Director of Engagement and Counseling

FORDHAM University; New York (NY); On-site; USD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

A forward-thinking university seeks a Director of Engagement and Counseling to lead its Public Interest Resource Center. This role involves strategic oversight of pro bono initiatives, advising students on public interest careers, and fostering collaboration among student leaders. The ideal candidate will possess a Juris Doctor degree and a strong commitment to public service and diversity. Join a vibrant community dedicated to making a difference in the lives of underserved populations through legal advocacy and education. This is an exciting opportunity to influence the next generation of legal professionals in a dynamic and supportive environment.

Benefits

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Flexible Spending Accounts

Retirement Plans

Life Insurance

Short and Long-term Disability

Employee Assistance Program

Tuition Remission

Generous Time Off

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience working in a law school or non-profit.
• Strong commitment to public service and access to justice.

Responsibilities

• Oversees the Public Interest Resource Center, advising students on pro bono work.
• Organizes events to educate students on public interest law.

Skills

Management Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Organizational Skills

Writing Skills

Event Planning

Diversity and Inclusion

Education

Juris Doctor degree

Tools

Database Programs

Social Media

Job description

Founded in 1841, Fordham is the Jesuit University of New York, offering an exceptional education distinguished by the Jesuit tradition to more than 16,000 students in its nine colleges and schools. It has residential campuses in the Bronx and Manhattan, a campus in West Harrison, N.Y., the Louis Calder Center Biological Field Station in Armonk, N.Y., and the London Centre in the United Kingdom.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance; flexible spending accounts; retirement plans; life insurance; short and long-term disability; employee assistance program ( EAP ); tuition remission; and generous time off.

Successful candidates should have a knowledge of and commitment to the goals of Jesuit Education.

Reporting to the Assistant Dean of Public Interest and Social Justice initiatives, the Director of Engagement and Counseling is responsible for the strategic oversight of the Public Interest Resource Center ( PIRC ).

Essential Functions

Provides strategic oversight to the Public Interest Resource Center ( PIRC ), the Law School’s center for student-initiated pro bono legal assistance for the underserved, and public service law-related education, advocacy, and community service work.

Fosters and facilitates effective collaboration and communication between the student leaders of all of the PIRC Student Groups and: other student leaders, administrators, faculty, the student body, centers & institutes, and public service sector service providers. Works closely with the SBA Public Interest Senator.

Performs public interest career advising – advises students and alumni interested in pro bono and community service activities, internships/externships during the academic year and the summer, and post-graduate jobs including public interest fellowships and government honors programs.

Administers the law school’s public interest summer fellowship and bar fund applications, selection, and payment processes in coordination with the Development and Alumni Offices.

Expands PIRC’s focus on diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging ( DEIB ) work in various ways, including by coordinating with the Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion to provide anti-racism trainings to PIRC student leaders, ensuring that work is consistent with creating an anti-racist institution and community.

Oversees the regular updating and maintenance of and improvements to the PIRC website and LawNet sites, as well as PIRC’s social media accounts, coordinating with MarComm.

Creates, updates, and distributes PIRC handbooks, public interest job search guides, student organization policies & procedures, program brochures, event posters and other publicity materials to prospective applicants, students, faculty, administrators, existing and potential partner public service providers, and organizations outside of the law school.

Organizes, publicizes, and presents programs and events to educate students on public interest law, recruit student participation in PIRC’s various public service projects, as well as instruct on career and networking programs and opportunities. Organizes and presents PIRC program at Orientation and other events.

Essential Functions Note

Essential Functions Note This list is not intended to be an exhaustive list.
The University may assign additional related duties as necessary.

Management Responsibilities

Management Responsibilities Guides work of other employees who perform essentially the same work and/or student workers. Organizes, sets priorities, schedules and reviews work, but is generally not responsible for final decisions in hiring, performance management or compensation.

Additional Functions

Assists in completing surveys and answering inquiries from prospective students and outside organizations about the PIRC . Present at Admitted Students Days.

Represents the PIRC at various local, state, and national conferences and non-profit/public interest community functions.

Plans and coordinates the Annual PIRC Awards Reception.

Plans and coordinates the annual New York Metro Public Interest Networking Reception and Fordham’s participation in annual public interest legal career fairs.

Organizes annual Public Service Day volunteer activities for incoming 1L students during Orientation Week.

Maintains and updates all PIRC student and alumni databases.

Writes and disseminates the PIRC calendar of events and alumni newsletters regularly.

Documents all of the activities of all of the PIRC Student Groups and organizes this information into mid-year and annual reports for distribution to the deans, faculty, administration, partner service providers, bar and related professional associations, and local and national press.

Required Qualifications: Education and Experience

Juris Doctor degree

Minimum of 5 years’ experience working in a law school and/or with a non-profit or government organization

Required Qualifications: Knowledge and Skills

Strong commitment to public service, access to justice, and working with law students.

Excellent management, supervisory, interpersonal, and organizational skills.

Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging ( DEIB ) experience, and a deep commitment to racial justice.

Strong writing skills for advertising/publicity and in-house publications.

Facility with computer database programs and social media.

Extensive experience in organizing and running both large and small events.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in an administrative role.

Previous work experience with volunteers.

Minimum Starting Salary

Minimum Starting Salary $90,000

Maximum Starting Salary

Maximum Starting Salary $110,000

Note

Note Salary is commensurate with qualifications, experience, and skills.

Is this a Union position?

Is this a Union position? No

Posting Number

Posting Number A815P

Number of Vacancies

Number of Vacancies 1

Start Date

Start Date ASAP

Posting Date

Posting Date 04/24/2025

Special Instructions

EEO Statement

Fordham University is committed to excellence through diversity and welcomes candidates of all backgrounds.

Fordham University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Physical Activity and Work Environment

Physical Activity

Sitting Often

Repetitive Hand Motion (such as typing)

Repetitive Hand Motion (such as typing) Often

Hearing, Listening, Talking Often

Standing

Standing Not Required

Walking

Walking Not Required

Running

Running Not Required

Bending, Stooping, Kneeling, squatting, Crouching, Crawling

Bending, Stooping, Kneeling, squatting, Crouching, Crawling Not Required

Climbing stairs Not Required

Climbing ladders

Climbing ladders Not Required

Reaching overhead

Reaching overhead Not Required

Pulling, pushing

Pulling, pushing Not Required

Shoveling

Shoveling Not Required

Lifting – up to 20 pounds

Lifting – up to 20 pounds Not Required

Lifting – up to 50 pounds

Lifting – up to 50 pounds Not Required

Lifting – over 50 pounds Not Required

Work Environment Office Environment: Employees are protected from weather conditions or contaminants, but not necessarily occasional temperature changes.

Documents Needed to Apply

Required Documents

Resume

Cover Letter

Optional Documents

Supplemental questions you will be required to answer on the application (No action is needed on this page)

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * Do you have a Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school?
  • Yes
  • No
• * Do you have a minimum of 5 years' experience working in a law school and/or with a non-profit or government organization?
  • Yes
  • No