Assistant Director of Field Education- School of Social Work
Vcu Rrtc, Richmond, Virginia, United States, 23214
Join the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Social Work as an Assistant Director of Field Education and help shape the next generation of social work leaders. We’re seeking a collaborative, community‑centered practitioner who is passionate about student growth and committed to expanding high‑quality, hands‑on learning opportunities. In this role, you’ll partner closely with local organizations to strengthen transformative, accessible field experiences that prepare students for impactful careers in practice, administration, and scholarship. If you thrive on building relationships, supporting student success, and advancing meaningful community engagement, we invite you to apply.
Key Responsibilities Practicum Site Development & Community Partnerships
Lead, coordinate, and implement the office’s processes for cultivating, developing, and sustaining on‑site and virtual placement opportunities with both existing and new community partners, fostering intentional agency engagement, relationship‑building, and alignment with program learning standards.
Oversee and manage the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) / community partnership agreement process, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timely renewal in collaboration with the University’s Provost Office.
Collaborate with the placement team to promote efficiency, intentional agency engagement, and alignment with learning standards across placement levels (generalist, clinical, and macro).
Monitor and evaluate field placement experiences to ensure instructional integrity, quality learning, and alignment with program goals and CSWE competencies.
Engage community partners to address placement challenges, respond to emerging needs, and identify new opportunities for collaboration.
Develop and implement initiatives that actively connect community partners to the life of the school; including participation in events, utilization of resources, and collaboration in teaching, scholarship, and service.
Support Field Instructor and Task Supervisor Training and Development
Assist in designing and delivering engaging, practice‑oriented orientations for field instructors and task supervisors, ensuring clarity around roles, expectations, supervision models, and student learning evaluation processes.
Collaborate with the OFE team to offer professional development and community‑building opportunities that strengthen supervisory practice and enhance student learning.
Contribute to the creation and distribution of clear, user‑friendly tools and materials—such as evaluations, supervision guides, and communication plans—to support field instructors and task supervisors in facilitating meaningful supervision and maintaining connection to the office and school community.
Provide consultation and support to field instructors and task supervisors as they respond to student learning needs, challenges, and placement‑related concerns.
Teaching & Instruction
Carry a teaching load of 1:1 per academic year.
Provide instructional or training support as needed for field‑related courses or initiatives (e.g., semesterly prep of field courses).
Office, Program, and School Governance
Assist in the development and refinement of field education curricula aligned, ensuring that placement assignments support meaningful learning and competency development.
Ensure compliance with CSWE accreditation standards by reviewing and revising field education policies, procedures, and practices annually or as needed.
Co‑lead the Field Council with the Director of Field Education.
Collaborate with program administration, faculty, and staff across BSW and MSW programs to innovate and enhance the social work curriculum.
Engage actively in office, program, school, and university committees, meetings, and initiatives, contributing to shared governance, strategic planning, and continuous improvement.
Qualifications
Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from a CSWE‑accredited institution.
Minimum of five years of post‑MSW social work practice experience in a community, clinical, or macro setting.
Strong written and oral communication skills with the ability to clearly convey expectations, policies, and educational content.
Ability to make sound, timely, and effective decisions in complex or time‑sensitive situations.
Experience collaborating with community agencies, organizations, or service providers.
Ability to work effectively across programs and organizational units to support shared governance, curriculum development, and strategic initiatives.
Ease in working with technology, databases, and online teaching platforms.
Demonstrated ability to strategically prioritize and manage multiple responsibilities in a dynamic academic environment.
Proven capacity to oversee and respond to high‑volume communication with students, faculty, and community partners while maintaining clarity and professionalism.
Experience managing large volumes of student and partner data with accuracy, compliance, and effective use of information systems to support decision‑making.
Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a faculty member at VCU.
Preferred Qualifications
Current, valid social work clinical license (LCSW, LICSW, or equivalent).
Familiarity with local social service agencies, particularly within the Richmond, Virginia area.
Social work education or similar discipline teaching experience.
Knowledge of CSWE accreditation standards, field education policies, and best practices in practicum instruction and curriculum design.
Knowledge of placement site development and affiliation agreement processes.
Demonstrated success in building and sustaining collaborative partnerships between academic programs and community agencies.
Benefits All full‑time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave granted up front, generous tuition benefits, retirement planning and savings options, tax‑deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well‑being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more.
