Job Description
St. John’s established in 1870, has three New York City campuses; international locations in Rome, Italy; Limerick, Ireland; and Paris, France; and study abroad locations around the world. The Princeton Review and other top rankings consistently recognize the University’s outstanding academics, diverse student body, dynamic internship and volunteer opportunities, focus on student life, and diverse study abroad offerings. St. John’s University offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate programs in its six colleges and schools, with a growing number of programs offered online. The University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and 12 other major academic and professional associations.
A dedication to diversity, equity and inclusion is at the heart of our mission. As a Catholic and Vincentian university, St. John’s is committed to institutionalizing practices of inclusive excellence to ensure that we welcome and celebrate the intrinsic worth of all members of our community. We will become an even stronger university as we enhance equity at every level of our institution.Our graduates will excel in the competencies and values required for leadership and service in a rapidly evolving world.
Department: Law School, Career Development Office
Specific Job Title: Director, Public Interest Center
Reports to: Jeanne Ardan, Associate Dean for Career Development and Externships
Campus: Queens
Job Summary:
St. John’s University School of Law is seeking a Director of the Public Interest Center, one of the Law School’s academic centers. The Director will lead the Law School’s public interest initiatives, including the management and administration of all internal initiatives, programming for students and alumni, recruitment of students interested in public interest work, career counseling and loan repayment/forgiveness advising, employer outreach and job development, alumni engagement, and fundraising for both existing and new public interest programs.
Essential Functions:
- Serve as the Director of the Public Interest Center, advising the student board of the Center and the Public Interest Law Students Association, and supporting institutional and student led initiatives to promote public interest careers and activities and to support the Law School’s public interest community.
- Oversee and manage the Law School’s Annual Public Interest Auction, an event that generates more than $100,000 annually to support public interest programming.
- Oversee and implement the spring break service-learning trips.
- Oversee the Public Interest Summer Fellowship Program.
- Oversee all public interest programming as well as service-learning programs at the Law School including days of service, Pro Bono Week, Orientation programming, admitted student days, alumni and career events, job fairs, and recruitment programs.
- Manage pro bono opportunities for all St. John’s law students, with a particular emphasis on providing opportunities for all students to complete the mandatory pro bono hours as required by the New York State Board of Law Examiners for admission to the bar.
- Oversee the administrative aspects of the Pro Bono Scholars Program at the Law School.
- Maintain a social media presence for public interest initiatives.
- Manage the Public Interest Center budget.
- As part of the Career Development Office, counsel roster of students pursuing public interest careers.
- Advise students and alumni pursuing public interest careers on loan repayment and forgiveness options. This requires keeping current on all developments related to repayment and forgiveness.
- Partner with the alumni and development office to execute fundraising initiatives to support public interest programs at the Law School and to develop alumni advisory opportunities.
- Coordinate alumni engagement events with alumni pursuing careers in the public interest and develop public interest CLE programming.
- Foster strong working relationships with colleagues throughout the Law School and partner to advance the Law School’s progress on institutional goals.
Competencies:
- J.D. from ABA approved law school.
- 5-7 years of practice experience in a public interest setting.
- Superior interpersonal, communication, organizational, writing, and administrative skills; knowledge of the legal profession.
- Strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and to fostering a culture of inclusive excellence.
- Dedication to public service and working with law students.
- A strong work ethic and commitment to excellent service.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively, both independently and collaboratively, within a collegial environment.
- Adept in the use of the Microsoft Office Suite and other standard business and academic applications.
- Ability to combine the pursuit of excellence with a spirit of kindness and collaboration.
Supervisory Responsibility:
This position manages administrative projects and oversees the public interest student board and student organization.
Work Environment:
This position operates in a professional office environment. Attendance at student and alumni events, both on-site and off-site, is required from time to time.
Physical Demands:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; move about; sit; to carry work and use controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; communicate.
Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:
This is a full-time position. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday. Start and end times to be established by Associate Dean. Evening and weekend events are required from time to time.
Travel:
Travel is primarily local. Attendance at out of state conferences or events may be required from time to time.
Required Education and Experience:
A Juris Doctor degree is required.
5-7 years of practice experience in a public interest setting required.
Preferred Education and Experience:
- Two or more years of experience in legal education.
- Experience managing staff and student employees.
- Career counseling and student advising experience.
- Exceptional organizational skills.
- Experience managing a departmental budget.
Additional Eligibility Qualifications:
Admission to NY or other state bar preferred.
Other Duties:
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time, with or without notice.
In compliance with NYC’s Pay Transparency Act, the annual salary range for this position is $90,000 – $110,000. St. John’s University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer.
This position may be relocated to any of St. John’s University’s physical locations at any time.
St. John’s offers a competitive compensation program which is commensurate with your qualifications, experience, and contingent upon the departmental budget. We also offer an extremely comprehensive benefits program to meet the diverse needs of our workforce. Along with exceptional benefits such as medical, dental, life insurance, long term disability insurance, tuition remission, generous 403(b) employer contribution, employee assistance program, and liberal paid time off policies, faculty and staff can also enjoy St. John’s performing arts, libraries, bookstores, dining facilities, campus recreation and sporting events
Any offer of employment is subject to receipt by St. John’s University of satisfactory references, verification of employment and education.
St. John’s University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages applications from women and minorities.All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.