Career Center

Academic/Internal Title: Program Specialist I – Fieldwork Coordinator

Division/School: USC Rossier School of Education 

Department: Master of Arts in Teaching Programs (MAT/MAT-TESOL) 

Location: UPC 

Employment Type: Full-Time 

USC ROSSIER SCHOOL OF EDUCATION

The University of Southern California (USC), founded in 1880, is located in the heart of downtown L.A. and is the largest private employer in the City of Los Angeles. As an employee of USC, you will be a part of a world-class research university and join the “Trojan Family,” is comprised of distinguished faculty, staff, students, and alumni locally, nationally, and globally.

MASTER OF ARTS IN TEACHING PROGRAMS

POSITION SUMMARY

USC Rossier School of Education seeks applicants for a Fieldwork Coordinator serving the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) and Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (MAT-TESOL) programs. The Fieldwork Coordinator counsels and provides graduate students fieldwork placement services. This individual coordinates the placement of teacher candidates in K-12 school sites for the purpose of “student teaching.” The position is affiliated with the MAT Programs Office in the Rossier School of Education. This is a specialist position, which may involve supervising student workers.

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Identifies, secures, and coordinates K-12 school site placements for on-campus students, which include MAT credential-track candidates, MAT-TESOL students (Credential and Non-Credential), and Undergraduate Progressive Degree students.

• Assists in resolving routine and non-routine fieldwork challenges and provides policy or procedural interpretations of matters for which are not clearly defined.

• Counsels or advises prospective students on fieldwork and academic requirements.

• Intervenes with university central student services as necessary to connect students with the right staff member or department in order to facilitate the fieldwork process.

• Organizes and leads placement meetings for all students under the supervision of the MAT Fieldwork Office.

• Organizes and leads “Guiding Teacher” meetings in coordination with school site and individual teachers hosting students.

• Organizes stipend payments for host teachers.

• Conducts school visits to check-in with candidates, guiding teachers, and to initiate contact with a new school/teacher.

• Maintains all placement data related to the coordination of school site placements for student teaching and produces reports, as needed, such as for program accreditation purposes.

• Collect and organize Credential documents for individual students upon fieldwork assignment and program completion.

• Maintains a network of contacts with teachers, principals, and other school administrators in schools or local education agencies that serve our program and students.

• Address any/all placement-related queries with teacher candidates and guiding teachers.

• Gathers data and feedback about teacher candidates and guiding teachers in order to improve the placement process.

• Evaluates student challenges, academic, administrative or personal, and refers student to appropriate student services office for additional counseling. Liaises with other offices on behalf of students to facilitate problem resolution.

• Interfaces with faculty, administrators and students regarding fieldwork policies, fieldwork progress and student advancement.

• Assists in the preparation or update of bulletins, newsletters, handbooks, guides, fact sheets and brochures. May coordinate production of materials by outside vendors.

• Participates in committees at the department, school, college or university level which deal in student services. Provides administrative support for local committees and works on committee-assigned projects.

• Maintains and compiles statistical data. Prepares reports for internal and external use.

• Performs other related duties as assigned or requested. The University reserves the right to add or change duties at any time.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree.

• 3-5 years of professional experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 5+ years of professional experience.

• Former K-12 teaching, administrative, or district office experience.

• Familiarity with local school district policies, practices, and requirements for teachers.

• Highly effective in written and verbal communication, particularly with school site and district-level administrators.

• Previous experience working in higher education.

• Knowledge of California teacher credential requirements.

• Familiarity with California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC) program standards.

Additional Desirable Skills Include:

• Works well independently and with a team; takes initiative.

• Troubleshoots student queries utilizing multiple resources effectively; works well in a fast-paced environment and adapts well to change.

• Action and detail-oriented; highly motivated to ensure student success. 

The University of Southern California values diversity and is committed to equal opportunity in employment.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS: A cover letter and resume must be attached to your application submission.