Program Director, Bruin Guardian Scholars

STDT LIFE DEV SPEC 3 (004564)

UCPath Position ID: 40107173

Position Description History/Status

Approved Date:

10/21/2026 12:22:33 PM

Date Last Edited:

10/21/2026 12:22:31 PM

Last Action Effective Date:

10/9/2026

Organization Details

Business Unit (Location):

LACMP

Organization Code:

7000O

Organization:

VC STUDENT AFFAIRS                     

Division Code:

7400D

Division:

STUDENT DEVELOPMENT AND HEALTH                   

Department:

511000 - BRUIN RESOURCE CENTER

Position Details

UCPath Position Number:

40107173

Position Description ID

232979

UC Payroll Title:

STDT LIFE DEV SPEC 3 (004564)

Personnel Program

Professional and Support Staff (PSS)

Salary Grade:

Grade 19

Job Code FLSA:

Exempt

Union Code (Collective Bargaining Unit):

99: Non-Represented (PPSM)

Employee Relations Code:

C: Supervisor - Not Confidential

Employee Class (Appt Type):

2 - Staff: Career

Full-Time Equivalent (FTE)

1

SUPERVISION

UCPath Reports to Position Number:

40061946

Reports to Payroll Title:

Stdt Life Dev Supv 2

UCPath Department Head Position Number:

40040137

Department Head Payroll Title:

Acad Achivement Mgr 1

GENERAL SUPERVISION - Indicates that the incumbent develops procedures for performance of variety of duties; or performs complex duties within established policy guidelines.

Stdt Life Dev Spec 3

4564

Stdt Life Dev Spec 2

4565

POSITION SUMMARY

The Bruin Guardian Scholars Program Director (PD) is responsible for the overall planning, coordination, and oversight of the Bruin Guardian Scholars Program (BGS). The BGS program supports the academic wellness, professional development and overall wellbeing of UCLA students that have had experiences with foster care and/or homelessness. Utilizing strengths-based frameworks grounded in social justice, the Program Director will provide clinical case management supports to students, referrals to on and off campus partners, and supervision to undergraduate and graduate level program interns. The incumbent will also oversee the larger administrative functions of the program such as working collaboratively with donors and development, managing budgets and expenditures, as well as planning and implementing programs for students.

The Program Director sets goals that align with the mission of the department and of Student Affairs as a whole, while assuming responsibility for the successes and failures of the BGS program, establishing and prioritizing short- and long-term goals for the program, and identifying measurable outcomes for the programs' implementation, growth, and assessment. This includes participation in the development of organizational goals and objectives, strategic planning and assessment, and participation on campus-wide committees.

The activities of this position will include the supervision of staff (professional and/or student) and volunteers involved in BRC initiatives, consultation and coordination with other campus departments (e.g., Academic Advancement Program, Financial Aid, Counseling and Psychological Services, etc.), and interfacing with off-campus service providers (e.g., the Department of Public Social Services and the Department of Child and Family Services etc.) to broaden the array of resources available to the various populations that are served in the BRC. The Bruin Guardian Scholars Program Director will also work closely with community college foster youth programs, foster youth consortiums, the Chancellor's Office, local school districts and community agencies.

The Bruin Resource Center (BRC) is a department under Student Affairs that houses a number of identity-based campus centers and programs. The BRC provides support to different student communities, including students who have been part of the foster care and probation systems, students who are undocumented or a part of mixed-status families, parenting students and students who are taking care of other dependents such as siblings, students in recovery, students were formerly incarcerated or impacted by the carceral system, and students who have experienced homelessness or house-lessness.  

Student Advocacy & Case Management

Lead and oversee strategic efforts to address student needs by fostering connections to campus and community resources. Oversee collaboration with internal and external stakeholders to resolve critical issues, including financial aid, food insecurity, and housing. Direct crisis intervention initiatives for urgent needs, such as shelter, food, and medication. Manage programs supporting current and former foster youth, ensuring effective tracking of participation, scholarship eligibility, and challenges. Establish and maintain reporting systems to monitor outcomes and drive improvements. Partner with the BRC Associate Director to align staff interventions and coordinate referrals to CAPS or community mental health services, ensuring holistic student support.

45%

Program Development & Optimization

Design and oversee campus-wide student support and wellness initiatives, focusing on foster and homeless youth, to align with Student Affairs’ mission. Set program goals, coordinate training, manage resources, and establish measurable outcomes for growth and assessment. Develop and implement short and long-term strategies, informed by interdisciplinary research in education, psychology, sociology, and public health, to enhance program effectiveness. Leverage technology to improve existing programs and create new ones, collaborating with information systems staff to streamline processes and increase engagement. Continuously evaluate programs to ensure alignment with departmental objectives and the evolving needs of the student population.

