Assistant Director for Community Service, Appalachian & the Community Together (ACT)
Department of Student Programs, Appalachian State University
Appalachian State University is seeking a dynamic, creative, energetic, organized professional to join a great team in working with a group of committed, intelligent and talented student leaders to plan, advertise and produce community service programs at one of the nation’s premier comprehensive universities. The position reports to the ACT Associate Director and affords the unique opportunity of working with caring, experienced professionals in a team approach to meet local community needs through community service & service-learning. ACT has a 25 year history of meeting local community needs by engaging students in the community. The successful candidate will have responsibility for the coordination of ACT’s successful large-scale programming efforts, and oversight and advising of two leadership teams. The position description and more information about the Department of Student Programs, ACT, and Appalachian State University is available at www.studentprograms.appstate.edu and www.act.appstate.edu. ACT has a solid reputation regionally for developing outstanding student leaders, an active service-learning program, and maintaining positive & healthy relationships with our local Community Partners. ACT is well networked throughout the state of North Carolina through North Carolina Campus Compact, in addition to various national networks.
General Job Description:
The Assistant Director of Community Service shares responsibility for the development and implementation of co-curricular service programs designed to enhance the co-curricular environment at ASU while simultaneously meeting community needs. The Assistant Director will oversee coordination of all ACT special events (including but not limited to the MLK Challenge, Dance Marathon, Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week, and Don’t Throw it Away/BIG Sale), will manage the Community Service Work-Study Program, and advance various social justice initiatives for ACT. The Assistant Director will share programming budgetary coordination for ACT. The Assistant Director will also serve as the lead point person for ACT’s marketing efforts and social media. The opportunity exists to eventually teach service-learning and/or leadership development courses. This staff member will directly supervise one Graduate Assistant. The Assistant Director of Community Service reports directly to the ACT Associate Director. Occasional evening and weekend work expected as part of a flexible work schedule. This is a full-time, 12-month position. This is a masters-level position, with a degree in Student Affairs, Higher Education, or related field.
Qualifications: Master’s Degree in College Student Development or related field required, and two years of full-time experience in working in a higher education setting or social service field required. Preferred qualifications include: experience working with student leaders in a community service and/or service-learning program, group coordination/advising, advising/leading students, as well as a demonstrated commitment to service.
Principle Functions:
Administrative/Management/Supervisory:
- Directly supervise one ACT Graduate Assistant, and advise other ACT Graduate Assistants, practicum students and interns on special projects.
- Shared oversight of ACT Community Outreach Center, in collaboration with ACT Graduate Assistant.
- Manage portions of the ACT budget.
- Manage the federal Community Service Work-Study Program.
- Insure proper safety and liability processes involved in all ACT events.
- Perform assessment for each major event, analyze data, and improve event as needed; assess other areas as needed. Share results with key collaborators.
- Reserve all facilities for major events, coordinate with appropriate staff to confirm set up, and oversee proper usage of facilities by ACT; includes Student Programs facilities, and other venues as needed.
- Insure fiscal integrity of all fundraising endeavors through ACT (e.g., BIG Sale, Dance Marathon, etc.) and serve as a resource for other organizations undertaking fundraising efforts.
Instruction/Training:
- Advise ACT Graduate Assistant in all phases of training development for impACT Team & ACT Service Advisors.
- Provide training to clubs & organizations on community service best practices.
- Guest presenter in classes & clubs on topics related to community involvement.
- Conduct regular workshops on various leadership topics for student groups, student conferences, professional conferences, special seminars, etc.
- Teach academic courses on semester by semester basis.
Communication:
- Frequent communication with Community Partners regarding work-study, volunteers, volunteer opportunities/needs, ACT major events, ongoing projects, etc.
- Frequent email listserv communication with student development colleagues, general campus, ACT volunteers, ACT student leaders, Community Partners, etc.
- Keep ACT Associate Director and Associate Director of Student Programs informed of current ACT information and developments.
- Oversee the management and upkeep of individual BIG Event websites; including Don’t Throw It Away, The BIG Sale, MLK Challenge, Dance Marathon, Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, and ACTs of Service Series.
Marketing/Outreach:
- Oversee full-scale marketing efforts for all ACT major events, including The BIG Sale, MLK Challenge, Annual 1,000 Pint Homecoming Blood Drive, Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week, Dance Marathon, Earth Week, ACTs of Service series, Leave Yosef A Legacy Day, and other programs.
- Serve as ACT team member responsible for general ACT marketing efforts and social media.
- Oversee the planning and preparation of the End of Year ACT publication to promote ACT’s accomplishments.
- Promote impACT team’s outreach efforts through presentations on community involvement.
- Continually market ACT through “institutional marketing” for general awareness & promotion of ACT program as a whole.
- Regular communication with local press for community awareness of ACT programs.
Collaboration:
- Work with the ACT professional staff to further the strategic directions of the ACT team.
- Collaborate with Parent to Parent and Western Youth Network to provide educational information to dancers before and during Dance Marathon as well as keep families of both organizations up to date on developments about the event.
- Provide opportunities for professional staff and faculty to collaborate with ACT through being an MLK Challenge “Site Leader”, Don’t Throw it Away! volunteer, and other opportunities.
- Frequent conference presenter for Appalachian Leadership Forum, Women’s Leadership Conference, various programs for Housing & Residence Life, various Greek programming efforts, Leadership 101, and Emerging Leaders (all programs sponsored by other departments).
- Design curriculum, expectations, and build community for Service & Leadership Residential Learning Community with University Housing and the Center for Student Involvement and Leadership (CSIL).
- Serve as an advisor on the Service and Leadership Community Leadership Team including collaboration on the “Leave Yosef A Legacy Day” service day.
- Partner with University Housing for preparation and facilitation of the Don’t Throw it Away program, including establishing donation areas, hall access for volunteers, and occasional furniture donations.
- Coordinate with ASU Recycles & the Office of Sustainability to incorporate composting and other sustainable practices into major events and estimate annual tonnage from Don’t Throw it Away.
Advising:
- Advise impACT student leadership team (15 volunteer student leaders) and Service Advisors (8 paid employees).
- Serve as primary advisor to students for planning, preparation, and fundraising for 15-hour Dance Marathon fundraising event.
- Advise students in the coordination of the MLK Challenge, including close communication with up to 20 local agencies, securing transportation and 3 meals for over 200 volunteers, and managing overall logistics for the event.
- Advise student committee in planning, preparation, and implementation of the Don’t Throw it Away program, including approximately 15 collection periods, 400 volunteers, and collaborating with 2-4 local community partners.
- Advise student committees in planning, preparation, and implementation of the annual BIG Sale during opening weekend, and other ACT special events.
- Advise individuals as well as clubs and organizations looking for service opportunities or involvement in existing ACT programs.
Professional Development:
- Attend various annual professional conferences and present when appropriate (e.g., NCCC Community Service & Service-Learning Directors’ Conference, American College Personnel Association, etc.).
- Network participant through North Carolina Campus Compact (NCCC), including various planning sub-committees, email networking, and conference networking.
- Active participant in ASU Student Development Professional Development functions.
- Phone consultant for programs such as MLK Challenge, Don’t Throw it Away/BIG Sale, general ACT structure, etc.
To apply: Only electronic applications will be accepted. In a single PDF file, send current resume, cover letter, and 3 references to:
Jenny Koehn
Associate Director
Department of Student Programs
koehnjr@appstate.edu
Deadline to apply: Review of applications will begin immediately, and will continue until the position is filled.
Proposed starting date for this position is July 1, 2014