Assistant Director, Basic Needs

The Assistant Director of Basic Needs performs a range of administrative and programmatic duties in support of the Basic Needs Center which includes the Food Pantry at the University of Houston-Downtown. The Assistant Director oversees the center's services, functions, and activities; provides case management and specialized information related to basic needs to students, and coordinates with campus and community organizations to obtain resources for students to promote student success, retention, and completion.

• Leads, supervises, evaluates, and promotes the Basic Needs Center's services and functions.
• Addresses and manages care interventions for students who identify having an unfulfilled basic need.
• Manages a care intervention referral tracking system.
• Connects students to campus services, programs, resources, and other institutional opportunities to aid in the retention and success of all students.
• Develops and coordinates programming for students that promotes holistic wellbeing.
• Works with and trains faculty, staff, and administration to address and respond to student concerns and needs.
• Researches, builds partnerships with, and connects students to community programs and resources.
• Conducts program evaluation and student satisfaction surveys for development and management of continuous improvement plans and reports.

• Serves on university and other committees as assigned.
• Performs all other duties assigned

Direct Reports:

• Full Time Employees

Delegation of Work:

• Regularly assigns work to subordinate(s)

Supervision Given:

• Makes final decision on evaluating employee performance, hiring new employees, disciplinary actions, scheduling work hours, granting time off, and making recommendations on handling employee grievances and complaints.

Required Education:

• Bachelor's degree

Required Experience:

• Minimum of three (3) years related job experience

License/Certification:

• None Required

• Experience providing services and support to college students
• Experience working with students in distress and/or unfulfilled basic needs

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of trends, issues, and accepted practices relevant to higher education, student affairs, student leadership development, and student well-being
• Knowledge of campus and community resources

Skills:

• Excellent diplomacy and interpersonal skills
• Excellent customer service skills
• Strong planning and organizational skills, accompanied by strong attention to detail

Abilities:

• Ability to provide leadership, direction, and support to direct reports
• Ability to deliver excellent written and oral communication in a manner appropriate to the audience
• Ability to work through processes quickly and prioritize responsibilities
• Ability to synthesize detailed, complex information into clear and compelling recommendations

Primary Work Location:

• Primary Work Location: Works in an office environment

Physical Demands:

• Physical Demands: Work is normally performed in a typical interior work environment which does not subject the employee to any unpleasant elements. Position is physically comfortable; individual has discretion about sitting (80%) walking (10%), standing (10%), etc. Occasional lifting, pushing, climbing, and pulling may be required. Work environment involves minimal exposure to physical risks. Occasional evening and/or weekend work may be required.

Commitment to Excellence - UHD

• Demonstrates a commitment to competently perform his/her job duties and responsibilities within established time frames.
• Continuously strives to improve work performance.
• Accepts responsibility for his/her commitments to the university.
• Contributes to the success of the university by consistently providing quality results in the performance of his/her job duties and responsibilities.

Respect and Cooperation

• Treats others with courtesy, respect, and dignity in the workplace.
• Promotes cooperation through open and honest communications and consideration of others ideas, thoughts, and opinions.

Integrity

• Demonstrates high ethical standards of conduct in the performance of his/her job duties and responsibilities.
• Accepts responsibility for his/her actions.
• Respects and complies with department and university policies, procedures, and work rules.

Proficiency

• Possesses required job skills and knowledge.
• Demonstrates the ability to apply those skills and knowledge to competently perform his/her job duties and assignments.

Dependability

• Takes responsibility to accomplish job assignments within reasonable deadlines.
• Willing to accept new projects and/or commitments.
• Does due diligence to complete projects within specified timeframes and/or fulfill commitments.
• Arrives to work on time prepared and ready to contribute.

Flexibility

• Willingly adjusts to changing work assignments or conditions.
• Open to changes in operational procedures, technology, and/or organizational structure.
• Views changes as opportunities for learning and professional development.
• Displays a positive attitude to encourage others.
• Promptly responds to changes in work priorities and/or unexpected circumstances or situations.

Computer/Automated System Proficiency

• Proficient in the use of university applications or automated systems to perform job duties.
• Complies with related policies, procedures, and work rules to maintain system security and data integrity.

Building External Relationships

• Demonstrates the ability to build rapport and develop relationships with external constituents.
• Displays a genuine interest in constituents' ideas and concerns, and pursues mutual interests and aspirations between the university and external constituents.
• Builds trust and forms alliances through shared respect and cooperation.

Focus on Customer Service

• Focuses on customer's needs and expectations. (Customers can be students, external constituents, employees, or university guests.)
• Respectfully ascertains customer's needs and determines appropriate response.
• Promptly responds by providing requested information, takes appropriate action, or refers customer to appropriate individual or department.
• If further actions need to be taken, advises customers of realistic timeframes for a response to their request.
• Follows up with customers on outstanding requests in a timely manner.
• Tactfully explains to customers why their needs and/or expectations cannot be met if the university does not provide the requested information or services.

Student Success Indirect Support

• Contributes to student success by assisting students with anything that supports their student experience, whether directly or indirectly.
• Helps students navigate their way through the different offices, programs, and services at the university and/or connects students with the appropriate party(ies).
• Connects students with services or resources that can help them with career exploration, goal selection, and ongoing academic assistance.
• Helps students build peer support networks.
• Encourages student participation in out-of-class activities.
• Provides encouragement and guidance to foster student success.
• Treats students with respect
• Maintains the learning environment to ensure quality and/or sound pedagogy.

Supervision

• Supervises the work of staff employees.
• Sets clear goals and expectations within reasonable timeframes.
• Motivates staff through constructive feedback, challenging assignments, and recognition of achievements.
• Provides mentorship and guidance by sharing expertise and best practices.
• Supports staff by providing essential resources, professional development opportunities, and open communication.
• Promptly addresses performance issues with appropriate measures and discretion.

Problem Solving

• Formulates plans and strategies to proactively resolve anticipated problems.
• Prudently responds to unforeseen problems through careful consideration and analysis of problem and relevant information and circumstances.
• Recognizes and apprises appropriate university administrator when resolution requires senior management input and/or approval.