Practicum Education Coordinator

The Practicum Education Coordinator provides overall program management and oversight to field education operations of New Mexico Highlands University/Facundo Valdez School of Social Work Online Master of Social Work program. The Practicum Education Coordinator reports to the School’s Practicum Education Director. 

Duties and Responsibilities 

• Plan, develop, implement and evaluate a comprehensive field education program for online MSW students;  

• Develop and implement a recruitment and field placement effort for the online program in service to the mission of the School;  

• Recruit, evaluate, approve and retain field practicum agencies ensuring responsiveness to the geographic locations of students and the mission of the School;  

• Oversee and approve placement of students in approved field practicum agencies;  

• Recruit, recommend for hire field consultants; assign field consultants to students and agencies;  

• Supervise field administrative staff, graduate assistants, student workers, and field consultants and conduct performance evaluations;  

• Provide support to and problem-solve with field consultants and intervene promptly in resolution of problems experienced by students or agencies; consult with Dir. of Field Education as needed;  

• Develop Field Prep syllabus and content for online, asynchronous delivery;  

• Teach Field Prep;  

• Manage and oversee Field management software, and ensure it is utilized and updated regularly;  

• Utilize technology, including Zoom, to facilitate efficient communication with students, field staff, and agencies;  

• Provide field orientations to students, field consultants, and agency instructors/representatives;  

• Review student evaluations of field practicum, field agencies, and field seminar instructors and provide follow-up as needed;  

• Supervise field administrative staff to oversee the maintenance, updating and completion of paperwork such as field files, forms, instructor contracts, and travel requests;  

• Provide updates to the Dean and Dir. of Field Education periodically regarding student progress, status of field practicum agencies, and problems encountered in the field placement program;  

• Interface and collaborate with Online MSW program staff and faculty;  

• Participate in School meetings of faculty, staff, and field personnel, in-person or via Zoom; • Work closely with Online MSW faculty advisors in support of students in practicum;  

• Participate in Field Policy Committee, comprised of Dir. of Field Education and Field Coordinators;  

• Recruit student applicants for Title IV-E stipend program;  

• Perform related duties as assigned;  

• Maintain regular attendance;  

• Respond promptly to phone and email communications, whether from students, faculty, or staff. 

Minimum Job Requirements 

Education: Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW), from a CSWE accredited program. Experience: Three (3) years post MSW practice work experience with community, state or educational organizations. 

Preferred Qualifications 

At least one year experience as field education coordinator, field consultant, or as field supervisor/instructor At least one year of university teaching experience, preferably in social work education (field seminar preferred) 

Special Conditions for Eligibility 

Work duties to be carried out remotely (online) primarily, and must be willing to make periodic visits to a physical campus (such as ABQ, Farmington, Las Vegas, or Santa Fe) Must be willing to work occasional odd hours, weekends and holidays 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 

• Knowledge of healthcare, social service and mental health agencies in rural New Mexico and the US Southwest; -Strong commitment to social justice, especially as regards improvement of conditions in New Mexico and the US Southwest  

• Strong technology skills and comfort learning new computer programs;  

• Ability to work with students, field consultants, faculty and agency field instructors in a team approach in the implementation of the academic and field placement program;  

• Possesses the ability to engage in creative problem-solving toward the resolution of practicum-related conflicts or problems that arise;  

• Knowledge, understanding and the ability to work with Hispanic/Latinx, Native American and other ethnic minority students, and the community based agencies providing services to these populations;  

• Ability to organize and prioritize work;  

• Ability to maintain effective, positive working relationships;  

• Ability to maintain confidentiality;  

• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. -Bilingual abilities helpful (Spanish-English or other languages indigenous to NM and the US Southwest) 

Physical Demands 

• Sitting: Frequently • Standing: Occasionally • Walking: Occasionally • Bending: Occasionally • Squatting: Occasionally • Climbing: Occasionally • Kneeling: Occasionally • Lifting up to 50 pounds: Occasionally • Repetitive hand motion • Prolonged use of computer 

Working Environment 

• Work is primarily carried out remotely (online), with periodic work in an office setting during visits to a physical campus.  

• Work with frequent interruptions. 

Pay Rate Commensurate with experience

Work Location/Campus Center Online - In the State of New Mexico 

Special Instructions to Applicant 

A complete online application must include: 1) Letter of interest/cover letter;

2) Resume;

3) Names, telephone numbers and email address of three Professional references in application;

4) Unofficial copies of transcripts.

Candidates who are invited for interviews will be required to submit official transcripts. References will be contacted in conjunction with interview. Upload required materials with online application. For disabled access or services, call (505) 454-3242 or contact Human Resources at [email protected] NMHU IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER New Mexico Highlands University is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. We are committed to the University values of diversity, accessibility, excellence, and responsiveness

Education: Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW), from a CSWE accredited program. Experience: Three (3) years post MSW practice work experience with community, state or educational organizations.