Anywhere The Office of Academic Affairs at Whittier College seeks a Director of Civic Engagement and Experiential Learning.
Continuing a proud tradition of community engagement-a hallmark of a Whittier College education dating back to 1915-the Office of Civic Engagement and Experiential Learning (CEEL) promotes course-based, community-engaged learning in addition to faculty-student research, internship opportunities and volunteer opportunities that address compelling community needs and integrate with the academic experience. At Whittier College, experiential learning includes engagement, reflection, application, collaboration, and ownership. We seek a director to advance CEEL’s mission by 1) developing mutually beneficial partnerships between Whittier College and its Southern California community to expand opportunities for experiential learning, 2) supporting faculty liaisons whose work expands curriculum to include experiential learning, and 3) collaborating with the Career and Professional Development Center to ensure students have relevant experiential opportunities as they explore career paths.
Through the work of the CEEL, Whittier College has been designated an “engaged campus” by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and has been named by the Corporation for National and Community Service to the “President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll with Distinction.”
The Director will oversee all aspects of CEEL including short-term and strategic planning, daily operations and personnel, fundraising, financial management, and donor stewardship. The Director’s role involves a deep understanding of community partners’ needs and developing projects in mutually valuable terms centered on student success. To this end, the Director will foster relationships among Whittier College, local government entities, community-based organizations (CBOs), arts organizations, and small businesses in Whittier and surrounding communities and work collaboratively with Whittier College faculty, staff and students to support impactful community engagement and student learning.
Hours: Monday – Friday
Exempt Status: Exempt
Full Time/Part Time status: Full Time
Salary Range: $90,000-$100,000 annually; Salary will commensurate with experience, skills, and knowledge.
Reports to: Vice President for Academic Affairs
Location/Department: Whittier College (Main Campus)/Academic Affairs
Position & Responsibilities
Strategic Planning & Assessment
* Develop, implement, and assess innovative approaches for CEEL initiatives that are aligned with the College’s vision, mission, and priorities and include input from diverse audiences/representatives from the communities served.
* Advance relationships between the College and the community by: 1) identifying innovative community engagement and experiential learning opportunities; 2) brokering engagement requests between the community and the College; and, 3) researching and assessing activities to continuously improve upon the partnerships and quality of life in the community.
* Collaborate with campus and community members to contribute to a growing body of knowledge about the impact of community-college partnerships on engaged campuses, student learning, and community-identified areas of opportunity and concern. CEEL collaborates with and supports faculty to ensure these activities are integral to their scholarly and teaching efforts.
Staffing programs & supervising CCEL employees
* Develop a staffing model to achieve CEEL objectives.
* Supervise CEEL staff, and student workers, manage daily operations and develop, implement, and revise relevant policies and procedures.
* Coordinate with faculty to promote courses that include learning based on community engagement and additional experiential learning opportunities to align with the liberal arts curriculum.
Budget management & fundraising
* Collaborate with Development and with Sponsored Programs to cultivate prospective donors, obtain external funding, effectively manage grants, and steward gifts and donor relations.
* Manage CEEL budgets and funding in compliance with institutional policy and donor terms and conditions.
* Oversee the creation and maintenance a of all CEEL promotional materials, website, and social media platforms in collaboration with Communications staff.
Off-Campus Community Relations
* Develop and deepen community partnerships with regional non-profit and community-based organizations.
* Serve as the primary representative of the CEEL off-campus in the community including participation on boards and committees.
* Organize and oversee on-campus events for community partners.
* Maintain relationships with campus COMPACT and local, state, and national organizations supporting and recognizing engaged campuses (e.g., Carnegie Community Engagement classification).
On-Campus Collaborations
* Report to and advise the Vice President for Academic Affairs on CEEL initiatives, events, funding prospects, and operational issues.
* Chair the Community Engagement Advisory Committee composed of campus stakeholders.
* Serve on Academic Affairs leadership committees and other college-wide committees with a community focus including ex-officio participation on relevant faculty committees.
* Achieve the goals and objectives critical to the program by collaborating with campus leadership and faculty members to ensure experiential learning, including but not limited to community engaged learning opportunities, internships, and fellowships, is embedded throughout the curriculum.
* Collaborate regularly and coordinate programming with the Center for Career and Professional Development.
* Collaborate broadly with college divisions and offices as appropriate on initiatives related to community engagement, including Student Life, Athletics, Advancement, and Admissions.
Position Specifications & Requirements
Minimum Qualifications
* A Master’s degree is required with at least five years of relevant community experience. Community experience is defined as work at nonprofit agencies, including government, or preferably in institutions of higher education.
* Outreach experience involving nonprofit agencies and other community partners is desirable.
* Previous experience managing staff, including staff development, is mandatory.
* Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to listen to diverse stakeholders and cultivate an organizational climate based upon respect, kindness, open communication, and teamwork.
* Evidence of engagement with a diverse student population, many of whom are first-generation and/or come from underrepresented groups; commitment to enhancing the cultural competency and diversity of faculty and staff.
* Understanding of transformational practices that empower students, staff, and faculty to address contemporary community needs.
* Evidence of collaborative efforts that engage a variety of stakeholders.
* Familiarity with budget and management operations, including strategic planning and assessment.
* Familiarity with grant seeking and administration and donor cultivation.
* The ability to use evidence (data, research, etc.) to inform decision-making.
Application Deadline
Until the position is filled.
The position is based in Whittier, California. To be considered for this position, please submit your cover letter and resume to: whittierjobs@whittier.edu or mail to Whittier College, Attn: Human Resources Manager, 13406 E Philadelphia Street Whittier, CA 90608. AA/EOE.