Program Manager - College of Education

The Phyllis J. Washington College of Education invites applications for a Program Manager to join their team. This position is located in the Office of Field Experiences at the University of Montana (UM), which manages field placements and licensure for teacher candidates. The Program Manager assesses the effectiveness of field experiences in concert with others and ensures the collection of data and artifacts needed to meet accreditation standards. This position assists the Director of Field Experiences to secure student teaching placements and field experiences for teacher candidates. This position reports directly to the Director of Field Experiences, and attends meetings on behalf of the director as needed. On occasion, the Program Manager may accompany the director to on-site visits during the semester at participating schools.

Additionally, the Program Manager is responsible for licensure and payroll within the Office of Field Experiences. This position will be responsible for the intake, dissemination, storage, and advisement of Dept. of Justice background checks for all teaching candidates; management of Montana Office of Public Endorsement interns; and have sole responsibility for Class 5 (teacher) licensure. The Program Manager also participates in committees designed to improve the quality of service to students and collaborates with UM Office of Experiential Learning and Career Success to support the annual Educators’ Career Fair.



Oversight and Coordination of Clinical Experiences:

• Coordinates clinical experience placements of T & L Secondary ED 202, and ED 395 in schools within a 30-mile radius of Missoula
• Arranges placements of teacher candidates for student teaching by working with school administrators and/or district human resources offices, acts as a liaison between the College of Education and K-12 partner schools
• Collaborates with the director to develop a communication plan to promote awareness and understanding of field experience policies and protocol for students, UM faculty and administration, and P-12 partners
• Provides assistance regarding student field performance
• Processes requests for professional development credit for cooperating teachers
• Manages the intake, dissemination, storage, and advisement of background checks for candidates seeking licensure
• Works with the Director to conduct informational sessions for secondary and special education candidates

Fiscal Management and Licensure:

• Collects and prepares payroll and employment records, determines appropriate method and amount of pay for UM supervisors and cooperating teachers,
• Organizes and submits mileage reimbursement for university supervisors
• Tracks and submits course registration fees for cooperating teachers and UM supervisors
• Monitors revenue, tracks expenditures and reconciles finances
• Contributes to budget projections
• Manages OPI endorsement interns and Class 5 alternative licenses
• Tracks and verifies Praxis scores
• Audits semester grades for student teachers, handles petitions for Program Exceptions
• Audits prior year’s licensure eligibility
• Reviews Class 8 post-secondary licensure applications
• Provides completion letters to candidates seeking licensure before degree award
• Manages out-of-state university recommendation forms
• Completes EDLE transcript evaluations (principal & superintendent)
• Handles licensure renewal inquiries
• Manages database entries for licensure admission and completion

Upon completion of training, the incumbent will have developed a working knowledge of:

• Understand and use Montana OPI and CAEP accreditation guidelines to inform policies and practices
• Knowledge of and ability to implement DOJ background check procedures in accordance with federal guidelines
• Ability to use campus applications such as Banner, Submittal, GrizMart, etc

Required Skills

• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills, positive attitude, and the ability to work independently and collaboratively
• Basic knowledge of budgeting
• Ability to write and present reports
• Ability to meet strict deadlines and pay attention to details while working in a busy environment
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and display professionalism

Minimum Required Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field, as well as at least two (2) years of directly related work experience; or any combination of experience and education that would provide the competencies required to successfully discharge the duties assigned to this position

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience teaching in a P-12 school setting

About the College of Education and UM

The Phyllis J. Washington College of Education shapes professional practices that contribute to the development of human potential. We are individuals in a community of lifelong learners, guided by respect for knowledge, human dignity and ethical behavior. To advance the physical, emotional, and intellectual health of a diverse society, we work together producing and disseminating knowledge as we educate learners.

The University of Montana is flagship, research institution with approximately 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students. It is located in Missoula, a culturally vibrant community of about 75,000, surrounded by mountains and three rivers converge. Abundant recreational opportunities in surrounding state and national forests and nearby Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park complement a thriving intellectual atmosphere. The University of Montana offers eligible employees a generous benefits package that positively separates UM from other local employers and offers many programs and policies to support work-life balance for its employees.

The University of Montana is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and has a strong institutional commitment to the principle of diversity in all areas. In that spirit, we are particularly interested in receiving applications from a broad spectrum of qualified people who would assist the University in demonstrating its five priorities for action : Place student success at the center of all we do; drive excellence and innovation in teaching, learning, and research; embody the principle of “mission first, people always"; partner with place; and proudly tell the UM story.



To learn more about the University of Montana, Missoula, and the State of Montana, please visit the links below.

• University of Montana
• Video: Mission First, People Always
• UM on YouTube

Position Details

Position Title: Program Manager

Position Number: 067630

Department: College of Education

Work Schedule: Full-time, 1.0 FTE (40 Hours a week), Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, 12 months/year

Salary: $18.35/hr

Union Affiliation: FOCUS-MFPE

Probationary Period: Six months minimum

Benefits Include : Insurance package, mandatory retirement plan, partial tuition waiver, and wellness program.

Criminal Background Investigation is required prior to the Offer of Employment In accordance with University regulations, finalists for this position will be subject to criminal background investigations. ADA/EOE/AA/Veteran's Preference Reasonable accommodations are provided in the hiring process for persons with disabilities. For example, this material is available in alternative format upon request. As an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, we encourage applications from minorities, veterans, and women. Qualified candidates may request veterans’ or disabilities preference in accordance with state law. References: References not listed on the application materials may be contacted; notice may be provided to the applicant. Testing: Individual hiring departments at UM may elect to administer pre-employment tests, which are relevant to essential job functions. Employment Eligibility: All New Employees must be eligible and show employment eligibility verification by the first date of employment at UM, as legally required (e.g., Form I-9).


How to Apply

Priority Application Date: Tuesday , October 26, 2021 by 11:59 PM (Mountain Time)

Complete applications received by the ‘Priority Application Date’ will be guaranteed consideration. The position will remain open until filled. Candidates are required to submit the following materials online via "New Resume/CV" button below

*Please note, only five (5) attachments allowed per application. Please combine documents accordingly.

A complete application Includes:

1. Letter of Interest – addressing your qualifications and experience related to the stated required skills for the position. A general letter salutation such as “Dear Search Committee” or “Dear Hiring Manager” is acceptable.
2. Detailed Resume – listing education and describing work experience.
3. Professional References – names and contact information for three (3) professional references.
4. Transcripts

Job Location Missoula, Montana, United States
Position Type Full-Time/Regular