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Location

Saint Paul, MN | United States

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Job description

Job ID 359548
Location Twin Cities
Job Family Education-General
Full/Part Time Full-Time
Regular/Temporary Regular
Job Code 9745S2
Employee Class Acad Prof and Admin


About the Job

The Religious Studies Program at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities invites applications for the position of Education Program Specialist 2 (Job Code 9745S2). This position has the working title Associate Director, with responsibilities for teaching, curriculum, and instruction as well as program administration and coordination. This is a 100%-time, 12-Month, annually renewable position subject to the University's policies for Academic Professional and Administrative Employees (P&A).

This position supports the Religious Studies and Islamic Studies academic programs, by serving as director of undergraduate studies and lead instructor; providing curriculum management and delivery; undergraduate advising and programming; student recruitment and retention; scholarships/fellowships and internships; instructional hiring and orientation; faculty development; internal and external fundraising; budgeting; and liaising with the IGS Administrative Hub and the College of Liberal Arts on administrative and operational functions. The Associate Director must be able to work both independently and collaboratively with the Director and Steering Committee.

The Religious Studies Program is affiliated with the Institute for Global Studies (IGS) and the West Bank Administrative Hub in the College of Liberal Arts. The Associate Director reports to the Director of the Religious Studies Program and contributes to the leadership and operations of IGS in areas of expertise and need. This position offers an opportunity to work with flexibility and allows for a partially remote work arrangement.

Job Responsibilities:

Teaching & Instruction (35%) . This position teaches two 1xxx, 3xxx, or 5xxx courses each academic year, usually RELS 1001 or 1002 and one additional course. As lead instructor this position will:

• Prepare for and conduct classes, hold office hours, evaluate student performance, submit grades, respond to student and department inquiries, advise students on coursework, submit evaluations of instruction.
• Supervise teaching assistants, monitor and adjust workloads, etc.
• Research and develop new course content and/or new courses for the Religious Studies Program.
• Advise faculty and instructors on RELS courses and teaching methodology; develop benchmarks and proficiency measures to assess student achievement.
• Participate in the decisions relating to the policies, courses, and programs in which there is involvement.
• Continue personal growth within the profession, keep current with the field, maintain an active research agenda, and broaden knowledge and expertise in Religious Studies.

Director of Undergraduate Studies (25%) . As Director of Undergraduate Studies (DUS) this position will:

• Advise undergraduate majors and minors in the Religious Studies and Islamic Studies programs; complete major and minor declarations; review student programs; approve student/faculty contracts.
• Coordinate student internship placement; serve as Honors liaison; send graduation clearance notices.
• Coordinate with CLA and University offices (e.g. advising, honors, learning abroad) to facilitate student progress and enhance student learning.
• Attend CLA and University-wide DUS meetings.
• Serve as the TES reviewer for religion-related transcripts from private institutions.
• Administer the Harold S. Anderson Scholarship in Religious Studies.
• Provide support for Student Learning Outcomes review and Annual Progress Report reporting.
• Provide support for curricular development. Identify courses for cross-listing and work with the staff course scheduler to ensure accurate inclusion of RELS courses; identify new courses eligible for cross-listing and work with the Steering Committee to obtain approval for new courses.
• Oversee production and distribution of course lists in Religious Studies and Islamic Studies; respond to student questions; monitor enrollments.
• Identify curricular issues for the Director's and Steering Committee's attention; bring new course proposals to the steering committee and implement their decisions.
• Work with CLA advisors and University Admissions to raise knowledge about the program; represent RELS and ISLM at the annual Major/Minor Expo.
• Liaise with IGS Hub and CLA to ensure accurate course catalog updates and corrections.

Program Administration & Management (25%) . In collaboration with the Director, the Associate Director provides intellectual and administrative leadership for the Religious Studies Program, including planning and establishment of priorities that lead to innovations and improvements in the curriculum, research, and engagement in the area of Religious Studies.

• Assist in the development and oversight of the implementation of efficient administrative policies that support the mission of the program in Religious Studies.
• Finance & Fundraising. Monitor deposits and expenditures into the Religious Studies and Islamic Studies chartstings.
• With the Director, help to develop a yearly budget. With the Director, identify programming and potential external funding sources, and work with faculty to write proposals.
• With the Director, liaison with the CLA office of Institutional Advancement regarding fund-raising.
• Develop opportunities for faculty development in Religious Studies and related fields.
• Support and administer the Religious Studies graduate minor.
• Participate in building intellectual community around the study of religion among scholars within the University of Minnesota, within the Upper Midwest region, and nationally.
• Coordinate Religious Studies Steering Committee and the Islamic Studies Committee; schedule meetings; reserve rooms; create agendas; gather and distribute materials; implement decisions; consult on policy development and compliance.
• Hire and supervise student worker(s).
• With the Director, conduct an internal program review every three years.

