Associate Director, Delegate Management

• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Salary Range: $90,000 - $110,000

Position Summary

University Life was created to develop and enhance the student experience at Columbia. Working in collaboration with students, faculty, and staff, University Life strengthens resources, policies, and conversations, and builds community outside of the classroom. Our efforts all connect to core values for the Columbia community:

• Inclusion and belonging
• Health and well-being
• Sexual respect
• Community citizenship

University Life is a central division focused on enhancing the student experience across Columbia's 17 schools and colleges. We serve as a student life hub for the University and are committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive campus culture where students can thrive in all dimensions of their lives. In University Life, we focus on connecting students to each other, to the broader University and surrounding community, and to opportunities beyond their schools.

We work to educate students about Columbia's values and policies and share essential and timely information with students from the University. Through our programs, services, and partnerships, we support students' educational enrichment during their time at Columbia.

Reporting to the Deputy Rules Administrator (Director for Student Affairs), the Associate Director is a member of the Office of Rules Administration and is responsible for providing guidance and administrative direction to the University delegates program, including recruitment, training, and oversight. Per the Rules of University Conduct (the "Rules"), Delegates are appointed by the President and/or the Rules Administrator. In addition, all Deans and Deans of Students are automatically considered Delegates under the Rules of University Conduct (Rules). Delegates have authority for the enforcement of these Rules. They shall warn individuals and groups whose actions may violate these Rules and may declare their belief that the demonstration does not conform to the Rules of Conduct. They shall, when facts known to them or brought to their attention warrant, file a complaint with the Rules Administrator against alleged violators.

This position partners with Columbia's 17 schools and affiliate institutions; central units; and students, faculty, staff and alumni.

Responsibilities

Student activism and protest response:

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  Annually recruits professional staff to become delegates for the academic year by collaborating with schools and central offices to identify and recruit a diverse and committed pool of Delegates, ensuring coverage across Columbia's campuses.

  
  
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  Develops and facilitates an ongoing delegate training program in collaboration with the Rules of University Conduct Team.

  
  
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  Provides ongoing support and refresher training for Delegates to ensure consistency in their understanding of the Rules and their responsibilities during demonstrations.

  
  
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  Coordinates the delegate on-call system, including delegate outreach to support events, establishing and staffing communication systems for events with delegates, and reviewing after-action reports (including delegate feedback on the process).

  
  
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  Manages all reimbursements for the delegate system, tracking shift completions and partnering with the finance team for payments on a semester basis.

  
  
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  Provides outreach and training about the delegate program with University stakeholders.

  
  
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  Supports the Rules of Conduct process in coordination with the Rules of University Conduct Team, including supporting investigations with delegate information and delegate follow-up.

  
  
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  Collaborates with the Rules Administrator to ensure training, procedures, and delegate actions align with the latest policies, statutes, and guidelines.

  
  
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  Acts as in-person point of contact during high-profile or contentious events requiring delegate support, ensuring coordination among Public Safety, event organizers, and delegates, as well as preparing response plans for events with potential escalation.

  
  
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  Serves as a member of the Special Events Advisory Team (SEAT) committee, ensuring cross-collaboration between Public Safety, event organizers, the Office of University Life, and other key stakeholders for high-profile or sensitive events.

  
  

Assessment:

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  Develop and implement a process for assessing delegate training and procedures as they relate to the Rules.

  
  
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  Maintain and track delegate assignment data and other important data sources.

  
  
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  Track trends related to delegate after action reports.

  
  
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  Analyze delegate feedback, event trends, and after-action reports to identify patterns and make recommendations for procedural improvements or policy updates.

  
  

Training Enhancement and Outreach:

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  Develop and implement enhanced de-escalation training programs for delegates, incorporating best practices in crisis management and community conflict resolution.

  
  
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  Develops and delivers educational programming for the university community about the Rules of University Conduct, including workshops, presentations, and resource materials aimed at promoting awareness of the Rules and the role of Delegates.

  
  
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  Foster relationships with Public Safety, the Office of University Life, Deans, and other campus partners to ensure a coordinated and consistent response to demonstrations and protests.

  
  
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  Collaborate with university offices to develop clear communication materials, including FAQs and infographics, for students, faculty, and staff about the Rules of University Conduct and their application.

  
  

This position will require some evening and weekend hours throughout the year, based on event activity and operational needs.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 4-6 years related experience required.
• Strong project management skills with demonstrated ability to coordinate, manage, and implement in a fast-paced environment with careful attention to detail.
• Experience working in a higher education setting with a diverse student body and knowledge of issues related to the student experience.
• Highly skilled in building and maintaining relationships with a wide variety of stakeholders.
• Experience planning and facilitating training.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to be calm and personable under pressure.
• Ability to reflect and to give and receive feedback, and respond to guidance and follow directions.
• The ability to work independently.
• Excellent interpersonal, collaboration, conflict management, leadership and team-building skills, including proactive problem-solving skills.
• Proven ability to work as part of a team.
• Proficient with MS Office, Google Suite, and Maxient.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree.
• A desire to contribute to an organizational process of continuous improvement and innovation.
• Experience with supporting activism and free speech on a college campus.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.