Post Title: Community Student Support and Investigating Officer
SBU/Department: Office of the Dean of Students/Community Partnership Office
FTE: 0.4 FTE (working 14.8 hours per week)
Duration of Contract: Permanent
Salary: UH6 £31,396 pro rata pa to £33,966 pro rata pa with potential to progress to £37,099 pro rata pa on achieving designated skills and experience
Annual Leave: 25 days pro rata plus standard public holidays and an additional 4 days including the closure of our offices between Christmas and New Year
Location: College Lane and de Havilland Campus, Hatfield (with some flexibility for home working)
An exciting new role has arisen within the professional support team, within the Office of the Dean of Students. The postholder will be recognised as one of the main contacts for student investigations for Non-Academic Misconduct including sexual misconduct, harassment and bullying complaints. Working as part of the Community and Safeguarding team, this post will also work closely with the Student Wellbeing, Student Support, Welfare team and Procedures team. The Community Student Support and Investigating Officer is an integral part of the student experience promoting positive, healthy and safe living in the local community.
The post holder will work collaboratively with partners, internally and externally to maintain a harmonious relationship between the University and local community. Following the University's policies and procedures for any breach of the Student Code of Conduct which is used to provide our expectations of student behaviour. The role provides a varied caseload and will involve you organising and planning your own work activities to ensure that the Code of Conduct for students living in the local community is implement and adhered to.
Main duties & responsibilities
As Community Student Support and Investigating Officer you will be responsible for building and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders, both internally and externally, to help continually improve services. You will be expected to work collaboratively with relevant professional services, academics and external partners when needed, using an evidence-based approach, focusing on the best possible outcome for students.
You will have the responsibility of educating students and external agencies in the Code of Conduct for students living in the local community and implement the student disciplinary procedure.
You will have to respond to and investigate complaints from students and about students (from other students, neighbours, Environmental Health etc.), in a timely manner, monitoring all reports, and ensuring all actions are recorded on the relevant Reporting Systems.
You will have to comply with Safeguarding responsibilities and procedures and escalate any safeguarding or complex welfare concerns that you identify.
When appropriate you will have the responsibility of siting on university disciplinary hearings and Support to Study meetings/hearings, ensuring that you have gained all relevant background information prior to meetings.
You will be expected to help with the provision of the Housing events and have relevant communications with students to ensure they are aware of how to secure safe/secure accommodation in the Private Rented Sector.
You will have the responsibility of assisting the Deputy Student Community Manager and International Student Support Officer (ISS0) with the arrangements of International Arrivals for Semester A and B, focusing of the travel from Airports to the UH campuses. You will be expected to assist the ISSO with the facilitating of community building events and activities on behalf of the Dean of Students Office and ensure the promotion of information and key events via Social Media channels, encouraging new ways of engaging with students.
Other responsibilities will include annually reviewing/updating relevant marketing and communications materials on the main websites , any other duties as may reasonably be required, consistent with the grade of the post, including the occasional evening and weekend work to support the team's work program.
Skills and experience needed
You need to maintain the highest standards of professionalism at all times and promote equality and diversity for student and staff in accordance with university polices.
You will have good knowledge of Higher Education and, keep up to date with current developments which are relevant to the Community team.
You should be able to demonstrate an excellent understanding of University Procedures and Regulations and demonstrate a good knowledge of national and internal news affecting HE students and its impact upon student life.
You should have the skills to be able to action reports using the relevant UPR to achieve effective outcomes and engage student with the necessary support needed for them to succeed in their studies, using empathy, initiative and problem-solving skills.
You will require the confidence to participate in joint house visits to both students and residents of the local community and support the smooth operation of start of term and end of term joint house visits to local properties.
You will have experience of excellent writing and communication skills, with proven advanced digital capability, experience in social media being beneficial. Confidence to tackle new initiative and bring new ideas are essential.
Qualifications required
Degree or equivalent and proven relevant professional experience. Safeguarding Level One
Please view the job description and person specification for a full list of the duties and essential criteria. Please attach a personal statement showing clearly how your skills and experience match the Person Specification.
We regret that we are unable to offer UKVI sponsorship for this post; applicants will either hold UK Right to Work, or demonstrate access to UK Right to Work, before an offer is made.
REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS ACT
DISCLOSURE AND BARRING SERVICE
This post is exempt under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 as amended. The University requires that the successful applicant who is offered employment will be subject to a criminal record check from the Disclosure Barring Service before the appointment is confirmed. An Enhanced Disclosure will be required and this will include details of cautions, reprimands or final warnings, as well as convictions. The University of Hertfordshire complies with the ‘Code of Practice for Registered Persons and other recipients of Disclosure Information'.
Overseas applicants and UK applicants who have lived abroad
Successful applicants who have lived outside the UK, for 12 months or more (whether continuously or in total), in the last 10 years, will be required to produce a ‘Certificate of Good Character/Conduct' from each of those countries.
Contact Details/Informal Enquiries
Amanada Bridgemen Deputy Student Community and Manager) A. [email protected], 01707284096
Closing Date: 09 May 2024
Interview Date: TBC
Reference Number: 051555
Date advert placed: 24 April 2024
Our vision is to transform lives: UH is committed to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and building a diverse community. We welcome applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of their protected characteristics, and recognise there are different ways applicants may achieve the criteria in this document. We offer a range of employee benefits including generous annual leave, flexible location opportunities within the UK, discounted Sports Village memberships and free Active Staff sessions, personal and professional development and family-friendly policies. #GoHerts