Associate Athletics Director for Compliance and Student - Athlete Services CWU is an EEO/AA/Title IX/Veteran/Disability Employer

Job Summary

Central Washington University is recruiting an Associate Athletics Director for Compliance and Student-Athlete Services to join our Athletics Administration 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.

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 ~10,000 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 the seventh time in eight years, CWU is a recipient of the prestigious Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. 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.

The Role:

The Assistant/Associate Athletic Director for Compliance and Student-Athlete Services position supports the work of the Athletics department through service on the senior management staff. This position is responsible to coordinate, implement, facilitate, and oversee the Athletic Compliance program. This includes the educational, monitoring and investigating components, as well as other areas within the program that strengthen and enhance the athletic compliance efforts. This position also leads in the oversight and facilitation of athletic-related academic services, financial aid, student-athlete support and welfare programs, and partners with campus divisions relating to students. All employees are expected to support CWU's commitment to diversity and to bring and support inclusion into the university environment. 

*This position may be designated as the Senior Woman Administrator. 

Job Duties

Administration:
- Direct, serve, and contribute as part of athletics senior management, acting as a key decision-maker and serving as a role model and resource for students, coaches, and administrators 
- Provide leadership and direction for all programs and functions of the Athletic Department with respect to student-athlete welfare, community relations, and sport supervision
- Serve as primary supervisor for specific sports and support areas within the department as assigned
- Direct the Title IX efforts within the Athletic Department. Serve as liaison and strategize ways to support and manage gender equity and Title IX plans and issues
- Lead as co-chair of the Athletics Compliance Committee and all Athletics Appeals Committees. Monitor and develop campus oversight programs of Athletics through these committees 
- Provide reporting to Athletics Compliance Committee and campus throughout the year regarding Athletics activities, NCAA updates, policy and procedure updates, and other relevant information
- Collaborate with Faculty Athletic Representative, apprizing him/her of compliance and eligibility issues as well as other departmental matters as needed
- Provide visibility of Athletics on campus through participation in ad-hoc and permanent campus committees, including hiring and search committees
- Supervise graduate students, student interns, and volunteers in partnership with academic partners

Compliance:
- Lead and facilitate all CWU Athletics compliance with NCAA, GNAC, and other governing bodies rules and regulations. Lead campus efforts to create a culture of compliance

Recruiting:
- Develop and implement policies and procedures related to monitoring recruiting activities, including contacts and evaluations, official and unofficial visits, and complimentary tickets
- Meet with prospective student-athletes and parents regarding NCAA rules and regulations 
- Coordinate NCAA Coaches Learning Modules and staffing rosters
- Manage and process all National Letters of Intent and accompanying grant-in-aid offers for all sports
- Coordinate with Admissions staff to understand admit status and other issues with incoming students

Eligibility:
- Maintain official team rosters. Manage the academic certification process in partnership with the registrar's office
- Coordinate and administer the evaluation and determination of the initial eligibility of all student-athletes and ensuring their continued academic eligibility
- Monitor, interpret, apply and certify eligibility within University policies and regulations, the GNAC and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) rules and regulations for assigned sports under limited supervision
- Process transfer evaluations and eligibility determination of incoming and current student athletes
- Complete student athlete certifications, for fall, winter, and spring quarters. This includes a review of academic and amateurisms certifications via the NCAA eligibility Center. Update relevant software and associated organizations and individuals
- Provide academic data for NCAA and GNAC reporting requirements. Provide student information to various constituents upon request
- Oversee, manage, and maintain official team rosters 
- Maintain all eligibility lists and other reporting records
- Provide outreach to advise high school and community college partners on NCAA eligibility requirements

Financial Aid:
- Oversee, manage, and maintain official team equivalency totals
- Manage individual awards including renewals, cancelations, and new awards
- Coordinate with Financial Aid office to ensure accuracy and compliance
- Maintain all squad lists and other reporting records

Playing and Practice Seasons:
- Approve and monitor playing and practice season declarations, countable athletically related activities, voluntary practices, and other student time demands
- Approve student participation in outside competitions, summer league participation

Rules Education:
- Monitor sport personnel/coaching staff certifications and limitations
- Provide coaches, staff, and campus partners rules education opportunities to ensure a campus culture of compliance and understanding
- Provide legislative interpretations to CWU campus including coaches and staff, utilizing conference and NCAA resources as needed

NCAA Coordination and Interpretations:
- Serve as a liaison to NCAA legislative services for all legislative changes. Create new policies and procedures as required. Maintain awareness of national landscape as it pertains to college athletics and advise campus leaders on potential and confirmed impacts
- Review and process all forms and surveys, and compose reports as required by national athletic affiliations, federal and state governments, accreditation units and the university including but not limited to: accreditation reports, strategic plans, gender equity reports, financial aid reports, institutional self-study, etc. 
- Maintain up-to date knowledge of NCAA, GNAC and Central Washington University policies, bylaws, interpretations and case precedent. Lead policy review process both internally and with campus partners

