Student Advocacy Manager

Summary

Job Category:
Student Advocacy
Job Title:
Student Advocacy Manager
Job Category Definition:
This specialty supports specialized populations that include but are not limited to: international; under-represented; low income; first generation; students with disabilities; women; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, and advocates (LGBTA), and multicultural students; and assists students to fully engage in the learning process and in acclimation into the Penn State Community.
Job Title Definition:
The Student Advocacy Manager assists with the oversight of, or directly oversees the operation of, units serving specialized student populations intended to promote and support academic success; includes planning, implementing and assessing all activities conducted within the unit as well as overseeing the hiring, training, and supervision of both students and professional staff; budget development and administration, strategic planning, and policy development, implementation and transmission; developing program evaluation and financial reports for University-related units and external funding sources, as well as developing and maintaining collaborative relationships with other departments, academic colleges, and outside sources to accomplish organizational goals and objectives; prepares grant proposals, seeking external funding opportunities, serving on University-wide and/or external committees and boards, and representing the University in local, state, and national organizations; providing referrals and crisis intervention services and serving as a primary advocate for all student related concerns. Duties are performed at various levels within the defined title.
Working Conditions:
Specific physical requirements and effort are outlined in Job Responsibilities Worksheet (list of essential job duties and responsibilities specific to a particular job at the unit level) in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA).
Other Requirements:
May require PA Act 33, 151, and 34 certifications

Levels

Level 1  

There is currently no Level 1.

Level 2  

Level Details
Job Code Salary Band FLSA Status
SASA9002 I Exempt

Level 2 positions typically demonstrate intermediate planning, organizing, directing, and facilitating skills along with intermediate knowledge of employment regulations, policies, and procedures necessary to perform assigned managerial/supervisory tasks; define work objectives, plans, priorities and deadlines and delegate routine tasks appropriately; review completed work of others to verify technical soundness and adherence to deadlines; coach, mentor, and motivate staff in a fair and consistent manner to achieve goals; coach employees on practices that promote the value of diversity, safety, and environmental consciousness in the workplace; demonstrate intermediate ability to communicate using more complex terms relevant to specific discipline; develop creative recommendations for solving problems that are varied and somewhat difficult in nature but with limited scope; identify and implement changes/improvements to quality improvement processes, procedures, policies, and plans; supervise staff and coordinate activities to ensure successful completion of tasks.

Typical Education & Experience

2+ years related experience

Master’s Degree or higher in an education or social science related discipline

Or an equivalent combination of education and experience

Required Certifications, Registrations or Licensure:
May require PA Act 33, 151, and 34 certifications
Typical Work Duties
  • Provide direction for programs, offices, initiatives, or projects that support and serve the academic, social, emotional, and engagement needs of specialized student groups; may include programs external to the University
  • Assess program effectiveness, facilitate reporting procedures, analyze performance data, establish metrics, recommend improvements, and present results to leadership
  • Lead marketing and outreach efforts to promote initiatives, programs, services, and opportunities for specialized student groups
  • Contribute to the preparation and administration of the general budget; pursue and identify funding sources
  • Interact in a collaborative manner with other departments, academic colleges, and outside sources to accomplish organizational goals and objectives
  • Research emerging trends and best practices related to student advocacy and apply findings to program development, implementation, operating procedures, and strategies
  • Interpret and communicate regulations, policies, and procedures effectively to others
  • Write proposals, review contracts, and submit required documentation
  • Hire, train, supervise and evaluate staff
  • May network with student organizations in accordance with the mission of the assigned center/program
  • May liaison with academic departments and other areas as needed to discuss student related matters for specialized populations

This profile is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty that will be required of positions in this job title and should not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties should not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of a similar kind or level of difficulty.