Program Communication (15%) . This position is responsible for communication including:

• Coordinate publicity for the Religious Studies and Islamic Studies programs; develop and oversee content, including the hard-copy fliers, posters, and brochures, and online materials for the RELS website, Facebook, and Instagram, etc.
• Coordinate newsletters, including Faculty/Staff/Grad; Major/Minor; Islamic Studies; monitor HNET and other scholarly lists for events & opportunities to be included in the newsletters.
• Raise the visibility of the Religious Studies and Islamic Studies Programs on campus and in the broader community.
• Plan and host programs and events geared toward students; develop programming to foster trans-disciplinary faculty engagement around topics related to religion; coordinate programming and event support with IGS Hub; manage publicity, communications, and co-sponsorships with partner departments and programs.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Religious Studies or a related field, with at least 4 years of experience, or a BA/BS with at least 6 years of relevant post degree experience.
• Demonstrated successful experience teaching undergraduate Religious Studies or related courses.
• Outstanding organizational and managerial skills.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills.
• The position requires in-depth content knowledge and experience in the academic field of Religious Studies or a closely related discipline, and the ability to apply this knowledge to meet the objectives of the Religious Studies Program.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ph.D in Religious Studies or a related field.
• On-going research agenda in Religious Studies which includes a record of publication and presentations in scholarly venues.
• Academic advising experience with undergraduate students.
• Supervisory experience.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including experience with social media.
• Experience with grant writing and grant management processes.
• Experience with interdisciplinary scholarship and programs.

About the Department

About the Religious Studies Program

The Religious Studies Program is an interdepartmental program, bringing together faculty and courses from over a dozen departments in the College of Liberal Arts. Its mission is to support the educational goals of the University of Minnesota and of the College of Liberal Arts by advancing research and teaching about religion as a fundamental part of human experience and meaning.

The Program concerns itself with the academic study of religion as an experience that informs individual and collective identity from personal relationships to political sympathies to scientific investigation to artistic creativity. The Program accomplishes this mission by:

• encouraging research in the academic study of religion
• developing and maintaining curricula that allow for an undergraduate major and minor, as well as for a graduate minor, and
• collaborating with other academic programs in the College of Liberal Arts and the larger University.

The Religious Studies Program is led by the Director, the Associate Director, and a faculty Steering Committee. The program offers an undergraduate major and minor in Religious Studies, a graduate minor in Religious Studies, and an undergraduate minor in Islamic Studies. In addition to these curricula, it hosts a variety of scholarly events throughout the year and fosters communication among its dispersed faculty and with faculty in Religious Studies throughout the upper Midwest.

About the Institute for Global Studies

The Religious Studies Program is affiliated with the (IGS) in the College of Liberal Arts. IGS connects students, scholars, and communities dedicated to social justice, understanding, and transforming our globalized world. IGS offers an interdisciplinary undergraduate major and minor intended to foster innovative problem solving by providing students with a variety of methods and analytic tools. Students are encouraged to develop new perspectives that combine diverse ways of knowing the world. IGS strives to:

• Create an environment for students and scholars at the University of Minnesota to investigate the sets of interrelated processes forming today's increasingly interdependent world.
• Provide a vibrant curriculum for students, bring together scholars from diverse disciplines, and work with the community to create partnerships examining global issues.
• Prepare students for global citizenship by offering an innovative and relevant curriculum.
• Put great minds to work on issues of global significance by supporting interdisciplinary research centers, research collaboratives, speakers' series, and colloquia.
• Make connections across cultural, geographic, and disciplinary boundaries by providing professional development for educators and nurturing community partnerships.

About the College of Liberal Arts

Home to the arts, social sciences, and humanities disciplines and programs, the is the largest college in the University of Minnesota comprises 31 academic departments, and over 20 interdisciplinary research centers and administrative/support units. CLA has over 1,300 faculty and staff spanning research, teaching, advising, outreach, and administrative functions. CLA units reside in over twenty buildings on the East Bank and West Bank of the Twin Cities campus. CLA enrolls nearly 13,000 undergraduate students, over 40% of the undergraduate enrollment on the Twin Cities campus, 1,400 graduate students, and has an annual all-funds budget of $290 million.

CLA is a destination for curious, compassionate individuals who are committed to making our increasingly interdependent and diverse global community work for everyone. That . CLA is committed to increasing enrollment of underrepresented and under-resourced students, diversifying our faculty across all disciplines, recruiting, and retaining a diverse staff, and promoting the expression and exploration of diverse perspectives and viewpoints-so that we all gain the background knowledge and analytical skills we need to understand and respect differences.

Benefits

Working at the University

At the University of Minnesota, you'll find a flexible work environment and supportive colleagues who are interested in lifelong learning. We prioritize work-life balance, allowing you to invest in the future of your career and in your life outside of work.

The University also offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Please visit the for more information regarding benefits.

How To Apply

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a letter of application and a curriculum vitae or resume. Additional required materials may be attached after the initial application by accessing your "My Activities" page and uploading documents there.

The following materials must be attached to your online application:

1. letter of application that addresses your research interests, teaching experience, administrative experience, and your commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
2. curriculum vitae or resume
3. names and contact information for at least three (3) professional references
4. a recent scholarly writing sample representative of your current work
5. sample course evaluations or a teaching portfolio

We will seek letters of recommendation for those advancing to interviews. Other additional materials may be requested from candidates at a later date.

The priority deadline for application materials is March 1, 2024. The position will remain open until filled.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail or call (612) 624-UOHR (8647).

Please direct questions about the position and the search to the Institute for Global Studies, at .

Diversity

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U:

Employment Requirements

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

About the U of M

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).

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