Asst Dir, Academic Programs

Key Skills

Biostatistics, Data science techniques, Database, Effective communication skills, Leadership Skill, Planning and organization

Job Description

The Assistant Director will consistently identify new practicum placement sites for both MS and MPH students; establish and build relationships with organizations for potential practicum and career opportunities for students; advise students on practicum and career prospects, engage department alumni for opportunities for students, answer any student or faculty questions related to the practicum, maintain and update all practicum systems/databases, track and confirm student status with Columbia ISSO (for international students), and coordinate practicum seminars and practicum-related events for students. Additionally the incumbent will be the point person on the departments non-degree programs (which currently includes two summer undergraduate programs). This will include recruitment of students, procuring and confirming student housing / meals for program, and facilitate faculty, teaching assistants, and seminar speakers. The Assistant Director will also assist the Director of Academic Programs and program faculty directors with the logistics of application review for both masters and doctoral committees. The Assistant Director will also coordinate activities on alumni outreach and other communication related needs with the department's communication officer.

The Assistant Director will work with multiple constituents including Biostatistics faculty, current and prospective students, alumni, other MSPH administrative offices, and biostatistics/public health professionals at other organizations and institutions.

Responsibilities

• Develop and Maintain relationships with Practicum Sites: Identify and recruit appropriate agencies/organizations to serve as graduate practicum opportunities. Cultivate and maintain relationships with the agencies/organizations’ leadership.

  Manage master’s student practicum progress, support student practicum and career advising, create/update databases; coordinate professional development and career events/workshops; collaborate and work with faculty program directors for practicum events/resources; promote practicum and career opportunities to students on a general basis.

  For international students, oversee and confirm their student status for CPT/OPT completion forms, work with Columbia ISSO to ensure students standing, provide confirmation letters to employers. 35%

• Manage recruitment effort for both BEST (Biostatistics Epidemiology Summer Training) and SIBDS (Summer institute for Training in Biostatistics and Data Science) summer programs; Manage admission process in Slate platform; work with on-campus housing vendors to secure student housing; facilitate student reimbursement between student and the department; recruit and schedule industry speakers for weekly seminars. 20%
• Assist the Director of Academic Programs and Admissions Committee Chairs (Master's and doctoral) with admissions applications and events: triage application information in Slate Platform, attend and document decisions in both departmental and school-wide admissions meetings. 20%
• Oversee logistics of all education-related events, including: social events, admissions events, graduation events, faculty/student events; as well as the non-degree/summer programming -related events. 20%
• Perform other duties as assigned/requested. 5%

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in education and experience. 3 years of experience required.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, attention to detail, and demonstrated comfort in interacting with a broad constituency are mandatory.
• Ability to meet time-sensitive deadlines while leading multiple, concurrent projects with minimal supervision required.
• Strong proficiency in utilizing databases to manage data, send bulk communications, and track processes. 

• Ability to work with and be supportive of team effort is essential.
• A strong sales and customer service orientation along with a commitment to creative and innovative practice is required.
• Capacity to prioritize projects and demands.
• Demonstrated tact, discretion, diplomacy, professionalism, and a strong customer-service orientation and computer technology required.

Preferred Qualifications 

• Master’s degree in a related field (e.g., biostatistics, computer science, health education, higher education, public health) is desirable.
• Prior experience securing practicum opportunities for students at agency sites, monitoring placements, and/or working in a graduate school of social work practicum office required. Demonstrated ability to succeed in a fast-paced environment.