Asst. Director, Student Assistance Services

• 502961
• Las Cruces, New Mexico, United States
• Staff
• Staff Full-time
• Closing at: Dec 1 2025 - 23:55 MST
  
  

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Position Title: Asst. Director, Student Assistance Services

Employee Classification: Assistant Director, Student Assistance Services

College/Division: Student Success & Enroll Management

Department: 520830-STUDENT LIFE

Internal or External Search: Internal - Open to Regular NMSU employees only (temporary/Term employees not eligible)

Location: Las Cruces

Offsite Location (if applicable):

Target Hourly/Salary Rate: Commensurate with experience

Appointment Full-time Equivalency: 1.0

Exempt or Non-Exempt: Exempt

Summary: Join our team as the Assistant Director of Assistance Services and make a meaningful impact on student success. In this pivotal role, you will provide compassionate case management and proactive outreach to support students facing academic, personal, or crisis-related challenges. You’ll coordinate care with campus and community partners, assist with compliance and data management, and help strengthen student retention through individualized guidance and follow-up. As a key contributor to student wellbeing, you will serve as an alternate liaison to the CARE Team and support the Director in advancing departmental leadership, outreach, and holistic student support.

Classification Summary

The Assistant Director, Assistance Services provides case management and outreach to support students experiencing academic, personal, or crisis-related challenges. The role coordinates care among campus and community partners, assists with compliance and data management related to student concerns, and supports student retention through individualized guidance and follow-up. The Assistant Director promotes student wellbeing, serves as an alternate liaison to the CARE Team, and assists the Director in departmental leadership and outreach.

Classification Standard Duties

Provides outreach, assessment, and follow-up for students of concern, connecting them with appropriate campus and community resources. Coordinates student support and crisis response in collaboration with Counseling, Housing, Police, and other departments. Assists with management of the Student Concern database, ensuring accurate documentation and compliance with accreditation standards. Supports students considering withdrawal by facilitating discussions and coordinating with Records and other offices. Develops and delivers outreach and training to promote awareness of student services. Represents the department at meetings and serves as a Hearing Officer as needed. Assists the Director with operations, communication, and strategic initiatives.

Required Education, Experience, Certification/License, Equivalency

Required Education: Bachelor's degree in a related field.; Required Experience: Four (4) years of professional experience related to the standard duties as outlined.; Equivalency: None; Required Certification/License:

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

Knowledge: Case management, crisis intervention, and student development practices; campus and community support resources; confidentiality and compliance standards (FERPA, Title IX, Clery); and data management and reporting processes. Skills: Crisis response and problem-solving; relationship building and collaboration; documentation, data entry, and report preparation; and communication with diverse audiences. Abilities: Exercise sound judgment in sensitive situations; manage multiple cases and priorities; foster supportive, inclusive environments; communicate effectively; and work both independently and collaboratively.

Job Duties And Responsibilities

• Initiate outreach to referred students through phone or in-person meetings to assess needs and underlying concerns.
• Connect students with relevant resources such as counseling, financial aid, food support, and other campus or community services.
• Collaborate with NMSU Police, Housing & Residence Life, Counseling, Fraternity & Sorority Life, and other departments to ensure coordinated support.
• Conduct follow-up meetings with students to monitor ongoing issues and address emerging concerns promptly.
• Assist in managing the Student Concern database, a critical element for maintaining HLC accreditation.
• Support students considering withdrawal by facilitating discussions, helping them explore alternatives, and coordinating with the Office of Student Records on partial or full withdrawals.
• As needed, serve as a Hearing Officer to support the Conduct Officer in cases involving alleged violations of the Student Social Code of Conduct.
• Serve as a point of contact for students experiencing institutional or personal concerns and connect them with the appropriate university offices.
• Represent Student Assistance Services at meetings, workshops, conferences, and seminars.
• Provide outreach to students, faculty, and campus partners to promote awareness of services.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration, Counseling, Social Work, Student Affairs, Psychology, or a related field

Three or more years of progressively responsible experience in case management, student support services, behavioral intervention, crisis response, or care coordination in a college/university setting

