Director of Academic Service Learning

St. John’s established in 1870, has three New York City campuses; international locations in Rome, Italy; Limerick, Ireland; and Paris, France; and study abroad locations around the world. The Princeton Review and other top rankings consistently recognize the University’s outstanding academics, diverse student body, dynamic internship and volunteer opportunities, focus on student life, and diverse study abroad offerings. St. John’s University offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate programs in its six colleges and schools, with a growing number of programs offered online. The University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and 12 other major academic and professional associations. 

A dedication to diversity, equity and inclusion is at the heart of our mission.  As a Catholic and Vincentian university, St. John’s is committed to institutionalizing practices of inclusive excellence to ensure that we welcome and celebrate the intrinsic worth of all members of our community.  We will become an even stronger university as we enhance equity at every level of our institution.  Our graduates will excel in the competencies and values required for leadership and service in a rapidly evolving world.     

Job Title: Director of Academic Service-Learning (AS-L)

Campus: Queens

Job Summary:

Reporting to the Executive Director for the Vincentian Institute for Social Action (V.I.S.A.), the Director of Academic Service-Learning will provide the vision, leadership, and management for the V.I.S.A. AS-L program, which includes the promotion, design, implementation and maintenance of AS-L pedagogy and projects in undergraduate and graduate courses. The Director of AS-L will assist in developing and implementing action-oriented AS-L research that uncovers and remediates structures or patterns that may perpetuate or cause inequities,

especially in regions adjacent to the University’s campuses that suffer from persistent poverty. This position is responsible for the supervision of one full-time administrator (Assistant Director of Academic Service-Learning), and one full-time staff (Coordinator of Academic Service- Learning). The Director will also serve as the Chair of the AS-L Faculty Advisory Board (FAC), with one faculty member representing each of the colleges. The FAC supports and oversees the academic integrity of the AS-L program.

Essential Functions:

Under the guidance of the Executive Director of the Vincentian Institute for Social Action, the Director of the Academic Service-Learning Program will provide vision and leadership of the program in line with the University’s strategic plans, including the following functions:

• Oversee the day-to-day operations of the AS-L Program, including the supervision of one full-time administrator (Assistant Director of the AS-L Program), one full-time staff (Coordinator of the AS-L), and the support of four (4) graduate assistants
• Manage the AS-L operating budget designated to support the program;
• Work with Director of Vincentian Service & Social Justice to identify needs of community partners that connect faculty and course objectives with AS-L projects
• Assist new AS-L faculty in designing, providing resources, and assisting with the implementation of AS-L components in support of learning outcomes, while also providing guidance in the development of the reflection assignment and advanced reflection techniques
• Develop and create CTLs for faculty development workshops on the AS-L pedagogy to better prepare faculty to include an AS-L project
• Chair the AS-L Faculty Advisory Board (FAB) which includes a faculty member from each of the colleges within the University who oversee and maintain the academic integrity of the program with attention and direction to the following initiatives:
  • AS-L Mini-grant; review of applications and decision on awardees (Managed by Assistant Director of AS-L)
  • AS-L Essay contest; review of essay and decisions on winners (Managed by Coordinator of AS-L)
  • AS-L Endowed student scholarship; review entries and decision on the awardees (Managed by Assistant Director of AS-L)
  • AS-L Faculty award; oversee the nomination and award to faculty member a year (Managed by Director of AS-L);
    • Coordinate the AS-L Faculty award nominations, prepare materials for the committee to review, contact winners and prepare award for New Faculty Convocation
  • Promotion of AS-L within the colleges
  • Oversee all other University initiatives pertaining to AS-L
• Collaborate with the Office of Institutional Research to implement evaluation surveys to be administered to all faculty, students, and community partners participating in AS-L in each semester and review the evaluation report for any pertinent information and of feedback for future next steps
• Develop assessment tools and statistical models that enable AS-L research to influence social justice policies, practices, research, and tools to dismantle barriers to full participation that counter and remove oppression, and that address poverty and exclusion both inside and outside the University.
• Maintain strong professional relationships with colleges within the University, academic departments, service-related departments and other service-related constituencies outside of the University; Present AS-L information sessions at Faculty Council Meetings, departmental meetings, workshops, or other areas as requested throughout the University
• Collaborate with the Faculty Research Consortium (FRC) regarding current AS-L research projects or other research initiatives; Collaborate with the Editor of the Journal of Vincentian Social Action (JoVSA) on AS-L focused publications
• Provided required reports, as directed by the Executive Director for the Vincentian Institute for Social Action (VISA) in support of requests from the AVP for Mission and Ministry, the Board of Trustees, etc;
• Serve as I.S.A. representation on special committees, as deemed necessary by the Executive Director for the Vincentian Institute for Social Action (VISA) 

