Job Description

 

Director of Veteran and Military Resources
Lowell, MA;

Full-time Staff – Dec 22, '23

About Middlesex Community College:

Middlesex Community College (MCC), established in 1970, provides access to affordable education for a diverse community from all ethnic backgrounds and identities, preparing individuals for success and lifelong learning. We promote academic excellence, provide workforce development opportunities, and empower all learners to become productive and socially responsible members of our local and global communities.

The College provides a broad range of services that are essential to attract, reward, and retain talented faculty and staff. The MCC community promotes a culture of inclusion in which our employees feel supported and empowered to best serve our diverse student population. We are proud to offer our classes on both the Bedford and Lowell campuses, as well as a robust online course offering. MCC is committed to transforming lives as we educate, challenge, and support all students as evident in our strategic plan.

As an Affirmative Action employer, MCC strongly encourages members of underrepresented groups, minorities, women, veterans, persons with disabilities, and all persons committed to diversity and inclusive excellence to apply.

Please apply directly to this position via Middlesex Community College's Employment Opportunities webpage: https://middlesex.interviewexchange.com

Job Description:

Title: Director of Veteran and Military Resources

Unit: Non-Unit Professional (NUP)

Department: Student Affairs - Pathway and Advising

Reports to: Assistant Dean of Pathway and Academic Advising

Date: December 22, 2023

 

 

General Summary:

Under the general supervision of the Assistant Dean of Pathway and Academic Advising, the Director of Veteran and Military Resources will be responsible for program oversight, management, and implementation of all services for Active Military, veterans, and their family members through the Veterans Resource Center (VRC). Including developing program policies and procedures; managing day-to-day operations; budget management; recruiting staff and students; designing services; managing and evaluating staff; providing professional development; overseeing direct service activities; providing case management and advising; and maintaining student data. Collaborate with internal and external offices and constituencies, including staff, faculty, administration, the veterans center at partner institutions, and external agencies in an effort to increase persistence, retention, transfer, and graduation for active military, veterans and their families.

 

Duties and Responsibilities:

Create a welcoming and inclusive environment for our diverse students, staff, faculty, administrators, and the public in the Veterans Resource Center (VRC).

 

VRC leadership and oversight:

• Provide appropriate training to staff assisting the V/M community at the college.
• Triage concerns, questions, and needs with outside agencies, administrators, faculty, staff, students, and service providers.
• Develop marketing materials to promote VRC activities and programs in collaboration with Assistant Dean and key stakeholders.
• Assist in the dissemination of information to Academic Advisors and Administrative Staff regarding veteran services
• Maintain an ongoing understanding of the online resources
• Maintaining and updating the Veterans Resource Guide Maintain and update Veteran Resources through all communication channels, including the department website.
• Implement New Student Resources Sessions for student veteran and military-affiliated students either new or returning after several years, fall and spring.
• Remain current regarding state, federal, and College regulations and policies related to Veterans benefits and assure compliance.
• Continue and maintain the current relationship with Veterans Administration Services
• Supervise and evaluate assigned staff, work-study, and graduate assistantship positions.
• Participate in the Veterans Advisory Board and the MCC Veterans Council.
• Assist in collecting data to maintain statistics on veterans including developing reports on retention and degree completion rates; documenting VRC usage.

Administrative Oversight

• Manage comprehensive budgets for Veteran Resources, including the use of funds directly provided by the Department of Veteran Affairs from SCO certifications
• Provide Green Zone Training to all members of the college community to understand the needs of Veteran and military-connected students.
• Develop a work plan to effectively address all reporting requirements at the Federal, State,
• Submit annually to external rating agencies, including but not limited to Military Friendly and Best for Vets survey applications.
• Submit on behalf of the college all VA certification reporting requirements including but not limited to WEAMS, 85/15, and Academic Catalog.
• Work collaboratively with the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Belonging to develop a culture where DEB is incorporated into resources and VRC events.
• Combine efforts with the Office of Student Engagement, Student Affinity groups, and other areas of the college to provide a broad range of programming for Veteran students focused on Wellness and Healthy Living.

