Veterans Services Assistant Director & Counselor

Daemen University is a dynamic, independent, liberal arts institution committed to excellence in student centered learning. The University places special emphasis on preparing students for excellence in professional life, civic engagement, and on instilling and understanding that learning is an exciting lifelong journey. Students are encouraged to be creative, innovative, ethically minded leaders for an ever-changing, diverse, and interconnected world.

The Mission of Daemen University is to prepare students for life and leadership in an increasingly diverse and complex world through the integration of education and professional preparation. Daemen University is going beyond instrumental needs to foster the development of individuals who are dedicated to the health and well-being of local and global communities.

Purpose of Role

The Veteran Services Assistant Director & Counselor is responsible for ensuring veteran and military-aligned students have a smooth transition to Daemen by assisting with the Department of Veterans Affairs benefits applications, referrals to appropriate internal and external supportive services, academic advising, and mentoring. The ADC is responsible for providing the encouragement and support necessary to enable V/MAS to complete their course of study at Daemen and navigate the challenges that occur on campus. Additionally, the ADC will be responsible for managing the Veterans Success Center, Nancy Haberman Gacioch Center for Veterans Lounge, and Student Veterans Association (SVA).

About This Opportunity

Joining Center of Diversity and Inclusion team, the Veterans Services Assistant Director & Counselor will be responsible for the following:

• Develops and administers Daemen programs and services by understanding the unique needs of veterans and active military students seeking to remove barriers to success for the students.
• School Certifying Official (SCO): Administer GI Bill benefits through the VA's new Enrollment Manager System, ensuring compliance with mandatory annual training requirements and reporting deadlines.
• Assist in facilitating compliance with federal, state, and other agencies by developing policies, procedures, and interoffice forms, as appropriate, to meet changing federal Department of Veterans Affairs laws governing veterans' education benefits.
• Ensures that eligible and potential students are informed about their benefits, new and existing laws governing the same, and veterans' services available to them through proactive communication.
• Primary adviser/mentor for student veterans, managing a caseload of V/MAS, and Student Veterans Association.
• Works closely with the Division of Student Affairs to coordinate the crisis management process for veteran students who have experienced severe distress.
• Coordinates services and programs within the Veteran Success Center.
• Provides oversight of the daily activities in the Veterans lounge.
• Responsible for training, supervision, planning, and directing work of VA/Daemen federal work-study students and submission of student veteran timecards.
• Assists with data collection, evaluation, and reporting.
• Additional duties as reasonably assigned.

Required Qualifications

The Veteran Services Assistant Director & Counselor (ADC) must have a minimum of a Bachelor's degree in counseling, social work, education, or related field and a minimum of 2 years of experience administering military and GI Bill education benefits. The ADC will foster the success, persistence, retention, and graduation of veteran and military-affiliated students (V/MAS) through the delivery of comprehensive programs and supports, including serving as a VA Certifying Official. As a member of the CDI team, the ADC will help foster an environment that addresses the unique needs of student veterans; promote diversity, inclusion, and respect; and empower student veterans to thrive.

The ADC must have experience in assisting veterans with various issues within higher education, such as certifications for educational benefits and working with the Department of Veterans Affairs and tuition assistance programs. The ADC must possess excellent management, leadership, interpersonal, customer service, project management, organizational, and verbal and written communication skills. Required license/certifications (must have obtained and/or be able to obtain within one month of hiring) include SCO Certification, Enrollment Manager Training, and DoD ArmyIgnitED/AI Portal Training. Veteran status and a Master's degree in a related field are preferred.

• Experience supervising, advising, and mentoring students.
• Must have excellent interpersonal skills, conflict resolution skills, coalition-building skills, and the ability to work with a wide variety of groups inside and outside the University.
• Commitment to diversity, including working with all underrepresented groups of students, developed cross-cultural competencies and an understanding of issues facing all marginalized groups.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with faculty, staff, students, and community organizations to facilitate a positive learning environment for Veteran students.
• Ability to read, interpret, and apply local, state, and federal policies correctly.
• Ability to collaborate with administrators, faculty, and staff to facilitate and improve services.
• Ability to work both in a team setting as well as independently.
• Experience with electronic database systems or related systems; experience with Microsoft Office Suite.

Total Compensation

Daemen University offers a robust total compensation package that includes:

• Health insurance with an option of two plans: an HSA plan with the deductible funded by employer HSA contributions, or a copay plan.
• Dental insurance through the Guardian network.
• Vision insurance through the Guardian network, and an option between the VSP or Davis plans.
• An 8% employer contribution to the retirement savings account when employees contribute just 5%.
• Fully paid long term disability insurance, guaranteed-issue life insurance for new hires up to a volume of $150,000.
• Tuition waiver for full-time employees and their qualified dependents. Entrance in Tuition Exchange scholarship opportunities to pursue education at other institutions.
• Generous time off for administrative and staff employees.

Daemen University strongly encourages all campus community members to get vaccinated for COVID-19, including a booster vaccine.