Job location: Claremont

Employment Type: Full-time
Posted data: 2021-05-03
Req: REQ-3021
Equal Opportunity and Nondiscrimination Statement                                    

In addition to its commitment to a harassment-free educational and working environment, the College is an equal employment opportunity employer. The College is committed to a policy of equal employment opportunities for all applicants and employees and complies with all applicable state and federal laws on the matter. The College does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including gender, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, age, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition or medical leave, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other category protected by law. The College also prohibits the harassment of any employee on any of these bases.

Location:

Claremont, CA

Job Posting Title:

Assistant Director for the Policy Lab

Job Details and Requirement:

The Policy Lab’s mission is to give students a firm foundation in how policy is made in the United States, to prepare them to be ready for work in legislatures, think tanks, non-governmental organizations, to pursue graduate education in public policy, and to engage them in current policy research. The Lab’s public policy curriculum includes political science, economics, and practical application.

The Policy Lab course, offered each semester, allows students to learn and apply essential skills for policy writing, analysis and creation. Students apply their skills working with our many partners on real-world policy projects. Our course, which serves as the capstone for the Public Policy major, is divided into seminars and "staff meetings." Seminars cover process, writing, applied methodology, and economic theory, all with an emphasis on the skills related to our current projects. The staff meeting is an exciting, collaborative discussion where students learn about policy, teamwork and working with professional policy clients.

In addition to the course, the Lab hosts various policy research projects managed by affiliated faculty assisted by students. The Lab employs two faculty members as directors, teams of student research assistants and managers, and an administrative assistant. Affiliated faulty of the economics and government departments also participate in the teaching and research activities of the Lab.

BASIC FUNCTION:

The Assistant Director position is responsible for identifying and managing partnerships with clients; assisting with management of projects and research output; providing editorial support of publications; supporting research and teaching in the Lab; supervision of student employees and to support budgeting, grants and institutional reporting. This position is grant funded and contingent upon the availability of funds.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Reporting to the Directors of the Policy Lab, the Assistant Director works independently to perform the following essential duties and responsibilities:

Research, editorial, and teaching support 40%

• Uses discretion in managing projects, research output, supporting teaching and implementing events such as seminars, research activities, meetings, and similar activities.

Client partnership management 30%

• Identify, develop and maintain close productive relationships with policy clients.

Budgeting, grant writing and institutional reporting 20%

• Prepares the Policy Lab’s annual operating budget and manages the budget to ensure fiscal responsibility and independently authorizes expenditures to ensure the effective operation of the Lab;

• Provides advice and counsel and makes recommendations to the Directors on the operations of the Lab to ensure coordination and the effective use of resources and personnel.

• Collect, compile, and analyze data. Research and prepare reports, grant applications, and other documents.

Public relations and outreach 5%

• Directs the marketing, communication, and outreach efforts of the Policy Lab.

• Exercise judgment in frequent independent decisions regarding requests for information from the general public, press, students, and faculty and staff. Handle sensitive and confidential materials with discretion.

Supervision of Students Employees 5%

• Evaluates student performance and takes remedial actions as needed.

• Assists with student hiring and promotion, from solicitation of applicants to setting up student payroll and managing student timesheets.

Regular attendance is considered an essential job function; the inability to meet attendance requirements may preclude the employee from retaining employment.

The successful candidate will also be able to perform the following essential functions:

• Take and follow directions.

• Work cooperatively with others.

• Receive and respond appropriately to constructive criticism.

• Display a positive attitude.

• Balance multiple tasks and priorities.

• Performs other essential duties and tasks specific to the position.

QUALIFICATION STANDARDS:

A cover letter that details professional and research experience, CV, professional references and writing sample must be included with your application.

EDUCATION: Ph.D., M.P.P., or M.A. in public health, policy analysis, applied economics, public administration, health policy, education policy, or other closely related fields. In addition, candidates with backgrounds in law or journalism and the requisite policy experience are also encouraged to apply. Candidates at the dissertation stage, who also have relevant professional experience and expect to complete a Ph.D. within 12 months, may also apply.

EXPERIENCE: Preference will be given to applicants with experience and education in public policy, including qualitative and quantitative methods training, editorial skills, and the ability to work effectively as a member of a multidisciplinary team. Experience with data science tools such as R, Python, or Stata is preferred. An area of topical specialization is preferred but not required. It is also preferred that candidates have experience working with undergraduates in a professional or academic setting.

LICENSES: A valid driver’s license or equivalent means of reliable transportation to off-site meetings and events is required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES: Individual must possess knowledge, skills, and ability to be able to successfully perform the essential functions of the position, or be able to explain or demonstrate how the essential functions will be performed, with or without reasonable accommodation, using some other combination of knowledge skills and abilities.

Successful candidates will deploy professional skills in building partnerships, research, grant writing, budgeting and institutional reporting, in collaboration with colleagues, to best promote the College’s strategic interests.

Successful candidates will demonstrate effective, accurate and clear communication with excellent verbal, written, interpersonal, reading, and leadership skills to supervise, facilitate, motivate and inspire a highly diverse group of students and student employees.