Work with veterans to support and enhance college resources and programs:

• Assist with explaining college policy procedures to veterans and/or family members
• Assist in providing front-line service to active military, veterans, and or family members
• Assist with outreach and recruitment activities for veterans to engage in VRC activities
• Support members of the Veterans Club with programs and activities
• Assist student veterans with integration into the college's process and programs
• Further veterans' success at MCC by providing and disseminating information about opportunities, services, programs and workshops available on campus and in local communities

Assist Veterans Certifying Officials:

• Serve as the primary School Certifying Official for the college, providing direct assistance to V/M students seeking to use VA benefits through the resource center.
• Serve as the lead in the management of Veteran's education benefit paperwork in accordance with Federal and State guidelines
• Assist in providing prospective and incoming enrolled and actively attending students with assistance and guidance to successfully finance their education using their VA education benefits

Refer students to the Veterans Integrating to Academic Leadership (VITAL) services:

• Schedule on-campus time with the counselors and tutors of VITAL staff
• Participate in informational sessions at the VA regarding MCC opportunities.

Perform other job-related duties as assigned

Requirements:

• Master's degree in higher education administration or a related field
• Three (3) years of related experience in a post-secondary/higher education student affairs environment
• Knowledge of veterans' concerns and issues
• Exceptional communication skills.
• Ability to evaluate situations and make decisions in an ethical and confidential manner
• Ability to manage multiple activities and programs
• Experience with staff supervision.
• Comfortable using enterprise student information systems and MS Office applications
• Experience with equity-minded work and/or understanding of individuals of diverse identities such as race, ethnicity, socioeconomic level, sexual orientation, veterans, and individuals with different academic preparation levels and varying physical and learning abilities.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Preference for candidates with a documented veteran status and demonstrated expertise in interpreting federal regulations.
• Bilingual skills are a plus.
• Experience using Ellucian Banner, EAB Navigate, VAOnce, and other related applications.

Additional Information:

Salary Range: $70,000 - $75,000 annually; actual salary commensurate with academic background and experience. Employees of Middlesex Community College are considered employees of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and receive benefits, which include:

• High-quality and affordable health insurance through the Commonwealth's Group Insurance Commission (GIC)
• Competitive Dental and Vision Plans
• Flexible Spending Account and Dependent Care Assistance programs
• Low-cost basic and optional life insurance
• Retirement Savings: State Employees' Pension or Optional Retirement Program (ORP) and Deferred Compensation 457(b) plan or 403(b).
• 12 paid holidays per year and competitive Sick, Vacation, and Personal Time
• Tuition Benefits for employees and dependents at state colleges and universities
• Short-Term Disability and Extended Illness program participation options
• Professional Development and Continuing Education opportunities
• Cell Phone Bill Discounts with Verizon and T-Mobile Cell Phone Carriers
• Access to the Commonwealth's Mass4You, employee assistance program
• Free employee parking on Bedford and Lowell campuses
• Eligibility towards Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Location: Lowell campus with occasional travel to Bedford as needed

Hours: 37.5 hours per week, schedule to be determined upon hire, this position will be eligible for a maximum of two days of telework in accordance with the College's telework policy.

Expected Start Date: February 2024

Application Deadline: January 12, 2024

Application Instructions:

Please apply directly to this position via Middlesex Community College's Employment Opportunities webpage: https://middlesex.interviewexchange.com

All applicants must apply online by submitting:

• Cover Letter
• Resume
• Names and contact information for three (3) professional references

Pre-Employment Requirements:

The College will not sponsor applicants for work visas.

Successful applicants will be required to complete a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI/SORI) request.

Middlesex Community College only accepts application materials through our online application system. We are unable to accept application materials through mail, email, fax, or hand delivery. If you do not have access to a computer, please contact Human Resources at careers@middlesex.mass.edu.

Middlesex Community College strives to make the application and interview process accessible for all applicants but understands that applicants may still encounter barriers due to ability, language, or technology. If we can make the process any more accessible for you, contact Human Resources at 781-280-3549 or careers@middlesex.mass.edu.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $70,000.00 - $75,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person

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