Experience working on or with a Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT/CARE Team) and familiarity with risk-assessment models (e.g., NaBITA, SIVRA-35)

Demonstrated knowledge of FERPA, Clery, Title IX/Title VI, ADA/Section 504, and other student-support–related compliance frameworks

Experience using case management or student support software platforms (e.g., Maxient, Advocate, EAB Navigate, AIM, Titanium)

Strong ability to navigate sensitive, confidential, and high-stress student situations with professionalism, empathy, and sound judgment

Experience building collaborative relationships with faculty, campus partners, community agencies, and families/support networks

Training or certification in crisis intervention, motivational interviewing, trauma-informed care, or mental health first aid

Demonstrated commitment to equity, inclusion, and culturally responsive student support

Excellent communication skills, including writing clear case notes, producing reports, and presenting educational outreach

Bilingual proficiency (English/Spanish) highly preferred, given student and community needs

Special Requirements Of The Position

Department Contact: Joseph Molina, 575-646-1722, josephmo@nmsu.edu

Contingent Upon Funding: Not Applicable

Bargaining Unit Eligibility: This is NOT a bargaining unit position with American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME).

Standard Work Schedule: Standard (M-F, 8-5)

If Not a Standard Work Schedule

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

Environment: Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment.

Physical Effort: Moderate physical activity.

Lifting Requirements: Requires handling of average-weight objects up to 10 pounds or some standing or walking.

Risk: No or very limited exposure to physical risk.

Recruitment Summary

We are New Mexico’s land-grant institution and a comprehensive research university dedicated to teaching, research public service and outreach at all levels. NMSU is a welcoming community of talented faculty, staff and students who are working together to make a difference. We are a NASA Space Grant College, a Hispanic-serving institution (HSI), a minority-serving institution (MSI) and home to the first Honors College in New Mexico. We offer an accessible education that shapes bright futures.

NMSU provides learning opportunities to a diverse population of students and community members at four campuses, Cooperative Extension offices located in each of New Mexico’s 33 counties, 12 research and science centers, and through distance education.

NMSU Global Campus

Since 1888, NMSU has proudly embodied this tradition, building relationships that last a lifetime while serving students who want to earn their degree and grow in their field. Today, NMSU Global Campus provides flexible, career-focused online education that helps our students transform their lives – and the lives of the people they love – through over 70 degree and certificate programs, skill-building microlearning courses, and career and talent development.

NMSU Main Campus

Located in Las Cruces, NM, New Mexico State University's 900-acre main campus is located at the crossroads of I-10 and I-25 in the Southwestern United States. As a thriving center of higher education, deeply rooted in the regional tradition, its role as a comprehensive university is recognized throughout the state.

Doña Ana Community College

Founded in 1973 in collaboration with local school districts to support occupational education, DACC is now a leading community college that provides transformative educational opportunities that meet the workforce needs of Doña Ana County. With a focus on access, innovation and excellence, DACC offers over ninety degrees and certificates, adult education, specialized workforce training, and small business assistance. 

Alamogordo Campus

Established in 1958 to serve the needs of the airmen and families stationed at Holloman Air Force Base located only 10 miles west of Alamogordo, NMSUA is a community college with a long history of excellence that is supported by a caring community of hard-working students and dedicated faculty and staff. The campus is situated “on the hill” above Alamogordo and provides inspiring views of the city and the Tularosa Basin, offering the perfect venue for creative and motivated learning.

Grants Campus

NMSU Grants was established as a branch of New Mexico State University in 1968 through the cooperative efforts of New Mexico State University and Grants Municipal Schools. As a two-year branch community college, NMSU Grants serves the local communities in Cibola and McKinley counties, including the Pueblos of Acoma, Laguna, and Zuni, as well as Tohajiilee, San Mateo, San Rafael, Cubero, the City of Grants, and the Village of Milan.

Special Instructions to Applicants

The electronic application is the *official* document that will be used to qualify applicants. Paper/email documents will not be accepted. Required documents must be attached to this application.

EEO Statement

New Mexico State University does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, military service, or other non-merit factor.