Case Manager

Case Manager

About Westfield State University:

In 1839 Westfield State University was founded on the ideals of Horace Mann who sought to improve society through education. We were the first public education institution without barrier to race gender or economic class. The spirit of innovative thinking and social responsibility is forged in a curriculum of liberal arts and professional studies contributing to the development of knowledge skills and character essential for students to become responsible leaders and engaged citizens.

Westfield State is a highly residential campus with approximately 55% of our 3100 full-time undergraduate students living on campus. The campus is ideally situated on the edge of the Berkshire Mountains in western Massachusetts just 30 minutes from the thriving cultural centers of Springfield Northampton and Amherst with a selection of museums theater collegiate and minor league sports hiking trails and restaurants. The University is within 1.5 hours of Boston and Albany and within 3 hours of New York City and the Green Mountain range of Vermont.

Thank You for Your Interest in Becoming a Westfield State Community Member

You are welcome here. You can advance your career and make a difference here. We invite you to bring your whole self and talents to Westfield State University. The University seeks applicants whose record of teaching student advising research and administration positions them to contribute to the everyday practice of our institutional values.

Our Values

Westfield State commits to values that strengthen a common bond among all members of our community and promotes a rich campus environment.

• Embrace Diversity-We treat all members of our community with dignity and respect.
• Maintain Excellence and Integrity -We maintain excellence and integrity in all that we do.
• Collaborate with Each Other -We make decisions in a transparent and collaborative manner.
• Provide Accessible Education-We commit to providing an accessible affordable public higher education for all.
• Build a Strong Community-We are inclusive and ensure equity supporting the personal development of all community members and embracing multiple perspectives.
• Engage the Outside Community-We support civic engagement in local regional and global initiatives.

Job Description:

Campus Title: Case Manager
State Job Title: Staff Assistant
Department: Enrollment Management
Job Code: HA5600
FLSA Status: Exempt
Funding: 1596-2439 (Grant Funded)*
Bargaining Unit: APA
Job Type: Full-Time Temporary / On-campus position
Timeframe: 52 Weeks
Shift: Monday-Friday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm (some nights and weekends required)
Regular Days Off: Saturday and Sunday
Salary: $60000 to $63000 Annually (commensurate with education and experience)

*This is a grant-funded position. Continued employment beyond the grant period is contingent upon the availability of funding and institutional need. Upon the grants conclusion the position will be evaluated for potential adoption and funding by Westfield State University.

General Statement of Duties:

Under the general direction of the Office of the Dean of Students this position with help to respond to the needs of students (graduate and undergraduate) encountering personal or academic challenges. The University Case Manager collaborates with other offices to develop programs that enhance the quality of student life promote all facets of well-being and respond to student concerns. The University Case Manager is expected to be available to staff andstudents outside regular business hours for evening and weekend events and/or at other critical times.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Duties include but not limited to:
Essential:

• Maintains strong working relationships and collaborations between the Office of the Dean of Students students and various University departments.
• Maintains current knowledge of student needs including graduate students student development and student learning research theory and practice that best serve the needs of students.
• Represents the Office of the Dean of Students at campus-wide functions.
• Recommends and participates in the development of University policies and procedures.
• Develops a strong relationship with local hospitals particularly at the time of the discharge of students.
• Supports and advocates for students (graduate and undergraduate) experiencing crises; intervenes directly in sensitive cases involving critical illness or injury mental illness and fatalities. Contributes to the case management process of the office by meeting with students on sensitive and private issues and provides guidance and support to students and families during times of crisis.
• In cases where students need extra mental health support or other type of clinical assistance necessary for the retention persistence and success of the student the case manager collaborates when requested by the Dean of Students Office with students families campus partners and off campus resources to form comprehensive plans for student success and assists in the plan implementation.
• Implements the administrative activities associated with the Office of the Dean of Students to support students including medical leave of absences and withdrawals.
• Advises faculty staff students and families in complex problem solving and complaint resolution in situations that pose a risk to students and/or the institution.
• Consults and engages in problem-solving on complex matters with Residence Life Counseling Center Health Center University Police Student Student Accessibility Services TRiO Course Achievement Retention and Engagement LEAD Scholars and Academic Advising.
• Advises the Office of the Dean of Student staff in best practices related to students that impact case management practices and policies.
• Collaborates with the student leader trainings and orientation programs.
• Serves as an advisor for the Office of Student Conduct.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Requirements:

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Masters degree in social work higher education student personnel counseling services or other related field and four years of full-time professional experience working with college students.
• Commitment to the knowledge of multicultural diversity and LGBTQ issues.
• Experience with strategizing planning and delivering communications.
• Familiarity with college student learning and development theories.
• Knowledge of student support programs and services.
• Experience with outreach initiatives and program development.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to use independent judgment and manage and impart information to a range of clientele and/or media sources.
• Effective interpersonal and community relations skills.
• Ability to build positive and effective relationships with colleagues and student leaders across the University.
• Skilled in managing crises and knowledge of and experience with crisis intervention techniques.
• Ability to react calmly and effectively in emergency situations.
• Ability to take initiative for projects and the development of services.
• Ability to collaborate and work successfully in a team environment.
• Experience with case management software student information system software such as Maxient.
• Ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community and rapidly changing technical environment.

Additional Information:

Salary:

Salaries for current Westfield State University employees and individuals currently working for the state of Massachusetts must be calculated individually in accordance with collective bargaining agreements as well as state policies. State job specifications may be found on the Department of Higher Educations webpage.

Employee Benefits:

Benefits are an important component of an employees total compensation package.

• Health Insurance: Westfield State offers a variety of HMO POS and PPO-type health insurance plans for eligible employees. Coverage is effective on the 1st of the month following the date of hire. Exceptions to employees hired on the 1st of the month coverage is effective immediately.
• Retirement: the MA State Employee Retirement System provides eligible employees with a retirement pension following a 10-year vesting lieu of the retirement pension eligible employees may select the Optional Retirement Plan with a maximum 5% employer matching contribution.
• Tuition Waivers & Discounts: eligible employees including spouses and dependent children receive reduced tuition at MA state colleges community colleges and universities.
• Paid Time Off: employees receive 12 paid holidays and generous vacation personal and sick leave benefits.
• Additional information regarding employee benefits is available on the Universitys Benefits & Wellness webpage.

Disability Accommodations

Westfield State University is committed to the full inclusion of individuals with disabilities and will ensure the availability of reasonable accommodations. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process please contact Human Resources ator visit us in the Horace Mann Building 1st floor.

Background Check

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion and review of a background check. A criminal recordwill not automatically disqualify an applicant from consideration.

Application Instructions:

An on-line application is required. The successful candidate must submit an official transcript at the time of hire. Interested candidates should electronically attach the following documents:

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Contact information for three references *
• Copy of unofficial transcript of highest degree

* Provide the contact information for reference providers in the reference section of the online application.

Deadline: The job posting will be open a minimum of ten days and if needed will remain open until finalists have beenselected.

NOTE: If you need assistance completing your application please contact our online Help Desk. The link to the help desk can be found at the top of the page via Contact Us.

Required Experience:

Manager