Program Specialist

About the Position :

This role is an on-campus, in-person position.

Perkins School of Theology seeks a Program Specialist to manage and support day-to-day operations of the Intern Program (Internship Course - a required course in the theological curriculum of Perkins)

In the Perkins Internship, students integrate the knowledge and theological reflection disciplines learned in the classroom with the practical demands of providing faithful leadership within a congregation or agency.

The Perkins Intern Program is widely recognized as an exemplary program in preparing persons for effective Christian ministry.

The Intern Faculty members are committed to working with each Master of Divinity and Master of Arts in Ministry student to provide an internship that maximizes learning opportunities within a hands-on ministerial experience.

Essential Functions :

Plan and manage all program events related to the Internship course, including coordinating, communicating and following-up with students, mentor pastors, site supervisors, teaching committee members, and consultants.

• Program events include New Mentor Pastor Institute; Intern Orientation; Lay Teaching Committee Orientation; Mentor Pastor Colloquies;
• Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE);Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) Lunch and Learn; Consultant convocations; departmental meetings;

as well as other events as the need arises.

Provide program support for the Placement Process, which begins in the fall of each year and concludes around the middle of January, including preparing on-line internship applications, preparing completed application materials for faculty review;

managing and updating the intern program website; and answering students' questions.

Serving as the contract lead for intern Program, including collecting required information for contracts, as well as processing and tracking contracts via SMU’s contract tracking software.

Initiates financial (budget) transactions related to the ongoing business of the Intern program and is responsible for the appropriateness and accuracy of those transactions, under the supervision of the director, including request for reimbursements for applicable parties;

request and distribute subsidies for all internships; entering Procurement Card reports the department. Prepare materials for the annual subsidy report.

Manage databases for the intern program, including database of active interns and database for all consultants for the Intern Program.

Enter, update and manage database records.

Manage day-to-day operations of the Intern Office. Support faculty with administrative needs as requested including but not limited to;

scheduling, presentation preparations, database / files maintenance, meeting coordination, etc. Order supplies and furniture as needed.

Intern Program Office reception.

Occasional evening hours will be required.

Qualifications

Education and Experience :

A Bachelor’s degree is required. A degree in Humanities is preferred.

A minimum of four years of experience is required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities :

Candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate broadly across the University and develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of constituencies.

Must also demonstrate strong written communication skills.

Candidate must possess strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and analyze problems, as well as devise solutions.

Must also have strong organizational, planning and time management skills.

Candidate knowledge of church-based institutions (e.g. The United Methodist Church) is a plus.

Candidate must be able to demonstrate proficiency with Excel, FileMaker Pro and Adobe Acrobat Professional.

Physical and Environmental Demands :

• Sit for long periods of time
• Reach above shoulders
• Handle objects (dexterity)
30+ days ago