Assistant Director of Student Involvement, Student Government

Department: University Life

Classification: Administrative Faculty

Job Category: Administrative or Professional Faculty

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Fairfax, VA

Workplace Type: Hybrid Eligible

Salary: Salary range starting in the low $60K's; commensurate with education and experience

Criminal Background Check: Yes

Motor Vehicle Records Check: Yes

About the Department:

Student Involvement creates a sense of belonging by providing memorable experiences for the Mason Community. Our values are Learning & Development, Experience & Engagement, Community & Inclusion, Student-Centered Service and University Pride & Excitement. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and welcoming space, connecting students to purposeful experiences, developing student leaders, nurturing personal, academic and professional growth and engaging students in self-discovery and self-authorship. 

Student Involvement is a high energy, innovative department comprised of Campus Events and Promotion, Fraternity & Sorority Life, Student Organizations and Governance, the GMU Esports program, and Business and Administrative operations.

About the Position:

The Assistant Director of Student Involvement, Student Government is an administrative faculty position and is a part of the professional staff team of Student Involvement, within the Division of University Life.  This position manages multiple responsibilities while fulfilling the strategic goals as established by the office, division of University Life, and the university.  Reporting to one of the Associate Directors of Student Involvement, the Assistant Director for Student Government is responsible for the daily oversight, support, advisement and learning opportunities for the members of Student Government (SG). The position also supports and provides leadership for various programs and functions of the unit. 

Responsibilities:

Advising and Supervision 

• Advises and supports the Student Government including but not limited to student leadership and other members, committees, events and initiatives;
• Regularly meets with student leaders and attends weekly organizational meetings as needed; and
• Ensures students are following university procedures, policies and the guiding documents of the Student Government. 

Administrative Duties 

• Provides oversight for the Student Government area and budget management; 
• Responsible for purchasing and reconciliation of all Student Government organization accounts in compliance with university fiscal policies and guidelines;
• Maintains records, materials, and other documents related to Student Government; 
• Responsible for accurate and timely communication to campus stakeholders; 
• Serves as a departmental representative on key University Life and institutional committees; 
• Participates as an active member of the University Life/Student Involvement professional staff, attending departmental meetings, collaborating with other staff members, and assisting in office and department-wide initiatives and programs; and
• Performs other related duties as assigned. 

Training and Leadership Development 

• Develops and facilitates workshops and trainings for student leadership within Student Government including but not limited to values-based leadership, group dynamics, running effective meetings, conflict management, transitions, civil discourse, teamwork, communication, etc.;  and
• Serves as a member of the SI Core Student Leader Experience Committee. 

Event/Program Development and Implementation 

• Provides university policies and guidelines education, and supports the implementation of events, programs and initiatives from Student Government; 
• Provides direct support and advisement for major Student Government events including but not limited to Mason Lobbies, Gold Rush, Elections, Patriot’s in Action, Maintain Mason and Night Walk; 
• Attends Student Government events that need staff support and/or presence; and
• Assists with major department programming efforts as needed. 

Community Support, Advocacy, Outreach 

• Serves as the liaison to Academic Colleges to support the filling of all Academic College seats;  
• Assists students in developing and implementing student-centered policies and initiatives by providing feedback, suggesting revisions, and navigating administrative processes;
• Develops an SG alumni engagement and mentoring program;  
• Communicates and collaborates with appropriate university offices, departments and organizations, and assists Student Government leaders in developing relationships with these constituencies;  and
• Works in collaboration with University Life, Student Media and Director for Civic Engagement to support the Mason Votes initiative. 

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in related field or equivalent combination of education and experience;
• Progressive experience in direct advisement and leadership development of students and student organizations;  
• Demonstrated experience working both independently and collaboratively with team members; 
• Demonstrated experience working with a team to accomplish collective goals;  
• Demonstrated experience managing conflict; 
• Experience in developing and facilitating educational workshops;
• Demonstrated experience developing and implementing programs;
• Knowledge of event management and risk management education;  
• Demonstrated organizational skills and ability to meet deadlines; 
• Demonstrated ability in advisement and leadership development of students and student organizations; 
• Ability to develop and implement educational/development programs on topics such as event management, leadership and team development, meeting management, conflict management, etc.;
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain collaborative relationships with faculty, staff and students;
• Ability to interact with senior-level administrators in a highly professional manner;
• Ability to manage multiple tasks with attention to detail; and
• Must currently possess an appropriate, active, valid motor vehicle operator’s license that meets all of GMU’s requirements for operating state vehicles and equipment under Mason’s Vehicle Use Policy 1411 https://universitypolicy.gmu.edu/policies/vehicle-use/. The Office of Risk Management reserves the right to review the driver’s licenses and Motor Vehicle Reports (MVRs) of all candidates selected with employment contingent upon a favorable review.

This position is not eligible for international visa sponsorship. 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience typically obtained in two (2) years working in a professional full-time role in higher education or experience typically obtained in one (1) year working in a professional full-time role combined with experience typically obtained in two (2) years in paraprofessional/graduate assistant work in higher education;
• Experience working with Student Government.
• Knowledge and understanding of supervision; 
• Effective interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills;  
• Proven skills of flexibility and adaptability to change;    
• Ability to connect with a diverse range of students; 
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with team members in a high-energy, progressive and diverse department; 
• Demonstrated commitment to customer service;
• Demonstrated commitment to student growth and development.

Instructions to Applicants: 

For full consideration, applicants must apply for Assistant Director of Student Involvement, Student Government at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a Cover Letter/Letter of Intent with Resume for review. 

Posting Open Date: February 28, 2025

For Full Consideration, Apply by:  March 24, 2025

Open Until Filled:  Yes