Director, Fieldwork & Student Teaching Placement

Pacific Oaks College & Children's School; Pasadena (CA); Hybrid; USD 66,560 - 73,170; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous paid time-off

Medical and dental insurance

Retirement plan with employer contribution

Job summary

Pacific Oaks College & Children's School is seeking a Director of Fieldwork and Student Teaching Placement. This role involves coordinating fieldwork, mentoring programs, and student placements, ensuring compliance with state standards.

Key responsibilities include recruitment, training of supervisors, partnership development with schools, and monitoring educational programs. A Master’s degree and significant teaching experience are required, along with excellent organizational and communication skills.

This position offers a hybrid work model with a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of teaching experience in a K-12 school.
• Demonstrated experience mentoring student teachers and interns.
• Comprehensive understanding of California Credential Requirements.

Responsibilities

• Oversee fieldwork and student placement components.
• Coordinate mentor teacher and FWS training.
• Support partnerships with key school districts.

Skills

Organizational skills

Interpersonal skills

Problem-solving abilities

Communication skills

Education

Master’s degree in a related education field

Tools

MS Office Suite

Symplicity

Job description

Position Summary

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. The 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, supervises Fieldwork Supervisors (FWS) and mentor teachers to ensure compliance with state accreditation standards, manages all required forms, deadlines, MOUs, observation requirements, and maintains accurate 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 documentation. The position collaborates across and beyond the Department of Teacher Education and reports to the Department Chair.

Location

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

Essential Functions

Recruitment and Training

• 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 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.

Partnership Development and Support

• 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.

Representation and Collaboration

• 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, system, and external partners such as districts, community‑based agencies, and state and professional associations.
• Work with student services and identified departments to develop a multifaceted 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.

Program Management and Coordination

• 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 a 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.

Travel

50% of total time.

Contact Responsibilities

Routine exchange or presentation of information.

Financial Responsibility

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

Compliance With Federal Antidiscrimination Guidance

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.

Disclaimer

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.

Compensation & Benefits

This opportunity is budgeted at $66,560.00‑73,170.00 base compensation. Additional compensation factors may impact total compensation. Competitive benefits include generous paid time‑off, medical and dental insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, retirement plan with employer contribution, multiple flexible spending accounts, tuition reimbursement.

Pacific Oaks is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Pacific Oaks participates in E‑Verify and verifies identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired.