Director of Field & Clinical Experiences

Job Title: Director of Field & Clinical Experiences

Location: Americus, Georgia

Regular/Temporary: Regular

Full/Part Time: Full-Time

Job ID: 294714

About Us

Georgia Southwestern State University is a state university serving a diverse population of students, offering a range of strong undergraduate and graduate programs in a vibrant learning environment. The University is a collegial community that values collaboration and community engagement with an emphasis on faculty, staff, and student interactions. An active student body and state-of-the-art amenities enhance the learning experience on a visually appealing campus located in historic Americus, Georgia.

Georgia Southwestern State University aspires to be an engaged, progressive, and inclusive university that serves as a vibrant center of learning, culture, and economic development for Southwest Georgia and beyond.

Job Summary

This position is responsible for managing and coordinating field and clinical experiences for College of Education students.

Responsibilities

• Manage and oversee the student field experiences. (50%)
• Coordinate and facilitate the placement of students in field experiences, including site selection, matching students with mentor teachers, and managing placement documents.
• Develop and maintain partnerships with school districts.
• Supervises the work of Clinical Specialists.
• Work with Assistant Director, Assistant Dean, and/or Dean to address and resolve issues related to field experience (i.e. background checks, ethics case, preservice certificates).
• Oversee the development and use of Watermark Student Learning and Licensure for field experience.
• Communicate with university faculty to disseminate information about the program.
• Communicate with school level liaisons, principals, and teachers about teacher candidates.
• Conduct field experience orientation for mentor teachers who supervise teacher candidates.
• Communicate with university faculty about teacher candidate school level placements; disseminates information about schools to faculty.
• Oversees and determines the appropriateness of faculty grade level requests.
• Maintains databases of placements, school level information, etc. in Watermark Student Learning and Licensure.
• Support stakeholders in developing Professional Intervention Plans for teacher candidates needing additional assistance with field experience.
• Program and Partnership Support (20%)
• Serve as the primary point of contact for student teachers, university supervisors, mentor teachers, and clinical specialists regarding field experience related matters.
• Attend Department/Program and College meetings.
• Participate in meetings with programs to support program needs.
• Plans and hosts field experience orientations.
• Collects assessment data on teacher candidates.
• Collects reports from Clinical Specialists and forwards to faculty.
• Plans Mock Interviews event for teacher candidates.
• Support accreditation efforts in relation to clinical partnerships and practice.
• Attends meetings and serves on committees. (10%)
• Attend Georgia Professional Standards meetings, Georgia Field Directors meetings, Watermark Student Learning and Licensure webinars, and Georgia Department of Education meetings.
• Serve on College of Education committees, as assigned.
• Teaching (10%)
• Teach 1-2 courses per year in area of content expertise.
• Performs a variety of related duties.(10%)

Required Qualifications

• Master¿s degree in a course of study related to the occupational field required.
• More than three years of related experience required.
• Experience in communities (schools, higher education, community organizations) in which teaching and learning are the main purpose
• Must be able to communicate effectively with university faculty and students, partner school administrators, teachers and staff (e.g., administrative support staff at district offices).
• Must possess strong organizational skills to efficiently arrange and monitor the required amount of placements each semester.
• Must possess knowledge of required technology skills.
  
  

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Knowledge of adult education principles and practices.
• Knowledge of field and clinical education principles and practices.
• Knowledge of Georgia Professional Commission standards for teacher education.
• Knowledge of school policies and procedures.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Skill in the operation of computers and job-related software programs.
• Skill in decision making and problem solving.
• Skill in interpersonal relations and in dealing with the public.
• Skill in oral and written communication.
  
  

Contact Information

For more information or questions about a job posting, please contact the Department of Human Resources by phone at 229-931-2000 or by email at hr@gsw.edu.

For technical support, please call the USG Service Desk at 877-251-2644 or support@usg.edu.

USG Core Values

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

Conditions of Employment

Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including a criminal background check demonstrating eligibility for employment with Georgia Southwestern State University, as determined by Georgia Southwestern State University in its sole discretion, confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in application materials and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check and drug screen.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Georgia Southwestern State University is an equal opportunity employer. As such, the University takes affirmative action to preclude discrimination in recruiting, transferring, training and terminating of employees because of race, color, creed, age, sex, national origin, veterans status, disability or any other reason in accordance with applicable state and federal statutes, executive orders and other regulations which prohibit discriminatory employment practices.

Other Information

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS

The Academic Dean assigns work in terms of very general instructions. The supervisor spot-checks completed work for compliance with procedures and the nature and propriety of the final results.

GUIDELINES

Guidelines include Georgia Professional Standards requirements and school and university policies and procedures. These guidelines require judgment, selection and interpretation in application.

COMPLEXITY/SCOPE OF WORK

• The work consists of varied duties related to the coordination of field experiences for students. The need to coordinate with multiple stakeholders contributes to the complexity of the position.
• The purpose of this position is to coordinate clinical education for the College of Education. Success in this position contributes to the successful training of students.
  
  

CONTACTS

• Contacts are typically with co-workers, other university personnel, faculty, staff, students, representatives of other colleges and universities, representatives of local schools, representatives of state agencies, and members of the general public.
• Contacts are typically to give or exchange information, to resolve problems, or to motivate or influence persons.
  
  

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/ WORK ENVIRONMENT

• The work is typically performed while sitting at a desk or table or while intermittently sitting, standing or stooping. The employee occasionally lifts light objects.
• The work is typically performed in an office and in schools.
  
  

SUPERVISORY AND MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY

This position has supervision over staff within an assigned department, function, or area.