Hesed Transition Program Director

Job Description

Job Description

Concordia is a Lutheran higher education community committed to helping students develop in mind, body and spirit for service to Christ in the Church and in the world.

Position Summary

Hesed Transition Program Director- The HTP Director oversees all aspects of admissions, program administration, curriculum and leadership of staff. This position partners with key strategic partners like educational institutions, state and local government, businesses, parent & guardian groups, and community organizations. This position reports to the Vice President of Student Success at the CUW Mequon, WI campus.

The Hesed Transition Program is a 2-year program for young adults with Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities aged 18-25. This program utilizes HTP classes, vocational experiences, and select CUW classes to promote independent living skills, career exploration and preparation, and personal/faith development. HTP students will receive a Record of Program Completion at the end of 2 years and can then choose an optional 3rd year fellowship.

Hesed, a profound concept in Biblical Hebrew, encapsulates the idea of God's steadfast love, kindness, and mercy shown through action. Just as Hesed emphasizes going above and beyond mere obligation or duty, advocating for and participating in a postsecondary transition program reflects CUW's genuine desire to uplift and empower individuals with developmental disabilities as they navigate the challenges of transitioning into adulthood

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Public relations job functions:

• Understand the needs of all key stakeholders: clients, parents & guardians, education, state and federal agencies, businesses, donors, and community organizations.
• Participate in relevant local, regional, or national boards/counsels/committees to promote or otherwise further the mission.
• Build a college-going culture by counseling prospective students and their families/support networks on educational planning and admission requirements.
• Establish and maintain positive relationships with area educational constituencies including area schools, preschools, consultants, admissions directors, and organizations and create networking opportunities.
• Collaborate with and build strong relationships with college-wide departments, faculty, support staff and campus-wide organizations to meet the needs of the program and the students in the program
• Serve as the face of HTP to the school and broader community and with prospective families while communicating the vision and mission at conferences, transition fairs and networking events.
• Work within the community to develop referral sources by with and from school districts in the targeted regions for admissions

Leadership job functions:

• Develop and maintain a fiscally responsible budget to provide excellent student services and support
• Lead staff team on program areas including recruitment strategies, curriculum development, student job development opportunities, development and maintenance of HTP Handbook and other policies.
• Expand funding sources for student tuition emphasizing creating equitable opportunities for all individuals with I/DD.
• Oversee the development of schedules for the students, student staff and HTP staff as needed for the success of HTP students in their courses.

Teaching/ Curricular Job functions:

• Assess, evaluate, and guide curriculum development and alignment, annually, based on the needs of the students. Outline goals/objectives and learning plans for successful outcomes of the program.
• Teach and prepare classes as needed each semester
• Participate in student observations/testing/interview within the application process
• Serve as an advisor and mentor to assigned HTP students and collaborate with families
• Other duties as assigned

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Excellent communication skills - written and oral
• Ability to teach using a variety of methods to reach a broad spectrum of learners
• Ability to authentically integrate Christian faith with teaching and learning
• Ability to collaborate with faculty in various healthcare disciplines within the School of Health Professions, the campus at large, and within the community
• Ability to work independently, prioritize tasks and organize work in a busy university and community clinic setting
• Ability to demonstrate ingenuity and prompt action in resolving problems
• Ability to read, comprehend, and follow written and verbal instructions
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality
• Ability to operate office technology and personal computer with related applications efficiently
• Maintain a positive, can-do, service-oriented attitude with Department Chair, all faculty, and students
• Supportive of the mission and values of Concordia University Wisconsin/Ann Arbor and the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS)

Education and Experience

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree or higher in Occupational Therapy, Special Education, or another related field.
• 5 years related experience with at least one year of management or leadership experience
• Experience working with Neurodiverse populations and individuals with disabilities is required.
• Proven history of partnering with internal and external stakeholders to lead services around a client's needs, meet/exceed service expectations, and generate excitement and interest in establishing and expanding service and programs.
• Valid Driver's license

Preferred Qualifications:

• Masters degree or higher in Occupational Therapy, Special Education, or another related field
• Experience working within an educational institution
• Understanding of state and federal resources and payment strategies
• Prior successful teaching experience in higher education with experience in both a blended content delivery method as well as online teaching methodologies

Physical Demands/Equipment

Compensation and Benefits

This is a full-time, salaried exempt position. Concordia offers a full range of benefits to full-time employees including tuition benefits. The starting wage will be determined upon education and/or experience.

Concordia University benefit options include, but are not limited to the following:

• Health, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Personal Spending Account, Flexible Spending Account, and/or Health Savings Account
• Disability and Survivor Plan
• Retirement Pension Plan
• Retirement 403(b) Savings Plan
• Basic Life and Supplemental Life Insurance
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment Coverage
• Critical Illness and Accident Insurance
• Tuition waiver benefits (available for employees and their qualified dependents)

Compensation and Benefit Details

Application Instructions

To receive full consideration, all applicants are must complete and submit an online employment application through the Concordia University Employment page: https://cuw.applicantpro.com/jobs/ Click on the job you are interested in applying to, enter your contact information in the Apply Now section, and then click the Apply For This Position button to begin the application process.

Equal Opportunity Employer

It is the policy of CU to provide equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment in accordance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.

The University will not discriminate against or harass any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, pregnancy, national origin (including ancestry), citizenship status, physical or mental disability, age, marital status, gender, veteran or military status, predisposing genetic characteristics, domestic violence victim status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

However, CU is an institution of the LCMS and, to the extent allowed by law, CU reserves the right to give preference in employment based on religion. In addition, preference in holding certain employment positions is given to ordained or rostered ministers of the LCMS. Based on a religious tenet, CU recognizes only male, LCMS ordained Ministers of the Gospel, but recognizes both male and female LCMS Rostered Ministers of the Gospel.

The Human Resources Department has been appointed to manage the equal employment opportunity program, including all equal employment opportunity activities, as required by federal, state and local agencies. If any employee or applicant for employment believes this policy has been violated, he/she must contact the Director of Human Resources.

Concordia University is a HLC accredited, co-educational, liberal arts school offering more than 72 undergraduate majors, over 35 master's degree programs, and 5 doctoral programs. There are also a variety of accelerated evening and e-learning programs.

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