Camps and Clinics:
- Monitor recruiting activities of coaches and staff related to off campus camps and clinics participation
- Approve and monitor all institutional camps for compliance with NCAA requirements

Policy and Procedures:
- Maintain and update the compliance procedures and policy manual based on legislative and institutional changes
- Identify areas needed for review by stakeholders and coordinate the review process 

Violations:
- Draft self-reports to the NCAA and GNAC
- Maintain a database of investigations and self-reports 
- Review any and alleged NCAA rules violations and report finding, acting as liaison between the national office and the university during the processing of violations, waivers and appeals

Supervisor Duties: 
- Actively engages in recruitment and hiring new employees
- Clearly defines performance expectations, ensure accountability, and provides ongoing informal feedback, coaching, and mentoring. Conducts formal performance evaluations
- Ensures employees have necessary resources
- Oversees and directs the work of staff; serves as mentor, coach and leader, and resolves complaints or issues
- Promotes professional development opportunities
- Develops and fosters supportive working relationships, motivation and engagement
- Communicates information to staff on an ongoing basis to influence staff engagement and to be a part of a larger community
- Takes corrective action in a timely manner
- Recognizes and rewards employees for good performance
- Schedules employee work hours/shifts; monitor hours worked; approve payable time and absence requests
- Adjusts leadership style as needed to achieve results
- Recognizes value of and promotes diverse workforce. Values and encourages diverse perspectives, creativity and teamwork

Student-Athlete Development:
- Supervise Student-Athlete Advisor Committee (SAAC) and SAAC Executive Committee, providing leadership coaching and training
- Help student-athletes successfully balance academics and athletics by providing leadership and guidance
- Develop leadership and life skills programming for student-athletes
- Develop relationships with campus partners to provide additional resources and opportunities for student-athletes including mental health, sexual assault and violence prevention, career development, and others as available

- Perform other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree

• Knowledge of NCAA rules and regulations

• Knowledge of Federal Title IX regulations

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills 

• Experience developing and delivering programs that develop personal and leadership skills of student-athletes

• Experience and/or training that demonstrates the ability to use Word, Excel, e-mail and/or similar software application to produce written correspondence, create and maintain spreadsheets, and receive and respond to e-mail inquiries, tasks, etc.

• Demonstrated commitment to inclusion and/or experience working with students and/or co-workers from a wide range of abilities, backgrounds and experiences

• OR applicable combination of education and/or experience which demonstrates the ability to perform the essential functions of the position

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's Degree

• 3-5 years Intercollegiate athletic administrative experience

• Knowledge of the structure of NCAA and GNAC conference rules and regulations as it relates to compliance 

• Experience advising diverse groups of student athlete populations

• Experience with the NCAA Compliance Assistance Software, Front Rush, NCAA Eligibility Center

• Experience in the administration of athletic-related financial aid.

• Knowledge and experience with institutional degree audit software (PeopleSoft, Banner)

• Experience developing tracking and reviewing systems, compiling data, and preparing reports

• Experience interpreting and applying complex policies and regulations

• Demonstrated participation in programs designed to promote inclusion

• Potential to mentor and educate students who will serve diverse populations 

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 Diversity: Recognizes the value of diversity and helps create environment that supports and embraces diversity.

Don't meet every single requirement? At CWU we're dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't align perfectly with every requirement, we encourage you to apply anyway. This may be the job for you!

Pay, Benefits, & Work Schedule

Salary: This position has a minimum annual salary of $59,068 and maximum annual salary of $85,648. The Hiring Department's expected hiring range is $59,068 - $72,358. In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, the above salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the hiring range is based on the candidate's current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position.  

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 work station for prolonged periods of time, perform extensive data entry and other computer-related tasks and create/maintain filing systems for departmental records. Some evening or weekend work and/or occasional travel may be required to attend national seminars and conventions and occasional team travel.

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. 

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: June 27, 2024 

**Priority will be given to applications received by the screening date. Incomplete applications may not be considered.

Contact Information

Name: Dr. Dennis Francois
Title: Director of Athletics
Email: Dennis.Francois@cwu.edu
Phone: (509) 963-1945

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.

DEI Statement

Justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion are all core to CWU's mission, vision and values to increase access to higher education for everyone regardless of identity. At CWU we work to ensure everyone's voice is not only heard but recognized and valued. We consistently strive to provide a safe, welcoming, and forward-thinking institution for all employees, students, and community members.

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.