20%

Supervision & Staff Development

Supervise BGS professional staff and Master of Social Work (MSW) interns, conducting formal evaluations of the internship experience. Lead weekly individual and group case consultation and supervision meetings for interns, providing training on crisis management, mental health, and wellness to enhance clinical skills. Oversee hiring, training, and performance evaluations of staff, fostering continuous professional development. Responsible for disciplinary actions for staff as required. Foster a supportive work environment aligned with the mission of the BRC and the university’s values and goals.

20%

Strategic Partnerships

Build strategic relationships across departments, particularly within Student Affairs and Undergraduate Education, to advance student learning and development goals. Represent the department on committees and task forces, providing recommendations to establish campus-wide standards for student success and wellness. Collaborate with campus and community organizations to drive program initiatives and foster resource-sharing. Lead outreach efforts to increase awareness of BRC programs and services. Actively engage in committees supporting foster and homeless youth, such as the Southern California Higher Education Foster Youth Consortium and the UC Foster Youth Work Group. Maintain partnerships with nonprofits to enhance support for foster and homeless youth.

10%

Strategic Development & Resource Planning

Collaborate with leadership and development staff to create and implement strategies for donor cultivation, grant acquisition, and fiscal support for the BGS program. Identify and engage philanthropic donors, leveraging program and student data to secure additional funding. Support student organizations in obtaining safe spaces for meetings, events, and study hours, arranging temporary accommodations when permanent spaces are unavailable. Build and maintain relationships with funding partners to expand initiatives.

5%

•

Performs other duties as assigned.

•

Complies with all policies and standards.

•

Complies with the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Principles of Community.

•

This position description is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties or skills required for the job and is subject to review and change at any time, with or without notice, in accordance with the needs of the organization.

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training

Required

Master's degree in Social work /or a related/equivalent graduate degree

Preferred

2-3+ Years

experience post degree completion to supervise MSW intern

Preferred

Prior supervisory experience

Preferred

Detailed working knowledge of federal regulations impacting student records, including FERPA and HIPPA.

Preferred

Concentrated experience working with distressed individuals in a higher education or community setting.

Required

Demonstrated skills to design, implement, and evaluate programs to address the unique needs and concerns of students who are foster/homeless youth.

Required

Demonstrated knowledge of motivation, negotiation, conflict resolution, team-building, interpersonal communication, and consensus building; skills to apply these techniques to facilitate desired outcomes in working relationships with culturally diverse students, staff and faculty.

Required

Demonstrated excellent verbal communication and interpersonal skills to facilitate meetings, prepare and deliver professional presentations and convey complex ideas to diverse audiences.

Required

Demonstrated ability to develop written materials (e.g, professional correspondence, formal reports) that are analytical, persuasive and succinct, using appropriate tone, grammar, syntax and punctuation.

Required

Skill at working as part of a team by negotiating ideas, information, and opinions with others to formulate policies and services and/or arrive jointly at decisions and solutions.

Required

Knowledge pertaining to the principles, practices, and theory of social work practice.

Required

Provide as-needed clinical case management and crisis therapy. Work with clients to develop strategies to change behavior or cope with difficult situations. Know community resources and be able to refer clients to services such as support groups or other mental health professionals.

Required

Provide planning, assessing, coordinating and implementation of services to enhance each student's academic, social and emotional well-being.

Required

Skill at working independently and following through on assignments with minimal direction.

Required

Demonstrated ability to supervise staff.

Required

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS AND/OR CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Background Check: Continued employment is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background investigation.

CANRA: The position is designated as a mandatory reporter under CANRA. The employee must sign the "Statement Acknowledging Requirement to Report Child Abuse".

LOCATION AND PHYSICAL, ENVIRONMENTAL, MENTAL (PEM) REQUIREMENTS

Environment and Work Location Information

Environment Type:

Non-Clinical Setting

Location Setting:

Campus

Location:

Student Activities Center

Standing/Walking

X

Sitting

X

X

Bending/Stooping

X

Squatting/Kneeling

X

Climbing

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull 0-25 lbs

X

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull 26-50 lbs

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull over 50 lbs

X

Physical requirements other

X

Chemicals, dust, gases, or fumes

X

Loud noise levels

X

Marked changes in humidity or temperature

X

Microwave/Radiation

X

Operating motor vehicles and/or equipment

X

Exposures other

X

Sustained attention and concentration

X

X

Complex problem solving/reasoning

X

X

Ability to organize & prioritize

X

X

Communication skills

X

X

Numerical skills

X

X

Mental demands other

X

X

Classification 3:  Position in which exposure to blood, body fluids or tissues is not part of the position description. The normal routine task involves no exposure to blood, body fluids or tissues and the employee can decline to perform tasks which involve a perceived risk without retribution.