Director of First-Generation Programs

NAU aims to be the nation’s preeminent engine of opportunity, vehicle of economic mobility, and driver of social impact by delivering equitable postsecondary value in Arizona and beyond.

• This position is an on-site position which requires the incumbent to complete their work primarily at the Flagstaff Mountain campus with or without accommodation. Opportunities for remote work are rare.
• This position is posted as Director of First-Generations Programs, which is a working title. The NAU system title for this position is Director, Student Life Eperience.
• This position is partially grant funded and subject to the availability of funding. The incumbent is not eligible for Service Professional non-renewal notice.
• The position requires some evening and weekend work and some travel.

The Director of First-Generation Programs leads a dynamic team that is committed to access and success for first-generation students at Northern Arizona University (NAU). Within the context of a Hispanic Serving Institution and as a member of NASPA’s First Scholars Network, NAU’s First-Generation Programs Office is a leader in serving diverse first-generation students who represent almost 50% of the student body. Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Student Affairs, the Director has overall responsibility for the activities, programs, and operations of the office of First-Generation Programs, which includes TRIO Student Support Services, a summer bridge program, scholarship programs for first-generation students and an array of other services supporting student development and transition to the institution.

Leadership and Strategic Planning - 35%

• Lead the development of departmental vision, goals, and objectives consistent with the mission of the division and university, and based on promising or best professional practices, along with statewide trends and initiatives.
• Develop departmental activities and services to accomplish goals and objectives.
• Works to ensure campus awareness of issues that New Majority Students (including but not limited to first-generation, Pell-grant eligible, students with disabilities, students with experiences within the foster care system, racially and ethnically diverse students) face in higher education.
• Provides oversight for program operations to ensure program goals and objectives are accomplished in accordance with priorities, time and funding limitations, and grant specifications.
• Manage change effectively, both in terms of process as well as people.
• Responsible for departmental website.
• Utilize technology and predictive analytics to support retention efforts.
• Direct and develop marketing initiatives to advance the mission and scope of the department.
• Establish and maintain department policies, procedures, and standards of service.
• Represent FGP at Student Affairs Directors-level meetings.
• Oversee all approval processes.
• Lead program and identify opportunities for collaboration and partnerships.

Supervision - 25%

• Hire, onboard, train, supervise, and evaluate departmental staff.
• Ensure staff effectiveness in accomplishing departmental goals and objectives.
• Cultivate a positive and inclusive working team environment.
• Ensure compliance with Human Resources policies and procedures.
• Facilitate staff professional development through intentional training opportunities and campus engagement.
• Provide direction and leadership on the continual improvement of student employee training and curriculum.
• Direct supervision of 2 Assistant Directors
• Indirect supervision of 4 Student Development Coordinators, 2 Graduate Assistants, and upwards of 30 student employees.

Assessment and Reporting - 15%

• Develop and administer departmental assessment and evaluations in collaboration with divisional Assessment staff.
• Provide regular updates on departmental progress, along with periodic reports and recommendations on activities and their effectiveness.
• Partner with the division assessment and analytics team to identify appropriate projects for analysis.
• Federal grant reporting responsibilities including annual required reporting.

Collaboration and Partnership - 15%

• Contributes as a strategic member of the division of Student Affairs.
• Represents (or delegates representation) the department on various division and university committees, advocating for the policies and services that meet student needs.
• Maintain collaborative working relationships with stakeholders across the university.

Fiduciary Responsibility - 5%

• Prepare departmental budgets in accordance with institutional, federal grant and divisional guidance.
• Monitor expenditures to ensure expenses stay within budget.
• Ensure departmental compliance with university fiscal policies and procedures.
• Federal, state, local and Foundation budgets.

Other - 5%

• Perform other duties as assigned

• Undergraduate bachelor’s degree. Any combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted for the educational requirement on a year-for-year basis.
• 5-7 years of relevant, progressively responsible, experience.
• 3-5 years of supervisory experience.
• Experience working with low-income, first-generation, and under-represented students is required.

• Master’s degree and experience with grant funded higher education programs that serve diverse students.

