Director, Fieldwork & Student Teaching Placement

Director Of Fieldwork And Student Teaching Placement

The Director of Fieldwork and Student Teaching Placement coordinates and oversees the fieldwork and student placement components of the intern, student teaching, and residency programs within the Department of Teacher Education. This role is responsible for developing, coordinating, and monitoring student fieldwork, Directed Teaching placements, and clinical practice experiences, including processing Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) in collaboration with the Credential Analyst.

The Director works closely with the Credential Analyst and Teacher Education Faculty through weekly coordination meetings and supervises Fieldwork Supervisors (FWS) and mentor teachers to ensure compliance with state accreditation standards. Responsibilities include managing all required forms, deadlines, MOUs, observation requirements, and maintaining accurate and timely entries in Symplicity in alignment with departmental timelines.

In addition, the Director monitors the Canvas Directed Teaching course to ensure Fieldwork Supervisors and mentor teachers upload required forms, observations, and California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC) documentation. The position collaborates across and beyond the Department of Teacher Education with the Credential Analyst, faculty, and academic advisors, and reports to the Department Chair.

This position is eligible for a combination of remote and onsite work, typically requiring in-person presence on designated days.

Essential Functions

• Recruit, train, and assign fieldwork supervisors and mentor teachers.
• Coordinate and facilitate mentor teacher, FWS, and directed teaching orientations.
• Assist mentor teachers with training needs and documentation requirements for payment.
• Track and process the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) contracts with partner schools.
• Schedule and conduct candidate interviews in compliance with the Credentials timeline prior to Directed Teaching placement or Intern approval, in coordination with faculty advisors.
• Strengthen and support partnerships with key school districts and other school locations (e.g., NPS sites) in California where teacher education candidates request to serve during their practicum, student teaching, intern, or residency experiences, always keeping in direct communication for timely placements.
• Build deep partnerships with key school districts to discuss their human capital and instructional needs by meeting with key school personnel regularly for timely placements.
• Identify and assess existing programs and services for the Department of Teacher Education, including school-based opportunities and partnerships across the college and with community agencies.
• Research partnership development opportunities for the Department of Teacher Education and advise the Chair's Office on strategic priorities for candidate approval and placement.
• Create, coordinate, and implement partner recognition activities for timely student placements.
• Serve as an ambassador for the Department of Teacher Education credential programs at recruitment events, New Student Orientation, and Open House events.
• Represent the Department of Teacher Education in various settings, including internal collaboration with college offices and The System, including external partners such as districts, community-based agencies, and state and professional associations.
• Work with student services and identified departments to develop a multi-faceted integrative communication strategy incorporating web-based technology and social media to provide alumni, current candidates, and K-12 partners with ongoing updates about college and community-based professional development, job search, and collaborative opportunities.
• Manage the creation and submission of Professional Studies and Continuing Education Units.
• Coordinate and monitor the Intern program in the Department of Teacher Education.
• Collaborate with core and adjunct faculty to strengthen the preparation of student teachers, interns, and residents.

Measurable Outcomes

• Fieldwork supervisors (FWS) and mentor teachers trained and assigned
• Orientations facilitated for students, mentors, FWS
• Maintained contact for mentor teacher questions, and documentation for stipend
• MOU processing/collaboration with partners
• Interviews scheduled, conducted, recorded
• Documents tracked in Symplicity, Canvas, and Campus Nexus
• Student placements with partner school recorded in Symplicity
• Directed Teaching timeline met
• Regular communication with Credential Analyst, Teacher Education Faculty, Registrar's Office, FWSs, Interns and Directed Teacher candidates

Decision Making

The position is governed by the policies of Pacific Oaks, along with established procedures for the department. The Director of Fieldwork and Student Teaching Placement establishes the strategic direction and priorities for the unit in alignment with institutional policy, acting as the final escalation point for placement-related decisions. Reporting directly to the Department Chair, the Director is held accountable for program outcomes, budget management, and strict adherence to state credentialing and accreditation compliance.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master's degree in related education field from an accredited institution.
• Three (3) years of teaching experience in a K-12 School.
• Demonstrated experience mentoring student teachers and intern teachers.

Preferred Qualifications

• Doctoral degree in related education field.
• Multiple Subject and/or Education Specialist Instruction credentials.
• Experience teaching within California public or private schools.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Comprehensive understanding of California Credential Requirements, Teacher Performance Expectations (TPEs) and TPAs, and State-adopted Academic Content Standards.
• Knowledge of the teaching profession.
• Reliable transportation for travel to school sites and events in Southern California, including Los Angeles County and other areas as needed.
• Proficiency in computer applications, including word processing, spreadsheets, and database management; MS Office Suite preferred; Symplicity.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent interpersonal, teamwork, and customer service skills.
• Effective written and oral communication skills.

50% of total time

Routine exchange or presentation of information.

This position does not require management of budgets, but it is required to follow Pacific Oaks policies for purchasing and budget approvals.

Pacific Oaks College is committed to providing equal employment and educational opportunity to all people and strictly adheres to federal anti-discrimination laws. In accordance with DOJ guidance, the College affirms that no programs, hiring practices, promotions, admissions, or other decisions shall provide preferential treatment based on race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, or other protected characteristics without appropriate lawful rationale. The College will also ensure compliance of its third-party contractors or program partners in this regard.

The duties listed above describe the general nature and level of work expected of faculty in this position and are not an exhaustive list of responsibilities. The College reserves the right to amend or modify the job description as institutional needs evolve. Pacific Oaks College provides equal employment opportunities to all persons without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status, disability, or any other protected status under applicable % law.

Pacific Oaks offers a generous compensation and benefits package, as well as the opportunity to work for a leader in the field of education. Some of our key benefits include: generous paid time-off, medical and dental coverage, company-paid life and disability insurance, retirement plan with employer contribution, multiple flexible spending accounts (FSA), tuition reimbursement, professional development, and regular employee appreciation events.Pacific Oaks is an Equal Opportunity Employer.