Southern Methodist University: Program Specialist

Date Posted: 3/11/2024

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Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX

Job Description

Perkins School of Theology is one of the 13 seminaries of The United Methodist Church and one of only five university-related United Methodist theological schools, located in the heart of Dallas, Texas, with an extension program in Houston/Galveston. The faculty and staff of Perkins are committed to our mission of equipping persons for faithful leadership and Christian ministry in a changing church and society.

Students study with a faculty, diverse both culturally and in theological perspective, in the School's graduate degree and certificate studies programs. Perkins is Wesleyan by tradition, United Methodist by affiliation, inclusive of diverse Christian expressions, and welcoming of all. The oldest graduate professional School at Southern Methodist University, Perkins embraces its setting in the Southwestern United States while seeking to make theological education accessible, through in-person, hybrid, and distance learning, to students from the region, the nation, and around the world.

About the Position: This role is an on-campus, in-person position.

Perkins School of Theology seeks a Program Specialist to manage and support day-to-day operations of the Intern Program (Internship Course – required in the theological curriculum of Perkins)

In the Perkins Internship, students integrate the knowledge and theological reflection disciplines learned in the classroom with the practical demands of providing faithful leadership within a congregation or agency.

The Perkins Intern Program is widely recognized as an exemplary program in preparing persons for effective Christian ministry. The Intern Faculty members are committed to working with each Master of Divinity and Master of Arts in Ministry student to provide an internship that maximizes learning opportunities within a hands-on ministerial experience.

Salary Range: Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications

Essential Functions

• Plan and manage all program events related to the Internship course, including coordinating, communicating and following-up with students, mentor pastors, site supervisors, teaching committee members, and consultants. Program events include New Mentor Pastor Institute; Intern Orientation; Lay Teaching Committee Orientation; Mentor Pastor Colloquies; Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE);Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) Lunch and Learn; Consultant convocations; departmental meetings; as well as other events as the need arises.

• Provide program support for the Placement Process, which begins in the fall of each year and concludes around the middle of January, including preparing on-line internship applications, preparing completed application materials for faculty review; managing and updating the intern program website; and answering students' questions. 

• Serving as the contract lead for intern Program, including collecting required information for contracts, as well as processing and tracking contracts via SMU’s contract tracking software. 

• Initiates financial (budget) transactions related to the ongoing business of the Intern program and is responsible for the appropriateness and accuracy of those transactions, under the supervision of the director, including request for reimbursements for applicable parties; request and distribute subsidies for all internships; entering Procurement Card reports the department. Prepare materials for the annual subsidy report.

• Manage databases for the intern program, including database of active interns and database for all consultants for the Intern Program. Enter, update and manage database records.

• Manage day-to-day operations of the Intern Office. Support faculty with administrative needs as requested including but not limited to; scheduling, presentation preparations, database/files maintenance, meeting coordination, etc. Order supplies and furniture as needed. Intern Program Office reception.

• Occasional evening hours will be required.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• A Bachelor’s degree is required. A degree in Humanities is preferred. 
• A minimum of four years of experience is required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate broadly across the University and develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of constituencies. Must also demonstrate strong written communication skills.
• Candidate must possess strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and analyze problems, as well as devise solutions. Must also have strong organizational, planning and time management skills. 
• Candidate knowledge of church-based institutions (e.g. The United Methodist Church) is a plus.
• Candidate must be able to demonstrate proficiency with Excel, FileMaker Pro and Adobe Acrobat Professional. 

Physical and Environmental Demands:

• Sit for long periods of time
• Reach above shoulders
• Handle objects (dexterity)

Benefits

• SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of health and related benefits. In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of wellness programs to help attract, support, and retain our employees whose work continues to make SMU an outstanding education and research institution.
• SMU is committed to providing an array of retirement programs that benefit and protect you and your family throughout your working years at SMU and, if you meet SMU's retirement eligibility criteria, during your retirement years after you leave SMU.
• The value of learning at SMU isn't just about preparing our students for the future. Employees have access to a wide variety of professional and personal development opportunities, including tuition benefits.

EEO Statement: SMU will not discriminate in any program or activity on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression. The Executive Director for Access and Equity/Title IX Coordinator is designated to handle inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies and may be reached at the Perkins Administration Building, Room 204, 6425 Boaz Lane, Dallas, TX 75205, 214-768-3601, [email protected].

How to Apply

https://smu.taleo.net/careersection/ex/jobdetail.ftl?job=PER00000062&tz=GMT-06%3A00&tzname=America%2FChicago
Contact Email: [email protected]
Contact Phone: 214-768-3311