Legal Career Center

A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.

The Associate Director assists the Director in providing leadership, direction, and supervision for administrative and operational activities of the Office of Student Conflict Resolution (OSCR). OSCR is an educationally driven operation which affirms its mission to build trust, promote justice, and teach peace through the utilization of a spectrum of conflict resolution methods. The spectrum model of conflict resolution was conceived and first implemented at the University of Michigan.

The Associate Director role includes managing the development, implementation and administration of University-wide policies, procedures, standards, and educational programs associated with conflict resolution, including the administration of the Statement of Student Rights and Responsibilities (The Statement) [University of Michigan Code of Conduct] and related conflict resolution education and adaptable conflict resolution pathways.

Senior Administrative Leadership (30%)

• Provide direct day-to-day leadership for the Unit in fulfilling its mission to build trust, promote justice, and teach peace in the University of Michigan community.
• Provide direct supervision for two Assistant Directors responsible for processes under the Statement of Student Rights and Responsibilities.
• Provide supervision of Assistant Director roles and the core work under the Statement of Student Rights and Responsibilities.
• Provide supervision for Program Manager, Sexual Misconduct Education and INtervention.
• Provide supervisory oversight of overall day-to-day office functions.
• Provide leadership in the continual creation of a supportive, engaging student life unit culture.
• Provide leadership for the management of operations, including hiring, planning, training, workshops, evaluation, assessment, legal compliance, effective reporting, departmental/institutional research efforts, and consultation services.
• Provide senior level management of high-profile casework through established resolution processes.
• Assist Director in the development and maintenance of key stakeholder relationships, such as, student leadership groups (CSG), student advocacy groups, parents, student life units, academic units, key administrators, legal counsel, law enforcement partners, and external partners and stakeholders.
• Conduct regular evaluation and assessment of divisional and unit-specific student learning outcomes.
• At the direction of the Director, develop and maintain operating budgets for programmatic areas. Produce financial reports as requested.
• Serves as Director’s designee in times of absence.

Oversight and Administration of Conduct and Conflict Resolution Pathways (40%)

• Provide management leadership and assistance to Director for the administration of the unit’s spectrum of resolution pathways, including, analyzing and evaluating incidents and resolution options while making independent decisions on related matters.
• Provide direct day-to-day supervision, consultation, training and support for Assistant Directors, Program Managers, Program Assistant and student staff facilitators.
• Ensure appropriate processes are followed with accuracy, sound judgment, and with full rights to due process and fundamental fairness.
• Provide oversight to the coordination of appropriate and balanced case management, including effective intake procedures, timely case processing, appropriate educational measures, effective referrals, and the delegation of additional responsibilities to other staff where appropriate.
• Provide oversight to case file management, data management, and records retention. This includes oversight of the advocate database case management system. Serve as the primary liaison for external partners utilizing the advocate database system.
• Provide primary oversight of Clery reporting requirements. Works in collaboration with the OSCR database manager to ensure effective reporting and coordination with key partners to eliminate instances of duplication.
• Works with highly sensitive, FERPA protected information. Additionally, this role works to identify, mitigate and/or eliminate unit, divisional, and institutional risk-management concerns.
• Regularly interact with parents, attorneys, and other individuals present to provide support for students engaged in OSCR processes.
• Able to provide effective referrals for students to other supportive individuals, units, agencies.
• Educates and assists students in the exploration and development of conflict resolution competencies, and encourages appropriate reflection on the students’ personal and ethical values as they make informed decisions about their conduct in the University community.
• Utilize relevant theories, research, and best practices to create a positive learning environment for all students.
• Provide leadership in the continual creation of a supportive campus climate which requires an informed perspective regarding issues diversity, equity, inclusion in the University environment. Provides an informed perspective on issues involving protected classes of race, ethnicity, gender orientation, sexual orientation, ability status, and national origin.
• Provide a deep understanding of and education to others on regulatory policy and laws related to the work of OSCR. These include but are not limited to FERPA, Title IX, VAWA, Clery, and Drug Free Schools, etc.
• Utilize relevant student development, restorative justice, social justice, and conflict resolution theory and practice to facilitate alternative and adaptable conflict resolution strategies whenever appropriate.
• Promote the highest standards of the profession in accordance with the guiding principles, ethics and standards of ASCA, ACPA, NASPA, and CAS, as well as follow established best practices in the student affairs, student conduct, and student conflict resolution.

