Assistant Director of Community Based and Service Learning

Maryland Connect • Patuxent Riding, MD

7d • $90,000 - $100,000

About The Position

The Assistant Director of Community-Based and Service Learning is responsible for directing the learning communities and community-based/service-learning programs, providing opportunities that support students and alumni success. The role combines program management and staff supervision with providing direct support services for establishing learning communities, coordinating community-based/service-learning opportunities, engaging community partners, coordinating partnerships, and the integration of learning communities and community-based/service learning into the co-curriculum. Working under the direction of the Executive Director, this position serves an essential role in supporting students and alumni by collaborating with internal and external partners to align program initiatives with institutional goals and workforce needs.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in the field of behavioral health, career counseling, counselor education, curriculum and instruction, educational administration, educational leadership, educational psychology, guidance counseling, higher education administration, human development, human services, instructional design, psychology, school psychology, social work, teaching, or a related field.
• A minimum of five (5) years of related work experience.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of management in higher education.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of community-based/service learning and learning communities within higher education.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of career readiness and experiential learning.
• Skill in managing teams, budgets, programs, projects, assessments, and evaluations.
• Skill in listening, oral, and written communication.
• Skill with student information and client relationship systems (e.g., PeopleSoft, Workday, Handshake, Focus 2, Quinncia, etc.).
• Skill in various computer software packages, such as word processing, spreadsheets, database, and presentation programs, Internet, email and calendaring software (e.g., Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office Suite for Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Publisher, Teams, etc.).
• Skill with educational and office technologies (e.g., computers, printers, copiers, scanners, projectors, telephones, mobile devices, etc.).
• Skill in leveraging a variety of social media platforms for engagement and outreach.
• Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to interact effectively with internal and external parties in a courteous and efficient manner.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse populations.
• Ability to deliver excellent customer service to a variety of internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, and execute multiple and continuing assignments with general instructions.
• Ability to manage details while maintaining strong organizational and data-management skills.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment while meeting priority deadlines and deliverables.
• Ability to demonstrate a growth mindset, creative problem solving, and collaborative team synergy.
• Must be able to travel between campus locations as well as to off-site employers and community partner sites.
• Position requires some physical activity, including lifting, bending, pushing, pulling, and occasional use of stepstools within office and university settings.

Nice To Haves

• Post master’s certifications, or higher degree in one of the above fields preferred.
• Six (6) years or more of related work experience in a career services center and/or experiential learning center at a college or university preferred.

Responsibilities

• Direct and deliver the learning communities and community-based/service-learning programs and services that support the career readiness and experiential learning of students and alumni.
• Develop and implement with the Executive Director a scalable learning community and community-based/service-learning model aligned with national standards and best practices (e.g., AAC&U, NACE, NSEE, Life Design), using data and tracking systems to monitor, evaluate, and improve outcomes.
• Supervise professional and non-professional (e.g., student workers, interns, volunteers, etc.) staff by assigning responsibilities, providing training, professional development, evaluations, and support.
• Direct and sustain a portfolio of partnerships with colleges, academic departments, and community partners to advance strategic initiatives and partnerships that expand learning communities (e.g., thematic learning communities, interdisciplinary, living-learning communities, etc.) and community-based/service learning (e.g., community projects, service activities, volunteerism, etc.) into the curriculum and co-curriculum for students and alumni.
• Coordinate consultations and meetings with faculty, staff, and community partners individually and in groups to conduct needs assessments and formulate partnership plans that support integration of learning communities and community-based/service learning into course design and the overall student experience.
• Manage the design and implementation of themed learning communities in collaboration with faculty, staff, and community partners integrated across the curriculum and co-curriculum (e.g., First-Year Experience, General Education, Residential Life, etc.) to foster the integration of experiential learning activities, career readiness, and a sense of belonging.
• Coordinate and facilitate community-based and service-learning opportunities (e.g., community projects, service activities, volunteerism) in collaboration with faculty, staff, and community partners, integrating them into themed learning communities, courses, and a stand-alone program to foster experiential learning, career readiness, belonging, and civic engagement that connect students with local, regional, and global communities.
• Assist faculty, staff, and community partners with establishing accounts and marketing learning communities and community-based/service-learning opportunities through the career and experiential learning management system (e.g., Handshake), posting and updating content on their behalf as needed.
• Meet with students and alumni individually and in groups to provide guidance and support related to learning communities and community-based/service-learning opportunities.
• Collaborate and meet with faculty, staff, employers, and community partners to integrate learning communities and community-based/service-learning opportunities into the co-curriculum, foster strategic partnerships, and support professional development that expands opportunities for students and alumni while strengthening institutional capacity.
• Direct the planning and coordination of learning communities and community-based/service-learning events and programs including large-scale events and programs (e.g., conferences, fairs, professional development series, etc.) as well as targeted initiatives (e.g., presentations, information sessions, speaker panels, site visits, workshops, etc.), while fostering partner relationships, tracking outcomes, and guiding team efforts.
• Coordinate the promotion of learning communities and community-based/service-learning opportunities through diverse communication channels and marketing strategies (e.g., announcements, print and digital materials, social media, email and call campaigns, platform outreach, direct engagement, etc.), while tracking registrations, attendance, applications, and related outcomes.
• Representing the office at university and community events, committees, and meetings, serving as a liaison to internal and external stakeholders.
• Assist with budgeting and financial processes as assigned, serve as backup for processing and monitoring payments, expenditures, requisitions, and reconciliations, and support grant writing and management both independently and in collaboration with others.
• Coordinate the collection and analysis of qualitative and quantitative data to evaluate and report on program effectiveness, while maintaining accurate records of appointments, services, and partnerships in designated systems to support required reporting.
• Follow established policies, procedures, and protocols, exercising sound judgment and ensuring compliance with university and professional standards, consulting with the supervisor as needed.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Benefits

• Benefits include medical, dental, prescription, long-term disability, accidental death and dismemberment insurance and life insurance; paid time for paid sick leave, annual leave, and personal leave; 12 paid holidays per year, tuition remission; employer-funded pension and supplemental retirement accounts.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 1-10 employees