Assistant Director of Academic Success and Bar Preparation at Thomas Jefferson

Assistant Director of Academic Success & Bar Preparation

Full-time, Exempt

GENERAL SUMMARY DESCRIPTION: Reporting to the Director of Academic Success & Bar Preparation, the Assistant Director of Academic Success & Bar Preparation (“Assistant Director”) is responsible for helping coordinate and supervise integrated academic success and bar support programs for students at Thomas Jefferson School of Law. The successful candidate will help support law school students and graduates to succeed in law school and as they prepare for their bar examinations, including by teaching bar-related and academic success courses. The Assistant Director will also provide assistance with and will monitor learning outcomes, academic performance, academic support and bar preparation activities to all students, and will participate in other student retention activities as needed.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Work collaboratively with Director of Academic Success & Bar Preparation, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, and the faculty to assess and address the current needs for academic success and bar-related programming and support.

• Work with the Director of Academic Success & Bar Preparation and other department members to administer the integrated academic success and bar preparation program for current students and bar-takers, including by teaching classes; providing one-on-one and small group tutoring; developing and teaching workshops; providing support and guidance to Learning Assistants; and completing other tasks as assigned.

• Teach sections of bar-related and academic success skills courses as needed (including fall, spring, and summer).

• Work collaboratively to tailor programming including courses and workshops to meet the needs of students and bar-takers each term (fall, spring and summer, including the February and July bar cycles).

• Collaborate to improve and implement the Continuing Bar Candidate and Commercial Bar Support Programs. This includes, but is not limited to, one-on-one student meetings, essay and performance test grading, teaching workshops, and providing other general bar study support.

• Provide structured writing, organizational, and analytical assistance to current students and recent graduates, including through workshops and presentations.

• Participate in the presentation of academic success program activities beginning with Week One, the student orientation program.

• Help to track and report information regarding bar passage, workshop and programmatic usage, and programming assessments and evaluations.

• Provide support, academic advice, and counseling to students and recent graduates. This involves counseling students on both academic issues and other issues that might be affecting their academic studies.

• Enforce campus policies regarding commercial bar preparation access to campus.

• Participate in committees as assigned by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.

• Oversee student workers as needed.

• Represent the law school at and participate in outside conferences and other events organized for

  and/or by academic support or bar preparation professionals, as applicable.

  KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES:

• J.D. from an ABA or CBE-accredited law school and a proven record of academic achievement during law school.

• Admission to a state bar in the United States, California preferred.

• At least 2 years of experience practicing law or delivering writing or other instruction in an

  academic institution, law firm, or commercial bar prep company.

• Familiarity with California bar-tested subjects and California bar exam format.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

• Prior experience with academic support and bar preparation strongly preferred.

• Experience with curriculum design, including an understanding of educational learning

  theory, best practices in teaching pedagogy, and individual learning styles preferred.

• Experience teaching writing and/or working with students for whom English is their second

  language preferred.

• Experience with assessment and with data collection preferred.

• Familiarity with online technology, Zoom included, preferred.

• The ability to think imaginatively and critically about techniques to improve our law students’

  academic development and bar passage, and to design, implement and manage innovative programs

  to assist adult learners in reaching their potential.

• The ability to work well with a diverse student body, including having a cultural awareness of

  different learning styles.

• Strong teaching, interpersonal and counseling skills.

• Strong public speaking skills.

• Ability to work collaboratively with faculty and staff and other team members on tasks including

  course design and implementation.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities under deadlines.

  PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Able to sit or stand, type, read or write for extended periods of time.

• Able to handle high level of stress in a useful, constructive manner.

• Able to lift/carry materials and publications up to 20 pounds.

• Able to perform the essential functions of the job with or without accommodation.