Director of Slug Support

Director of Slug Support

Location:

Job ID: 86350

JOB POSTING

HOW TO APPLY

For full consideration, applicants should attach their resume and cover letter when applying for a job opening. For guidance related to the application process or if you are experiencing difficulties when applying, please review the https://shr.ucsc.edu/talent-acquisition/applicant_resources/index.html on our website.

• https://shr.ucsc.edu/talent-acquisition/applicant_resources/how-to-apply/index.html

• https://shr.ucsc.edu/talent-acquisition/applicant_resources/troubleshooting.html

• https://shr.ucsc.edu/talent-acquisition/applicant_resources/tips-for-applicants/index.html

• https://shr.ucsc.edu/talent-acquisition/applicant_resources/Frequently-Asked-Questions/index.html

INITIAL REVIEW DATE (IRD)

UC Santa Cruz jobs are posted until filled. All application materials submitted by 11:59 pm on the IRD will be routed to the hiring team for consideration. NOTE: Applicants who miss the IRD are still encouraged to apply; their materials will still be forwarded for consideration if requested by the hiring team. Application materials cannot be accepted outside of the jobs portal. Applications cannot be edited on an applicant's behalf. For more information about the IRD and the applicant review process, https://shr.ucsc.edu/talent-acquisition/applicant_resources/ird-and-applicant-review-process.html.

The IRD for this job is: 06/17/2026

ABOUT UC SANTA CRUZ

UC Santa Cruz is a public university like no other in California, combining the experience of a small, liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university. It's known as an unconventional place where innovation and experimentation is part of the campus's DNA. That playful, bold spirit still thrives today, all on a campus renowned as among the most beautiful in the world.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

Slug Support is a non-clinical case management program within the Dean of Students Office providing a holistic and student centered approach to services. The office assists students experiencing challenges that impact their well-being, basic needs, and ability to progress at UCSC. The program provides individualized support through care coordination, resource navigation, and advocacy, connecting students to campus and community resources. The program helps students stabilize, problem-solve, and remain engaged in their academic journey.

The Dean of Students Office, which is part of the Student Development & Engagement unit in the Division of Student Affairs & Success, supports student success and well-being, fosters a safe and inclusive campus community, and helps students engage fully in their education.

The Division of Student Affairs & Success is a united division comprising nearly 800 staff across 35 departments and 5 major units, providing campus-wide leadership for student success programs and initiatives. The division's work is rooted in educational equity, institutional responsibility, and an unfettered commitment to supporting the whole student. DSAS works collaboratively with students, faculty, staff, and campus leadership to ensure every student feels welcomed, supported, and a strong sense of belonging.

More information can be found at: https://deanofstudents.ucsc.edu/slug-support/

JOB SUMMARY

Under the direction of the Associate Dean of Students (ADOS), Student Support Programs, the Director of Slug Support oversees the daily operation of the Slug Support case management program. The incumbent oversees the intake and referral process using professional expertise in counseling, student advocacy, and crisis management to evaluate and triage appropriately including referring cases to Slug Support case managers, collaborating with campus partners, and communicating about timely student situations to the ADOS as needed. The Director supervises a team of case managers, providing leadership in performance management, priority setting, and day-to-day operations. They foster a supportive team environment through ongoing mentorship, coaching, and professional development to ensure high-quality, student-centered services.

In addition, the Director oversees Slug Support training and outreach for campus staff and the broader university community. This includes providing consultation for students who may benefit from additional support, as well as delivering presentations and sharing information about Slug Support during Orientation and other key campus events.

The Director works directly with students referred by various campus partners to help resolve complex situations and advocate on their behalf, fielding calls, emails and referrals regarding coordinating responses and services for individual students. The Director stays up to date on national best practices and participates on various student support committees. The Director also supports the activities, programs, and services associated with the functions of the Dean of Students office.

The Slug Support Director, operating under the direction of the ADOS, serves as the primary lead in coordinating and integrating the campus response to students experiencing varying levels of need and/or distress. In complex or high-level situations, the ADOS and Director work collaboratively, with primary responsibility for the response determined based on the needs of the case. The ADOS may assume primary oversight in certain instances, while the Director maintains autonomy to lead and coordinate response in others, ensuring aligned and effective support.

The incumbent is readily accessible to students, staff, faculty, parents, and family members (when applicable) who are concerned about a distressed student, and works closely with key offices to identify and intervene as early as possible with students who may be experiencing basic need insecurities, distress, or other challenges where they would benefit from advocacy and support services.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Budgeted Salary: $90,000 - $99,000 / Annually. Salary commensurate with skills, qualifications and experience.

Under California law, the University of California, Santa Cruz is required to post a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. The salary shown above is the budgeted amount the University reasonably expects to pay and the salary extended should not exceed this posted amount.