Operate computers proficiently with basic Microsoft Office software (such as Word, Excel, Outlook) and associated professional software. Use assigned technology and equipment appropriately to achieve annual goals and maintain confidentiality.

Demonstrate a systems oriented, detail oriented, task-oriented, and deadline driven approach. Must be self-motivated and productive with minimal supervision. Must be able to coordinate and manage multiple responsibilities in a timely and effective manner.

Use strong organizational and time management skills to complete work with accuracy and a keen attention to detail.

OTHER:

REQUIRED HOURS: The regular hours for this full time position are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday – Friday. Holiday, weekend and evening work hours may be required. Occasional travel will be required. Regular hours may vary and exceed 40 hours per week due to needs of the College or division. This is a 12 month position.

CLASSIFICATION AND STATUS:

This position is grant funded and contingent upon the availability of funds.

This is an exempt position.

This is a regular, full-time position.

This is a benefits-eligible eligible position.

Supervisor – AB1825: Yes

Mandatory Reporter – CA Penal Code: No

Responsible Employee – Title IX: Yes

Campus Security Authority – The Clery Act: Yes

A CSA is a key partner in helping the College comply with the requirements of the federal Clery Act, the goal of which is to provide information about safety and crimes on campus. Because crimes are often reported to employees who are not law enforcement or campus safety officers, the Clery Act obligates the College to identify who on our campus is likely to receive such reports and inform them of this role and responsibility and train them on what to do with that information. As a result of this designation, upon hire, and periodically thereafter, you are required to take the Clery Act training course. Such online course will be assigned to you and will need to be completed within the first six months of your employment.

Required On-site or Remote Personnel

During an emergency, required on-site or remote Personnel provide services that relate directly to the health, safety, and welfare of the College, ensure continuity of key operations, and maintain and protect College properties.

On-site Personnel are expected to come to work in emergency situations unless they are specifically excused by their departments. On-site Personnel are required to report to Campus to perform required function.

Remote personnel can continue operations without physically reporting to campus.

Is this position:

On-Site No

Remote Yes

IPEDS Category Job Code: 25-9000 Education, Training and Library Occupations

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Light (up to 20 lbs.)

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: Will supervise and direct student employees.

GROOMING AND APPEARANCE: The Claremont Colleges seek to maintain a neat and professional image at all times.

BACKGROUND CHECK: The successful candidate will be required to undergo a full consumer background check. Certain positions will require the successful completion of a post-offer physical agility test. Employment is contingent on the satisfactory results of the aforementioned, in addition to compliance with requirements cited in this job description.

ADA/OSHA: This job description defines the essential or fundamental job duties of this position. It is assumed that employees hired for this position can perform the essential functions of this job without imposing risk of substantial harm to the health or safety of themselves or others. It may also include marginal functions, generally defined within Title 1 of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who self-disclose.

DISCLAIMER: This job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this position. Duties and responsibilities can change and develop over time, accordingly the College reviews job description on a periodic basis and may make changes of business necessity.

AT-WILL EMPLOYMENT: Employment with the College is “at-will” meaning that the terms of employment may be changed with or without notice, with or without cause, including, but not limited to termination, demotion, promotion, transfer, compensation, benefits, duties, and location of work. There is no agreement express or implied between the College and you for continuing or long-term employment. While the College has every hope that employment relationships will be mutually beneficial and rewarding, employees and the College retain the right to terminate the employment relationship at will, at any time, with or without cause. The President is the only person who can modify or alter the at-will employment relationship.

Claremont McKenna College hires and promotes individuals on the basis of their qualifications, consistent with applicable state and federal laws, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, breastfeeding or related medical condition, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, marital status, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic characteristic or information, military and veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law.  Inquiries may be directed to the Director for Human Resources, 528 N. Mills Avenue, Claremont, California 91711-4015, (909) 621-8490.  All applicants must complete and submit an online application to be considered for an open position.

Employment is contingent upon new employee providing documents verifying U.S. citizenship or, for aliens, documents verifying legal permission to work in the United States, applicant's acceptability for positions requiring use of a college vehicle is contingent upon a driving record acceptable to the College's automobile liability insurance. Promotion from within is encouraged whenever qualified employees of Claremont McKenna College are available. Interested employees of the College are urged to contact the Office of Human Resources if qualified for any open position. Please do not contact departments directly.

Disability Accommodations                                                                                    

In compliance with applicable laws ensuring equal opportunities to qualified individuals with a disability, CMC will make reasonable accommodations for the known physical or mental limitations of an otherwise qualified individual (applicant or employee) with a disability if the disability affects the performance of essential job functions, unless the accommodation results in an undue hardship for the College. Employment decisions are based on the merit and not an individual’s disability.               

An applicant or employee who requires an accommodation should contact the immediate supervisor and the Human Resources Office. If multiple accommodations are identified that do not pose an undue hardship for the College, the selection of an accommodation will be at CMC’s discretion. To request disability accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please contact Human Resources at (909) 621-8490 or hr@cmc.edu for assistance.