What are the responsibilities and job description for the Dean of Students position at Oregon Tech?
Position Summary
Department Summary
Student Affairs affirms the university mission by enhancing Oregon Tech’s dynamic learning community through opportunities for access, development, and success. Student Affairs departments collaborate with students, faculty, staff, and external constituents to promote engagement, encourage holistic wellness, and support persistence to graduation, as well as the realization of educational and professional aspirations for students and alumni.
The Student Affairs Office is the location for the Vice President for Student Affairs and the Dean of Students, and the Executive Assistant. The division of Student Affairs provides direct service to students in multiple offices.
Dr. Clark and her staff maintain close relationships with students and student organizations and are available for consultation and collaboration on all matters pertaining to student well-being and success.
https://www.oit.edu/student-affairs
Position Summary
Oregon Tech invites applications for a full-time Dean of Students to join the exciting and dynamic division of Student Affairs. This position is committed to a culture of respect and supporting the Oregon Tech community by empowering students to reach their academic goals. The Dean of Students position is located on the Oregon Tech Klamath Falls campus in Klamath Falls, OR, and also serves the Portland Metro campus in conjunction with staff at this campus.
The Dean of Students (DOS) provides vision and oversight for a comprehensive and integrated approach to the engagement and inclusion of students. The DOS is expected to work in a highly collaborative, imaginative, and effective manner, responding to and addressing student needs and challenges. The DOS advocates for students and demonstrates a commitment to their well-being. The DOS is expected to be a visible presence on campus and at student functions, as well as an accessible campus leader, establishing relationships with students, their families, faculty, staff, and community members to help students grow and excel.
The Dean of Students (DOS) oversees and coordinates some Student Affairs units whose functions provide direct services to students at the Klamath Falls campus. This position reports to the Vice President for Student Affairs.
This position participates in division-wide strategic planning, policy formation, and other executive decisions that impact the student experience. The DOS is responsible for identifying and monitoring student needs, advocating for programs and resources to address needs, and ensuring that Student Affairs offices and programs under their supervision effectively provide services including but not limited to academic and personal support. This position is responsible for conducting consistent evaluations and assessments of departments overseen and supporting, recommending ideas for improvement.
The DOS develops and implements procedures, budgets, policies, and goals within the Division of Student Affairs and the departments under this position’s purview. The Dean of Students assesses the student body’s needs, responds to questions and concerns promptly, and provides proactive leadership.
The DOS serves as the primary conduct officer for the Klamath Falls campus and acts as a liaison between student departments and institution administrators. The DOS chairs the Klamath Falls Student Success Team (SST) and the Behavioral Intervention Teams (BIT). This work includes calling these team members together when needed, providing ongoing training to all members, and keeping the VPSA apprised of current student concerns. The DOS collaborates with the VPSA to develop and manage the Student Affairs on-call student crisis/emergency team and develops related protocols, policies, and partnerships.
Minimum Requirements
Additional Requirements
- Master’s degree in college student personnel, higher education, or a related field.
- Four (4) or more years of progressive leadership experience in the field of higher education. Specific experience in program creation and development and experience in one or more areas of student services on college campuses.
- Two (2) years supervising full-time staff and students.
- Excellent interpersonal communication skills.
- Ability to present in a professional manner to diverse groups including but not limited to students, families, colleagues, prospective students and families, and continue conversations in an informal manner at all times representing Oregon Tech with accuracy and decorum.
- Ability to express oneself in writing to students and families, prospective students and families, as well as colleagues and the community. The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to express complex ideas and ways of higher education in a way that anyone with or without experience or exposure to higher education can understand.
- Strong customer service orientation with skills to help students and families learn and understand how Oregon Tech conducts business in a way that is respectful and appropriate.
- Demonstrated ability of leading change with various stakeholders.
- Demonstratable experience working with a diverse student body.
- Strong organizational and managerial skills. A demonstrated recognition of serving as a role model about how to manage one’s time professionally and personally to find a good work/life balance.
Preferred Qualifications
- Advanced research experience or terminal degree preferred. A combination of education and relevant experience from which comparable knowledge is demonstrated may be considered.
- Seven (7) or more years of progressive leadership experience in the field of higher education. Specific experience in program creation and development; 10 years of progressive leadership experience in field of higher education including departmental oversight or significant managerial role preferred.
- Experience creating initiatives to address community needs and evaluating their success.
- Strong evidence of exemplary leadership experience supervising multiple areas or departments.
- Three (3) or more years of supervisory experience of professional staff.
- Proven knowledge of student development, adult learning, and theories related to post- secondary education; proven knowledge of student affairs/services programs and operations; technology skills; problem-solving and conflict resolution skills.
- The ability to prioritize and balance multiple tasks; ability to work both independently and as an effective team member; ability to supervise budget and program areas; ability to analyze data that is relevant to the work of the Student Affairs Division and identify statistical trends; effective communication skills and demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with all levels of the institution.
