Job Description

How to Apply

A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and must be attached as the first page of your resume.  The letter should address your specific interest in and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.  Applicants who do not meet these requirements will not be considered.

Job Summary

The Rackham Graduate School seeks an (Wellbeing Specialist) to serve as a member of the (Graduate Student and Program Consultation Services) team. 

The Rackham Graduate School seeks a (Wellbeing Specialist) to serve as a member of the (Graduate Student and Program Consultation Services) team.

Rackham's Graduate Student and Program Consultation Services (GSPCS) serves graduate students having academic disputes and tension in their academic relationships by providing a safe environment to discuss their concerns or issues, explore available options for resolution, and acquire information about relevant campus resources to support personal wellbeing and academic success.  

The Wellbeing Specialist will help support efforts in GSPCS related to advancing accommodation resources and information for Graduate Students and Graduate Student Employees with Disabilities in addition to developing and implementing workshops for academic programs related to graduate student mental health and wellbeing in coordination with the Well-Being Advocate program.  

PLEASE NOTE: This is a three year term limited position. 

Because we are committed to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility we aspire to develop and nurture the individual and collective skills to recognize, celebrate, and deploy difference as a path to engagement, innovation, and the generation of new ideas and knowledge.

PLEASE NOTE: Rackham is currently offering hybrid work schedules to staff, requiring 2-3 days per week on-site with the remaining time being remote.

To learn more about the Rackham Graduate School visit https://rackham.umich.edu/

Why Work at Michigan?

Being part of something greater, of serving a larger mission of discovery and care _that's the heart of what drives people to work at Michigan. In some way, great or small, every person here helps to advance this world-class institution. It's adding a purpose to your profession. Work at Michigan and become a victor for the greater good.

In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, The University of Michigan offers a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family and plan for a secure future. Benefits include:

Responsibilities*

Job responsibilities include but are not limited to:

As a member of the Graduate Student and Program consultation services team, the Wellbeing Specialist will engage in consultation with graduate students to understand their needs and barriers for support in their graduate programs related to wellbeing and will work to address and enhance communication and climate for graduate students needing disability accommodations.  Assist the Director for Rackham Graduate Student and Program Consultation Services in the oversight of employment accommodations for graduate students with disabilities by enhancing web and print materials which explain the accommodation request process and role of unit level administrative designees.  Aid in the support of consulting with campus partners like Services for Students with Disabilities for academic accommodations for Master's and PhD students.

Contribute to the development and implementation of workshops and resources on wellbeing and disability culture for graduate programs and faculty; and help guide, motivate, and indicate opportunities for structural change in graduate programs to better support graduate students who need accommodations in their program.

The Wellbeing Specialist will work with the Well-Being Advocate program in program 

level interventions like presentation requests, resource development and program evaluation alongside and in support of the Senior Program Manager for the Well-Being Advocate program.  In addition the Wellbeing specialist will support the initiatives of the Rackham Mental Health and Wellbeing Standing Committee through attending necessary meetings, supporting committee projects, communicating research or best practices and reporting about their work as a liaison to the student mental health and wellbeing advisory board.

Help coordinate programs and initiatives occurring at multiple levels and run by multiple offices, all aimed at supporting graduate student mental health and wellbeing, especially in academic programs.  Example units for collaboration may include Student Accessibility and Accommodation Services (SAAS), The Center for Research on Learning and Teaching (CRLT), Disability Equity Office and Wolverine Wellness. 

Attends meetings, conferences, and workshops across and off-campus to keep updated on issues relating to best practices in graduate education and academic wellbeing. 

Assist in the preparation of brochures, handbooks, survey administration, periodic statistical and/or progress reports, hand-outs, other written materials, and/or coordinate appropriate outreach and marketing activities as assigned.

Assist with special projects as requested.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications*

Master's degree or equivalent combination of education plus at least 1-2 years of experience in higher education required. 

Demonstrated understanding of the current graduate education landscape, particularly knowledge of graduate student mental health,  wellbeing, and disability  issues. 

Demonstrated understanding of disability issues in higher education, for example, accessibility, accommodations, disability studies, disability culture, universal design, ableism.

Reasonable, increasingly responsible experience as a successful member of a high-level support team in program development, management and coordination in a university setting, including program planning and administration. 

Demonstrated experience creating and implementing effective and innovative programs and services for diverse audiences.

Understanding, appreciation of, and strong personal commitment to the issues involved in programming for diverse students, particularly students that are historically underrepresented in their fields. 

Understanding and value of diversity and the importance of inclusion as demonstrated through a commitment to apply and incorporate the differences, complexities, and opportunities that diversity brings to an organization. 

Ability to work occasional evenings and/or weekends with prior notice, depending on requirements of individual workshops/presentations/etc. 

Desired Qualifications*

Experience developing and implementing training programs on a university campus and coordinating large scale events, including both in person and virtual programs.

Experience with speaking and presenting for academic audiences.

Excellent interpersonal communication skills, including the capacity to build collegial relationships with students, faculty and staff within the Graduate School and across the University and the ability to work with a wide range of people who represent our diverse and multicultural society. 

Demonstrated ability to exercise a high level of initiative, creativity and judgment and to achieve organizational and operational change within a large and complex organization with multiple operations and constituencies.  

Strong problem-solving skills, including the demonstrated ability to synthesize ideas, anticipate next steps, and prioritize important decisions. 

Demonstrated organizational skills to plan, organize, manage and follow through on a large and diverse workload with excellent attention to detail and ability to meet deadlines in a timely manner. 

Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with faculty, staff and graduate student constituencies, both orally and in writing, including the ability to exercise discretion and judgment in matters of a sensitive or confidential nature. 

Knowledge of personal computer productivity tools including word processing, spreadsheets, calendaring, scheduling, presentation, web-based video conferencing tools, and communication software packages.  

Motivated to work in a student-centered, multidisciplinary and collaborative team environment.

Ability to maintain confidentiality, exercise discretion, and handle people with diplomacy under stressful situations and in matters of a sensitive 

and confidential 

nature. 

Knowledge of and strong personal commitment to shared teamwork, continuous business process improvement, and professional development. 

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days.  This job may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO/AA Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

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