About the Department:

Risk, Safety, & Resilience (RSR) provides overall strategic oversight of the University's risk profile and management efforts, as well as provides leadership to sustain a safe and healthful environment for our community to learn, work, live, and thrive. RSR serves the university by managing enterprise and operational risk, health, safety, environmental, emergency management programs in collaboration with our partners and stakeholders.

About the Position:

The Policy and Risk Assurance Coordinator establishes and manages George Mason’s Youth Protection Program that supports the University’s efforts to protect minors and ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations for non-student, youth-centered programs. More specifically, managing the Youth Protection Program means being responsible for and providing oversight for the development, facilitation, monitoring, and revision, of policies, protocols, training and compliance related activities for programs hosting minors both on and off campus, establishing and maintaining a database of information on all university programs involving participation of minors, and facilitating communication of requirements to stakeholders to include website updates and renewal of program registrations. Outside of the Youth Protection Program, this role coordinates and serves as a subject matter expert for the review and approval of risk-related university policies to assist in fostering a culture of accountability.

Responsibilities:

Youth Protection Program Management to include Registration, Tracking and Compliance

• Establishes and maintains a Youth Protection Program consistent with laws, rules and regulations as they relate to the protection of youth;
• Establishes and maintains a database of information on all university programs involving participation of minors, including university-sponsored activities off campus;
• Oversees retention of related records, forwards issues that may require investigation to the appropriate unit or individual;
• Reports data, metrics, issues and incidents to appropriate stakeholders, and other relevant departments and individuals (academic and/or administrative) on program risk assessments and updates/revisions to existing policies, rules and regulations that impact youth programs and protection;
• Fosters a culture of compliance through outreach and engagement with university programs hosting programs for minors, and ensures university policies, rules, and regulations governing them are followed, holding programs accountable;
• Monitors and reviews regulatory and legislative changes impacting youth programs, prepares the university’s response, and acts on appropriate changes to ensure implementation;
• Monitors background clearance and training requirements for persons working within youth-centered programs, in collaboration with Human Resources;
• Acts as subject matter expert to evaluate and resolve youth protection questions and issues with staff, faculty, volunteers and/or visitors;
• Participates and/or serves on university, regional, national and/or other committees and boards related to youth compliance, including the Higher Education Protection Network (HEPNet); and
• Represents the university and participates in youth compliance-related conferences. 

Youth Protection Resources and Training 

• Creates or develops, shares, delivers, and implements appropriate training, educational programs, resources, presentations and other communications (template forms, instructional materials, etc.) to departments sponsoring youth programs to enhance safety and best practices;
• Educates and provides ongoing direction to youth program managers and leadership on compliance, programming efforts, and implementation of procedures and best practices, to include standard operating procedures for programs and ensuring compliance with Virginia Child Protection Accountability System on mandatory reporting;
• Tracks and monitors individuals requiring and participating in training in centralized database, and troubleshoots online training issues with users;
• Manages and coordinates resources as the university implements the key elements of a Youth Compliance Program, and provides appropriate education and training; and
• Manages the content of a “protection of minors” website and the renewal of program registrations and staff compliance, while regularly identifying any unregistered youth-serving programs and individuals. 

University Policy and Procedures Coordinator

• Understands, modifies, and creates policies and procedures in compliance with laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia and George Mason;
• Partners with compliance divisions at George Mason to include Title IX, Title VII, Clery Act, FERPA, IT security, and the Compliance and Ethics team as needed;
• Leads review committee in evaluating and updating university policies as needed; and
• Collaborates with academic and administrative departments to revise policies, rules, and regulations. 

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree or the equivalent combination of education and experience;
• Demonstrated previous professional experience in risk management, compliance, youth protection programs, policy, human resources, criminal justice, or another similar field;
• Knowledge of and experience in higher education relating to compliance, youth protection programs. and/or risk management;
• Knowledge of computer applications including Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word), databases and internet applications;
• Demonstrated interpersonal and communication skills (oral and writing);
• Demonstrated skills in Word processing and recordkeeping;
• Strong organizational and time management skills;
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously;
• Ability to prioritize projects and deadlines;
• Ability to work independently but also with groups;
• Ability to work effectively with a broad range of individuals and work styles;
• Ability to make sound judgement/decision regarding high consequence and urgent situations and emergencies;
• Due to the unique role that RSR plays in emergency situations, each employee is designated to respond as requested during emergencies. Expectations for availability require that home and cell phone numbers be provided. In emergency situations, these numbers may be called, and it is expected that the employee will respond when they are able. Repeated instances of unavailability will be addressed by the supervisor; however, the employee is not expected to be "on call"; and
• Valid driver's license: must currently possess an appropriate, active, valid motor vehicle operator’s license that meets all of GMU’s requirements for operating state vehicles and equipment under Mason’s Vehicle Use Policy 1411 https://universitypolicy.gmu.edu/policies/vehicle-use/. The Office of Risk Management reserves the right to review the driver’s licenses and Motor Vehicle Reports (MVRs) of all candidates selected with employment contingent upon a favorable review.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in related field;
• Experience in an institution of higher education;
• Demonstrated experience serving productively and effectively as both a team leader and member, working with groups diverse in culture and background;
• Exceptional written and oral communication and interpersonal skills;
• Excellent organizational, planning and problem-solving skills; and
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects while developing and managing audit processes and reporting results.

Instructions to Applicants: 

For full consideration, applicants must apply for Policy and Risk Assurance Coordinator at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a Cover Letter/Letter of Intent with Resume for review. 

Posting Open Date: December 9, 2024

For Full Consideration, Apply by:  January 13, 2025

Open Until Filled:  Yes