Assistant Director, Retriever CARE

Job no: 495318
Work type: Staff Full-time
Location: UMBC Campus
Categories: Student Affairs

Department:
Retriever CARE

Position Overview:
Reporting to the Director of Retriever CARE, the Assistant Director plays a critical role in promoting campus safety and student success through early intervention, case management, and support services. This position is responsible for responding to behavioral concerns, building community partnerships, and leading strategic

initiatives that reduce risks and proactively enhance university well-being. By providing collaborative leadership and compassionate support, the Assistant Director ensures a safe, inclusive, and thriving academic environment for all students.

Telework:
A hybrid telework schedule may be available.

Responsibilities:
Care Coordination:

• Provide direct care coordination for students experiencing behavioral, mental health, or personal crises, ensuring timely support and effective intervention.
• Collaborate with the Retriever CARE Team to manage cases and triage incidents effectively using the NABITA Risk Rubric.
• Conduct high-level risk assessments, such as the Screening Tool for Risk Assessment of Narrative Data (STRAND), Structured Interview for Violence Risk Assessment (SIVRA) and Non-Clinical Assessment of Suicide, to ensure campus safety and student well-being.

Team Leadership and Management:

• Lead the recruitment, training, supervision, and performance evaluation of full-time Retriever CARE Coordinators.
• Cultivate a high-performing, collaborative team culture that prioritizes professional growth, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Deliver ongoing mentorship and strategic support, ensuring staff possess the necessary resources and competencies to drive successful student outcomes.
• Adapt to evolving departmental needs by assuming additional responsibilities as required.

Resource Facilitation and Liaison:

• Champion comprehensive support systems by facilitating student access to essential campus and community resources that promote holistic well-being and academic retention.
• Serve as a collaborative partner between students, campus units, and external stakeholders, streamlining the coordination of multi-faceted support networks.
• Build and maintain effective referral networks to address gaps in service, providing a consistent continuity of care for students navigating complex situations.

Data Management and Program Development:

• Maintain high-level documentation standards, ensuring the integrity and confidentiality of student records while capturing essential program metrics.
• Analyze behavioral data trends and create reports, directly informing strategic improvements to departmental policies and intervention.
• Serve as the primary lead for the Symplicity Advocate CARE database, improving system functionality and collaborating closely with the IT Operations Manager to maintain data accuracy and technical excellence.

Training and Community Engagement:

• Strengthen collaboration with key stakeholders, including Campus Police,Financial Aid, Academic Success Center, Human Resources, and Student Disability Services to align institutional behavioral management strategies and ensure consistent response.
• Prioritize professional excellence through active participation in ongoing training, workshops, and conferences to integrate emerging best practices into departmental operations.
• Drive engagement efforts to expand the reach of Retriever CARE services and ensure equitable access and support for historically underserved student populations.

Professional Development and Inclusivity:

• Advance professional expertise through active membership and participation in key professional organizations, including NABITA and the Association of Threat Assessment Professionals.
• Build an inclusive support environment by ensuring that all duties are performed with cultural differences and sensitivity, providing equitable care for diverse student needs.
• Participate in campus-wide inclusive excellence initiatives to advocate for systemic improvements and create a more inclusive, empowered and accountable campus climate.

Required Minimum Qualifications:

• Education: Master's degree preferably in Social Work, Counseling, Higher Education Administration, Public Health, or related field.
• Experience: Direct experience with managing behavioral and/or mental health concerns and demonstrated ability to support individuals in crisis.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in the higher education environment or knowledge of student development theory
• Certifications: Mental Health First Aid Trainer, NABITA Certifications (Risk Rubric, BIT Standards and Best Practices, Case Management Standards, Screening Tool for Risk Assessment and Narrative Assessment - STRAND, Structured Interview for Violence Risk Assessment - SIVRA, Non-Clinical Assessment of Suicide

Special Instructions to Applicants:
Upload a cover letter and a resume.

Closing Date:July 27, 2026

Benefits:
UMBC offers a rich benefits package.

Regular and grant funded regular positions (Full benefits summary click here):

Generous Leave which includes accruing:

• 22 Days of Annual Leave
• 15 Days of Sick Leave
• 15 Holidays
• 3 Personal Days

Tuition Remission:

• 8 credit hours per semester
• Tuition remission at UMBC for eligible dependents after two years of FT employment

Additional Benefits:

• Life and disability insurance
• Retirement plans (including the choice of joining the pension plan)
• Professional development opportunities
• Wellness opportunities
• & Much more

Contingent II positions may include some benefits.

Benefits offered align with type (Regular, Contingent II, etc.) of position.

Salary:
Salary: $79,000 to $89,000 depending on qualifications and experience.

The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, budget, prior experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business considerations.

The above salary range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

Hours:Full-time

Type:Regular

FLSA Status:Exempt

Advertised: Jul 22 2026 09:00 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: Jul 27 2026

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