.
• Understand and promote utilization of local on-campus academic support, such as disability services offices, and encourage self-advocacy
• Track and anticipate student academic challenges such as courses, attendance, grades, upcoming projects, needs, etc.
• Coordinate and collaborate with the Director of Student Life and student life department to ensure programmatic goals are being met.
• Understand and facilitate course registration (or withdrawals) with students and families, requiring familiarity with the college registration process and important dates at each local college.
• Advise students on appropriate course registration, in consideration of semester course loads, short and long term academic objectives, and graduation requirements
• Identify and explore available accommodations at the postsecondary level.
• Attend weekly Community Meetings, Director-Level Coordination Meetings, and serve on various committees
• Participate in the On-Call Rotation
• Perform other duties not specified, but essential to the functioning of the Mansfield Hall program.

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 in or with diverse learners, higher education settings, multiple stakeholders, or a combination of these.
• Experience supporting families and stakeholders around student academic/social growth and development in a higher education environment
• Experience supervising two or more direct reports

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to develop strong professional relationships with community partners (therapists, campus and community resources, etc.)
• Proven success working independently (in a flex space environment at times) and in a team
• A passion for supporting team goals and success
• Ability to positively impact our fun and inclusive work and living environment
• Strong organizational and administrative skills that reflect a customer service focus, attention to detail, and effective systems management
• Ability to multi-task
• Effective problem solving, conflict resolution, and negotiation skills
• Solid interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills, including the ability to effectively synthesize and summarize information

Working Conditions::

Internal- Work is usually 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- Moderate local travel is required. Work outside the office normally takes place in community spaces on college campuses, although occasionally work may include work in residence hall or apartment environments.

Physical 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.

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.