• Excellent supervisory, organizational, and training skills.
• Experience developing, managing, and assessing student service programs.
• Experience managing complex budgets, particularly grants and Foundation funds.
• Effective written and oral communication, as well as presentation skills.
• Experience developing strong working relationships and collaborating with campus community and stakeholders.
• Ability to communicate effectively with students, prospective students, and their families from ethnically diverse, first-generation, and economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
• Ability to work a varied work schedule with flexible hours to participate in evening and weekend events as necessary.
• Understanding of trends and practices for serving new majority students in higher education.
• Proven track record cultivating and sustaining collegial relationships with students and colleagues.
• An understanding of what it means to be a trauma and healing informed practitioner.
• Ability to support work of multiple programs that serve different participant groups within the office while encouraging collaborative work and a team atmosphere.

This position has been identified as a safety/security sensitive position. Therefore, per AZ Revised Statute, Northern Arizona University requires satisfactory results for the following: a criminal background investigation, employment history investigation, degree verification (in some cases) and fingerprinting. If you are applying for a job that requires a CDL, you will be required to register with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse and adhere to the clearinghouse requirements. Additionally, as an employer in the state of Arizona, NAU is required to participate in the federal E-Verify program that assists employers with verifying new employees' right to work in the United States. Finally, each year Northern Arizona University releases an Annual Security Report. The report is a result of a federal law known as the Clery Act. The report includes Clery reportable crime statistics for the three most recent completed calendar years and discloses procedures, practices and programs NAU uses to keep students and employees safe including how to report crimes or other emergencies occurring on campus. In addition, the Fire Safety Report is combined with the Annual Security Report for the NAU Flagstaff Mountain Campus as this campus has on-campus student housing. This report discloses fire safety policies and procedures related to on-campus student housing and statistics for fires that occurred in those facilities. If you would like a free paper copy of the report, please contact the NAUPD Records Department at (928) 523-8884 or by visiting the department at 525 E. Pine Knoll Drive in Flagstaff.

Salary range begins at $83,312. Annual salary commensurate with candidate's qualifications and related experience.

This position is exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and therefore will not earn overtime or compensatory time for additional time worked.

This is a Service Professional (SPF) position. NAU offers an excellent benefit package including generous health, dental and vision insurance; participation in the Arizona State Retirement System or the Optional Retirement Program; 22 days of vacation and 10 holidays per year; and tuition reduction for employees and qualified dependents. More information on benefits at NAU is available on the Human Resources benefits website. NAU is a tobacco and smoke-free campus. Service Professionals are hired on a contract basis, renewable each 6 months according to terms of the Conditions of Professional Service. Employees offered a position will be eligible for state health plans (including NAU's BCBS Plan). New employees are eligible for benefits on the first day of the pay period following their enrollment, after their employment date. Employees will have 31 days from their start date to enroll in benefits. If a new employee chooses the ASRS retirement option, participation in the Arizona State Retirement System, and the long-term disability coverage that accompanies it, will begin on the first of the pay period following 6 months after the new employee's start date. New employees who choose to participate in the Optional Retirement Plan (ORP), which is an alternative to the ASRS plan for faculty and other appointed staff, will begin to participate on the first day of the pay period following election. Additionally, the long-term disability plan that accompanies the ORP will begin on the first day of the pay period following election.

Your career at Northern Arizona University includes the opportunity for professional development. New employee on-boarding training includes courses to be completed within the first 30 days.

NAU will not provide any U.S. immigration support or sponsorship for this position.

August 21, 2023 at 11:59 p.m.

To apply for this position, please click on the "Apply" button on this page. You must submit your application by clicking on the "Submit" button by midnight of the application deadline. If you need assistance completing your application there are instructions available on the Human Resources website or in person in the Human Resources Department located in Building 91 on the NAU Campus - on the corner of Beaver and DuPont Streets.

If you are an individual with a disability and need reasonable accommodation to participate in the hiring process, please contact the Disability Resources Office at 928-523-8773, DR@nau.edu, or PO Box 5633, Flagstaff AZ 86011.

Northern Arizona University is a committed Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution. Women, minorities, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. NAU is responsive to the needs of dual career couples.

Know Your Rights Poster

NAU is an Employer of National Service. AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other National Service alumni are encouraged to apply.