Assistant Director of Student Rights and Responsibilities

Job Summary Central Washington University is recruiting an Assistant Director of Student Rights and Responsibilities to join our Student Rights and Responsibilities team in Ellensburg, Washington. This role is an important member of our team as they enhance the vision for the University. The role is a campus-based position, which means you get to see the lives you are impacting. We're offering a competitive salary plus the awesome CWU benefits. Who we are We are a team of individuals committed to Changing Students' Lives. No matter what job, each of us plays a part in supporting and empowering our students to fulfill their dreams. Working in higher education provides career growth and career choice. Think of a university campus like a mini city, operating across 380 acres. You'll find diverse academics, libraries, athletics and sporting events, full service and quick serve dining, conferences and events from small to large, recreation centers, housing, health services, police and public safety for the campus population of ~8,300 students. Central Washington University has been named a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program Top Producing Institution for the 2022-2023 academic year. In addition, for seven out of eight years, CWU was a recipient of the prestigious Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. RentCafe has also named CWU #13 of the Top 20 Best College Towns in the U.S. in 2025. Come join us on our journey to encourage, inspire, and create spaces where all identities thrive on campus. Tour our campus in Ellensburg here. www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjdhOegDa9A What we offer Our investment in you begins the day you join our team, a healthy and successful future for you is important to us. We offer medical, dental, life and disability insurance, retirement and optional savings plans, tuition assistance for you and your dependents, discounts across town, an employee assistance program for individualized counseling, and a wellness incentive program. Learn more: Benefits, Perks, and Leave and Total Rewards Calculator. The Role The Assistant Director of Student Rights and Responsibilities provides leadership support to the Director in the oversight and operations of the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities. The Assistant Director assists in the maintenance and processing of the student conduct database, routinely evaluates and assesses the conduct process to ensure positive learning outcomes, and provides training and education on the processes and student behavioral intervention. This position serves as a senior level hearing officer, investigating, and adjudicating student and organizational behavioral concerns and violations of university policies, including Title IX and sexual misconduct cases. All employees are expected to uphold and contribute to CWU's vision, mission, and values, fostering a culture of student success and institutional excellence. Job Duties Behavioral Intervention Facilitate student growth and accountability through behavioral interventions, restorative justice practices, mediation, and problem-solving. Support individuals and groups in navigating personal concerns, academic challenges, and behavioral issues, including hazing and residence hall policy violations, by fostering reflection, repairing harm, and connecting students to appropriate resources. Provide support and guidance to staff who are intervening in behavioral incidents and conducting student behavioral interventions directly. Interact with students through one-on-one meetings, meetings with groups or communities, and through formal conduct meetings. Conduct prompt, thorough, and equitable investigations, and adjudications into allegations of student violations of university policy and determine appropriate educational sanctions and follow up. Assess need for and coordinate interim measures as necessary, including no-contact orders, university trespasses, adjustment to work/class schedules, and temporary housing assignments. Review and process investigative reports related to civil rights discrimination grievance and Title IX complaints involving students, including potential to serve as student conduct officer or chair for discrimination grievance and Title IX formal hearings. Handle complex situations, including responding to victims of trauma in a sensitive and informed manner, manage multiple cases, meet various deadlines, maintain neutrality, and work under stress, and observe impartiality and confidentiality throughout the investigation process. Investigate and resolve issues which do not rise to a level of a code violation but require educational conversation and follow up. Collaborate with university and community colleagues on behavioral intervention teams to consult and monitor concerning student behavior and advise on appropriate interventions and support, including conducting individualized threat assessment interviews. Authorized to interpret university policy in determining educational sanctions for policy and behavioral infractions that best meet student needs, University needs, and contractual obligations of the University. Respond to medical, safety, and security emergencies and to students in personal crisis as needed. Serve as departmental representation in these situations and exercises independent judgement with response. Administration of Conduct Process Assist with the campus behavioral system involving reported violations of the University Student Conduct Code by reviewing incident reports, conducting conduct hearings, determining educational sanctions for policy and behavioral infractions, and advising students on due process and responsibilities. Coordinate training of conduct hearing officers in coordination with Director Evaluation and assessment of student conduct process and data to ensure positive learning outcomes and ensure equitable reporting and outcomes based on student demographics. Recommend updates and revisions to university policies and procedures related to student conduct and behavioral intervention. Oversee the maintenance of the student conduct database to organize, manage, and track all incidents of alleged misconduct. Oversee the academic misconduct process, including assessing and evaluating in collaboration with campus partners. Provide support for compliance and emergency preparedness by maintaining all conduct data and providing data and reports as required by the Clery Act, Title IX, and various campus processes. Manage the compilation of statistics for cases adjudicated by staff. Oversee the processing of police reports, including requesting records from other police departments. Program Development and Implementation Assess educational needs of institution and develop outreach, training, programs, events, and courses to assist in meeting those educational needs related to student conduct, behavioral intervention, university policies, reporting behaviors of concern, and other topics in coordination with office staff. Design programs and publications and provide outreach to educate the University community about the Student Conduct Code, the consequences of behavior that violate the code, and university reporting procedures. Develop, implement, and evaluate programs and workshops for students, faculty, staff, prospective students, and parents in alignment with office mission. This may include ethics and decision-making workshops and other workshops implemented by the Office of Student Rights & Responsibilities, Office of Health Promotion, Office of the Vice-President of Student Engagement and Success, or other applicable campus office. Collaborate within the University and local community and represent the Director in their absence. Serve as representative on Department, Division and University committees and