Student Navigator

Title: Student Navigator 
Employee Classification: Student Help Regular
Division Name: Student Affairs
Department: Dean of Students

Job Summary

The purpose of this position is to help students at Illinois State University who are unable to access or afford the basic things they need to succeed in school. Students may find that they are unable to afford basics like rent, food, medical care, mental health care, and childcare, as well as computers, textbooks, or school supplies. Student Navigators, working in tandem with the Dean on Duty and Case Management programs in the Dean of Students Office, provide direct and personalized help to students. See https://about.illinoisstate.edu/basicneeds/ for more information.

Duties include:
• Meet individually with students (in-person or remotely) to discuss their current situation
• Provide support and encouragement to each student; provide highly individualized recommendations
• Research and stay updated on resources on campus, in the community and on the state/federal levels
• Guide students through application processes for public benefits
• Connect students to campus or community resources including food pantries, mutual aid organizations, mental health providers, and transportation assistance
• Actively participate in weekly staff training and supervision opportunities
• Work outreach events and assist with other promotional activities for the program

This position will continue through the 2025-2026 academic year. Illinois State University is authorized to do business within the State of Illinois. All work under this appointment is required to be performed from within the State of Illinois.

Additional Information

Student employees are eligible to participate in the University’s 403(b) Plan.  More information can be found here.

Pay Rate

$15.00/hour

Required Qualifications

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Knowledge and application of helping skills as evidenced by coursework completed or job experience
• All student employees in the Dean of Students Office must maintain good academic (min. 2.0 cumulative GPA) and good conduct standing from the point of application through term of employment. The employer will check status at the beginning and the end of each semester of employment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a peer-to-peer role (peer advising, peer counseling, etc.)
• Experience leading workshops or groups, or teaching
• Experience in a program that addresses food or housing insecurity

Work Hours

8-12 hours per week. Training and work schedule to be mutually agreed upon by employee and supervisor. Availability must be between 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Work to be conducted primarily in-person.

Functional Expectations

Must be able to complete the following with or without a reasonable accommodation:
1. Remain at a workstation for extended periods.
2. Distinguish colors on a monitor
3. Move about in various locations across campus as needed to complete day-to-day work
4. Effectively communicate on a daily basis

Proposed Starting Date

Spring 2026

Required Applicant Documents

Resume, Reference List & Work Availability

Please Note: These documents are required to be submitted online in order to complete the application process. Please have these documents ready prior to clicking on "Apply"

Contact Information for Applicants

Donald Reed
Associate Dean of Students
309-438-2008

Important Information for Applicants

This position is subject to a criminal background investigation and if applicable, an employment history review, based on University Policy 3.1.30 and any offer of employment is contingent upon you passing a satisfactory criminal background investigation and/or an employment history review. You may not begin work until the criminal background investigation results have been received and cleared by Human Resources.

In addition, all appointments are contingent upon proof of eligibility for employment at Illinois State University to perform the required duties described above on your scheduled start date. The Immigration and Control Act of 1986, Public Law 99-603, requires all new employees to file an I-9 in person and no later than three days from the beginning of employment. This may be accomplished within the department or through Human Resources. A list of the types of documentation you will be expected to provide is available at https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents. Failure to comply with this law will result in cancellation of your appointment.

Illinois State University, as your employer, is required by federal law to ensure proper tax withholding from wages and to ensure that the required reporting of employee wages, withholding, and employment taxes is accurate. For this reason, every employee must have a valid Social Security Number registered with the University at the time of employment and/or as soon after as possible, but no later than 45 days from the start date. Failure to comply with this law may result in cancellation of your appointment.

Illinois State University student employees are restricted to no more than 28 hours per week of on-campus employment for all positions held.

International students are restricted by their visa status to no more than 20 hours per week of on-campus employment when the university is in session but may work more when the university is not in session. International students should contact the Office of International Studies and Programs for guidance if they have questions concerning employment restrictions.

Illinois State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or other state or federal law you may request an accommodation by contacting the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access at (309) 438-3383. The Office of Equal Opportunity and Access will hold any confidential information you provide in confidence.

If you are having difficulty accessing the system, please call Human Resources at (309) 438-8311.