Summer Bridge Program Director

Posting Details

Posting Number NC00150P Quick Link for Position https://jobs.uafs.edu/postings/1808 Working Title Summer Bridge Program Director Position Number Department English About the University

For more than 6,000 students each semester, the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith offers a dynamic and diverse learning community with a student-centered approach focused on the success of the individual. Small class sizes combine with innovative, hands-on learning and research experiences alongside expert faculty to ensure students receive a future-focused education at the most affordable tuition rate in the state. The University has undergone significant changes since its founding in 1928 and now offers 51 bachelor’s and associate degrees, two master’s degrees, and 36 certificate programs, all aimed at preparing students for success in the global workforce. UAFS is one of 21 academic institutions and affiliates governed by the University of Arkansas System.

The second-largest city in the state, Fort Smith is located on the Arkansas-Oklahoma border in the heart of the Arkansas River Valley. Established in 1817 as a frontier military post, Fort Smith is now a vibrant and growing city featuring a variety of cultural activities and entertainment options, including a thriving downtown arts and entertainment district. Outdoor enthusiasts will appreciate the Natural State’s plentiful trails, mountains, forests, parks, and waterways, both within the city limits and throughout the surrounding area. The city is also within easy driving distance of Tulsa, Kansas City, Dallas, Oklahoma City, Little Rock, and Memphis.

The UAFS campus is comprised of 77 buildings and facilities located on 170 beautifully-manicured acres and crowned with the Donald W. Reynolds Campus Plaza, Tower, and Campus Green. Students who choose to live on campus may do so in one of two residence hall complexes, complete with a full-service dining center, or the on-campus apartment complex for married students and upperclassmen. Campus involvement is encouraged by participation in more than 100 registered student organizations, which includes academic societies, a dynamic Greek life system, intramural sports, and cultural/special interest groups. The UAFS Lions compete in the NCAA Division II Lonestar Conference in men’s baseball, women’s volleyball, and men’s and women’s basketball, golf, cross country, and tennis.

About the College / Department

The University of Arkansas – Fort Smith is seeking highly motivated applicants for the position of Summer Bridge Director in a new, grant-funded writing center. The successful applicant will work with the writing center director and leaders from the Department of English, Rhetoric & Writing to develop summer bridge opportunities in Corequisite English. Please see the following for more information on the UAFS Writing Center: https://academics.uafs.edu/writing-center/home

Position Summary

The University of Arkansas – Fort Smith is seeking highly motivated applicants for the position of Summer Bridge Program Director to work in conjunction with a new, grant-funded writing center. The successful applicant will work with the Writing Center Director to hire, train, and oversee embedded tutors for Summer Bridge students; develop programming services for Summer Bridge students during their first academic year; and monitor, assess, and report on student success and stakeholder satisfaction with the services provided. The position reports to the Director of the Writing Center, who reports to the Title III Coordinator and the Title III Activity Director. This position is funded by the Title III Strengthening the Institution Program grant.

Summary of Job Duties

• Recruit, hire, train, and supervise embedded tutors.
• Match embedded tutors with Summer Bridge students/groups of students.
• Maintain records of embedded tutor interaction with Summer Bridge students during their first academic year.
• Track and report success of Summer Bridge students during their first academic year. Make modifications to Summer Bridge program based on assessment results/analysis (in collaboration with Writing Center Director and Title III Coordinator/Activity Director).
• Develop/facilitate programming for Summer Bridge students designed for team/cohort building and to increase academic success during their first academic year.
• Coordinate with embedded tutors to ensure Summer Bridge students engage with pre-fall programming like NSO and other activities.
• Coordinate with embedded tutors to encourage Summer Bridge students to take advantage of student services available to them during their first academic year, including the Writing Center, the Academic Success Center, ROAR, etc.
• Coordinate with embedded tutors to encourage Summer Bridge students to engage with activities/organizations on campus during their first academic year.
• Work with the Writing Center Director to promote a culture of writing excellence across the university by cultivating connections between/among the writing center and other UAFS academic programs.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum requirements include a master’s degree in the disciplines of English, Rhetoric, or Writing, or Bachelor’s in English Teacher Licensure and at least 18 hours of graduate work in the discipline or in Higher Education Leadership or C & I or related field; must have at least two years’ experience teaching; must be adept at managing student tutors; must be willing to work some nights and weekends, as well as summers; and must be able to work effectively with diverse populations.

