Director for Military and Veterans Student Success
POSITION DESCRIPTION:
The Director for Military and Veterans Student Success serves as the primary point of contact for military service members, veterans, and military-affiliated students at MSUB including both the University and City College campuses.
The Director:
• Partners in the robust MSUB student support ecosystem including advocates for and implements services that support the enrollment and success of veteran and military-affiliated students and when applicable, their families.
• Provides student support from initial contact and enrollment through graduation.
• Responsible for all VA certification and DoD tuition assistance and education benefits reporting requirements.
• Advises MSUB on compliance with Title 20 and 38 as it pertains to veteran and military-affiliated student benefits.
• Cultivates and sustains professional relationships with community, regional, and military partners.
• Leads the hiring, training, supervision, and evaluation of the part-time School Certifying Official and VA Work Study students.
Montana State University Billings is a preferred employer in the region-WE WANT YOU!
The following are reasons why you should join our team:
- Work-life balance
- Holidays-10 paid holidays per year and 1 Floating Holiday
- Vacation- 15 days per year (New Employees to 10 years; after 10 years the accrual rate increases)
- Sick Leave – Earned at an accrual rate of .0416125 for each hour in pay status.
- Employee and Dependent Tuition Waiver
- Opportunities to engage in professional development opportunities
- Committed to employee wellness and access to a robust Employee Assistance Program
- Medical Benefits that are robust and affordable
- Visit MUS Benefits to learn more about our benefit package including:
- Medical, Vision, and Dental
- Life Insurance and Long Term Disability are incorporated into our benefits.
- Learn more about our retirement benefits at MUS Retirement.
- Opportunities for career growth and a variety of career paths
- Campus vibrancy- coffee shops, FREE attendance to MSUB concerts, athletic events, and lectures, access to recreation center, library, etc.
- Beautiful campus environment that features our MSUB Mile walking path
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Recruitment
The Director collaborates with the Office of Admissions, TRIO Veterans Upward Bound, TRIO Educational Opportunities Center, veteran service organizations, military units, and government partners to recruit and support prospective veterans and military-affiliated students.
Responsibilities include:
Recruitment
The Director collaborates with the Office of Admissions, TRIO Veterans Upward Bound, TRIO Educational Opportunities Center, veteran service organizations, military units, and government partners to recruit and support prospective veterans and military-affiliated students.
Responsibilities include:
• Partnering with the Office of Admissions on developing and implementing a strategic
enrollment plan focused on recruitment, retention, and graduation.
• Representing the MVSC at campus and community recruitment events.
• Assisting with VA eligibility, required documentation, and military-related enrollment processes. (e.g. VA Education Benefits, DoD Tuition Assistance, MyCAA, and state level tuition
waivers)
• Supporting prospective students with MSUB applications and course placement-related
preparation.
• Collaborating with MSUB student support areas assisting with FAFSA completion.
• Partnering with TRIO Veterans Upward Bound and the Office of Admissions on pertinent
orientations for veterans and military affiliated students.
• Supporting professional and faculty academic advisors with course registration and managing
priority enrollment processes
Retention
Once students are enrolled, the Director supports their successful progression toward a degree by:
• Providing timely communication regarding deadlines and available support services.
• Mentoring students and addressing challenges that may impact academic performance and
progression towards degree completion.
• Monitoring course registration and respond to academic alerts.
• Completing required internal and external reporting.
• Helping students and families navigate benefit-related issues.
• Connecting students with academic support services on both campuses, including the Office of
TRIO Programs, Disability Support Services, and the Academic Support Center.
• Maintaining study spaces and computer lab resources within the MVSC on both campuses.
• Linking students to MSUB and community veteran resources, including Student Health and
Wellness Services.
• Supporting the organization and operation of a campus veterans’ club.
• Facilitating access to scholarships and opportunities within the Montana National Guard, Air
Guard, Army Reserves, and ROTC.
Graduation
As students near graduation, the Director provides guidance and transition support by:
• Communicating graduation requirements and timelines.
• Assisting with graduation applications and related documentation.
• Coordinating recognition of graduating veterans.
• Connecting students with employment resources, including MSUB Career and Employment
Services.
• Advising students on post-graduation plans and continued access to military support services .
The Director is a member of a network of campus departments and community organizations available to assist veterans and military affiliated students with all aspects of their transition and progression through and to graduation from MSUB, including but not limited to:
• TRIO Veterans Upward Bound
• MSUB/City College student support departments:
enrollment plan focused on recruitment, retention, and graduation.
• Representing the MVSC at campus and community recruitment events.
