The Field Placement and Rural Justice Coordinator is responsible for the development, administration, management, and supervision of the School of Law's student field placement programs. In fulfilling these responsibilities, the Field Placement and Rural Justice Coordinator will incorporate national best practices and ensure compliance with accreditation standards and other applicable laws and policies related to student externships and field placements. The Field Placement and Rural Justice Coordinator reports to the Assistant Dean for Student Life and works closely and collaboratively with the administration and faculty to ensure that UND law students receive a highly valuable educational experience through the field placement programs. The Field Placement and Rural Justice Coordinator holds a non-tenure eligible faculty appointment at the rank of instructor.
Position Details:
- Ensure that all field placements comply with ABA standards, UND and NDUS policies, state and federal law, and all related regulation.
- Make recommendations for changes to field placement policies and practices based on compliance and best practices
- Responsible for internal and external reporting related to field placements.
Develop and foster strong relationships with field agencies and supervisors.
- Manage growth of field placements, including soliciting, screening, reviewing, and making recommendations on requests for new placements.
- Review and track any necessary documentation of student work.
- Provide training and assistance.
- Conduct visits to field placements.
- Regularly assess educational quality and success of field placement programs.
- Serve as primary point of contact for students regarding field placement opportunities.
- Provide student advising and counseling in the area of field placements, including helping students align a placement with individual experience, academic achievement, and career goals, as well as assisting students and/or field supervisors with issues that arise during placements.
- Provide student advising and counseling, as needed and appropriate, in other areas of Student Life Office, such as career counseling and academic advising.
- Organize regular programming to recruit and inform students about available placements.
- Serve as liaison among field placements, students, and law school faculty and staff.
- Serve as mentor and role model for students in developing their professional identities.
- Communicate regularly with students and field supervisors during placements.
- Additional teaching duties as needed and appropriate.
- May be asked to teach seminar component of field placements, or otherwise guide student reflection. In that case, duties include: Develop syllabus and teaching materials for seminar. Identify teaching goals for seminar and field placement experience aligned with curricular mission, including emphasis on practice readiness, professionalism, and ethics. Teach regular class sessions and help students develop learning plans for their placements. Assess student learning, including grading.
- Participate in and contribute to leadership of senior administration in the School of Law, with shared responsibility for meeting the School of Law's mission and goals.
- Coordinate field placement duties with career services, alumni and public relations, and curriculum initiatives and goals.
- Represent the School of Law in various public settings and interact effectively with the bar, bench, and government officials.
- Serve on School of Law, University, and State Bar committees
- Generally assist Dean, senior administrators, and faculty in execution of their respective duties.
- Attendance at on and off campus events during and outside of ordinary business hours required; some additional travel required.
- Facilitate pro bono opportunities for students in coordination with other law school and/or State Bar Association efforts, such as maintaining data base of available opportunities, serving as law school point of contact on pro bono, working with student organizations, staff, and faculty to promote pro bono and law-related public service opportunities, and encouraging pro bono service and law-related public service among students, staff, and faculty.
Minimum Requirements:
- Juris Doctorate from ABA accredited law school.
- Minimum of 3 years of post-J.D. legal experience or years of academic or administrative experience.
- Cover letter, resume, and 3 professional references
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Office programs
- Successful completion of a criminal history background check
License/Certification required:
Licensed to practice in North Dakota, or licensed to practice in another state or the District of Columbia and eligible for licensure in North Dakota within 24 months of start date. Certificate of good standing from all jurisdictions in which an applicant is license to practice law.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Record of academic excellence in law school.
- Experience in academic setting or with academic programs.
- Experience in mentoring students, experiential learning, student counseling, or similar.
- Record of pro bono, professional, or community service.
- Management or supervisory experience.
- Demonstrated familiarity with best practices in legal education, including experiential learning.
- Demonstrated commitment to the values of the legal profession.
- Strong commitment to public legal education and student success.
- Positive reputation among the bench and bar.
- The clear ability to handle confidential information and sensitive situations.
- The ability to manage a high volume of work while being able to prioritize and delegate effectively, meet deadlines with minimal supervision, and take initiative in managing projects and meeting goals.
- Demonstrated excellence in interpersonal, collaborative, and supervisory skills.
- The clear ability to interact knowledgeably, effectively, and appropriately with students, staff, faculty, alumni, and all levels of University, state, and other officials.
Applications must be received by 5:00 pm on the date of closure to be considered.
UND is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin. Women, minorities, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.