Salary & Benefits:
Minimum starting salary of $89,000, commensurate with experience
Comprehensive benefits package including medical, vision, dental, life insurance, generous employer retirement contributions, wellness resources and tuition waiver effective on date of hire.
Primary Duties
Provide leadership, supervision, and mentorship for the Dean of Students Office and serve as a representative of Dean of Students leadership across the university.
Hire, onboard, train, supervise, and evaluate assigned staff, including conducting performance reviews, quarterly goal setting, professional development planning, and corrective action when necessary.
Lead strategic planning, assessment, and continuous improvement efforts for the Dean of Students Office.
Provide leadership in emergency and crisis response, including student death and other traumatic events, through participation on the Incident Management Team and Emergency Management Advisory Committee.
Provide leadership and direction for the university CARE Team and advise university leadership on student care, crisis intervention, and threat assessment.
Assess and track the effectiveness of CARE services and Dean of Students programs, using data to recommend and implement improvements to meet student and community needs.
Collaborate with University Advancement to grow, oversee, and administer the Dean of Students Emergency Fund.
Serve as a representative of the Dean of Students Office and Division of Student Affairs on committees such as the Tuition Refund Appeal Committee and other campus-wide working groups.
Build and maintain relationships with campus partners, academic leaders, parents/families, and internal and external mental and physical health providers, including community resources in Allendale and Grand Rapids.
Ensure compliance with federal and state regulations, including FERPA, Clery, and Title IX, and promote best practices in case management and student support.
Maintain current knowledge of trends, research, and best practices in higher education case management through professional development and participation in relevant organizations.
Perform other duties as required/assigned by leadership.
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Master’s degree in higher education, college student personnel, counseling, social work or related field.
Minimum five (5) years of relevant post-graduate higher education experience in mental health, behavioral intervention, crisis response or case management.
Minimum two (2) years of post-graduate experience managing and supervising teams with evidence of vision and leadership.
Demonstrated efforts to positively/effectively lead and facilitate partnerships.
Demonstrated organizational and interpersonal skills, including strong verbal, written, and listening communication capabilities.
Working knowledge of nondiscrimination laws and compliance regulations including ADA, Title IX, due process, the Clery Act, and FERPA.
Ability to manage sensitive information, maintain confidentiality, and uphold the highest level of professionalism.
Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Doctoral Degree, post Master’s, or certifications in case management.
Demonstrated knowledge and experience in crisis intervention and crisis management.
Experience in assessment and evaluation relative to program effectiveness.
Experience using student service, case management, and retention software/database systems and other technology systems, such as Maxient, Banner, Navigate, OnBase, and Workday.
Working Conditions:
Normal office environment. Some travel may be required, with some nights and weekends required for student support.
How to Apply
Attach your cover letter and resume. The system will allow you to attach these documents electronically. If you have questions about the position or the posting, please contact Ben Witt, wittb@gvsu.edu, 616-331-2747. If you need technical assistance, please contact Human Resources at hro@gvsu.edu or 616-331-2215.
Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without the need of an employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of appointment.
Application Deadline
Application review begins February 6, 2026. This posting may be closed at any time at the discretion of the University.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Must have the physical stamina to work long hours and/or more than 5 days per week. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act as amended by the ADA Amendment Act (2008), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and other applicable federal and state laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability. GVSU will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. See www.gvsu.edu/equalopportunity/. TDD Callers: Call Michigan Relay Center at 711 (in State) or 1-800-833-7833 (out of State).
Grand Valley State University is an Antidiscrimination/Equal Opportunity Employer, which includes providing equal opportunity for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. University policy extends protections to additional identities.