• Assisting with VA eligibility, required documentation, and military-related enrollment processes. (e.g. VA Education Benefits, DoD Tuition Assistance, MyCAA, and state level tuition
waivers)
• Supporting prospective students with MSUB applications and course placement-related
preparation.
• Collaborating with MSUB student support areas assisting with FAFSA completion.
• Partnering with TRIO Veterans Upward Bound and the Office of Admissions on pertinent
orientations for veterans and military affiliated students.
• Supporting professional and faculty academic advisors with course registration and managing
priority enrollment processes
Retention
Once students are enrolled, the Director supports their successful progression toward a degree by:
• Providing timely communication regarding deadlines and available support services.
• Mentoring students and addressing challenges that may impact academic performance and
progression towards degree completion.
• Monitoring course registration and respond to academic alerts.
• Completing required internal and external reporting.
• Helping students and families navigate benefit-related issues.
• Connecting students with academic support services on both campuses, including the Office of
TRIO Programs, Disability Support Services, and the Academic Support Center.
• Maintaining study spaces and computer lab resources within the MVSC on both campuses.
• Linking students to MSUB and community veteran resources, including Student Health and
Wellness Services.
• Supporting the organization and operation of a campus veterans’ club.
• Facilitating access to scholarships and opportunities within the Montana National Guard, Air
Guard, Army Reserves, and ROTC.
Graduation
As students near graduation, the Director provides guidance and transition support by:
• Communicating graduation requirements and timelines.
• Assisting with graduation applications and related documentation.
• Coordinating recognition of graduating veterans.
• Connecting students with employment resources, including MSUB Career and Employment
Services.
• Advising students on post-graduation plans and continued access to military support services .
The Director is a member of a network of campus departments and community organizations available to assist veterans and military affiliated students with all aspects of their transition and progression through and to graduation from MSUB, including but not limited to:
• TRIO Veterans Upward Bound
• MSUB/City College student support departments:
- Admissions
- Jacket Student Central
- Office of TRIO Programs (primarily TRIO SSS and TRIO EOC)
- Disability Support Services
- MSUB Student Health and Wellness Services (SHS)
- MSUB Academic Advising
- Career and Employment Services
- Financial Aid and Scholarships
- MSUB school certification official
- MSUB Academic Support Center
• VA Vet Center
• Montana Veterans Affairs Office
• Local, state, national veterans service organizations
• Montana National Guard and Air Guard, US Army Reserves, ROTC, and US Armed Forces
The Director will conduct outreach programs with external MSUB veteran service organizations, government agencies, and support groups that may benefit MSUB veterans.
• The Director will advise, as well as conduct training for veterans, family members, and MSUB
faculty/staff as needed
• The Director will develop, organize, and execute events in support of veterans
• The Director will co-sponsor any campus veterans club(s)
• The Director will manage and steward department budgets
• The Director position is a 40 hour per week, 12-month annual position
• The Director reports to the Vice Chancellor for Student Access and Success
QUALITIES:
• Excellent verbal and written communication
• Knowledge of federal, state, and community veteran programs
• Ability to build relationships with veteran students, MSUB’s University and City College faculty and staff, and community members
• Ability to coordinate events and meet deadlines
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Usual office setting demands
REASONABLE ACCOMODATIONS:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
MANDATORY REPORTER: All employees of Montana State University Billings are Mandatory Reporters. They must report information to the Title IX Office (Director of HR) as soon as they become aware of alleged discrimination or harassment on the basis of sex, gender, or any other protected class (see HR’s harassment policy for more information). This includes but is not limited to, alleged sexual assault.
Education Required:
• Bachelor’s degree
Experience Required:
• Proven ability to build relationships with multiple stakeholders
• Customer service and student success orientation
• Two or more years leadership experience
• Excellent organizational skills
• Ability to analyze and interpret government regulations, as it relates to VA benefits
• Experience with writing reports and tracking data
• Familiarity with Microsoft office products including Word, Excel, Outlook, and presentation
software.
Preferred Qualifications:
• Veteran with two years of supervision and leadership experience.
• Experience working in higher education with student affairs, especially in the areas of academic
advising, recruitment, orientation, or other student support.
• Prior experience with providing veterans’ support.
• Experience navigating VA benefits.
• Familiarity with Banner web-based student information systems.
• Ability to collect, assess and analyze information related to the success of the MVSC services on
both campuses.
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:
Applicants will be reviewed and interviewed on an ongoing basis after the screening date. The screening date begins 10 calendar days after a position is posted on the employment website.
This position is not eligible for sponsorship.
