Director of the Office of Civic Engagement

Job no: 496194
Position type: full-time
Location: Lewisburg, PA
Categories: Academic Affairs, Other

Overview of the Program:
The Office of Civic Engagement falls under the purview of the University Provost. Its mission is to initiate, promote, and support educational experiences that further the intellectual maturation, personal growth, sense of civic responsibility, and critical thinking of our students, staff, and faculty through community engagement. Community-based programs enhance participants' leadership capacity, promote the ability to work together effectively toward a common goal, and engage students as educated citizens in public work that serves both community and campus constituents. Community-based learning involves these activities and enhances academic learning through problem-solving, critical-thinking, and communication skills; promotes increased knowledge of course concepts and a broader understanding of the field of study; and cultivates a greater sense of civic responsibility. The office functions as both a resource and a liaison for students, employees, and community organizations and agencies.

Summary of Position:
This is a full-time, 12-month position. The Director is responsible for the overall implementation of civic engagement and community-engaged learning at Bucknell, including acting as a consultant to staff, students, and community organizations, promoting meaningful group and individual volunteer efforts that enhance learning opportunities while meeting identified community goals, promoting civic responsibility among students and staff, working with community partners to develop mutually beneficial projects and relationships, overseeing some university-sponsored community outreach and alternative break programs, and managing the regular operations of the Office of Civic Engagement. The Director will work closely with the Faculty Director of Academic Civic Engagement, a faculty-held position, to more wholly integrate civic engagement within the curriculum. This position reports to the Associate Provost for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

The Director is responsible for cultivating support for community-engaged learning among various constituents, promoting opportunities for civic engagement, and overseeing the smooth and professional daily operation of the Office of Civic Engagement. The Director is expected to:
● Work with the Faculty Director of Academic Civic Engagement to initiate and organize faculty and staff development activities such as workshops, guest speakers, panels, and roundtable discussions for those using or wanting to use service-learning pedagogy; attend meetings of the Service-Learning Advisory Board
● Act as a consultant to individual faculty to help identify potential community partners that meet academic learning objectives for their students
● Serve as a liaison with community agencies and organizations to publicize their goals on campus and educate them about potential partnerships available through group and individual projects
● Promote service-learning in Bucknell's off-campus and study abroad programs by working with the Office of International Education, faculty, and community partners as appropriate
● Collaborate with appropriate university committees such as Grand Challenge Scholars, CoI; and work with departments such as Student Affairs, Residential Colleges, Office of Sponsored Programs, Teaching and Learning Center, etc., on service and development projects
● As an option, teach occasional courses for credit, alone or with others, that have a significant service-learning component
● Work with University Communications, Admissions, and Development & Alumni relations, and other stakeholders to increase the visibility of service-learning and other civic engagement projects, faculty initiatives, and student efforts to demonstrate the positive benefits of community-based learning
● Publicize the availability of resources, conferences, calls for papers, etc. to appropriate groups and individuals
● Hire, train, and supervise professional, support staff, and student employees who assist in the daily operations of the Office
● Collect data on service-learning and volunteer efforts at Bucknell to document and assess the impact of our work and inform us about campus and community needs, collaborating with Institutional Research as appropriate
● Serve as the university representative to national and regional service-learning and community service organizations such as Campus Compact
● Ensure representation of Office of Civic Engagement at public events such as the admissions fair, community focus groups, presentations to student and alumni groups, etc.
● Manage selected alternative break projects, including service-learning trips to Nicaragua and the Gulf Coast region, by supervising staff in maintaining records, arranging air travel and transportation, as well as handling student applications, references, waivers and health forms
● Manage institutional participation with the Shepherd Higher Education Consortium on Poverty
● With appropriate stakeholders, coordinate and update materials such as lending collections of books, videos, and online materials related to service learning
● Oversee and manage the office’s operating budgets for service-learning, volunteer outreach, alternative break projects, etc., and oversee distribution of funds from Global Service Fund and Fund for Service Learning to enhance student access to meaningful civic engagement opportunities
● Actively support a diverse and inclusive workforce

Minimum Qualifications:
• A Masters degree and four years experience in higher education, or a Masters degree and at least four years work in non-profit social service agency
• Excellent writing, oral communication, and interpersonal skills
• Comprehensive administrative, supervisory, and organizations skills, including the ability to multitask efficiently and work independently
• Understanding of the principles of service-learning and quality volunteer efforts, and ability to educate stakeholders about issues related to meaningful civic engagement
• Professional demeanor and ability to interact well with the campus constituents as well as public community representatives, and organizations requesting information and service
• Competency in the areas of diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Ability to handle confidential information on a routine basis
• Knowledge of the operational structure of the university's offices and resources, ability to make appropriate referrals
• A valid and current driver's license

About Bucknell

Founded in 1846 and located along the banks of the Susquehanna River in historic Lewisburg, Pa., Bucknell University is an undergraduate-focused institution that stands uniquely at the intersection of top-ranked liberal arts, engineering and management programs. Our students choose from more than 50 majors and 60 minors in the arts, engineering, humanities, management, and natural and social sciences, as well as extensive global study, service-learning and research opportunities. Bucknell’s 3,600 undergraduate and 100 graduate students enjoy a low 9:1 student-faculty ratio and exceptional opportunities to collaborate with faculty mentors.

Bucknell’s beautiful 450-acre campus includes first-rate facilities and is home to more than 90 percent of its students. Residential life is vibrant with about 150 student-run organizations, 27 NCAA Division I athletic teams, a robust arts culture, and a strong student commitment to community and global service work.

Bucknell is committed to fostering an environment that embraces diversity, equity and inclusion, and we seek candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports the growth and development of a diverse campus community. The University provides equal opportunity without regard to race, color, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, religion, national or ethnic origin, marital status, veteran status or disability in admissions, employment and in all of its educational programs and activities. We encourage individuals from historically underrepresented groups to apply.

The Community

Located in central Pennsylvania, Lewisburg features a variety of restaurants, beautiful Victorian homes, the restored art deco Campus Theatre (owned by the University), charming shops and boutiques, and the Barnes and Noble at Bucknell University Bookstore. About 33,000 residents live in the region.

The city of Williamsport is about a 30-minute drive from campus, and Penn State University’s main campus is about an hour away, as is Harrisburg, Pennsylvania’s state capital. Bucknell is about three hours from New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, D.C.

The cost of living here is low compared to that of major U.S. cities and suburbs. Bucknell’s surroundings yield fresh produce, cultural activities and events, and many opportunities for outdoor activity on the Susquehanna River and in the nearby state parks and forests. The Lewisburg Area School District receives excellent reviews for its schools at all grade levels. Lewisburg Area High School is consistently ranked among the top 50 high schools in Pennsylvania for SAT scores and statewide exams.

Advertised: 07 Jan 2019 Eastern Standard Time
Applications close:

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