Competencies

• Firm understanding of and commitment to the Catholic and Vincentian components of the University’s Mission; strong interest in poverty alleviation, social justice, and community service in a post-secondary environment preferred;
• Service-learning and/or community-based research experience; Global service-learning experience
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with excellent organizational and time management skills
• Ability to cultivate strong partnerships with all AS-L constituencies as well as form collegial relationships with administration, staff, faculty, and a diverse student body
• Ability to cultivate community partnerships and identify community needs to connect to faculty and courses
• Strong presentation skills with the ability to effectively deliver faculty workshops, informational presentations to university groups and constituencies as requested and or needed
• Ability to travel nationally and internationally as needed
• Must be flexible to work weekend and evening hours as needed
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint; knowledge of Banner and Canvas is a plus
• Strong organizational, analytical, supervisory and interpersonal skills
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• This position requires access to a University vehicle, with a preference for satisfactory results of a DMV check for driving record and a valid driver’s license

Supervisory Responsibility

This position manages the Assistant Director of AS-L and the Coordinator of AS-L, as well as supports the 4 part-time graduate-level employees in AS-L. This position in the VISA department is responsible for the hiring, onboarding, and performance management of this/ese employees within the department.  

Work Environment

This job operates in a professional office environment.

This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as personal computers, printers, etc. 

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; move about; sit; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs. The employee must be able to travel locally, nationally and internationally using various forms of transportation, including airlines, trains, charter buses and University vans. Specific verbal abilities required by the employee include the ability to speak to large and small groups of students and faculty members, often presenting both in person and virtually.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time position. Days and hours of work are Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. However, in collaboration with the Executive Director for the Vincentian Institute for Social Action (VISA), these hours can be adjusted as this position often requires evening and weekend hours.

Travel

Travel is required as needed for local community service site visits, visits to other campuses, and occasional travel to conferences.  Responsible for overseeing any local, national, and international travel as needed to plan and further develop AS-L projects

Required Education and Experience:

• Master’s degree in education, psychology, sociology, business or an appropriate social discipline;
• Minimum five years of experience in higher education or community agencies;
• 3 years fiscal management experience
• 3 years of supervisory experience
• Management of programs, projects and efforts related, but not limited to service learning and community engagement, higher education, research, and community partnerships.

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Master’s degree in education, psychology, sociology, business or an appropriate social discipline;
• 8 years of experience in higher education or community agencies;
• 5 years of fiscal management experience
• 5 years of supervisory experience
• Management of programs, projects and efforts related, but not limited to service learning and community engagement, higher education, research, and community partnerships.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications

• Must possess a driver’s license

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

In compliance with NYC’s Pay Transparency Act, the annual salary for this position is $73,000.  St. John’s University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer.   

This position may be relocated to any of St. John’s University’s physical locations at any time.  

St. John’s offers a competitive compensation program which is commensurate with your qualifications, experience, and contingent upon the departmental budget. We also offer an extremely comprehensive benefits program to meet the diverse needs of our workforce. Along with exceptional benefits such as medical, dental, life insurance, long term disability insurance, tuition remission, generous 403(b) employer contribution, employee assistance program, and liberal paid time off policies, faculty and staff can also enjoy St. John’s performing arts, libraries, bookstores, dining facilities, campus recreation and sporting events 

Any offer of employment is subject to receipt by St. John’s University of satisfactory references, verification of employment and education. 

St. John’s University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages applications from women and minorities. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. 

This position is located at 8000 Utopia Parkway, Queens, NY. View the Google Map in full screen.