Director of Educational Field Experiences and Assistant Teaching Professor

Director of Educational Field Experiences and Assistant Teaching Professor

The University of Southern Mississippi is currently accepting applications for the position of Director of Educational Field Experiences and Assistant Teaching Professor.

Position Details Location Hattiesburg

118 College Drive

Hattiesburg, Mississippi, 39406-0001

United States Division Field Experiences Position Type Faculty Employment Status Full Time Grant Funded No Pay Grade

Generic Grade

Posting Close Date Open Until Filled

Special Instructions to Applicants

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without the need for visa sponsorship. The University will not sponsor applicants for work visas (e.g., H-1B).

Job Summary

The Director of Educational Field Experiences and Assistant Teaching Professor provides leadership and oversight of educational field experiences, including student teaching and other clinical experiences, and supports high-quality clinical preparation across Southern Miss educator preparation programs. The Director collaborates with academic programs, P-12 partners, clinical educators, and educator preparation colleagues to support effective clinical preparation. The Director leads office operations, supervises office staff, and coordinates processes serving teacher candidates and educational partners. The position also contributes to data-informed planning, institutional reporting, and continuous improvement associated with CAEP Standard 2. This full-time, twelve-month, non-tenure-track faculty position requires teaching one course per semester and service to the School of Education.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Directs the day-to-day operations for educational field experiences, establishes priorities, coordinates office processes, supervises office staff, and supports effective service to teacher candidates, academic programs, and educational partners.
• Teaches one course per semester for the School of Education and contributes service that supports School of Education programs and priorities. The selected candidate may negotiate a reduced teaching load in the first semester.
• Provides undergraduate methods classes with information and guidance about the student-teaching semester, registration process, and professional expectations.
• Provides oversight for licensure candidates completing clinical, practicum, and student-teaching placements. Leads established response processes when concerns arise in partner-school settings, including decisions regarding candidate removal, in collaboration with the candidate, University Supervisor or faculty member, mentor teacher, and school administrators.
• Maintains accurate information related to clinical, practicum, and student-teaching placements and prepares reports and communications that support planning, decision-making, and institutional requirements. Coordinates, as part of the educator preparation team, work related to CAEP Standard 2, including documentation and continuous improvement involving clinical educators and clinical experiences.
• Plans and coordinates professional development seminars for teacher candidates each semester.
• Selects, supervises, and evaluates University Supervisors for the School of Education. Coordinates professional development and ongoing communication for University Supervisors, using current data and guidance from the Mississippi Department of Education, USM's Professional Education Council, and the School of Education to strengthen student teaching. Oversees training and support for mentor teachers.
• Selects and engages members of the Educational Field Experiences Advisory Board, which meets twice each school year. Shares information about USM and Mississippi Department of Education requirements and solicits feedback to strengthen partnerships and support continuous improvement in teacher preparation programs.
• Attends School of Education faculty meetings, participates in the School of Education Curriculum Committee and other school committees, and keeps faculty informed about Educational Field Experiences policies, processes, and initiatives.
• Directs annual selection processes for student-teaching-abroad opportunities, student-teaching-related scholarships, and awards recognizing teacher candidates, mentor teachers, and administrators. Conducts interviews, coordinates selection, and communicates results to appropriate school and college leadership.
• Performs other duties relevant to the job as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

A master's degree or higher in elementary education, special education, secondary education, educational leadership, curriculum and instruction, or another relevant field.

Five years of successful P-12 classroom teaching or other directly relevant educational experience.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Demonstrated organizational and forward-planning skills, including experience managing overlapping work cycles, recurring milestones, deadlines, accurate records, and reliable processes.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including experience explaining complex processes and working with tact and diplomacy across internal and external stakeholder groups.
• Demonstrated ability to foster a collaborative, service-oriented workplace culture grounded in professionalism, communication, and shared accountability.
• Experience monitoring and interpreting data and using digital information systems to support planning, reporting, decision-making, and continuous improvement.
• Knowledge of accreditation or institutional effectiveness processes or demonstrated ability to learn applicable standards; familiarity with CAEP is preferred.

Preferred Qualifications

Education Specialist (Ed.S.) degree or higher in elementary education.

At least 10 years of P-12 professional experience, including classroom teaching and either teacher-leadership or school-administration experience.

Prior experience teaching or supervising undergraduate teacher education students.

About The University of Southern Mississippi

Since our founding in 1910, The University of Southern Mississippi has remained dedicated to preparing students for success. We deliver programs to more than 13,000 students in Hattiesburg and Long Beach, at teaching and research sites across the Mississippi Gulf Coast, as well as online. We are a community-engaged Carnegie R1 university, earning distinction as one of the nation''s leading research institutions.

Southern Miss is known for pioneering work in polymer science, ocean science, spectator sports safety and security, and bringing language to children with communication disorders. We are also a national leader in a broad range of disciplines, including cybersecurity, hydrography, nutrition, aquaculture, kinesiology, and economic development, among others.

We produce graduates ready to enter fields that are leading the way in emerging technologies through programs such as computer engineering, information technology, and ocean engineering. We're developing the next generation of business leaders, while also responding to critical workforce shortages by producing skilled professionals in education and nursing. With a tradition of excellence in the arts, we are one of only 36 public institutions in the nation accredited in four major areas of the arts. Home to the Golden Eagles, our student-athletes compete in 17 NCAA Division I sports. With a culture marked by passion and persistence, Southern Miss is delivering graduates who are ready for life. For more information, visit www.usm.edu.

The University of Southern Mississippi is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. EOE/VETS/DISABILITY.