Please ensure that all relevant application materials include details addressing the minimum qualifications. Applicants not meeting the minimum qualifications will be disqualified from consideration.

License(s)/Certifications Preferred Qualifications

Preferred qualifications include experience running summer programming for IHE or secondary education; experience working with at-risk student groups. Impeccable dependability and ability to meet deadlines also requisite.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strategies for enhancing student engagement/success in specific courses and with the larger university community.
• Composition pedagogy, including writing processes, requirements and conventions of various discourse communities/professional organizations, and writing assessment best practices.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse populations.
• Impeccable dependability and ability to meet deadlines.

Special Job Dimensions

Work performed primarily in an office/classroom setting. Occasional travel and extended hours required. While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly exhibits digital dexterity when entering data into computer. Required abilities include walking, standing, and sitting for extended periods. Visual demands include close, relatively detailed vision when focusing on a computer screen. Employee regularly talks and hears. Employee occasionally lifts items up to 10 pounds.

Work Schedule

18 hours per week. Flexible between 8:00 am and 8:00 pm. 42 wks = 916; may have 936.

Salary $20,000 annual Benefits Background Check / Pre-Employment Screening

This position may be subject to a pre-employment criminal background check, sex offender registry check, financial history background check, and/or drug screening. A criminal conviction or arrest pending adjudication and/or adverse financial history alone shall not disqualify an applicant in the absence of a relationship to the requirements of the position. Background checks and drug screening information will be used in a confidential, non- discriminatory manner consistent with state and federal law.

Does this position require a background check? Criminal Background Check and Motor Vehicle Registry (MVR) Check. Position requires employee complete Arkansas Mandated Reporter training prior to employment.
Open Date 04/15/2021 Close Date Open Until Filled Yes Special Instructions to Applicants

For full consideration please apply by 4/30/2021.

Anticipated start date 05/17/2021 EEO Statement

The University of Arkansas – Fort Smith is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution, dedicated to attracting and supporting diverse student, faculty, and staff populations. The University welcomes applications without regard to race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, family medical history or genetic information, political affiliation, military service, or other non-merit based factors. Persons must have proof of legal authority to work in the United States on the first day of employment. All applicant information is subject to public disclosure under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act.

UA Fort Smith provides equal employment, admission, and educational opportunities without regard to race, color, gender, age, national origin, religion, disability, veterans’ status, sexual orientation, or gender identify. The University abides by all applicable employment laws.

As an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, the University is committed to provide equal employment opportunities for all applicants and employees with regard to recruitment, hiring, transfer, promotion, compensation, training, fringe benefits and all other aspects of employment.

Applicant Documents
Required Documents

1. Resume
2. Cover Letter
3. Unofficial College Transcripts
4. Teaching Philosophy

Optional Documents

1. Additional Document
2. Proof of Veteran Status

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

1. * Do you understand that failure to complete the Employment History section of the application will result in automatic elimination?
   • Yes
   • No
2. * Did you complete the Employment History section of the application?
   • Yes
   • No
3. * Do you understand that failure to upload your unofficial transcript(s) may result in an incomplete application packet?
   • Yes
   • No
4. * Did you upload your unofficial transcript(s)?
   • Yes
   • No
5. * Have you ever been fired or asked to resign from a job?
   • Yes
   • No
6. If yes, please describe.
   
   (Open Ended Question)
   
   
7. * How did you learn of this employment opportunity?
   
   (Open Ended Question)