University Life Planning Manager

Department: University Life

Classification: Emergency Coordinator 2

Job Category: Classified Staff

Job Type: Full-Time

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

Location: Fairfax, VA

Workplace Type: On Site Required

Pay Band: 04

Salary: Salary range starting in the low $70k's; commensurate with education and experience

Restricted: Yes

Criminal Background Check: Yes

Motor Vehicle Records Check: Yes

About the Department:

University Life’s mission is to engage students in educationally purposeful experiences resulting in student learning and development, academic success, and degree completion.

About the Position:

Reporting to the Senior Assistant Dean for University Life, the University Life Planning Manager provides management for University Life related to the ongoing development and coordination of student response team needs. The position supports training and development for response teams for student events, protests, demonstrations, and other related freedom of expression activity. The position provides central division-wide coordination with the office of Risk, Safety and Resilience around ongoing staff training and reporting needs. The position also serves as as the primary liaison to relevant staff within the office of Risk, Safety and Resilience in the development of University Life-related resources and protocol for proactive and reactive student response and divisional emergency preparedness planning.

Responsibilities:

Provides leadership for response to student freedom of expression activity, compassionate support, and emergency preparedness for the division of University Life

• Manages recruitment, scheduling, coordination, and communication for the response team needs;
• In collaboration with key partners, produces and disseminates guidelines related to the ongoing work of the response teams;
• Provides on-site leadership, as deemed necessary, for campus activity related to student freedom of expression activity;
• Serves as UL liaison to Office of Risk, Safety, and Resilience and other appropriate university units, ensuring appropriate UL staff engagement in university required emergency drills and exercise (e.g. fire safety, emergency preparedness, active threat);
• Coordinates University Life emergency response activities and procedures with the Office of Risk, Safety and Resilience, as needed, and tracks unit-level activity;
• Manages the development of University Life emergency plans (Emergency Support Functions, Continuity of Operations Plans, unit specific plans, etc.); and
• Coordinates community assistance efforts as outlined in the plan set by the Office of Risk, Safety and Resilience (RSR) and serves as a liaison with RSR in this capacity (e.g. ongoing training, education, and awareness).

Training and Education

• Coordinates with the Office of Risk, Safety, and Resilience in the delivery of emergency response training for University Life staff, including emergency evacuation, shelter in place, active threat, and other response actions as defined in University Life plans; and
• Leveraging appropriate expertise, facilitates training and development for response teams related to student freedom of expression activity, compassionate listening, and divisional response to current student events and needs.

Communication

• Serves as a key UL emergency contact, participates in ongoing Emergency Operations Group meetings, as needed, and serves in a coordinating role as deemed appropriate; 
• Produces appropriate reports and documentation related to UL rapid response, emergency preparedness activity, and other divisional planning needs as directed;
• Supervises the production of appropriate reports and documentation generated by University Life personnel related to rapid response, emergency preparedness, and other divisional planning areas as directed; and
• Establishes and maintains effective relationships with critical stakeholders.

Strategic Planning

• Designs, maintains, and reviews emergency management plans and strategies created by University Life. Reviews plans with stakeholders and revises as necessary;
• Supports UL Strategic Planning efforts, including the coordination of Mason Strategic Direction efforts and unit-level strategic planning; and
• Supports coordination of UL Risk Mitigation Strategy efforts as directed.

Divisional Planning

• Supports divisional planning initiatives and other special projects as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in related field or equivalent combination of education and experience;
• Experience with project oversight and management;
• Experience with event coordination including logistical planning and stakeholder communication;
• Effective oral and written communication skills;
• Ability to interpret, analyze, and develop policies and procedures;
• Ability to deliver effective training, presentations, and programs;
• Ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders;
• Proficiency in MS Office suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint);
• Self-motivated attributes with ability to direct safety related activities of multiple levels of staff including full-time professionals and students; and
• Valid driver's license: 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.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in related field;
• Experience typically obtained in 3+ years in related industries and/or environments;
• Professional experience at an institution of higher education;
• Experience with supporting organizational strategic planning efforts;
• Experience in emergency preparedness and safety planning;
• Experience with personnel management and supervision;
• Demonstrated experience with monitoring and maintaining budgets;
• Knowledge of industry standard emergency responsive processes and protocols; and
• Knowledge of higher education student services or student affairs programs.

This position is not eligible for international visa sponsorship.

Instructions to Applicants: 

For full consideration, applicants must apply for University Life Planning Manager at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a resume and cover letter for review.

Posting Open Date: April 10, 2025

For Full Consideration, Apply by:  April 30, 2025

Open Until Filled:  Yes