Duke University was created in 1924 through an indenture of trust by James Buchanan Duke. Today, Duke is regarded as one of America’s leading research universities. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke is positioned in the heart of the Research Triangle, which is ranked annually as one of the best places in the country to work and live. Duke has more than 15,000 students who study and conduct research in its 10 undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. With about 40,000 employees, Duke is the third largest private employer in North Carolina, and it now has international programs in more than 150 countries.
Positional Summary
The Assistant Director of Graduate and Professional Student Services (GPSS) provides support for GPSS initiatives and advisement for the Graduate and Professional Student Government (GPSG). The Assistant Director coordinates and implements graduate and professional (grad/prof) student initiatives and creates communication materials for the grad/prof student community. The Assistant Director supports the Director of GPSS in assessment and strategic planning efforts for the unit.
Key Position Duties
Program Coordination: 40%
- Develop and lead incoming student onboarding and orientation initiatives for grad/prof students including, but not limited to, initiatives focused on sense of belonging, identity and culture, campus and community resources, and wellbeing
- Design and implement campus-wide programs and events, including Graduate and Professional Student Appreciation Week, Grad/Prof Resource Fair, Grad/Prof Table Talk, and other GPSS program initiatives
- Assist the Director of GPSS in coordinating education sessions for students, faculty, and staff as related to graduate and professional student support
- Collaborate with Off Campus and Community Life (OCCL) to coordinate housing education initiatives
- Collaborate with Duke International Student Center (DISC) to coordinate initiatives for international graduate and professional students
GPSG Advising and Student Organization Support: 30%
- Oversee the advisement for GPSG and collaborate with campus partners to develop a wholistic model of support
- Collaborate with university staff to advise the GPSG Community Pantry
- Collaborate with Student Involvement and Leadership (SIL) and Student Organization and Programming Finance (SOPF) to create and disseminate information and resources for grad/prof student organizations
- Collaborate with SOPF for monthly budgetary updates
- Serve as a liaison between grad/prof student leaders and Student Affairs
Administrative Responsibilities: 25%
- Collaborate with the Program Coordinator to manage the selection, supervision, and day-to-day responsibilities for GPSS Graduate Assistants and Interns
- Design, edit, and publish communication materials to be distributed to grad/prof communities and Student Affairs units
- Incorporate the use of technology to meet the growing needs of graduate and professional students, including the creation of web pages and social media content
- Manage departmental listservs, MS Teams, and shared e-mail accounts
- Compile and analyze statistics for administrative utilization; prepare reports and presentations
- Support the Director of GPSS in assessment and strategic planning efforts for the department
- Assist in the development of relevant policies and procedures as they relate to grad/prof student support
Other: 5%
- Perform related duties as assigned or required to meet departmental, Division and University goals and objectives, as assigned by their Supervisor, Director, or respective designees
Physical Demands
Work is typically performed in an office environment and requires the ability to operate standard office equipment and keyboards.
Work requires occasional lifting, pushing, and/or pulling items up to 50 pounds.
Strongly Preferred Experiences
A master's degree in higher education/student services, counseling, or related area. Work requires two years of experience in program administration or involving academic, instructional or counseling activities to acquire skills necessary to plan, coordinate and implement a variety of program activities and events.
At least three years of professional experience post-graduate school is preferred. Experience supporting or advising graduate and/or professional students.
Preferred Skills and Competencies
- Strong attention to accuracy and detail
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, critical-thinking skills, use of sound judgment
- Demonstrated achievement in student organization advising
- Ability to take initiative, balance multiple projects, set priorities, and work autonomously yet also as a member of a team
- Fluency with office productivity applications, database management, and web tools
- Ability to provide guidance and direction to direct reports, including setting standards and monitoring performance
- Skills using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions to problems
- Ability to communicate difficult/sensitive information
- Skills evaluating program performance, summarizing findings, communicating results, and forming an action plan
- Program development, event planning, assessment, and data-driven improvement
- Skills relevant to establishing and maintaining successful partnerships with students/families, alumni, parents, faculty/staff, administration, members of the community, and other stakeholders
- Maturity and good judgement/decision making are essential to the position particularly in relation to handling crisis related calls and confidential materials
Minimum Qualifications
Education
Work requires analytical, communications and organizational skills generally acquired through completion of a bachelor's degree program.
Experience
Work generally requires two years experience in personnel, college or OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE university administration, or a related field to acquire skills necessary to provide program management, advising and general administrative support.
Duke is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.
Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.
Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essentialjob functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.
Nearest Major Market: Durham
Nearest Secondary Market: Raleigh