Employment Opportunities at USD

5452

The Kroc School of Peace Studies trains the changemakers and peacebuilders of today and tomorrow.  Kroc is the first stand-alone school of peace in the United States. Innovation in learning and programs is at the center of what we do and who we are. We combine theory and practice not just to understand crises and world issues, but also to imagine new possibilities and develop solutions to humanity’s urgent challenges from increasing inequality and violence to climate change. At Kroc, people discover new ways of building more peaceful and socially just communities through a multidisciplinary lens and experiential learning. We look for passionate individuals who believe in the power of university learning to transform the world for the better.

The University of San Diego, an engaged and contemporary Catholic institution, was founded by the Diocese of San Diego and the Society of the Sacred Heart in 1949. Governed by an independent board of trustees since 1972, USD remains committed to a liberal arts education grounded in the Catholic intellectual tradition and the pursuit of truth, goodness and beauty. Inspired by this centuries old tradition of Catholic higher education, the University welcomes people of all faith traditions and any, or no, religious background. The future success of USD relies on the contributions of those who seek to foster the development of engaged global citizens and an earnest confrontation of humanity’s urgent challenges.

The Associate Director provides leadership for the Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice’s practice-based learning infrastructure, serving as a bridge between academic instruction and applied peace practice. The role is responsible for designing and launching experiential learning systems from the ground up—including frameworks, curricula, assessment approaches, and external partnerships—that enable students to engage in rigorous, ethically grounded practice. This hybrid position combines administrative program leadership, external relationship development, and instructional responsibilities (including credit-bearing courses that provide academic and reflective scaffolding for practice placements). The incumbent manages experiential programs, cultivates regional partners, and establishes processes and metrics to ensure quality, compliance, and measurable outcomes. This is a builder role suited to an educator-practitioner with an entrepreneurial orientation who can translate vision into sustainable institutional systems.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Program Leadership and Development 

Lead the design, launch, and ongoing management of new experiential learning programs that connect students with community partners across the greater San Diego–Tijuana region. This is a program-building role that is responsible for creating new frameworks and partnerships rather than maintaining an existing program. Build and manage relationships with NGOs, government agencies, and community organizations to create structured placement opportunities for students in credit-bearing practica and externships. Design and oversee systems for partner onboarding, student matching, and performance evaluation. Ensure compliance with university and industry standards for experiential learning, risk management, and partner engagement, and maintain consistent quality and accountability across all placements.

Instruction and Pedagogical Integration 

Design and teach at least two credit-bearing courses focused on professional practice, reflective learning, and ethical engagement. Based on program growth and instructional needs, the Associate Director may also develop and teach additional practicum or field based courses. Collaborate with faculty across the Kroc School to integrate applied learning into existing courses and develop shared resources and best practices for experiential and clinical education.

Student Advising and Support 

In collaboration with the Assistant Director of Employer Relations and Career & Professional Development, advise students on professional placements, readiness, and development of practice competencies. Provide ongoing mentorship and feedback to ensure high-quality learning experiences and professional growth.

Partnership Management and External Engagement 

Serve as primary liaison to community partners, ensuring relationships are reciprocal and sustainable. Represent the Kroc School at regional convenings related to peace practice, experiential learning, and social impact education.

Institutional Integration and Continuous Improvement 

Collaborate with faculty, staff, and administrators to align practice-based learning with broader academic goals. Lead assessment and reporting on experiential learning outcomes; contribute to applied research, presentations, or publications that advance the field of peace and justice education. 

Special Conditions of Employment:

• This role is designed as an in-person position. While limited remote work may be permitted with prior approval and when compatible with business needs, regular on-site presence is an essential expectation of the job. 
• The position also requires frequent local travel throughout the greater San Diego region and regular cross-border travel to Tijuana, Mexico, to meet with partner organizations. Occasional domestic or international travel for conferences or professional engagements may be required.

Background check:  Successful completion of a pre-employment background check.

Degree Verification Requirement: Persons offered employment in this position will be required to provide official education transcripts for degree verification purposes. 

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in a relevant field such as peace and conflict studies, international relations, public policy, education, law, or a related discipline.
• At least three years of progressively responsible professional experience in peacebuilding, human rights, development, social impact, and/or related applied practice.
• Demonstrated experience designing or managing experiential learning or professional practice programs.
• Ability to develop and teach multiple, for-credit graduate courses that integrate applied learning, reflective practice, and ethical engagement, including designing syllabi, assessment strategies, and classroom facilitation approaches appropriate for diverse professional learners.
• Ability to teach multiple, for-credit courses at the graduate level.
• Strong communication, organizational, and relationship-building skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Terminal degree (PhD, JD, or equivalent) in a relevant field.
• Five or more years of related experience as described above is preferred. 
• Demonstrated experience in program design, startup, or institutional innovation - creating new initiatives and systems rather than inheriting existing ones.
• Experience teaching or mentoring graduate students in a university setting. 
• Proven experience designing and delivering experiential or clinical learning environments that integrate applied practice with academic rigor.
• Experience cultivating and managing partnerships with NGOs, government agencies, community organizations, and the private sector.
• Proven ability to reflect on and document practice-based learning—through presentations, reports, or publications that advance the theory and practice of experiential education.
• Familiarity with peacebuilding and social impact sectors in the San Diego–Tijuana region.
• Binational or bicultural experience and the ability to work effectively in both U.S. and Mexican professional contexts.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) 

Performance Expectations - Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrated knowledge of experiential and clinical education models, including best practices for integrating applied learning into graduate curricula. 
• Understanding of peacebuilding, social impact, or related applied professional fields. Familiarity with university academic and administrative processes and compliance standards. 
• Strong skills in program design, coordination, and evaluation. 
• Effective teaching, facilitation, and mentoring abilities, particularly in practice-based learning environments. 
• Proven capacity to cultivate and sustain partnerships with external organizations, community partners, and faculty collaborators.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to convey complex ideas to diverse audiences. 
• Ability to balance academic and operational priorities in a dynamic institutional environment. 
• Capacity to exercise sound judgment, maintain professionalism under pressure, and adapt to changing circumstances. 
• Commitment to fostering inclusive, collaborative, and student-centered learning environments.

$7,878 - $9,000 per month; Excellent Benefits

The University of San Diego offers a very competitive benefits package including; medical, dental, vision, a retirement contribution given to you by the University, and access to on-campus Fitness Centers.  Please visit the benefits section of our website to view all of the perks and benefits that USD has to offer.  USD: Human Resources: Benefits

The salary range provided in this posting reflects what we reasonably expect to pay for this position.  Actual compensation offered or earned is dependent on experience, education and other factors including departmental budget.

Click the 'Apply Now' button to complete our online application. In addition, please upload a cover letter and resume to your application profile for the hiring managers’ review.  If you have any questions or difficulties please contact the Employment Services Team at jobs@sandiego.edu.

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Closing date: Open until filled 

Note: External job postings will be up for at least three days. After that time, applications will be reviewed by the hiring manager/committee throughout the posting period. A candidate may be selected at any time which could then close this posting on a date earlier than listed.

The University of San Diego is a smoking and tobacco-free campus. For more information, visit www.sandiego.edu/smokefree.