Elmhurst University Looking for Director, Jans Family Military & Veterans Affairs Full Time

Posting Number: S00374P

Position Status: Exempt

Reporting Relationship(s): Vice President Student Affairs

Job Summary

The Jans Family Director of Military and Veterans Affairs is a strategic and achievement-oriented planner and implementer that creates, implements and assesses best practice programs and services that assist Elmhurst University students who are currently serving or veterans of our military services, with the ultimate goal of student success.

Essential Functions

• The Director is responsible for the coordination and daily operation of the Veterans Resource Center, which is committed to supporting military students, Veterans, and dependents with academic and overall student success.
• The Director works collaboratively with others within and outside the university to support veteran students through their transitions, as it relates to enrollment, financial aid, and student success and career development.
• The Director is a member of the leadership team of the Division of Student Affairs and, as such has responsibilities related to division and university goals.
• This position reports to the Vice President for Students Affairs.

The Director:

• Provides strategic and day-to-day program planning through initiation, execution, and assessment of programs and services that support the enrollment, engagement, success and satisfaction of student veterans and currently serving military students
• Serves as point of contact for military and veteran students in creatively problem solving barriers through excellent customer service and student-oriented approach using University and external resources
• Provides recruitment, transition and retention services to students including creating and supervising a student mentor/ambassador program for veterans and creating and executing other programs that provide effective assistance
• Supervises, trains, and evaluates the student staff to meet the goals and objectives of the program
• Staffs an advisory committee to provide services to veterans, including but not limited to, the Veteran Military Education Excellence Funds program
• Establishes liaison relationships between local, civic, and veterans’ groups
• Stays aware of legislative and other issues that may impact military or veteran populations and advises Vice President of potential impact and possible university resolutions for the betterment of all veteran and military students
• Is responsible for the functioning and supplying of the Veterans Resource Center.
• Works closely with veterans and military students and available on and off campus resources regarding funding, medical/disability funding and additional support; thorough knowledge of various resources is essential
• Manages the program budget
• Establishes strong relationships with veterans and military students serving as an advisor, mentor and role model as they enroll, progress, succeed and graduate
• Works with Weigand Center for Professional Excellence (WCPE) and potential employers to enhance opportunities for veteran employment
• Works with the Student Veteran Association student organization and other student organizations that support veteran/military needs
• Plans events such as Veterans Day commemorations. Serves as veterans’ liaison for university and community events
• Provide presentations/workshops/training for veterans/military students on topics of interest; present/train faculty/staff and others on successfully working with veteran students and meeting their needs
• Provides data and information to the Vice President regarding military and veteran students, their status, barriers, programming, etc.
• Serve as an enthusiastic, engaged, effective Student Affairs professional with an excellent work ethic who serves as the University expert on veteran/military student success and who represents the University in an exceptional manner
• Collaborates to provide annual reporting on the successes of the Center to key stakeholders
• Support institutional partnerships with Wheaton College (Army) and the Illinois Institute of Technology (Air Force)
• Facilitate city partnerships (Elmhurst Public Library, Chamber of Commerce, VFW, American Legion)

Other Duties and Responsibilities

• Participate in Veteran and Military coordinator meetings with peer institutions (e.g.,, Lewis University, College of DuPage.)
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution required;
• Masters preferred.
• 10 or more years of military experience and/or knowledge of and familiarity of sociological, cultural, and transitional issues of military and veteran students required.
• Former military experience required.
• Higher education experience with veterans services office and related issues preferred.
• Knowledge of career advising, training, event management, program planning and retention programs is preferred.
• Knowledge of federal rules and regulations by the Veterans Administration.
• Knowledge of special needs of veterans and available financial aid benefits.

Skills:

• Strong initiative and solid judgment abilities/skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills.
• Skilled in establishing cooperative working relationships in the course of performing assigned duties.
• Skilled in working with students in distress and compassionate problem solving while making use of multiple resources.

Abilities:

• Ability to interpret Veterans Administration regulations and act as a liaison between the University’s veteran and the Veterans Administration.
• Ability to supervise and train student staff.
• Ability to develop and maintain program records.
• Ability to conceive of, plan, and effectively execute programs and services.

Working Conditions/Physical Requirements

Employee is subject to indoor work, protected from weather conditions. Work is sedentary in nature and involves exerting up to 10 lbs. of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently/constantly in order to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move object.

Open Until Filled: Yes

Special Instructions to Applicants

Please be aware that as a continued emphasis on keeping our community safe and healthy, we will require all faculty, staff, and students to submit verification of full vaccination for COVID-19.

Please send: 1) cover letter addressing the candidate’s interest in and qualifications for the position; 2) resume; and 3) the names, address, email, and phone number of five references.
This may be included in applicant’s cover letter or optional “other” document.

Elmhurst University is a leading institution of higher education that seamlessly blends liberal learning and professional preparation to help students reach their full potential. Elmhurst University offers more than 70 undergraduate majors, 15 graduate programs, degree-completion programs for busy adults, and the acclaimed Elmhurst Learning and Success Academy for young adults with developmental disabilities. Elmhurst University is one of the Top 10 Colleges in the Midwest, according to U.S. News & World Report; and U.S. News, Money and Forbes magazine’s consistently rank Elmhurst as one of the Midwest’s best values in higher education.

Elmhurst University is a leading institution of higher education that seamlessly blends liberal learning and professional preparation to help students reach their full potential. Elmhurst University offers more than 70 undergraduate majors, 15 graduate programs, degree-completion programs for busy adults, and the acclaimed Elmhurst Learning and Success Academy for young adults with developmental disabilities. Elmhurst University is one of the Top 10 Colleges in the Midwest, according to U.S. News & World Report; and U.S. News, Money and Forbes magazines consistently rank Elmhurst as one of the Midwest’s best values in higher education.

Recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce is a critical component of the University’s mission, vision and core values. Our commitment stems from the belief that an institution of higher learning is enriched by the presence of diversity. Elmhurst University is an EO Employer. Elmhurst University prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, creed, ancestry, veteran status, marital status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.