FLSA Exemption Status:
Exempt
Hours per Week:
40
Restricted Position:
No
ORP Eligible:
Yes
Flexible Work Arrangement:
Hybrid
Rank:
Assistant Professor
Tenure:
Ineligible
Months:
12
Contact Information Contact Name:
Yakaira Alexander‑Ramos
Contact Email:
alexanderry@vcu.edu
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Key Responsibilities Practicum Site Development & Community Partnerships
Lead, coordinate, and implement the office’s processes for cultivating, developing, and sustaining on‑site and virtual placement opportunities with both existing and new community partners, fostering intentional agency engagement, relationship‑building, and alignment with program learning standards.
Oversee and manage the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) / community partnership agreement process, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timely renewal in collaboration with the University’s Provost Office.
Collaborate with the placement team to promote efficiency, intentional agency engagement, and alignment with learning standards across placement levels (generalist, clinical, and macro).
Monitor and evaluate field placement experiences to ensure instructional integrity, quality learning, and alignment with program goals and CSWE competencies.
Engage community partners to address placement challenges, respond to emerging needs, and identify new opportunities for collaboration.
Develop and implement initiatives that actively connect community partners to the life of the school; including participation in events, utilization of resources, and collaboration in teaching, scholarship, and service.
Support Field Instructor and Task Supervisor Training and Development
Assist in designing and delivering engaging, practice‑oriented orientations for field instructors and task supervisors, ensuring clarity around roles, expectations, supervision models, and student learning evaluation processes.
Collaborate with the OFE team to offer professional development and community‑building opportunities that strengthen supervisory practice and enhance student learning.
Contribute to the creation and distribution of clear, user‑friendly tools and materials—such as evaluations, supervision guides, and communication plans—to support field instructors and task supervisors in facilitating meaningful supervision and maintaining connection to the office and school community.
Provide consultation and support to field instructors and task supervisors as they respond to student learning needs, challenges, and placement‑related concerns.
Teaching & Instruction
Carry a teaching load of 1:1 per academic year.
Provide instructional or training support as needed for field‑related courses or initiatives (e.g., semesterly prep of field courses).
Office, Program, and School Governance
Assist in the development and refinement of field education curricula aligned, ensuring that placement assignments support meaningful learning and competency development.
Ensure compliance with CSWE accreditation standards by reviewing and revising field education policies, procedures, and practices annually or as needed.
Co‑lead the Field Council with the Director of Field Education.
Collaborate with program administration, faculty, and staff across BSW and MSW programs to innovate and enhance the social work curriculum.
Engage actively in office, program, school, and university committees, meetings, and initiatives, contributing to shared governance, strategic planning, and continuous improvement.
Qualifications
Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from a CSWE‑accredited institution.
Minimum of five years of post‑MSW social work practice experience in a community, clinical, or macro setting.
Strong written and oral communication skills with the ability to clearly convey expectations, policies, and educational content.
Ability to make sound, timely, and effective decisions in complex or time‑sensitive situations.
Experience collaborating with community agencies, organizations, or service providers.
Ability to work effectively across programs and organizational units to support shared governance, curriculum development, and strategic initiatives.
Ease in working with technology, databases, and online teaching platforms.
Demonstrated ability to strategically prioritize and manage multiple responsibilities in a dynamic academic environment.
Proven capacity to oversee and respond to high‑volume communication with students, faculty, and community partners while maintaining clarity and professionalism.
Experience managing large volumes of student and partner data with accuracy, compliance, and effective use of information systems to support decision‑making.
Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a faculty member at VCU.
Preferred Qualifications
Current, valid social work clinical license (LCSW, LICSW, or equivalent).
Familiarity with local social service agencies, particularly within the Richmond, Virginia area.
Social work education or similar discipline teaching experience.
Knowledge of CSWE accreditation standards, field education policies, and best practices in practicum instruction and curriculum design.
Knowledge of placement site development and affiliation agreement processes.
Demonstrated success in building and sustaining collaborative partnerships between academic programs and community agencies.
Benefits All full‑time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave granted up front, generous tuition benefits, retirement planning and savings options, tax‑deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well‑being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more.
FLSA Exemption Status:
Exempt
Hours per Week:
40
Restricted Position:
No
ORP Eligible:
Yes
Flexible Work Arrangement:
Hybrid
Rank:
Assistant Professor
Tenure:
Ineligible
Months:
12
Contact Information Contact Name:
Yakaira Alexander‑Ramos
Contact Email:
alexanderry@vcu.edu
#J-18808-Ljbffr