Join a vibrant campus community whose excellence is reflected in its diversity and student success. West Chester University of Pennsylvania's College of Education and Social Work (CESW) invites applicants for the position of Director of Practicum Education for the Department of Graduate Social Work.

West Chester University, a member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, is a public, comprehensive institution committed to offering high-quality undergraduate education, selected post-baccalaureate and graduate programs, and a variety of educational and cultural resources for its students, alumni, and citizens of southeastern Pennsylvania. We are a community of educators dedicated to developing graduates who succeed personally and professionally and contribute to the common good.

 WCU proudly offers a positive and purposeful work environment; comprehensive employee benefits including health, vision, and dental insurance along with many wellness programs; a commitment to work-life balance including generous paid vacation, paid sick time, military leave and paid time off for most major holidays; and a University mission to support employee personal and professional growth including a tuition waiver for self and family members, training and development, and advancement opportunities.

The College of Education and Social Work provides practicums with concurrent course work designed to provide instruction and the opportunity to integrate theory and practice to prepare students for professional social work practice. 

Reporting to the Dean of the CESW, the Director of Practicum Education is responsible for all aspects of the practicum education program and collaborates with faculty, staff and campus partners including placement agencies to support student success. This position requires the ability to travel between campuses and practicum sites and occasionally work nights and weekends.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate the ability to creatively approach problem solving and analytically apply solutions; effectively communicate and collaborate with cross-functional teams and stakeholders; and is passionate about mentoring social work students.

Responsibilities include:  

• Identify, develop and evaluate practicum education opportunities in collaboration with other Practicum Directors
• Monitor and evaluate practicum education sites
• Place students at practicum sites that meet the BSW and MSW curriculum standards
• Support students throughout the practicum experience
• Develop and conduct practicum orientation prior to the start of the practicum
• Educate practicum instructors and practicum placement agencies on the missions, goals and core competencies established by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
• Meet regularly with the faculty practicum liaisons
• Encourage and facilitate on-going communication between the students, practicum instructors, practicum liaisons and the program
• Develop and implement policies and procedures related to the practice program
• Facilitate the Seminar in Practicum Education and regularly update course materials
• Other duties as assigned

• Master's degree in social work (MSW) from a CSWE-accredited institution
• Professional experience in a post MSW direct practice 
• Experience working in a variety of social work practice settings
• Knowledge of social service agencies in Pennsylvania
• Demonstrated proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint) and Zoom

• Experience as a practicum instructor/supervisor for BSW/MSW students
• Evidence of strong administrative and organizational skills 
• Experience working independently and collaboratively in a team environment 
• Experience handling challenging tasks while managing competing priorities
• Experience with efforts to advance social justice and human rights

About West Chester University of Pennsylvania

West Chester University (WCU) of Pennsylvania is among the top regional comprehensive public universities in the nation, serving more than 17,500 students at the undergraduate and graduate levels with a national reputation for excellence, value, and student success. Founded in 1871 as an institute for teacher preparation, West Chester offers more than 118 undergraduate and 103 graduate programs in more than 50 fields of study. In addition to the main campus in West Chester, the University offers programs through its graduate center, the Philadelphia campus, and online. Five colleges and two schools comprise the University: Colleges of Arts and Humanities, Business and Public Management, Education and Social Work, Health Sciences, and the Sciences and Mathematics, as well as the School of Music, and the School of Interdisciplinary and Graduate Studies. Located in Chester County (25 miles from downtown Philadelphia) the area combines the best of enjoyable daily living with easy access to the full spectrum of country and city attractions. We are a community of educators dedicated to developing graduates who succeed personally and professionally and contribute to the common good.

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