Assistant Director Service Learning, Volunteerism and Community Engagement, Rowan University

Posted by on October 13, 2008

[emailed 09/30/2008]

Position Description (AFT)
RANGE: U24
Position Title: Assistant Director Service Learning, Volunteerism and Community Engagement
Division: Student Affairs/Student Engagement

Position Summary: Under the direction of the Associate Vice President for Student Engagement, the Assistant Director is responsible for setting and articulating the vision for active community engagement and collaborative educational experiences in service learning and volunteerism on and off campus.  The Assistant Director provides the campus leadership required to develop, implement, supervise, evaluate and institutionalize comprehensive service learning and volunteerism programs founded on student development principles and best practices and in collaboration with students, faculty, staff, and community partners.  This position includes responsibility for the organization, administration, supervision, data collection, and programmatic evaluation of the Center for Service Learning, Volunteerism and Community Engagement.

Functional areas of responsibility:
Service Learning and Volunteerism Programs
Student Engagement with the Community

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Create a Strategic Plan for SLVCE in alignment with the University Mission and Strategic Plan.

Develop, implement and provide data collection for all service learning and volunteerism activities which includes service learning activities that combine volunteer services with academic instruction with focus on: critical thinking and problem solving; reflection and values clarification; social and personal development; and civic/community responsibility and major university-wide volunteerism programs.

Work with students/faculty/staff on collaborative service learning initiatives and garner campus wide support for service learning from faculty and faculty groups.

Serve as a liaison between faculty/staff/administrator and community-based agencies and garner external support to assist the University in meeting its service-learning and volunteerism objectives.

Facilitate professional development service learning opportunities for faculty. Represent the Center for SLVCE at New Faculty Orientations.

Develop and institutionalize a comprehensive credit and not credit service-learning course/training initiative.

Develop and implement co-curricular service programs designed to enhance the co-curricular environment at Rowan University while simultaneously meeting community needs.

Conduct programmatic evaluations of the Center for Service Learning, Volunteerism and Community Engagement. Collect, organize and analyze information necessary to assess program effectiveness and make necessary program enhancements.

Develop and maintain a comprehensive database of community service and volunteer opportunities. Coordinate placement of students individually and as a group with approved agencies.

Maintain records such as community partner’s handbook, service descriptions, and project data information.

Market and communicate service learning and volunteerism opportunities.

Create incentives and reward programs for participants and advocates for SLVCE.

Coordinate innovative University programming such as Alternative Spring Break, freshman transition programs and a learning community related to service learning.

Provide logistical coordination of all projects and programs.

Recruit/train/supervise interns, graduate assistants, adult interns, work study students, and community service mandated individuals.

Advise service clubs.

Chair the Service Learning Advisory Board.

Job Requirements:
This position requires a flexible work schedule that includes evenings/weekend hours devoted to service learning and volunteerism projects.

Education: Doctoral degree preferred, Master’s degree required in Educational Administration, Higher Education, Student Personnel, or related field.  Substantial teaching experience embedding experiential service learning will be considered.

Experience: Three to five years of demonstrated progressive leadership in collaborative service learning and volunteerism; demonstrated experience with community coalition building, co-curricular learning experiences, student leadership programming, service club advising, organizational development, budget preparation; initiating, planning, executing, and assessing student programs and services and measuring student-learning outcomes. Excellent organizational, written, verbal communication, presentation and interpersonal skills are required.

Qualifications:
Energetic, flexible, innovative, intuitive, with demonstrated leadership skills. Ability to:  stimulate student interest, increase student engagement, promote student development/student learning, prepare students for leadership roles and motivate them to become community-minded citizens through service learning, volunteerism, and civic-based leadership opportunities. Must possess a clear understanding of the importance of academic and co-curricular partnerships and have the ability to create collaborative working relationships with all campus constituents and the community.

Contemporary knowledge of service learning and volunteerism programs; project and program analysis and implementation; current practices in the delivery of seminars, workshops, and other training services.
Ability to manage, plan and develop training program; manage and supervise multifaceted programs and services; assess service initiative development needs and recommend responsive programs, supervise staff; coordinate activities with a variety of organizations/agencies; develop and implement marketing plan;

Core Competencies:
Strong interpersonal, analytical and organization skills; and conflict resolution skills.
Excellent oral and written communication skills and expertise in budget development and management.

Skills and Abilities:
Technology: Working knowledge of Excel, Microsoft Word, Power Point, e-mail, discipline related software, and internet.

Language Skills: Ability to: communicate effectively and interact tactfully with all levels of the college staff, students, and trustees; read, analyze, and interpret documents, budgets and contracts; and, respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints.

Reasoning Skills: Ability to: define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to sit. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; and use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and distance vision.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Interested parties should contact:

Carol A. Gruber
Associate Vice President for Student Affairs
Rowan University
856-256-4041
gruberc@rowan.edu