Position Overview
The Assistant Director for Student Engagement and Service is responsible for coordination and strategic development of all Gephardt Institute initiatives that pertain specifically to undergraduate and graduate students, including co-curricular, curricular, and internship programs. The Assistant Director fosters student learning, engagement, and leadership in civic life, supporting the Institute’s mission of cultivating informed and actively engaged citizens. This is accomplished through community partnerships, educational programs, and student leader training/advising with attention to principles of collaboration, sustainability, inclusion, responsible engagement, positive impact, civic reflection, and effective program practices. The Assistant Director frequently engages students and student groups in critical conversations about social change and sustained community impact, and demonstrates enthusiasm for the wide variety of causes and passions brought forward by students.
Essential Responsibilities
Manage initiatives that strengthen the effectiveness of student groups and student leaders, including student leader training; standards/certification of student organizations; volunteer Leadership Teams; Leadership Through Service pre-orientation and fall break programs; Civic Engagement Fund supporting events, trainings, and conferences; poverty simulation; student participation in Clinton Global Initiative University; Civic Role Models; and Social Impact Career Days. (30%)
Supervise two or more professional staff with responsibilities in K-12 and youth initiatives, service trips, Goldman Fellows Program, student-led public health initiatives, student group advising of high impact groups, student leader training, and risk management. Supervise relevant undergraduate and graduate student interns, including a graduate-level Research Fellow. (25%)
• Coordinate student outreach initiatives with attention to first-year students, graduate students, and “civically disengaged” students. Oversee annual Community Service Fair and Community Service Slam, and participate substantively in planning process for Meet St. Louis. Manage university-wide initiatives such as PB&Joy Food Drive and voter registration/education. Coordinate Drop-In Hours for student inquiries and consultation. Serve as project manager for marketing and communications regarding student events, deadlines, and resources. (20%)
Advise student-led community service groups with attention to student learning and organizational development. Provide mentorship, training, and coaching to support student skill development in areas including goal-setting, strategic planning, cultural competency, problem-solving, trouble-shooting, and managing interpersonal relationships. Groups include: Dance Marathon, Campus Kitchen, and Alpha Phi Omega. (15%)
Contribute to initiatives, meetings, and events of the Gephardt Institute, including donor cultivation and grant/proposal applications. Collaborate routinely with Center for Diversity & Inclusion, Campus Y, Student Involvement and Leadership, First Year Center, Residential Life, Career Center, Social Justice Center, Inter-Faith Campus Ministries Association, and undergraduate and graduate student governments. Collaborate with Institute staff in the areas of Campus and Community Partnerships and Faculty Engagement and Assessment. Perform other duties as assigned. (10%)
To Apply
Interested candidates should apply via the Human Resources website: https://jobs.wustl.edu with a cover letter, resume, and list of at least three references. Please direct questions to gephardtinstitute {at} wustl(.)edu.
Required Qualifications
Master’s degree in Higher Education and Student Affairs, Social Work, or related field.
3 or more years full-time professional experience in Student Affairs within a college or university setting.
Demonstrated professional experience with civic engagement, community service, student leader training, student group advising, and event planning.
Excellent interpersonal, organization, written/verbal communication, and problem-solving skills. Energy, vision, initiative, creativity, ability to collaborate, tolerance for ambiguity, ability to embrace and navigate change, sound judgment, tact, and sense of humor.
Demonstrated professional experience and passion for working with college students in co-curricular settings. Working knowledge of student development and effective practices to enhance student learning.
Comprehension of social issues addressed by community service and subtleties of building programs that are respectful, meaningful, effective and sustainable.
Ability to collaborate and build relationships with a culturally diverse and broad range of stakeholders, including student leaders, campus colleagues, non-profit partners, and senior-level administrators and external advisors.
Ability to work frequent evening and weekend hours.
Preferred Qualifications
Master’s degree in Higher Education and Student Affairs.
5 or more years professional experience in Student Affairs within a college or university setting.
Fluency, experience, and enthusiasm for civic engagement, urban education, service trips, and leadership development theory.
Domestic and/or international volunteer experience.
Please learn more about the Gephardt Institute through our two current websites: gephardtinstitute.wustl.edu and communityservice.wustl.edu.
Student involvement in community service is motivated by genuine passion for social change. All community service opportunities are led by students with staff support and advising. Student participation in community service is voluntary. 67% of our undergraduates participate in community service (an average of 10 points higher than our top 5 comparison schools), and 73% of our seniors participate in community service.