Campus and Community Collaboration and Outreach (20%)

• Work collaboratively with a variety of other key campus units internal and external to Student Life on issues relating to effective support, safety, and educational measures for students in the U-M community. Builds, maintains, and advances strategic relationships with referring and referral entities, such as academic units, Athletics, Housing, Dean of Students, Law Enforcement, etc.
• With the assistance of Assistant Directors, Program Managers, Office Supervisor, and Student Staff Facilitators, work with leadership in units across campus to facilitate appropriate and effective referrals for student support. For example, ensuring the appropriate and effective collaborative work between OSCR and HSCR.
• Consult with a broad range of institutional partners regarding conflict and conduct concerns, including DPSS, Housing, Greek Life, General Counsel, SAPAC, CAPS, Athletics, Academic Units.

Committee Work and Professional Advancement (10%)

• Forward the mission, goals, and learning outcomes of OSCR and Student Life.
• Contribute to a diverse environment of colleagues and students representing diverse populations (e.g. nationality, race, ethnicity, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability status, socio-economic status, and other salient social identities).
• Lead and serve on committees and institutional task forces within the unit or as an OSCR representative at the Division or Institutional level as requested by Director.
• Advance the local, regional and national reputation of OSCR through presentations, collaborative research initiatives, publications, and service to relevant associations (ASCA, ACPA, NASPA).

Related Duties

• Other responsibilities as assigned by OSCR Director or division leadership.
• Work on evenings and weekends required on occasion.

• Master’s degree and at least 5 years of experience in student conduct and conflict resolution or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrable evidence of strong interpersonal communications skills, both written and oral.
• Demonstrable evidence of ability to work in and through experiences of conflict.
• Previous success in the area of effective success and advancement of staff performance.
• Evidence of past leadership success and organizational competency.
• Ability to effectively accomplish multiple complex tasks autonomously and in a timely manner.
• Experience managing unit resources and making strategic decisions on financial matters.
• Demonstrable experience developing evaluation and assessment strategies to evaluate effectiveness toward unit goals and learning outcomes.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively apply student development theory to conflict resolution practice.
• Substantial capacity to respond to student needs with empathy, a restorative and educational outlook, and with a high degree of cultural competency.
• A clear commitment to working in a collaborative manner with all key constituents.
• Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusive Excellence.
• Familiarity with relevant technology, and the ability to propose and integrate effective technological solutions into service delivery.
• A record of producing results within a high-stakes and fast-paced environment.

• Terminal degree preferred (e.g. J.D., Ed.D, Ph.D.)
• Substantial previous supervisory experience in a multi-staff member unit.
• Progressively responsible administrative roles in a comparable/similar unit.
• Administrative experience at a similarly situated “peer” institution.
• Experience in other areas of student affairs or student development work.
• Deep understanding of and experience in managing effective due process within conduct and conflict resolution work.
• Deep experience in multiple pathways for conflict resolution.
• Evidence of contributions to the field through publication, presentation, involvement, service, and leadership.

Financial/Budgetary Responsibility

This role will assist the Director in managing the administrative operating budget of the Unit, including all programmatic expenses and personnel-related decision-making.

Compliance

This role is designated as an Individual with Reporting Obligations (IRO) under Title IX and the UM Sexual and Gender-based Misconduct Policy.

Working conditions

Requires some evening or weekend work.

Physical requirements

May require the occasional movement of objects up to 25lbs.

Direct reports

Direct Supervision

• Assistant Director, Adaptable Conflict Resolution, Training and Strategic Partnerships
• Assistant Director, Formal Conflict Resolution and AOD Harm reduction
• Program Manager, SGBM Intervention Education

Functional Day-to-Day Supervision:

• Administrative Operations Lead
• Database Lead and OSCR Clery Compliance Coordinator

This role may have reporting obligations under Title IX and Clery.

Salary may vary depending on qualifications, experience, and education of the selected candidate.

#studentlife

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days.  The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

U-M COVID-19 Vaccination Policy

COVID-19 vaccinations, including boosters when eligible, are required for all University of Michigan students, faculty and staff across all campuses, including Michigan Medicine.  This includes those working remotely.   More information on this new policy is available on the Campus Blueprint website or the UM-Dearborn and UM-Flint websites.