Level 3  

Level Details
Job Code Salary Band FLSA Status
SASA9003 J Exempt

Level 3 positions typically demonstrate proficient ability in work design, project management, financial planning and development of goals for accomplishing difficult unit assignments; demonstrate awareness of emerging trends, and changes in employment regulations, policies and procedures to proactively address issues; review completed work of others for conformity to policy, and effectiveness of approach; delegate more advanced tasks to others; facilitate optimal group dynamics and evaluate employee performance on difficult work assignments and recommend appropriate developmental opportunities; develop and implement practices that promote a culture of diversity, safety, and environmental consciousness and that is conducive to effective relationships among diverse groups of employees; use diplomacy and advanced communication skills in unstructured settings; modify, adapt, or refine guidelines, if necessary, to resolve issues or problems; develop, evaluate, enhance, and/or implement quality improvement practices, processes, procedures, or policies that have an impact on unit operations.

Typical Education & Experience

5+ years related experience

Master’s Degree or higher in an education or social science related discipline

Or an equivalent combination of education and experience

Required Certifications, Registrations or Licensure:
May require PA Act 33, 151, and 34 certifications
Typical Work Duties
  • Provide direction and leadership for an office, center, or unit that supports the academic, social, emotional, and engagement needs of specialized student populations; may include those external to the University
  • Design, implement, and evaluate initiatives and programs in alignment with the mission of the assigned center/program
  • Develop relationships with external entities including government agencies, corporations, non-profits to cultivate and garner support for programming efforts
  • Hire, train, supervise, mentor and evaluate assigned professional staff
  • Develop and administer budget for assigned center/program
  • Prepare grant proposals and investigate other sources of funding
  • Complete and submit performance and financial status reports as required by funding sources and/or University policy
  • Develop and administer policy and procedures and direct strategic planning for the assigned center/program
  • Maintain all records as required by regulations, grant contract, and/or University policy
  • Facilitate the administration of federal grant programs including participant eligibility, federal reporting requirements, and budget management
  • Liaison with Student Affairs Directors, University staff, and/or other organizations across the University to establish and assess educational programs and information dissemination
  • May lead and direct federally funded programs for community groups aimed at providing avenues for success, eliminating barriers, and preparing students for secondary education
  • Oversee the recruitment, enrollment, and retention strategies within a specific region with a focus on increasing diversity in the student body
  • May analyze application trends, acceptance rates and other related data for assigned geographical area
  • May act as a liaison to secondary school officials
  • May advise and coordinate with students organizations in accordance with the mission of the assigned center/program
  • May provide crisis intervention and referrals as required for students, staff, and faculty

This profile is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty that will be required of positions in this job title and should not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties should not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of a similar kind or level of difficulty.

Level 4  

Level Details
Job Code Salary Band FLSA Status
SASA9004 K Exempt

Level 4 positions typically demonstrate advanced skills in budget management, business development, communications, and leadership and execution of objectives critical to unit's success; provide detailed plans for changes to specific policies and procedures that may result from trends and changes in overall direction of functional and/or organizational responsibilities; monitor completed work of others to ensure soundness of approach, effectiveness in meeting requirements, the feasibility of recommendations and adherences to requirements; evaluate and enhance practices that promote a strong commitment to inclusionary practices which support diversity, safety, and environmental consciousness throughout the University; demonstrate diplomacy in persuading and influencing a variety of people to achieve results; resolve complex, controversial or unprecedented issues and problems, and demonstrate sound judgment by considering values, risks, impact and implications of actions throughout organization; set clear expectations and hold management team accountable for effectively coaching, mentoring and motivating their respective staffs; develop, evaluate, enhance, and/or implement quality improvement practices, processes, procedures, or policies that have an impact on University operations.

