Position Title: Asst. Director, Student Assistance Services

Employee Classification: Assistant Director, Student Assistance Services

College/Division: Student Success & Enroll Management

Department: 520830-STUDENT LIFE

Internal or External Search: Internal - Open to Regular NMSU employees only (temporary/Term employees not eligible)

Location: Las Cruces

Offsite Location (if applicable):

Target Hourly/Salary Rate:  Commensurate with experience

Appointment Full-time Equivalency:  1.0

Exempt or Non-Exempt:  Exempt

Summary:  Join our team as the Assistant Director of Assistance Services and make a meaningful impact on student success. In this pivotal role, you will provide compassionate case management and proactive outreach to support students facing academic, personal, or crisis-related challenges. You’ll coordinate care with campus and community partners, assist with compliance and data management, and help strengthen student retention through individualized guidance and follow-up. As a key contributor to student wellbeing, you will serve as an alternate liaison to the CARE Team and support the Director in advancing departmental leadership, outreach, and holistic student support.

Classification Summary:
The Assistant Director, Assistance Services provides case management and outreach to support students experiencing academic, personal, or crisis-related challenges. The role coordinates care among campus and community partners, assists with compliance and data management related to student concerns, and supports student retention through individualized guidance and follow-up. The Assistant Director promotes student wellbeing, serves as an alternate liaison to the CARE Team, and assists the Director in departmental leadership and outreach.

Classification Standard Duties:
Provides outreach, assessment, and follow-up for students of concern, connecting them with appropriate campus and community resources. Coordinates student support and crisis response in collaboration with Counseling, Housing, Police, and other departments. Assists with management of the Student Concern database, ensuring accurate documentation and compliance with accreditation standards. Supports students considering withdrawal by facilitating discussions and coordinating with Records and other offices. Develops and delivers outreach and training to promote awareness of student services. Represents the department at meetings and serves as a Hearing Officer as needed. Assists the Director with operations, communication, and strategic initiatives.

Required Education, Experience, Certification/License, Equivalency
Required Education: Bachelor's degree in a related field.; Required Experience: Four (4) years of professional experience related to the standard duties as outlined.; Equivalency: None; Required Certification/License:

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Knowledge: Case management, crisis intervention, and student development practices; campus and community support resources; confidentiality and compliance standards (FERPA, Title IX, Clery); and data management and reporting processes. Skills: Crisis response and problem-solving; relationship building and collaboration; documentation, data entry, and report preparation; and communication with diverse audiences. Abilities: Exercise sound judgment in sensitive situations; manage multiple cases and priorities; foster supportive, inclusive environments; communicate effectively; and work both independently and collaboratively.

Job Duties and Responsibilities
* Initiate outreach to referred students through phone or in-person meetings to assess needs and underlying concerns.
* Connect students with relevant resources such as counseling, financial aid, food support, and other campus or community services.
* Collaborate with NMSU Police, Housing & Residence Life, Counseling, Fraternity & Sorority Life, and other departments to ensure coordinated support.
* Conduct follow-up meetings with students to monitor ongoing issues and address emerging concerns promptly.
* Assist in managing the Student Concern database, a critical element for maintaining HLC accreditation.
* Support students considering withdrawal by facilitating discussions, helping them explore alternatives, and coordinating with the Office of Student Records on partial or full withdrawals.
* As needed, serve as a Hearing Officer to support the Conduct Officer in cases involving alleged violations of the Student Social Code of Conduct.
* Serve as a point of contact for students experiencing institutional or personal concerns and connect them with the appropriate university offices.
* Represent Student Assistance Services at meetings, workshops, conferences, and seminars.
* Provide outreach to students, faculty, and campus partners to promote awareness of services.
* Perform other duties as assigned.

Preferred Qualifications

Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration, Counseling, Social Work, Student Affairs, Psychology, or a related field

Three or more years of progressively responsible experience in case management, student support services, behavioral intervention, crisis response, or care coordination in a college/university setting

Experience working on or with a Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT/CARE Team) and familiarity with risk-assessment models (e.g., NaBITA, SIVRA-35)

Demonstrated knowledge of FERPA, Clery, Title IX/Title VI, ADA/Section 504, and other student-support–related compliance frameworks

Experience using case management or student support software platforms (e.g., Maxient, Advocate, EAB Navigate, AIM, Titanium)

Strong ability to navigate sensitive, confidential, and high-stress student situations with professionalism, empathy, and sound judgment

Experience building collaborative relationships with faculty, campus partners, community agencies, and families/support networks

Training or certification in crisis intervention, motivational interviewing, trauma-informed care, or mental health first aid

Demonstrated commitment to equity, inclusion, and culturally responsive student support

Excellent communication skills, including writing clear case notes, producing reports, and presenting educational outreach

Bilingual proficiency (English/Spanish) highly preferred, given student and community needs

Special Requirements of the Position

Department Contact:  Joseph Molina, 575-646-1722, josephmo@nmsu.edu

Contingent Upon Funding: Not Applicable

Bargaining Unit Eligibility: This is NOT a bargaining unit position with American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME).

Standard Work Schedule: Standard (M-F, 8-5)

If Not a Standard Work Schedule: 

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

Environment: Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment.

Physical Effort: Moderate physical activity.

Lifting Requirements: Requires handling of average-weight objects up to 10 pounds or some standing or walking.

Risk: No or very limited exposure to physical risk.