Director of Basic Needs and Student Support

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled


Portland State University


Position Details
Position Details Proposed Start Date06/01/2026Classification TitleAdvising and Student ServicesRankN - No RankWorking TitleDirector of Basic Needs and Student SupportDepartment260410 - SPS Student Parent ServPosition NumberD93187RepresentationUX - Unclassified ExcludedRenewableRenewableEnd date, if applicable Position FTE1Tenure StatusN - not applicable

Position Summary Brief Description of PSU/School/DeptPortland State University is Oregon’s most affordable public research university, located in the heart of one of America’s most dynamic cities. Our mission to “let knowledge serve the city” reflects our dedication to turning ideas into action.
More than 20,000 students from all backgrounds bring diverse perspectives to our classrooms and campus life, from the tree-lined Park Blocks to the bustling Urban Plaza and state-of-the-art science labs. We are proud of our world-class faculty, groundbreaking research and international reputation for excellence in sustainability, community engagement and innovation.

Position SummaryReporting to the Associate Vice Provost and Dean of Student Life, the Director of Basic Needs and Student Support is a visionary and strategic leader responsible for overseeing and integrating critical student welfare and basic needs services at Portland State University. This position directs the combined operations of three high-impact areas dedicated to removing non-academic barriers to student success: the Basic Needs Hub, the Resource Center for Students with Children (SSWC), and the PSU Smallwood Food Pantry. The director will also supervise the SNAP Case Manager who works directly with students in all three centers.

The Director ensures coordinated, equitable, and effective service delivery, drives institutional strategy to address student basic needs, and fosters a culture of care across the university community. The Director provides strategic leadership for the advocacy, resource, and educational programs, directly supervises three to four professional staff in three unique resource/service centers, and indirectly supports a total team of up to 20 student staff. The Director is responsible for developing and implementing comprehensive outreach strategies, student needs assessments, and program planning and assessment to establish and maintain best practices for serving PSU’s diverse student basic needs, such as access to food, housing, utilities, childcare, and social supports. The Director works closely with a variety of University administrators and faculty on strategic planning and advancing initiatives that promote a healthy, safe campus and a compelling learning environment for students, supporting PSU’s educational mission.

The Director leads community building efforts with internal and external constituents; works collaboratively with student leaders, faculty, staff, and community; engages in intentional educational and cultural programming focused on specific learning outcomes in order to contribute to the vision of the Division of Student Affairs and Portland State University.Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelors degree with 4+ years related experience or Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration, Public Administration, Social Work, or a related field and 3 or more years of progressively responsible administrative experience in student affairs, higher education, or non-profit management, with a focus on basic needs or student welfare services.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex budgets, administering grant funding, and overseeing multiple cost centers.
• Three (3) or more years of direct supervisory experience managing full-time professional staff and leading teams.
• Proven ability to establish and maintain strategic partnerships with diverse stakeholders, including students, faculty, staff, and external community organizations.
• Possession of a valid State-issued driver’s license.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration, Public Administration, Social Work, or a related field
• Experience in higher educational or a governmental or non-profit setting desirable
• Experience in administrative oversight and project leadership, supervising a diverse staff, leadership development, budget management and event planning.
• Demonstrated ability to relate well to multiple and diverse constituents and to effectively articulate institutional mission and priorities.

Key Cultural Competencies

• Create an environment that acknowledges, encourages, and celebrates differences.
• Function and communicate effectively and respectfully within the context of varying beliefs, behaviors, orientations, identities, and cultural backgrounds.
• Seek opportunities to gain experience working and collaborating in diverse, multicultural, and inclusive settings with a willingness to change for continual improvement.
• Adhere to all of PSU’s policies including the policies on Prohibited Discrimination & Harassment and the Professional Standards of Conduct.

Environmental StewardshipContributes to a culture of environmental stewardship, practices resource conservation, and actively works toward achieving long-term sustainability goals.Work Days/Hours40 hours per week, usually 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. Some weekends and evenings required.Total Compensation Range & Benefits StatementSalary is dependent on several factors, and new employees will typically start around the Q1 level to allow for later growth within the salary band. PSU has a structured process for determining starting compensation, taking into account years of related experience, applicable skills, knowledge and abilities, market parity, and internal equity.

The starting annual salary for this position will be $65,100 but may be negotiated above this rate dependent upon the factors above, the budget of the hiring department, and approval from HR.

An excellent benefits package includes 95% premium paid healthcare; a generous retirement and vacation package; and reduced tuition rates for employee, spouse or dependent at any of the Oregon University System schools.

Please visit our total compensation calculator to see the full value of our benefits package.

Search Details Posting Close DateProjected Close Date for PostingOpen Until Finalists IdentifiedApplication screening begins04/06/2026Quick Linkhttps://jobs.hrc.pdx.edu/postings/49529

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

1. * What is your highest degree earned?

   (Open Ended Question)

2. * Please name the specific field/discipline in which you received your degree.

   (Open Ended Question)

3. * Do you have the ability to work a flexible schedule, as needed, which may include occasional work on evenings and weekends?
   • Yes
   • No
4. * Do you possess and maintain a valid State-issued driver's license?
   • Yes
   • No
5. * How did you first find out about this position?
   • PSU Website
   • Indeed.com
   • HERCJobs
   • Urban League of Portland
   • Hispanic Metropolitan Chamber
   • Oregon Employment Department
   • Social Media
   • Person Referral
   • Career Builder
   • Glass Door
   • Other - Please describe in the next Question
6. If you selected Other, please describe.

   (Open Ended Question)

Applicant Documents
Required Documents

1. Resume
2. Cover Letter
3. Professional References

Optional Documents

PI283153663