Basic Needs Manager

Location: Albany, NY Category: Professional Positions Job Type: Full-time Posted On: Tue Mar 24 2026 Job Description:

The State University of New York System Administration's Office of University Life is seeking an Associate for Student Support to perform a full range of administrative, programmatic, and technical duties to support our students' basic needs across our 64 campuses. This includes overseeing and providing specialized information, training, and assistance related to students' basic needs to campus staff including food, housing, transportation and/or off campus resources; developing and supporting relationships between our campuses and community organizations to obtain resources for students and to promote student success, retention, and completion by removing barriers to their education; and performing a full range of the more complex program support and clerical assistance duties in support of students' basic needs. The incumbent will gather and analyze data on basic needs supports for SUNY students, manage all reporting related to incremental funding increases to address student basic needs, and lead campuses in implementing national best practices in this area.

Duties And Responsibilities

• Participate in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for the basic needs program areas at our 64 campuses;
• Research, implement, and administer policies, procedures, and changing business practices and processes for basic needs;
• Lead advanced student basic needs initiatives across 64 campuses, ensuring equitable access to essential resources, including but not limited to food, housing, and transportation;
• Develop and maintain handbooks, forms, and related policies and procedures on, but not limited to, food insecurity, housing insecurity, transportation issues, emergency aid, and student parents
• Coordinate the planning, design, and implementation of basic needs program elements that support service delivery and participate in implementation processes;
• Oversee the development of resources, programs, events, and services to support students' basic needs, including, but not limited to, housing, food, transportation, and emergency aid;
• Establish and encourage the establishment of regional collaborative relationships and partnerships with business entities, community organizations, and local educational agencies on students' basic needs, including coordination with the homelessness response systems and social services to ensure students have access to community-based services;
• Partner with food bank affiliates, housing resources, and other non-profit entities to support students in securing resources;
• Coordinate University-wide food pantry efforts; as well as programs related to students with food insecurity issues;
• Plan and execute a systemwide summit focused on basic needs, convening campus leaders and external stakeholders;
• Compile data, prepare and maintain records, reports, lists, and files related to the basic needs program area as well as grants;
• Assist with compliance and proper application of applicable policies, procedures, and laws in relation to the basic needs program.
• Maintain current knowledge of a variety of complex regulations, requirements and policies related to the basic needs program area.
• Coordinate, plan, develop, and conduct presentations and workshops relating to basic needs services and resources;
• Coordinate with SUNY Impact Foundation on new and existing grants focused on basic needs;
• Ensure compliance with institutional, state, and federal requirements related to funding and program operations;
• Develop educational toolkits and digital resources to support consistent outreach and service delivery across campuses;
• Collaborate with other SUNY System Administration departments in supporting basic needs;
• Lead initiatives to increase utilization of federal anti-hunger programs, including SNAP, WIC, and the Summer Food Service Program;
• Support institutional efforts to reduce and address basic needs barriers affecting students and families;
• Liaison with campuses on different basic needs initiatives;
• Lead various basic needs workgroups, including food pantry coordinators, homeless liaisons, and State of the University initiatives;
• Support work surrounding emergency aid policies and procedures on a systematic basis;

Job Requirements

Minimum Requirements:

Education

• Bachelor's Degree required; preferably in Public Health, Health Administration, Social Work, Nutrition or Dietetics, Community Health, Human Services, Sociology, Health Education and Promotion

Experience

• At least three years of experience administering (a) basic needs program(s)

Skills

• Program management, including budget and financial management
• Data collection and analysis
• Event planning
• Excellent organizational skills
• Ability to present compelling information in a professional manner
• Exceptional interpersonal skills
• Ability to work well with high-level systems
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively as part of a team
• Capacity to work independently, with minimal supervision, as deemed appropriate
• Grant writing, including outreach and marketing
• Knowledge of Federal and State Programs

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's Degree
• Experience working in Higher Education

Additional Information

• Salary is dependent on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, experience, education, training, and certifications. The range for this position is $70,000-$80,000 annually.
• The state title for this position is Senior Staff Assistant (SL-3) and is part of the United University Professions Union.
• Excellent Benefit Package which includes: NYS health insurance, free dental and vision coverage, competitive retirement options, tuition assistance, parental leave at full pay, and generous vacation, sick, and holiday time. Generous amount of time off: 13 days of paid holidays per year; 15 days of vacation and 15 days of sick time accrued for the first year of employment. Then increases thereafter. Please see our UUP benefits summary for additional information.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

SUNY System Administration Benefits

SUNY System Administration provides an outstanding and comprehensive benefits package to support you and your family through the many life changes you may experience while you work for SUNY. Our nationally recognized benefits include:

• Retirement: The choice between a fully funded pension plan and a self-driven defined contribution plan, along with two supplemental plans to increase your ability to save for retirement.
• Health Insurance: Several health insurance options at an affordable cost that provide full coverage without mandatory deductibles.
• Time Off: Paid time off with separate vacation and sick leave accruals up to 21 days a year for each category.
• Additional paid leave policy options for childbirth, adoption, elder care, and other family care situations.
• Flexible Working Arrangements: Flexible working arrangements, including hybrid schedules, are available depending on position.

Explore our full benefits offerings here: www.suny.edu/benefits