| Department: | Center for Democracy and Civic Life The Center for Democracy and Civic Life, a unit in UMBC’s Division of Student Affairs, is a national leader in pioneering approaches to civic learning, democratic engagement and socially responsible leadership development. Its work builds from the premise that civic life encompasses everyday settings and relationships through which people can generate the power to shape their world. Students who engage with the Center’s initiatives develop the knowledge, skills, dispositions and habits needed to solve problems, build mutually empowering relationships and institutions, promote inclusion and advance social justice. The Civic Learning and Democratic Engagement (CLDE) Theory of Change, which has been the organizing framework for the past five annual CLDE meetings hosted by the American Democracy Project and NASPA, is grounded in the Center for Democracy and Civic Life’s work. The Center hosts two week-long immersive programs for undergraduates each year (the STRiVE leadership for social impact program and Alternative Spring Break), as well as program series (including Dinners with Friends, Change Makers Dinners, and Changing Maryland) that foster connections and dialogue among students, faculty, staff, alumni and external partners. In addition, the Center coordinates UMBC’s political engagement efforts and the BreakingGround civic innovation grant program. The Center also trains student leaders as facilitators (ConnectionCorps), hosts monthly civic courage journaling gatherings and develops and leads workshops for a wide variety of classes, departments and organizations at and beyond UMBC. |
| Responsibilities: | Reporting to the Director and working closely with diverse groups of staff, faculty, student, alumni and external partners, the Associate Director will play a leading role in developing, managing and communicating about the Center’s initiatives. The Associate Director also will supervise most members of a highly collaborative staff team and represent the Center to a wide variety of audiences on campus and beyond. Many of the students who participate in the Center’s programs identify as members of groups that historically have been marginalized or underrepresented on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, ability and socioeconomic status. The Associate Director will work with colleagues to ensure that the Center’s programs are inclusive and empowering, and contribute to a campus culture in which everyone can thrive. Specific duties include: -
Center leadership and representation: Work with the Director and colleagues to establish and guide the implementation of the Center’s strategic vision. Supervise a Coordinator, Graduate Assistant and undergraduate interns. Make strategic and operational decisions in the Director’s absence. Represent the Center and UMBC in campus, local, state and national partnerships. Connect people at UMBC with opportunities to lead, serve and partner with national civic engagement organizations and initiatives. -
Program development and implementation: Envision, develop, create curricula for, train peer leaders and staff colleagues to facilitate and oversee implementation of programs and initiatives, including the Center’s annual five-day immersive leadership for social impact program (STRiVE), annual six-day experiential learning program in Baltimore (Alternative Spring Break) and cohort-based facilitator training program (ConnectionCorps). Develop and implement plans to ensure the safety of participants in the Center’s off-campus programs (including immersive programs that involve off-campus lodging and meetings and conferences that involve travel in Baltimore and to other cities) and work with vendors responsible for the sites to arrange for appropriate safety measures. -
Assessment: Initiate, design and lead assessment and research projects relating to the Center’s work, and ensure compliance with Internal Review Board protocols. -
Communication and consultation: Provide strategic leadership for the Center’s communications and outreach efforts, including the development of its annual report and monthly newsletter. Provide one-to-one coaching and consultation relating to civic learning, democratic engagement and socially responsible leadership development to a variety of UMBC and external constituencies. Contribute to UMBC communications efforts relating to significant local, national and international events affecting members of the UMBC community. -
Compliance: Monitor, coordinate and report on campus efforts to comply with legal mandates relating to civic participation. -
Administration: Participate in managing and tracking the Center’s budget and purchasing. -
Perform other duties as assigned. |
| Required Minimum Qualifications: | - Master's Degree in Student Affairs, Social Sciences, Education, Cultural Studies or a related field
- Five years of experience in student affairs, student services or civic engagement
- Demonstrated leadership in designing and implementing initiatives to support students' leadership development and community engagement
- Knowledge of college student development, civic learning and democratic engagement in higher education, and organizational management principles
- Demonstrated commitment to meeting the needs of diverse student populations and organizations
- Demonstrated capacity to build strong, productive relationships with faculty, staff and student leaders; alumni; and local, state and national partners
- Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills, and ability to manage time, projects and people effectively
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| Background Screening Statement: | A background check will be required. |
| Special Instructions to Applicants: | Upload a cover letter, resume and contact information for three professional references. |
| Screening of Applications Begins: | For best consideration submit application materials by August 21, 2022 (applications will be accepted until the position is filled). |
| Salary: | Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience. |
| Hours: | Full-time |
| Type: | Regular |
| FLSA Status: | Exempt |
| Benefits: | UMBC offers a benefits package for regular and grant-funded regular employees including generous leave, excellent health, life, and disability insurance, retirement plans, tuition remission, on-site preschool, and numerous professional development and wellness opportunities. Contingent II positions may include some benefits. Please note the Type and FLSA Status above to determine the benefits offered for this position. |
| Equal Opportunity Statement: | UMBC is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Applications from women, minority group members, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. |
| Title IX: | As an institution that receives federal financial assistance, UMBC adheres to Title IX and does not discriminate on the basis of sex. For more information about Title IX and contact information for Title IX Coordinator click here. |
| Accommodation: | If you require a reasonable accommodation for a disability for any part of the employment process, please contact the Human Resources Department at 410-455-2337 or MD TTY Relay Service 1-800-735-2258 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. |
| Work Authorization: | As required by the 1986 Immigration Act, be prepared to present acceptable documentation upon hire showing your identity and that you are a U.S. citizen or an alien who is authorized to work. |