Benefits Level Eligibility: Full benefits

Schedule Information:

• Full-time, Fixed

• Percentage of Time: 100%, 40 Hours per Week

• Days of the Week: Mon-Fri

• Shift Includes: Day

Employee Classification: Career appointment

Job End Date: None

Work Location: UC Santa Cruz Main Campus

Union Representation: Non-Represented

Job Code Classification: 004568 (STDT LIFE DEVT SUPV 2) - Grade 21

Travel: Never or Rarely

JOB DUTIES

25% - Direct Student Advocacy and Coordination of Responses to Students in Distress

• Provides direct student support by meeting with students to assess and provide assistance regarding distressing and sensitive situations they may be navigating.

• Manages 'students of concern' cases that require gathering information, developing recommendations for response, taking the initiative to mobilize appropriate responses and services, providing information to the student and student's family (as appropriate), and conveying information to other units including Counseling and Psychological Services, Academic Advisors,

• International Student & Scholar Services, Faculty, Residential Services, Resource Centers, Campus Police, and other campus entities, ensuring that appropriate resources are available and post-intervention strategies are mobilized on behalf of the student and the campus community.

• Provides administrative interface, coordinating with various campus partners to ensure coherent integration of campus and community resources for individual students who face challenges with academic, health, conduct, substance abuse, financial, and social issues.

• Consults about students, provide resources, and connects students to offices across campus such as Counseling and Psychological Services, Academic Advising, and Residential Life, among others, develops action plans, and follows up with students, staff, and faculty as appropriate.

• Serves as an active member of the UC Systemwide Case Management Team and UC Case Manager Directors Team.

• Responds to inquiries about distressed students from faculty, staff, students, and parents/family members.

• Activates the Slug Support team for high-level and high-risk incidents.

20% - Intake and Crisis Support

• Oversees the timely inquiry, analysis, and assessment of the nature and severity of crisis cases.

• Monitors risk of all referrals and alerts the Associate Dean of Students (ADOS) of the most concerning student cases.

• Assigns cases as appropriate to the Slug Support team and consults other campus partners when appropriate.

• Oversees, develops, and implements departmental processes and procedures for supporting students through the Slug Support program.

20% - Program Support and Development

• Leads program planning and supports efforts to develop and sustain partnerships across campus.

• Assists with budget management and fundraising efforts.

• Supports ADOS with strategic development initiatives.

• Coordinates and supports large-scale events to positively impact student retention and success.

• Provides support on complex and high-visibility student cases.

• Performs other duties as assigned by the ADOS.

15% - Direct Supervision

• Provides direct supervision to a team of case managers.

• Independently plans, assigns, directs and prioritizes staff activities, tasks and projects to ensure adherence to established procedures and an appropriate distribution of labor based on individual skill sets and departmental goals. Develops and maintains systems to track performance metrics, workload, and service levels, utilizing independent judgment to adjust workflows and schedules as necessary.

• Reviews staff work for technical accuracy, timeliness, completeness, and adherence to standards.

• Identifies training needs and coordinates professional development opportunities. Trains staff in proper methods, procedures, and standards of performance.

• Independently conducts performance evaluations and establishes measurable goals. Provides coaching and feedback to team members.

• Exercises independent judgment to initiate and effectively recommend disciplinary actions in compliance with university policies, collective bargaining agreements and campus procedures.

• Makes effective recommendations for salary actions.

• Exercises independent judgment in the full lifecycle of recruitment, including selecting finalists and making the final hiring decision for unit staff.

10% - Program Coordination and Assessment Support

• Leads regular data collection and feedback survey administration, driving continuous program assessment and improvement to ensure effective support of student retention and success.

• Collaborates on Student Support Programs projects in partnership with the Director of Basic Needs.

10% - Professional Development, Outreach, and Education

• Keeps abreast of current literature and developments in the field of Student Affairs, Case Management and Mental Health, Basic Needs in Higher Education, and related professional organizations.

• Attends pertinent conferences and conventions and presents information when requested for shared development.

• Serves on department and campus committees, programs, and projects as assigned.

• Participates in research relevant to student development, student mental health, and student affairs.

• Works collaboratively with campus departments on the provision of campus-wide training and programs, as well as education materials regarding responding to students in distress or who are experiencing basic need insecurities.

• Develops and delivers specialized curriculum and training programs as requested by campus departments regarding responding to students in distress, and educational workshops about Slug Support and Basic Needs.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.

• Demonstrated experience in crisis management, crisis intervention, and case management with college students and/or emerging adults.

• Demonstrated leadership in cultivating and sustaining effective working relationships across students, staff, and faculty to support holistic student success.

• Demonstrated ability to design and deliver training curricula, prevention and psychoeducational programming, outreach initiatives, and presentations for diverse audiences including students, faculty, staff, families, deans, and department chairs.

• Demonstrated commitment to and experience working with students from a broad variety of perspectives, backgrounds and experiences including racial, gender, and religious identities.

• Excellent interpersonal, cultural competence, and conflict resolution skills.

• Demonstrated ability to interact effectively, productively, and sensitively with students, faculty, staff, and parents per the standards and practices related to the Family Educational Rights Privacy Act (FERPA) and the relevant policies and best practices.

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary organizational setting including on-campus residential facilities, faculty, campus administration, campus health providers, off-campus health care providers, law enforcement, and the courts.

• Demonstrated ability to review, understand, and effectively apply complex policies and laws.