Typical Education & Experience

8+ years related experience

Master’s Degree or higher in an education or social science related discipline

Or an equivalent combination of education and experience

Required Certifications, Registrations or Licensure:
May require PA Act 33, 151, and 34 certifications
Typical Work Duties
  • Provide direction and leadership for a large unit that supports the academic, social, emotional, and engagement needs of specialized student populations and serves as a resource for advocacy programs and activities across multiple areas
  • Develop and plan resource allocations and distribution for multiple departments or divisions, including employees, equipment, or other resources; exercise final authority on how resources will be allocated within the unit
  • Oversee University wide comprehensive diversity and inclusion plans that advance diversity and inclusion goals including multicultural and international affairs, veteran affairs, recruitment of underrepresented populations, retention initiative
  • Develop and administer budgets, pursue funding opportunities from various sources, and write proposals
  • Lead activities such as managing international agreements, education abroad and exchange programs, and international student compliance
  • Oversee and develop policies, University-wide practices, and standards that align with current governmental policy and regulations
  • May lead and direct federally funded programs for community groups aimed at providing avenues for success, eliminating barriers, and preparing students for secondary education
  • Determine feasibility of goals/objectives of the unit/department
  • Manage multiple projects within the unit or across the University; plan, schedule, conduct, or coordinate detailed phases of the work on a major project or projects
  • Train staff on policies, procedures and guidelines and ensure that regulations are disseminated and adhered to by all constituents
  • May serve as the University’s Principal Designated School Official related to international student matters

This profile is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty that will be required of positions in this job title and should not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties should not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of a similar kind or level of difficulty.

Level 5  

Level Details
Job Code Salary Band FLSA Status
SASA9005 L Exempt

Level 5 positions typically demonstrate awareness of broad issues and management trends and evaluate the impact of policy and procedure changes and adjust accordingly; apply management principles to ensure optimal performance throughout organization; ensure appropriate skills are developed and maintained at all levels of responsibility and realign staff responsibilities to meet desired changes in organization and/or University mission; develop plans, practices and efforts to ensure optimal support or diversity, safety, and environmental consciousness throughout the University; demonstrate high level of diplomacy in persuading and influencing a wide variety of people at various levels and locations to achieve results; develop and implement solutions to highly complex and often controversial problems that may have University-wide impact and establish new precedents for solving problems; develop and articulate broad goals and objectives for unit with multi-functions or University-wide impact; develop, evaluate, enhance, and/or implement quality improvement practices, processes, procedures, or policies that have a strategic impact on University operations.

Typical Education & Experience

8+ years related experience

Master’s Degree or higher in an education or social science related discipline

Or an equivalent combination of education and experience

Required Certifications, Registrations or Licensure:
May require PA Act 33, 151, and 34 certifications
Typical Work Duties
  • Lead and direct all strategic aspects of units that support the academic, social, emotional, and engagement needs of specialized student populations, develop strategies to advance the success of students identify and eliminate barriers to success, and champion University-wide initiatives that promote student diversity, inclusion, and belonging values
  • Serve as a resource and subject matter expert for advocacy programs and activities across the University; disseminate policies, strategies, and best practices across units
  • Design infrastructures to ensure the availability and access of resources, support, and services to students across the University  
  • Advise University leadership, including administrators and executives, on policies, emerging trends, and best practices
  • Develop and plan resource allocations and distribution for multiple departments or divisions, including employees, equipment or other resources; exercise final authority on how resources will be allocated within the unit
  • Monitor completed work of others to ensure soundness of approach, effectiveness of meeting requirements, the feasibility of recommendations and adherences to requirements
  • Provide guidance on a wide range and variety of moderately complex issues to executives and other directors to determine best allocation across the unit and to prioritize department/divisional/unit needs across the University
  • Manage multiple projects within the unit or across the University; plan, schedule, conduct, or coordinate detailed phases of the work on a major project or projects
  • May implement and conduct recruitment strategies to retain and provide professional development for minority graduate students
  • May serve as the University’s Principal Designated School Official related to international student matters
  • May ensure compliance with legislative and regulatory mandates regarding international students

This profile is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty that will be required of positions in this job title and should not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties should not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of a similar kind or level of difficulty.