Swarthmore College is a highly selective liberal arts college located in the suburbs of Philadelphia, whose mission combines academic rigor with social responsibility. Swarthmore has a strong institutional commitment to inclusive excellence and nondiscrimination in its educational program and employment practices and encourages candidates who will further advance the goal of fostering a diverse and inclusive community. As one of the nation’s finest institutions of higher learning, Swarthmore College is global in outlook and draws students from around the nation and world. The 425‐acre campus is a designated arboretum, complete with gardens, rolling lawns, a creek, wooded hills, and hiking trails in the Crum Woods.

Who We Are:

Educational Studies is an interdisciplinary field that employs qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methodologies to examine and address educational research, policy, theory, pedagogy, and related practices. The Department is committed to anti-racism, social justice, and sustainability in the pursuit of liberation for all people. The Department of Educational Studies has 6 permanent tenure lines, one regular part-time faculty member, one Visiting Assistant Professor, and an Administrative Assistant. Students who pursue coursework in Educational Studies develop richly informed perspectives on the role of education in society and go on to become leaders in a wide range of fields.

The Swarthmore undergraduate student body has 44% U.S. minority enrollment and 11% international enrollment. Swarthmore has a strong commitment to inclusive excellence through diversity in its educational program and employment practices. The Department graduates between 18 to 25 majors and certifies between 9 to 15 teacher education students each year. Many of the courses include field-based experiences in schools and other educational settings. Additional information about the Department of Educational Studies can be found at https://www.swarthmore.edu/educational-studies

The opportunity:

The Department of Educational Studies at Swarthmore College invites applications for a part-time, benefits eligible, 11 month (30 hours per week) appointment as the School Liaison and Outreach Coordinator with expectations to work between the months of August and June. This position supports the department in coordinating outreach and initiatives between the department and area schools, districts, and the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Primary responsibilities include 1) organizing and facilitating field placements for Educational Studies courses (about 100 students/semester) and supervision for those placements that require supervision; 2) coordinating student teaching placements; 3) supporting the department in meeting PA state educational regulations; and 4) working with our Teachers as Scholars program. 

Essential Responsibilities

• Placement coordinator for all courses
  • Roughly 80 - 100 placements per semester
  • Manages all placements, clearances, transportation scheduling
  • Conducts meetings and follow-up (documentation, communication) with legal, transportation, school development, Lang Center, Center for Black Educators, LGBTQ+
  • Prepares letters for teachers
  • Creates and collects assessments of field experiences from various participants
• Student teacher coordination and support
  • Typically 10-15 students who complete an intensive 14 week, full-time student teaching experience during the Fall semester
  • Meets with each cooperating teacher
  • Surveys upcoming student teachers
  • Plans and conducts orientation meeting for rising student teachers
  • Meets and interviews all student teachers
  • Reviews student information to ensure that all student teachers meet all state requirements
  • Provides department with overview and updates about student teachers prior to placement
  • Coordinates special methods workshops for student teachers
    • Identifies and hires workshop facilitators
    • Documents needed competencies and assessment
• Organizes and manages course (EDUC 24, 26, 42, 53, 56, 76) field supervision and scheduling;
  • Identifies supervision needs;
  • Contacts and coordinates supervisors.
• Department liaison to local and state educational organizations; TEA, DCIU, PDE, and Local school districts and school boards.
• Support department chair and state certification officer
• Help organize and attend department meetings, chair meetings, events and retreat
  • Develops or revises teacher education program documentation/processes (online field guide, special methods tracking, placement spreadsheets, grid for new certification officer position, etc).
  • Monitors and shares state information and changes in certification and regulations

Who you are:

• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Strong project management skills, including the capacity to manage a project from inception to completion and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• A creative approach to problem solving.
• Demonstrated ability to work with diverse communities and sensitivity to issues of diversity.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office and Google applications and willingness and ability to learn multiple or new computer applications.
• Willingness to travel during work hours.

What you bring:

Required

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Minimum of 3 years work with or in schools.
• A valid Driver’s license and the ability to meet the requirements of the College’s Motor Vehicle Use Policy.

Preferred

• Master’s degree or equivalent
• Knowledge of local schools (Southeastern Pennsylvania)

Physical Demands

• This position requires the ability to focus in a stationary position for extended periods, including at a desk in front of a computer.
• Incumbent must be able to meet the physical demands of off-campus travel.

Working Conditions

• Workflow changes over the year depending on academic schedule. Typical work schedule is 11 months a year, roughly 30 hours per week. 

What You Will Get:

You’ll work at one of the world's most renowned liberal arts Colleges, with incredible benefits, a stunning 420-acre campus, and a collaborative work environment. Join a team of passionate, creative people who work hard and have fun supporting the College students, faculty, and staff.

We want to hear from you if you are excited about this role! For full consideration, submit applications with pay expectations, including a resume and cover letter, by July 8, 2024.

Act 153 Required by Position 

This position may regularly interact with minors. Under Pennsylvania Child Protective Services Law, (23 Pa. Cons. Stat. §§6301, et seq.) employees who have direct contact with minors are required to obtain the following background clearances prior to the start of employment:

• Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History (PATCH) through the Pennsylvania State Police
• Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance (PACA) through the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services
• FBI Criminal History Background Check (FBI Fingerprint).

MVR Required by Position

Due to operating a College owned motor vehicle while performing essential job responsibilities for this position, a motor vehicle report (MVR) clearance is required prior to the start of employment.

Education Verification Required by Position

An education verification is required for this position because a college degree is a required qualification for this position.

Review the 2024 Benefits Flyer. We offer benefit plans starting at zero cost! Upon benefit eligibility, the College contributes 10% of an employee’s salary to their retirement account. Employees are 100% vested in their accounts on the date participation begins.

Swarthmore Benefits Guidebook

Retirement Plans

Tuition Grant Program

Tuition Reimbursement Program

Paid Time Off (Staff)

Holiday Schedule

Swarthmore College actively seeks and welcomes applications from candidates with exceptional qualifications, particularly those with demonstrable commitments to a more inclusive society and world. Swarthmore College is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.