task forces, at events, and to department stakeholders as assigned. Carry out such responsibilities as may be requested by the Director of Student Rights, Responsibilities, or the Associate Vice President for Student Development & Belonging. Perform other duties as assigned. Minimum Qualifications Master's degree in higher education or closely related field of study Two (2) years professional experience in student conduct or related work Excellent investigative, research, and analytical skills Demonstrated judgment and ability to manage highly sensitive and FERPA-protected information Excellent interpersonal, communication, presentation, and organizational skills Demonstrated experience working with laws, regulations, and policies pertaining to due process, free speech, and higher education Demonstrated ability and/or experience fostering a supportive and effective workplace while working with students and/or colleagues to uphold institutional excellence OR applicable combination of education and/or experience which demonstrates the ability to perform the essential functions of the position Preferred Qualifications Demonstrated experience adjudicating a broad range of student conduct cases, including Academic Integrity, Behavioral Misconduct, Organizational Student Conduct, and Sexual Misconduct etc. Experience working with university conduct systems and software Training and/or experience in sexual misconduct investigations Experience or training in adaptable resolution pathways and/or conflict management Knowledge or experience in university threat assessment and interventions Experience in program development and outcomes assessment Experience developing and presenting educational materials Ability to establish and maintain effective and strategic working relationships and partnerships Ability to respond quickly and effectively to uncertainty and constant changes Life experiences that demonstrate an ability to contribute to CWU's vision, mission, and values Demonstrated commitment to improving access to higher education for students through various activities Competencies Accountability/Dependability: Accepts responsibility for quality of own work; acknowledges and corrects mistakes. Shows up on time, meets standards, deadlines, and work schedules. Judgement: Makes timely, informed decisions. Analyzes options and determines appropriate course of action. Teamwork: Promotes cooperation and mutual support to achieve goals. Encourages participation and mutual support. Adaptability/Flexibility: Responds positively to changing business needs and responsibilities. Adapts approach and methods to achieve results; recovers quickly from setbacks and finds alternatives. Commitment to Belonging: Values the uniqueness of every individual and fosters an environment where everyone feels respected and empowered to thrive. Don't meet every single requirement? At CWU, we're committed to creating a welcoming and genuine workplace. If you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification, we still encourage you to apply. This could be the opportunity you're looking for! Pay, Benefits, & Work Schedule Salary: The Hiring Department's expected hiring range is $64,974 - $84,467 annually. Individual placement within the hiring range is based on the candidate's current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position. In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, the full annual salary range for this position is $64,974 - $94,213. Schedule/Appointment: Monday - Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm (1 hour lunch) Working Conditions: Work is performed in an indoor office setting with frequent in-person interactions. It is essential to be able to remain at a desk/computer workstation for prolonged periods of time, perform extensive data entry and other computer-related tasks and create/maintain filing systems for departmental records. This position may serve in a crisis's response role. Some evening or weekend work and/or occasional travel may be required. Travel may be needed to various CWU locations. Benefits: CWU offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical and dental insurance, retirement and optional savings plans, life and disability insurance, along with vacation and sick leave plans depending on employment classification. For additional information please visit Benefits, Perks, and Leave and Total Rewards Calculator. An employee of CWU may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program if the employee has student loans. To learn more, visit: https://ofm.wa.gov/state-human-resources/public-service-loan-forgiveness-program. How To Apply To apply for this position, you must complete the on-line application and attach: A detailed cover letter clearly demonstrating how your education and experience: (a) meet the required (and, as applicable, preferred) qualifications, and (b) demonstrate the ability to perform the responsibilities as described by the posting; Resume including work history, education, training; and Contact information for three professional references. Screening Begins: April 2, 2026 Priority will be given to applications received by the screening date. Incomplete applications may not be considered. Contact Information Name: Ruben Cardenas Title: Interim Associate Vice President, Student Engagement and Success Email: Ruben.Cardenas@cwu.edu Phone: (509) 963-1320 Website: www.cwu.edu/student-life/student-support/student-rights/ Please contact Human Resources at hr@cwu.edu or 509-963-1202 if you require technical assistance with the on-line application process. Conditions of Employment Background Check/Reference Check Process: Prior to employment, final candidate(s) will be required to sign a Sexual Misconduct disclosure in pursuant to RCW 28B.112.080 and submit to a background check. All information obtained through background investigations will be strictly confidential and revealed only to those required to have access. Notice to Prospective Employees Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Statement Central Washington University is an EEO/AA/Title IX Institution. Central Washington University's policies and practices affirm and actively promote the rights of all individuals to equal opportunity in education and employment. Discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, age, marital status, disability, or status as a protected veteran is prohibited. The university provides an internal procedure for reporting discrimination and affords protection against retaliation for participating in the complaint process. Central Washington University complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and executive orders including when soliciting bids and in the fulfillment of all contracts with governmental agencies. Direct related inquiries to Civil Rights Compliance, 202 Barge Hall, Ellensburg, WA 98926-7501; Telephone 509-963-2050; or email crc@cwu.edu. Reasonable Accommodations Central Washington University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities who are employees or applicants for employment. Employment opportunities will not be denied because of the need to make reasonable accommodations for a qualified individual with a disability. If you need assistance or accommodation in applying because of a disability, please contact Human Resources at HR@cwu.edu or call 509-963-1202. This job announcement and other material on this site will be made available in alternate formats upon request to an individual with a disability. Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (Clery Act) For the Central Washington University Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (i.e. Clery Report) which includes statistics about reported crimes and information about campus security policies, available online here or call CWU Police and Parking Services at 509-963-2959 for a paper copy.