Assistant Director of Paralegal and Graduate Legal Programs

Founded in 1854 Hamline was the first university in Minnesota and among the first coeducational institutions in the nation. Hamline University provides a world-class education for undergraduate and graduate students. Our faculty staff and students cultivate an ethic of civic responsibility social justice and inclusive leadership and service.

Hamline University is an Equal Opportunity employer. Hamline University does not discriminate on the basis of race; color; religion; creed; sex; national origin; marital status; familial status; status with regard to public assistance; membership or activity in a local human rights commission; disability; age; protected veteran status; or any other status protected by applicable law in its education or employment programs or activities. The University will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities.

The Division of Social Sciences at Hamline University in St. Paul Minnesota invites applicants for a full-time staff position with administrative responsibility for the graduate legal programs at Hamline specifically management of the Graduate Paralegal Program as the Paralegal Program Director for the purpose of the American Bar Association Standing Committee on Paralegal Education (the ABA) which approves the program.

Candidates should have a clear understanding of the paralegal profession including its current developments and the expansion of legal paraprofessional programs nationally. Demonstrated experience working in paralegal education in the role of a paralegal or in close collaboration with paralegals is required.

In collaboration with the faculty Paralegal Program Director and the Social Sciences division faculty the successful candidate will maintain the paralegal programs approval with the American Bar Association Standing Committee on Paralegals which requires implementing the ABA Guidelines and networking in the local legal community. Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Manages processes with ABA guidelines in coordination with the ABA Standing Committee on Paralegals; staying current with compliance requirements; and gathering creating and reporting all required information to maintain program approval.
• Manages all events and activities required by or supportive of an ABA-approved paralegal program including assessment activities faculty meetings adjunct faculty recruiting and development alumni events paralegal student organizations and events honor society induction and certificate and awards ceremony; and recruits coordinates and facilitates Paralegal Program Advisory Board and its meetings.
• Supports and collaborates with Legal Studies program faculty to identify curricular needs for graduate programs and to ensure compliance with the ABA guidelines.
• Supports and collaborates with Graduate Admissions and Graduate Advising to respond to and resolve program-related inquiries; participating in on-campus visits and information sessions; organizing and facilitating orientation sessions; and any other related activities.
• Coordinates the application review and award processes of departmental scholarship opportunities.
• Coordinates recruitment of qualified adjunct faculty and collaborates with full-time faculty to support adjunct development in teaching and learning per ABA requirements.
• Maintains applications for undergraduate students seeking to complete the Graduate Paralegal Certificate pathway.
• Collaborates with Registration and Records to confirm student compliance with program requirements for graduate legal programs and authorizes issuance of certificates; orders and delivers Graduate Paralegal Certificates.
• Reviews revises and documents all relevant administrative processes in conjunction with appropriate departments for greater efficiency and improved student experience.
• Coordinates with admissions web and marketing personnel to promote programs through the development implementation and creation of marketing materials and activities.
• Reviews and maintains legal research database requirements (e.g. Westlaw) to ensure that paralegal students have appropriate access to legal research materials consistent with ABA requirements
• Participates in educational organizations specific to paralegal education including but not limited to American Association for Paralegal Educators (AAfPE)
• Develops and maintains program relationships with external audiences including relevant professional associations potential volunteer sites internship hosts and employers and other ABA-approved paralegal programs.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree
• Paralegal Certificate from an ABA-approved paralegal program and 5 or more years of experience in the administration of paralegal or legal education
• 5 years or more of experience working with or as a paralegal or in recruiting training or supervising paralegals in a team environment
• Familiarity with academic institutions assessment and accreditation processes and legal education specifically for paralegals and other non-lawyer legal personnel

Preferred Qualifications:

• Graduate degree in a legal business administrative or education field
• Interest in emerging technologies and the evolving expectations of the paralegal profession including the Minnesota Legal Paraprofessional program

Hamline University is located in the heart of the culturally vibrant Minneapolis-Saint Paul area. The University serves approximately 1800 undergraduate students and 800 graduate students. The Universitys mission is to create a diverse and collaborative community of learners dedicated to the development of students knowledge values and skills for successful lives of leadership scholarship and service. Hamline University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and educator and is especially interested in faculty candidates whose work and scholarship will enrich diversity and equality on campus.

All questions marked Required need to be answered in order to submit the application. It is important that your application show all of the relevant education and experience you possess. Applications may be rejected if incomplete. If rejected you must reapply for the position in order to be considered. A resume or curriculum vitae a cover letter outlining your qualifications for and interest in the position contact information for 3 current professional references as well as copies of transcripts (if required) must be uploaded with each application.