The Community Engagement Coordinator will oversee the day-to-day communication with student interns and their on- and off-campus partners, ensuring smooth and safe operations and effective communication. This role involves coordinating and collaborating on some public history activities on behalf of the department, organizing events, and liaising with the Department Chair, undergraduate advisor, Director of Public History, Director of Undergraduate Studies, office manager, and the communications specialist and academic coordinator. The ideal candidate will be organized, proactive, and capable of managing multiple tasks in a dynamic academic environment.
Job duties include:
PROGRAMMING
• Assist Director of Public History and Department Chair with in-person and virtual event planning and management, including logistics, corresponding with speakers, and organizing speaker travel
• Manage webinars and livestreaming of virtual events, and editing and captioning recordings for social media
• Liaise with partner organizations inside and outside Virginia Tech to collaborate on events or initiatives
• Coordinate meetings and communication with the public history advisory committee
• Attend faculty public history committee meetings
• Liaise with history department staff regarding payment of honoraria and invoices, grant budgets, and other fiscal matters
INTERNSHIPS AND EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING
Ensure the learning experience for students is effective by working closely with faculty instructors, Director of Public History, Director of Undergraduate Studies, Director of Graduate Studies, Department Chair, and undergraduate advisor.
• Communicate with students and faculty conducting independent studies, field studies, and internships, including departmental and college deadlines, syllabi, and college forms
• Liaise with history department staff regarding payment and scholarships for internships and independent study as needed
• Ensure quality work experiences for students by assisting employers in the development of positions which complement and enhance students' academic and professional goals
• Promote experiential learning by making presentations to classes and student organizations and by assisting in coordinating special events, programs, receptions, etc.
• Conduct regular check-ins with community partners and students while in the process of completing independent studies and internships
• Keep records of independent study and internship data and submit to Career and Professional Development as needed
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
• Conduct site visits to include campus, local, and regional employers to maintain relations as well as further expand experiential learning opportunities, promoting out-of-the-classroom experience and learning activity related to students' academic studies and career direction
• Participate in area conferences, business, not-for-profit associations, and chamber of commerce activities with emphasis on relation development
• Provide on-site organizational support representing the history department for in-person events, including evenings or weekends. Occasional travel to these sites will be required
• Provide strategic advice on programming and events to departmental leadership and on behalf of the department to community groups
