Reporting to the Assistant Dean of Field Education, the Associate Director of Distance Field Education is responsible for ensuring productive, high-quality field placement experiences for online students at Columbia University School of Social Work (CUSSW) and for facilitating the enrollment of qualified students for CUSSW'S online program. Adhering to the policies and procedures of the Field Education Department, the Associate Director secures, maintains, and oversees field placements for online students; recruits and manages field liaisons; facilitates field instructor and field liaison training; works collaboratively with advisors and associate directors to resolve student issues related to placements; and ensures that placements and supervisors are consistently outstanding and valued by students. Adhering to the policies and procedures of CUSSW's Online Program, the Associate Director actively recruits prospective students for CUSSW's online program and ensures that enrolled and graduated online students enjoy successful and rewarding experiences with CUSSW.

This position will require 20% to 40% of travel within the United States. The incumbent will be expected to work off-hours and weekends as needed, and to accommodate advisors, field liaisons, field placements, supervisors, and students residing in a time zones other that the Eastern Time Zone.

CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Recruits and manages the regional field liaisons who will identify and secure placements for 1st and 2nd year students. (20%)

• In charge of recruitment and approval of appropriate sites to serve as graduate placement opportunities for masters students. (15%)

• Works with students to discuss placement options, resolve difficulties when necessary, and to promote their learning and professional development. (10%)

• In collaboration with the advisors and associate directors, resolves student issues related to placements, and addresses related pedagogical matters. (10%)

• Replace all students that have fallen out of placement. (10%)

• Maintain and update field education databases. (10%)

• Works with and supporting field instructors by providing information to facilitate student learning and evaluation. (5%)

• Design, develop, and implement Field Education Department activities related to student specialization planning, field instructor support, advisor and field liaison training, and/or professional conferences related to field education. (5%)

• Participate in and contribute to department/staff meetings. (5%)

• Work with faculty members in the design, development, and implementation of field education initiatives and other projects. (3%)

• Assess State requirements and professional standards for social work practice. (2%)

• Undertakes other related developmental duties and tasks as needed, assigned, or appropriate for the Field Education Department. (5%)

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND/OR EXERCISED:

The Associate Director receives supervision from the Assistant Dean of Field Education. It is essential that the Associate Director exercises initiative and independent judgment in the execution of his/her responsibilities.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Masters in Social Work required from an accredited graduate school of social work.

• Post-graduate social work experience that includes licensure and student supervision.

• Must be able to work off-hours and weekends.

• Must be available to travel within US approximately 20-40% of the time. .

• Entrepreneurial spirit and high motivation to set the standard for education in multiple platforms.

• Impeccable professional presentation of self, appropriate for and acceptable to a wide range of sectors, including multi-national corporate sectors and non-governmental organizations that have extensive reach and impact.

• Experience recruiting and managing staff, and building teams that effectively collaborate with senior staff.

• Discretion in dealing with confidential dialogues and information.

• Strong facilitation skills to enable fruitful discussions among colleagues.

• Ability to work successfully with collaborative, multi-disciplinary teams.

• Excellent organizational skills, oral and written communication skills, attention to detail, and demonstrated comfort in interacting with a broad constituency and working well with a team.

• Ability to thrive in fast-paced and complex environments and meet time-sensitive deadlines while leading multiple, concurrent projects with minimal supervision required.

• Commitment to excellent customer-service for students, field sites, administrators, and faculty members.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Prior experience in online education or distance field supervision