• Proven ability to initiate and coordinate campus and community services for students. Including connecting students to comprehensive programs on campus to help them succeed, to advocate on their behalf in extenuating circumstances, and to assist them in understanding and accessing resources available to them.

• Demonstrated experience coaching and supervising professional staff in a case management setting, including providing clear performance management, setting priorities, and supporting day-to-day operations.

• Ability to exercise sound judgment in communication and conduct, understanding the importance of tone, timing, and presence in building trust, maintaining credibility, and advancing collaborative student support efforts.

• Demonstrated ability to implement, and assess programs through ongoing data collection and evaluation and reporting.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's degree in Social Work, Counseling, Public Health, or related field.

• Advanced knowledge of Student Affairs / Student Life specialization.

• Direct experience working on a college campus with undergraduate and graduate students in a health or mental health setting.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Selected candidate will be required to pass a pre-employment criminal history background check.

• Selected candidate must pass the employment misconduct disclosure process.

• Ability to work long periods of time at a computer with or without accommodation.

• The selected candidate will be required to work primarily on campus, with periods of remote work possible based on operational needs. If a hybrid work schedule is confirmed, the selected candidate must be able to work successfully from a home/remote office and be able to fulfill the requirements of the UCSC telecommuting agreement.

• Ability to work a variable schedule.

• Ability to respond to emergencies after hours as necessary.

• Selected candidate will be required to provide proof of negative TB test.

• Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance training.

• Clery Act: This position has been identified as a Campus Security Authority (CSA); required to report crimes, incidents, and disciplinary referral statistics as required by the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (20 USC § 1092(f)).

• Ability to travel to multiple work locations on and off campus.

• Ability to travel within a defined regional or service area.

• Ability to travel nationally.

• Ability to maintain appearance and conduct suitable for working in a professional setting.

• The University of California has implemented a https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/5000695/VaccinationProgramsPolicy covering all employees. Employees, including new hires, are required to comply with any applicable policies relating to the University of California vaccine program.

• Per the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA), this position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter. The selected candidate will be required to report known or suspected child abuse or neglect as defined by CANRA and will be required to sign a Statement Acknowledging Requirement to Report Child Abuse prior to commencing employment. CANRA Penal Codes, and related definitions, requirements, and responsibilities may be obtainedhttps://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displayText.xhtml?lawCode=PEN&division=&title=1.&part=4.&chapter=2.&article=2.5https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displayText.xhtml?lawCode=PEN&division=&title=1.&part=4.&chapter=2.&article=2.5.

• Exercise the utmost discretion in managing sensitive information learned in the course of performing their duties. Sensitive information includes but is not limited to employee and student records, health and patient records, financial data, strategic plans, proprietary information and any other sensitive or non-public information learned during the course and scope of employment. Understands that sensitive information should be shared on a limited basis and actively takes steps to limit access to sensitive information to individuals who have legitimate business need to know. Ensure that sensitive information is properly safeguarded. Follow all organizational policies and laws on data protection and privacy. This includes secure handling of physical and digital records and proper usage of IT systems to prevent data leaks. The unauthorized or improper disclosure of confidential work-related information obtained from any source on any work-related matter is a violation of these expectations.

MISCONDUCT DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENT

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

• "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

• http://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000385/SHSV.pdf

• https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination

• https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000701/AbusiveConduct

SAFETY STATEMENT

All UCSC employees must understand and follow job safety procedures, attend required health and safety training, proactively promote safety at work, and promptly report actual and potential accidents and injuries.

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY

In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (the Clery Act), the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (ASFSR) is available at: https://chancellor.ucsc.edu/annual-security-reports/.This report is published by October 1st of each year and includes current institutional policies and procedures concerning campus safety and security; fire safety and evacuation policies; sexual misconduct and relationship violence reporting and response protocols; and crime and fire statistics for the three previous calendar years. A paper copy of the ASFSR is available upon request by contacting the UCSC Police Department at 114 Carriage House Rd., Santa Cruz, CA 95064, or by calling 831-459-2231 Ext. 1.

EEO/AA

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status or other protected categories covered by the https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination.

It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.

APPLICANTS ARE REQUIRED TO USE THE UCSC ON-LINE PROCESS

View full job description and access on-line application:

https://apptrkr.com/7180051

To ensure review of application materials by the hiring unit, they must be submitted on or before the initial review date (IRD) via the Staff Employment Opportunities web site; https://jobs.ucsc.edu. A computer is available at the UC Santa Cruz Staff Human Resources Office located at Scotts Valley Center. The Scotts Valley Center is located at 100 Enterprise Way, Suite E100, Scotts Valley, CA 95066. To learn more or to request disability accommodations, call 831-459-2009. Hearing impaired are encouraged to use the California Relay Service at 800-735-2922. UC Santa Cruz is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status. UC Santa Cruz is committed to excellence through diversity and strives to establish a climate that welcomes, celebrates, and promotes respect for the contributions of all students and employees.

Copyright ©2025 Jobelephant.com Inc. All rights reserved.

https://www.jobelephant.com/