Widener University, Center for Social Work Education is currently seeking a Field Placement Coordinator. The Field Placement Coordinator is an administrative member of the Center for Social Work Education working to support the overall efforts of the Field Education program in the Center for Social Work Education. Field Placement Coordinators are relationship builders who are responsible for establishing partnerships with social work agencies to assist MSW graduate students in completing their field placement rotations. This position consists of forming relationships with the clinical placement sites where students can acquire hands-on learning in their field. The Field Placement Coordinator works under the supervision of the Director of Field Education and in collaboration with the Assistant Directors of Field Education to maintain high quality field education and field placement experiences to MSW students in both the campus and online programs. The position requires a high level of organization, detail-orientation, and multi-tasking abilities to organize and follow through on all field administration activities. This position also requires creativity in order to identify new opportunities to support and enhance the field program and/or the overall mission of the Center, College and University.
Our students represent a multitude of diverse identities. We aspire to develop a Graduate Social Work faculty, staff, and curriculum that is anti-racist, anti-oppressive and reflects and respects our professional values. We seek to create an intentionally diverse educational community in which students, staff, and faculty perspectives are valued and meaningfully incorporated into our work.
This position is fully virtual remote, with the option to be in person.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (including, but not limited to):
Essential duties:
- Adheres to Widener University and the Center for Social Work Education’s data privacy policies.
- Manage a load of approximately 50 -70 students per semester in an ongoing cycle that involves placing generalist and specialization MSW students three semesters per year.
- Conduct face to face meetings/interviews with students (in person or via Zoom and Teams when necessary) to describe the Center’s field education requirements and planning process and to assess the students’ readiness for field.
- Ensures student success through on-time placement and matching with social work agencies to avoid any lapse or delays in course progression
- Conduct outreach to agencies to explore field opportunities for Widener’s students and educate agency internship coordinators on the value of hosting a Widener MSW student.
- Maintain complete knowledge and understanding of Widener’s Center for Social Work Education curriculum, programs (BSW and MSW) and clearly explain these curricula and programs to potential and when needed, current agency partners
- Foster existing relationships and develop new relationships with agencies locally and nation-wide.
- Attend weekly Field Team Meetings and other Center related meetings as requested (faculty meetings, etc)
- Collaborate with members of the field team in creating educational events to support students’ development and to train field instructors and agency site supervisors in educating and supervising Widener MSW students in the field.
- Serve as liaisons between the college, facility, and students for social work field placement during the field planning process.
- Provides excellent customer service and maintains professional communication with key stakeholders via phone, Zoom, and/or email.
- Document and track field placement assignments.
Secondary responsibilities:
- Researches new potential sites for students to complete their social work field placements.
- Helps to maintain and update a database of clinical social services agencies in multiple online systems while maintaining confidentiality.
- Provide consultation and mediation to facilitate communication between students, field instructors, faculty field liaisons, field agencies, and academic faculty.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (education/training and experience required):
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution (required)
- 2+ years experience in higher education or social work
- Experience in matching and placing students to field education experiences
- Experience with and sensitivity to the needs of a diverse student population
- Customer service experience in a metrics-driven environment supporting students
- Experience developing partnerships with community agencies
- Proactive, self-starter with excellent time management skills who will take ownership of their job, and is disciplined to independently plan workflow
- background, and highly organized and accomplished at problem-solving in a metrics-driven environment
- Comfortable communicating and establishing rapport in a professional manner via phone and email
Preferred:
- Two years’ experience as a field instructor and/or field liaison
- High attention to detail and previous experience using Microsoft Office Suite to include Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams.
- Experience using Exxat, or other field placement software
- Knowledge of the Council on Social Work Education’s Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND/OR UNUSUAL HOURS:
This position is a virtual work environment with the option to be in person, Our employees enjoy the freedom and flexibility of working from home. We have collaborative tools that foster teamwork and community.
The requirements for success in a virtual work-at-home role include:
- Workspace – Must be able to provide a dedicated, confidential workspace which includes a door that can be closed for privacy
- High-speed internet – Must provide employee-paid, high-speed internet service (5MB or higher connection speed); no dial-up or satellite dish connections
- Some night and weekend work is occasionally required.
All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Widener University is committed to fostering an inclusive community in which faculty, staff, and students from a variety of backgrounds, cultures, and personal experiences are welcomed and can thrive. We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to providing equal educational and employment opportunities for all persons without regard to age, color, national origin, race, religion, disability, veteran status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, or status as a protected veteran.
Some positions may be eligible for a hybrid or remote work arrangement that may include a partially or fully remote work location, consistent with Widener’s Flexible Work policy.
Widener University, an independent, metropolitan, doctoral-intensive university, connects curricula to social issues through civic engagement. Dynamic teaching, active scholarship, personal attention and experiential learning are key components of the Widener Experience. Located in Chester, PA, Widener's main campus is nestled between Philadelphia, PA and Wilmington, DE, with Law Schools located in both Harrisburg and Wilmington.
EOE M/F/V/D