How to Apply
A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline your skills and experience that directly relate to this position as specified in the Requirements Section.
Job Summary
The Marsal Family School of Education recently launched a new undergraduate degree program called Learning, Equity, And Problem Solving for the Public Good (LEAPS). A key element of the LEAPS program is engaged learning for students who work with community-based organizations, companies, and governmental and non-governmental organizations across the city of Detroit. LEAPS seeks a Community Engagement Specialist to establish and manage relationships with these various partner organizations and to supervise student placements in them. We seek applicants familiar with Detroit and committed to building strong collaborations for and with Detroiters, honoring and amplifying the ongoing work of the city's residents and organizations. This position will be located on the Marygrove Conservancy campus in northwest Detroit and will report to the Chair of the LEAPS undergraduate academic program. This is a full-time position that requires in-office presence.
Responsibilities*
You will be responsible for developing and maintaining partnerships for engaged learning activities for the LEAPS program, including all relationships with external partners and student placements with those partners. This work includes creating systems for monitoring relationships, and producing regular reports about engaged learning partnerships for LEAPS.
Specific responsibilities include:
- Designing, administering, and evolving resources, programs, and opportunities for students to engage with partner organizations
- Contributing to, cultivating, and managing a diverse network external partners for engaged learning in LEAPS, including local community, government and nonprofit organizations
- Creating systems for managing partner relationships
- Resolving conflicts between partners, students, and the program
- Coordinating students and student teams in placements with partner organizations
- Supporting the engaged learning experience of students in related courses and co-curricular experiences
- Organizing events related to engaged learning for partners and students
- Design and facilitating workshops and programming related to teamwork, collaboration, client engagement, and change management for students working with partner organizations
- Ongoing collaboration with key offices in the Marsal School including but limited to Career Services, Communications, Student Affairs, and Development and Alumni Relations.
Required Qualifications*
- High school diploma required; some college experience preferred
- Minimum of two years of work experience in or related to student engagement programs, civic engagement education, civic engagement, community organizing, or public service
- Demonstrated excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to build relationships with a diverse range of people from various industries and levels, and a diverse population of students, staff, and faculty
- Strong organizational skills with the demonstrated ability to move projects forward, follow up with internal and external stakeholders as needed, and follow through with tasks independently
- Experience working with a wide range of technology, including proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and Google Apps products and managing data in complex databases
- Ability to manage multiple, competing duties
- Ability to work independently, exercise initiative as a critical member of a small team, and function in a dynamic environment; strong desire to contribute to a developing team in the novel field of engaged learning
- Ability to set expectations and achieve results while contributing to the broader mission of the LEAPS program, the Marsal School, and the University
- Access to a vehicle for visiting partner sites (mileage will be reimbursed).
Desired Qualifications*
- Professional experience in the kinds of partner organizations LEAPS students are likely to work with
- Demonstrated leadership in building coalitions and collaborative efforts to address social issues that include and support multiple perspectives
- Training in facilitation, community engagement strategies, or experience with community organizing
- Ability to confidently and fluently communicate with academics and employers in various roles and organizations
- Experience working with students and/or nonprofits related to community engagement
- Demonstrated experience with collaborative cloud-based software and project management technologies such as Airtable or Salesforce
- Knowledge of University of Michigan policies and procedures.
Work Locations
Punctual, regular, and consistent attendance at the office and in program coordination meetings is required. Will require working during non-business hours and on weekends. Will require regular regional travel to partner sites in a vehicle you have ability to access reliably (mileage reimbursed). The role requires on-site work due to the collaboration needed, though work will frequently be off-site at partner locations.
The position is based at the Marygrove Conservancy Campus located at 8701 W. McNichols in Detroit, MI.
Modes of Work
Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.
Additional Information
Marsal Family School of Education Statement on Diversity
We respect and value individuals from all races, ethnic backgrounds, ages, genders, religions, sexual orientations, disabilities, economic or veteran status, and other diverse perspectives and individual differences. Further, we are committed to tolerance, sensitivity, understanding, and mutual respect everywhere within our community and we affirm our promise to make the Marsal Family School of Education a welcoming place for all. In seeking new staff members, we are committed to hiring those who share in our reverence and expectation for diversity.
U-M EEO/AA Statement
The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.