Assistant Director of Field Experience

San José State University•San Jose, CA

20d•$6,320 - $9,014

About The Position

The Assistant Director of Field Experience provides overall program management and oversight for field education in the Teacher Education and Special Education Departments at San José State University. Reporting to the Dean of the Lurie College of Education, the role receives work direction from the Director of Field Experience and has a dotted-line reporting relationship to the department chairs. The Assistant Director is a partial work lead for the Field Placement and Special Projects Coordinator and serves as the departments’ primary resource for planning, supporting, and implementing field education aligned with the College’s mission, vision, and strategic plan. The position oversees and supports field supervisors and works with faculty to integrate student teaching and intern experiences with program learning objectives. As the operational lead for field experience, the Assistant Director provides day-to-day direction and support to field supervisors and students, primarily by mentoring University Supervisors. The role leads the field pod working group and provides partial work direction to the Field Placement Coordinator. It also builds and strengthens school district partnerships to support a sufficient range and quality of placements. The Assistant Director collaborates with faculty, departments, the Office of Field Experience, and partner school districts on improving field experiences, course design, and professional learning. The role also oversees adherence to California Commission on Teacher Credentialing field experience requirements and provides expertise and leadership to department leadership teams, faculty, and staff on program policy, structure, curricula, and advising.

Requirements

Graduation from a four-year college or university in a related field, or equivalent, plus upper-division or graduate coursework in counseling techniques, interviewing, and conflict resolution where job-related.
Four years of progressively responsible professional student services work experience, including advising students individually and in groups and analyzing and resolving complex student services problems.
A master’s degree in Counseling, Clinical Psychology, Social Work, or a job-related field may substitute for one year of professional experience.
For positions with major responsibility for professional, personal, or career counseling, a doctorate and appropriate internship or clinical training in counseling, guidance, or a job-related field may substitute for two years of required professional experience.
In-depth knowledge and experience in field experience research, policies, and practice.
Ability to analyze complex problems from a broad, future-oriented perspective and develop proactive solutions.
Strong problem-solving, creative thinking, interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
Robust organizational and project management skills.
Familiarity with practices for guiding communities of practice toward change.
Ability to work independently in a self-directed environment and collaboratively as part of a team.
Expertise in developing and maintaining assessment and accreditation documentation.
Leadership in professional development initiatives.
Comprehensive knowledge and experience applying expertise to complex field experience problems, including familiarity with pertinent laws and regulations.
Ability to present ideas in written or presentation formats and use consultative and facilitation skills to achieve consensus.
Competence engaging representatives of public and private entities and managing potentially sensitive situations.
Commitment to staying current through professional reading, professional connections, development courses, and attending and presenting at regional and national conferences.
Ability to communicate professionally and respectfully with constituents.
Ability to promote responsible, ethical, and equitable use of AI and related technologies, including awareness of data privacy, bias mitigation, accessibility, and compliance considerations.
General awareness of emerging technologies, including AI, and willingness to develop skills in their appropriate, responsible, and ethical use in higher education.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Education or equivalent experience.
At least two years of teaching experience in a middle or high school with a single subject credential.
At least two years of teaching experience in a special education classroom with an education specialist credential.
Public school teaching experience across various levels, including TK–12 and/or special education.
Comprehensive understanding and experience in research, policies, and practices related to field experience.
Experience using and adapting to communication technology tools such as Google Suite, Zoom, and Canvas or similar learning management systems.
Experience supporting teacher candidates and/or new educators.
Understanding or comparable knowledge of Lurie College’s teacher preparation standards, state certification requirements, and regional public school needs.
Familiarity with the CTC Teaching Performance Expectations and California Commission on Teacher Credentialing Educator Preparation Program Standards, including Common and Program standards.
Knowledge of Teacher Residency and Intern Teaching Programs.
At least three years of experience promoting diversity among faculty, staff, and students.
Alignment with and dedication to Lurie College’s mission and vision, including commitment to ongoing professional growth.
Demonstrated dedication to integrating the College’s mission and vision into student support, policies, and practice.
Relevant professional experience applying and implementing field experience in educator training.
Understanding or comparable knowledge of Lurie College’s field experience practices, regional placement contexts, state certification standards, and the interdisciplinary nature of the field.
Experience and a track record in faculty development in field experience environments, and proven collaboration in shaping field experience policies, practices, and curricula.

Responsibilities

Analyze, interpret, develop, integrate, and apply department field experience policies and practices in a cycle of continual improvement aligned with program learning outcomes and the College’s mission, vision, and strategic plan.
Maintain a strong, humanizing, and transformative student-support focus across the departments.
Collaborate with regional partners on pre-professional experience partnerships.
Manage the field experience webpage and periodically communicate updates through a newsletter.
Support efforts to attract and recruit mentor teachers and supervisors.
Lead monthly supervisor meetings and design and facilitate professional learning for supervisors on mentoring novice teachers and updated credential requirements.
Lead the field pod and communicate program requirements, university curriculum, deadlines, and candidate progress to mentor teachers and University Supervisors.
Serve as operational lead for field experience by organizing and assigning supervisor caseloads and providing ongoing mentorship and support to University Supervisors.
Update each program’s Student Teaching Field Guide or Handbook.
Receive candidate complaints and concerns about supervisors, mentor teachers, and placements, and communicate or refer them to the Credential Program Advisor or Chair as appropriate.
Prepare memoranda of understanding for teacher candidates transitioning to substitute positions during field placements.
Maintain working relationships with regional school district partners to support field placements.
Advise and provide expertise, oversight, and leadership to department leadership teams, faculty, and staff on program structure, curricula, advising, and related policy and pedagogical matters; develop and evaluate short- and long-term goals and objectives.
Oversee adherence to CTC field experience requirements for student teaching, internships, and other field experiences.
Work with the Director of Field Experiences and the Center for Faculty Excellence and Teaching Innovation to identify and develop resources for mentoring and supporting supervisor development.
Collaborate with relevant department faculty and supervise field supervisors to support course design or redesign for practice.
Collaborate with Lurie faculty and partner school districts to develop professional learning opportunities for people supporting field experience within and across programs.
Guide teams in continuous improvement and innovation, including effective integration of emerging technologies across programs, services, and operations.