Assistant Director for Native Student Recruitment and Initiatives

Gonzaga University; Spokane (WA); On-site; USD 62,000 - 73,000; Full time

Job summary

Gonzaga University is seeking an Assistant Director for Native Student Recruitment and Initiatives within the Tribal Relations area. The role focuses on engaging Native students, building partnerships with tribal communities, and creating resources and events to support campus success.

Responsibilities include coordinating recruitment activities, developing programs, and representing Gonzaga at college fairs and community events while advancing intercultural awareness across campus.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Native American Studies, Education, Student Affairs, Social Work, Counseling, Public Administration, Communications, or related field.
• Minimum three years in higher education, student affairs, K-12 education, tribal education, community engagement, recruitment, advising, or related field.
• Experience building collaborative relationships with Native students, tribal communities, Native-serving organizations, or culturally diverse populations.
• Experience developing and coordinating programs that support student success.

Responsibilities

• Accompany Native students and build collaborative relationships with university, community, and tribal partners.
• Recruit Native students, conduct information sessions and campus visits, and represent Gonzaga at college fairs.
• Develop resources and presentations for faculty, staff and students on Native student issues and tribal relations.
• Assess programs and events for effectiveness and promote intercultural awareness on campus.

Skills

Relationship building

Program development

Recruitment

Intercultural communication

Collaboration

Crisis response awareness

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Master's degree (Preferred)

Equivalent experience considered

Tools

CRM platforms

Microsoft Office

Office 365

Job description

Assistant Director for Native Student Recruitment and Initiatives

VP Area: Tribal Relations

Department: Tribal Relations

Work Schedule: Fixed daytime hours Monday-Friday

Telework Availability: On-campus Position

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Employee Classification: Regular full-time (staff 30+ hours)

Hours per week: 40

Months per year: 12

Job Purpose:

The purpose of the Assistant Director is to engage with and support Native students on their educational journeys while tracking current research, trends, and opportunities in the field of Native education. This includes designing and delivering programs and programming for Native students based on best practices and their needs and interests as well as collaborating with relevant programs across campus to support their success. In partnership with the Office of Admission, the Assistant Director plans events and identifies resources for potential Native students; attends Native student recruitment opportunities; and cultivates relationships with Native-serving institutions. The Assistant Director also provides opportunities for increased awareness about Native issues and the work of Tribal Relations by designing resources for and making presentations to faculty, staff, and students at University and community events and programs.

Essential Functions:

• 30% - Accompaniment of Native Students
  • Engage proactively in relationship building with Native students.
  • Build and maintain collaborative relationships with university, community, and tribal partners in support of Native student success.
  • Connect Native students in crisis or experiencing chronic/emerging situations that may compromise their ability to be successful with services.
  • Implement non-clinical interventions to provide care, support and resources for Native students who experience challenges with health, wellness, academics, behavior, safety, general welfare, and/or continuing at the university.
  • Maintain a system of follow-up for students who have been referred to campus or community resources, including providing services to encourage compliance with recommendations and care plans.
  • Assist with Bias response and Title IX incident follow up as needed - (Essential)
• 30% - Native Student Recruitment
  • Actively build relationships with Native-serving schools; collaborate with relevant programs as needed to support the various stages of the Native student journey including recruitment, application, acceptance, pre-orientation, orientation, matriculation, graduation.
  • Monitor current trends, relevant research, and best practices in field.
  • Serve as a liaison between home, school, and community.
  • Conduct information sessions and orientations for prospective and admitted students.
  • Collaborate with the Office of Admission, including campus visits for tribal school students, Preview Days for Native students, traveling to and representing Gonzaga at college fairs in tribal communities and conferences.
  • Create "preparing for college" events and resources.
  • Represent Gonzaga and Native student interests on university committees and with external groups - (Essential)
• 30% - Program Development and Delivery
  • Develop resources and presentations for faculty, staff and students on Native student issues and tribal relations.
  • Strategic thinking and programming to enhance campus climate for native populations.
  • Inter- and intra-divisional events promoting goals of mission integration focusing on tribal relations as mission.
  • Promote intercultural awareness and cross-cultural participation in university events, programs, etc.
  • Assess programs and events for effectiveness. - (Essential)
• Additional Duties as Assigned by the Department

Educational Requirement:

Bachelor's Degree

Years of Related Experience Requirement:

5 years

In lieu of the educational qualifications, candidates may qualify with equivalent professional experience at a ratio of one year of experience for each year of required education.

Skills & Abilities:

• Bachelor's degree in Native American Studies, Education, Student Affairs, Social Work, Counseling, Public Administration, Communications, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum three (3) years of professional experience in higher education, student affairs, K-12 education, tribal education, community engagement, recruitment, advising, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience building collaborative relationships with Native students, tribal communities, Native-serving organizations, or culturally diverse populations.
• Experience developing, coordinating, or implementing programs, services, or initiatives that support student success or community engagement.
• Knowledge of issues, opportunities, and barriers impacting Native American/Alaska Native students in educational settings.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to build trust and work effectively with students, families, tribal partners, faculty, staff, and community organizations.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, work independently, and exercise sound judgment when supporting students experiencing complex situations.
• Ability and willingness to travel, work occasional evenings and weekends, and represent the University at recruitment events, conferences, and community activities.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous experience in case management or student affairs
• Culturally appropriate crisis response training in a higher education environment
• Preference for candidates who are tribally enrolled
• Master's degree in Higher Education, Student Affairs, Counseling, Native American Studies, Education, Social Work, Public Administration, or a related field.
• Professional experience working directly with Native American and/or Alaska Native students or tribal communities.
• Experience in higher education admissions, recruitment, retention, advising, student success, or multicultural affairs.
• Knowledge of tribal sovereignty, tribal governance, Indigenous cultures, and issues affecting Native communities.
• Experience developing and facilitating educational workshops, trainings, or cultural programming.
• Experience planning and evaluating programs using data and assessment to measure outcomes and improve effectiveness.
• Experience working with students in crisis and making appropriate referrals to campus and community resources.
• Experience collaborating across departments and building partnerships with schools, tribal governments, and community organizations.
• Familiarity with student information systems, CRM platforms, and Microsoft Office or similar software.
• Experience supervising student employees, interns, or volunteers.

Physical & On-Campus Requirements:

In-Office Presence - Ability to work on-site in typical office setting and participate in in-person meetings with colleagues: 5 days/week

Standing/Sitting - Ability to remain in a stationary position for a prolonged period: Daily (>75% of time)

Walking - Ability to move about on foot to accomplish tasks: Often (50%-75% of time)

Lifting/Carrying - Ability to move or transport objects up to a specified weight (e.g., 50 pounds): Rarely (1%-49% of time)

Attention to Detail - Ability to focus on detailed tasks for extended periods: Daily (>75% of time)

Problem-Solving - Ability to identify and resolve issues effectively: Daily (>75% of time)

The budgeted salary range that the University reasonably expects to offer for this position: $29.88 - $35.10 hr

Pay Range:

Minimum Salary (Non-Exempt): $29.88

Midpoint Salary (Non-Exempt): $37.36

Maximum Salary (Non-Exempt): $44.83

Is this position eligible for relocation reimbursement?: No

Is this position eligible for a signing bonus?: No

At this time, the University has suspended all new H1B visa sponsorships.