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A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.

Job Summary

Department Summary

Center for Campus Involvement Overview

The Center for Campus Involvement (CCI) is a dynamic, student-focused department within University Unions that serves all undergraduate and graduate students through programs, student organization administration, and learning and development. Through meaningful involvement, CCI creates transformative experiences, a vibrant community, and lifelong memories for University of Michigan students. CCI recognizes and supports over 1,600 student organizations through education, advising, advocacy and services. CCI also implements over 300 social, educational, and cultural programs each year, focused on building community within and beyond University Unions' facilities.

University Unions Overview

University Unions (UU) drives community building and belonging through the integration of its three student unions (Michigan Union, Michigan League, Pierpont Commons), Center for Campus Involvement, Campus Information, academic meeting and dining facility (Palmer Commons), and close partnership with Conference & Event Services and Michigan Dining to provide student-focused and customer-oriented service to the campus community. University Unions directly employs over 50 regular staff and 250 student staff.  

Job Summary

The Community & Belonging Specialist is responsible for developing and implementing comprehensive DEI training education for recognized student organizations and their advisors, acting as an advocate for inclusive practices and spaces on campus. Reporting to the Manager for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in the Center for Campus Involvement, this role includes promoting the use of CCI's Inclusive Student Organization Success Framework and developing resources to help student organizations understand and apply DEI concepts, partnering with other campus units as relevant. The position also involves responding to student activism and potentially controversial events, providing de-escalation support, and ensuring adherence to campus policies, while offering risk management guidance for student organizations.       
 

Responsibilities*

Management of DEI Student Organization Education (35%)

Develop and implement training programs focused on institutional policies, compliance, and creating inclusive communities for recognized student organizations and their advisors.Act as an advocate for inclusive practices within student organizations, promoting policies and behaviors that support equity and inclusion.Integrate student organizations use of CCI's Inclusive Student Organization Success Framework.Develop resources and toolkits to assist student organizations in understanding and applying DEI concepts.Engage with diverse student populations to promote resources, identify partnerships, consult with the CCI Advisory Board, and ensure their voices are included in CCI's work.Partner with the CCI staff to provide DEI educational initiatives through the Michigan Union IdeaHub.Partner with other units, such as the Ginsberg Center, Intergroup Relations, Multi-Ethnic Student Affairs, Spectrum Center, and the International Center on DEI civic engagement initiatives and programs.Assist in the development of working relationships and partnerships between students and administrators.Supervise 1-2 temporary employees, graduate and/or undergraduate students to assist in the delivery of DEI student organization education.

Activism & Potentially Controversial Event Management (35%)

Respond to planned and unplanned student activism on the Central Campus Diag and other campus spaces, monitoring activities, representing Student Life making decisions reflecting UM policies and UM's commitment to freedom of speech, and providing de-escalation to needed situations with confidence, and communication/reporting with appropriate stakeholders.Actively engage in potentially controversial events by making informed decisions in accordance with campus and facility policies and communicating with organizers about safety and compliance.Work with the DPSS liaison to Student Life, directly connecting students and student organizations with campus and community policing resources.Serve as a member of the Hecklers Warning Panel on typical work days as needed.Conduct proactive outreach to student organization leaders who are planning protests, demonstrations, or potentially disruptive activities and educate about community impact.Collaborate with Campus Information Centers, Conference and Event Services, University Unions operations staff, Facilities & Operations Outdoor Events, and other partners to address student organization issues and needs in campus spaces.Participate in required training sessions for activism and potentially controversial event management.

Student Advising (20%)

Support student organization leaders as they host planned and unplanned events on the Central Campus Diag and other campus spaces, partnering with the Major Events Manager and maintaining knowledge of campus policies to educate student organizations and community members.Work with student organizations and student groups including proactive development and support of risk management plans for events inside and outside of University Unions buildings.Provide student organizations with leadership development training and additional education about time, place, and manner guidelines, risk management, and other learning needs.Work with leaders of protests/events to ensure time/place/manner guidelines are understood and followed.Assist student organization leaders in developing their own inclusive practices in leading their members and collaborating with other student organizations.

General Administrative Responsibilities (10%)

Use KPIs and other assessment tools to regularly update and influence work.Collect and analyze data to identify and report on issues and trends within the student community.Develop operating budgets, maintaining fiscal responsibility.Other duties as assigned in support of and representing the Center for Campus Involvement.Required Qualifications*Bachelor's degree1-3 years experience with co-curricular student involvement and/or space management as a student or professionalExperience collaborating and building healthy working relationships with individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and life experiencesDemonstrated excellent interpersonal (verbal and written) skillsDesired Qualifications*Master's degree in Higher Education, College Student Affairs or related field3+ years experience with co-curricular student involvement and/or space management as a student or professionalAn understanding of and commitment to the college union philosophyWorking knowledge of issues impacting college students, student development theory, and its applicationFamiliarity with U-M policies, procedures, and organizational structureModes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

Additional Information

Position Criteria
These are the criteria that the hiring team will use to evaluate candidates:

Develop effective working relationships with students, various organizational administrators and leaders, and community membersManage multiple and competing prioritiesAbility to inspire cooperation, resolve conflicts, and de-escalate potentially difficult situationsThrive in a diverse, fast-paced student affairs office responsible for responding to emergent needs and issuesCommitment to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environmentRecord of initiating creative ideas to meet changing needsExcel in a co-working, collaborative officeWillingness to embrace new approaches to developing and implementing work

Working conditions

Work a variable schedule that includes regular evening and weekend hours during the academic year, which may be a 4/10 schedule where the employee works four 10-hour days in a row followed by three days offWeekly schedule (mid-August to mid-May) to include evening shifts on campus Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesdays, and some daytime meeting attendance (some virtual options may be available), and as required during established high-risk time periods to include but not limited to: Welcome to Michigan Week (end of August/early September), Halloween, high profile athletic events, St. Patrick's Day, and when the Central Campus Diag is the most active with events (September/October/April)Variable hours mid-May to mid-August may afford a more traditional daytime work schedule

Physical requirements

This position requires the ability to travel to various campus locations to attend meetings and/or support students.  

Direct reports

1-2 temporary employees who are current graduate or undergraduate students.

Additional Information

This role may have reporting obligations under Title IX and Clery.

Authorization to work in the U.S. is a precondition of employment and applicants for this position will not be sponsored for work visas.  

Salary may vary depending on qualifications, experience, and education of the selected candidate.

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Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days.  The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO/AA Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.