Community Engagement - Coordinator of Community Partnerships

As the second-largest Catholic university in New England, and one of the fastest-growing private doctoral institutions in the U.S., Sacred Heart University is a national leader in shaping higher education for the 21st century. SHU offers more than 100 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs on its Fairfield, Conn., campus. Sacred Heart also has a campus in Dingle, Ireland, and offers online programs. More than 10,000 students attend the University’s eight colleges and schools: College of Arts & Sciences; School of Communication, Media & the Arts; School of Social Work; School of Computer Science & Engineering; College of Health Professions; the Isabelle Farrington College of Education & Human Development; the Jack Welch College of Business & Technology and the Dr. Susan L. Davis, R.N., & Richard J. Henley College of Nursing. Sacred Heart, a Laudato Si’ campus, stands out from other Catholic institutions as it was established and led by laity. The contemporary Catholic university is rooted in the rich Catholic intellectual tradition and the liberal arts, and at the same time cultivates students to be forward thinkers who enact change—in their own lives, professions and in their communities. The Princeton Review includes SHU in its Best 390 Colleges: 2025 Edition, and Best Business Schools: 2024 Edition. Sacred Heart is home to the award-winning, NPR-affiliate station, WSHU Public Radio, a Division I athletics program, and an impressive performing arts program that includes choir, band, dance, and theatre. www.sacredheart.edu
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To apply

Only applications submitted through the official Careers at SHU site will be accepted for employment consideration. If you are viewing this job advertisement through a different site, please visit Careers at SHU to submit a formal application.

Qualified candidates are invited to submit a complete application and resume via our online application system. A cover letter or statement of interest is also preferred for all staff positions.

Sacred Heart University complies with all federal and state employment laws and regulations. Applicants must be lawfully authorized to work for any employer in the United States. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa for this position.

Position Summary
To manage off-campus community-based partnerships and related student programming, including overseeing the Pioneer Service Grant, Community Scholar Program, community-based work study and related data tracking
Principal Duties & Responsibilities
Manage Off-Campus Community Partnerships

• Expand community partner portfolio through outreach to local nonprofit and school-based organizations
• Manage existing partner relationships by completing check-ins with partner sites in the Greater Bridgeport community and creating/distributing monthly community partner newsletter
• Conduct annual community needs assessment and monitor online community partner database to connect resources and needs on and off campus
• Represent OCE at off-site networking events and community meetings

Oversee Student Service Grant Programs

• Develop and promote portfolio of weekly service opportunities through weekly communication to student grant recipients, supporting University cohort retention efforts
• Manage OCE student leaders serving as mentors to first-year recipients, providing training and weekly communication
• Manage the collection and reporting of community service hours by Pioneer Service Grant (PSG) and Community Scholar students in Bridgeport Public Schools and nonprofits through GivePulse platform
• Work with Admissions/Student Financial Assistance to ensure PSG criteria and reporting are completed
• Represent the office at the annual volunteer fair
• Plan and hold PSG trainings and orientations

Manage Federal Community-Based Work Study Program

• Recruit and retain eligible students and manage onboarding process of federal work study students at community partner sites
• Manage the payroll and reporting of work-study students in Bridgeport Public Schools and nonprofit organizations
• Work with Student Financial Assistance and Payroll to ensure employment and payment procedures are followed
• Serve as a liaison between OCE and service-based work study supervisors
• Plan and hold work study trainings and orientations
• Report work study placements to the Office of Student Financial Assistance annually

Support General Volunteer Coordination

• Recruit and retain student volunteers in various cohorts and academic departments across campus
• Oversee coordination of transportation for students to/from community sites
• Manage GivePulse platform (promotion to SHU community, maintaining current opportunities, tracking and reporting data)
• Serve as a resource for SHU student cohorts seeking community engagement opportunities

OCE Support

• Support immersion programs, including Community Connections (end of August) and CURTIS Week (mid-January), by facilitating service site placements
• Support other office-wide events and initiatives as needed, such as Volunteer Fair, Holiday Drives, Admissions Events (Open Houses, Admitted Students Events, New Student Orientation)
• Assist with office administrative duties, as needed (answering phones, assisting student walk-ins, etc.)
• Work with campus entities (e.g., Student Financial Assistance, Multicultural Affairs, Career & Professional Development, Student Engagement & Involvement, etc.) on projects that intersect with the office’s mission, vision, and programming priorities

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, & Other Attributes

• A bachelor’s degree is required.
• At least three years of administrative experience in higher education or non-profit program management; significant experience overseeing student programs within higher education is strongly preferred.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license with no violations and maintain a clean driving record.
• Knowledge of best practices in civic engagement and leadership development, and articulate the value of community-engaged learning in higher education.
• A demonstrated capacity to work effectively using a racial equity lens with persons of diverse backgrounds and to foster sensitivity in student life and in the community
• Ability to establish and maintain collaborative relationships with SHU administrators, faculty, students, private and public agencies and others.
• Ability to communicate effectively (both orally and in writing) with diverse populations in an urban, multicultural environment.
• Strong problem-solving skills in the context of interpersonal and group relations.
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks and complete them in a timely fashion.
• Excellent working knowledge of social media and marketing
• Excellent computer skills. Demonstrated experience using MS Office (MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint) and Google Docs.

Unusual Working Conditions

• Some activities take place after regular scheduled hours. The candidate must have the flexibility and willingness to work evenings and weekends as needed.
• May be required to drive SHU vehicles and transport students.

This job posting provides an overview of the role's general nature and expected tasks. It is not meant to be a comprehensive list of all duties performed. The university reserves the right to modify or reassign job responsibilities at any time. This posting description does not constitute an employment contract, either explicit or implied.

Sacred Heart University is a space that respects and embraces differences, recognizes the unique contributions that individuals can make, and creates a community that maximizes the potential of all faculty and staff. As an equal opportunity employer, we encourage applications from qualified candidates who reflect the wider world in which we live.