Director of Social Services

About Alvernia University

Alvernia University was founded in 1958 by the Bernardine Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis. Through its main campus in Reading and locations in Philadelphia and Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, the university serves 3,000 students of diverse backgrounds from around the country.

Alvernia offers a unique blend of rigorous liberal arts core education for developing the mind, strong technical training in many high-demand majors, experiential learning through study abroad and internship experiences, and engagement with the community through our Franciscan-based community service model. We call our model of transformational education the Alvernia Advantage, and we believe this style of education transforms students into ethical leaders with moral courage.

Alvernia University ranks in the top 100 among 2021 Best Regional Universities in the North by U.S. News & World Report, and we are recognized as a College of Distinction for our commitment to engaged experiential education.

Description:

The Director of Social Services is responsible for creating a systemic response to student need, connect students to community-based services and college specific resources. This position is a dual report to the Senior Vice President for Enrollment Management & Student Affairs and the Senior Vice President & Provost. The Director of Social Services will develop Alvernia University’s S.O.L.A.R (Support, Opportunity, Love, Access, Resource) Program procedures and process for case management, create and maintain resources, and oversee Alvernia University’s Hope Fund provided through the S.O.L.A.R. Center. The Director of Social Services will work regularly with Alvernia University's Institutional Research (IR) Department to track student engagement, retention, and completion rates at Alvernia University.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute a system of care via S.O.L.A.R., including communicating and coordinating services for students and staff.
• Recruit, hire, and supervise qualified staff members, interns, and volunteers for S.O.L.A.R.
• Develop and maintain knowledge of social service delivery systems, campus resources, and community services and resources.
• Collaborate with Institutional Research (IR) to manage S.O.L.A.R. data related to student success measures.
• Oversee the Hope Fund.
• Oversee the process of connecting students to appropriate on-campus resources (e.g., counseling, financial aid, housing support, food pantry).
• Maintain an up-to-date directory of community-based services and resources available to students.
• Exhibit effective case management and follow-up to ensure students receive the necessary support and resources.
• Promote appropriate awarding practices for the Newcomb Scholarship for adults.
• Promote the importance of the Culture of Caring related to Social Services and Emergency Aid to requested audiences.

• Establish and ensure operations of food pantries across Alvernia University locations.
• Create partnerships with campus and community resources and agencies.
• Create and maintain the S.O.L.A.R. website.
• Serve on campus committees, including the Thoughtful Assessment Group (TAG).
• Facilitate Advocacy & Resource Center Advisory Committee meetings.
• Collaborate with the Navigators to enhance the continuity of services.
• Collaborate with the Alvernia University Social Work Program to supervise Alvernia University Undergraduate and Graduate Social Work interns during field practicum.
• Engage in continuing education and professional development related to the performance of job functions and licensure.
• Exhibit strong communication skills, both written and verbal. Ability to cultivate relationships built on trust and confidentiality with a diverse population. Must always maintain a high level of professionalism at all times, especially when dealing with resistance or hostility.
• Required to demonstrate a strong work ethic with the ability to exercise good judgment and compose various reports/evaluations in a timely fashion. Must be able to make solid recommendations, have strong attention to detail, good organizational skills, and the ability to work under pressure to meet stringent deadlines. Must be able to work independently and as a team member. Self-sufficiency is critical.
• Required to interact with all levels of departmental personnel, students, vendors, community, and management. Required to maintain a commitment to discretion and confidentiality concerning sensitive information and perform additional duties or job functions required/deemed necessary by supervisory personnel.
• Comply with all college, state, and local procedures, rules, and regulations. Observe and promote continual improvement of workplace safety and environmental practices.
• Serve as professional staff on duty for the Office of Residence Life.
• Disclaimer: The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the employer's needs and requirements of the job change. Alvernia University may, at any time, in its sole discretion, modify or vary from anything stated in this job description, with or without notice.

Qualifications:

Commitment to the Mission Statement, core values, and goals of Alvernia University.

Education:

Required: A Master’s degree in Social Work or related field is required.

Certificates/Licenses:

Preferred: LMSW (Licensed Master of Social Work)

Experience and Training:

Required: 2 years of experience in Higher Education Social Work/Social Services.

Preferred: 3 years of experience in Higher Education Social Work/Social Services.

Physical Requirements:

• Attendance is required in order to perform the duties of this job.
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift 15 pounds at times.