CEL Specialist
Job Location:
Mercer County, NJ - USA
Yearly Salary:
Posted:
Application Deadline:
Vacancies:
Job Summary
State Title: Professional Service Specialist 3 (PSS3)
Bargaining Unit: AFT
Employment Type: Full-time 10 month 35 hours per week
Internal salary: $57072.15 - $91302.36
External salary: $57072.15 - $65629.71
UNION POSITIONS:The internal salary range is used for applicants who are current NJ state employees with underlying classified status for promotional calculations who meet the requirements below. The external salary range is used for candidates who are not NJ state employees and who meet the requirements below.
About TCNJ
Founded in 1855 TCNJ offers a highly personalized and collaborative liberal arts education with over 7400 undergraduates and 700 graduate students. The college is consistently ranked among the top comprehensive colleges in the nation offering small classes a 13:1 student-faculty ratio and an immersive living-learning experience. With a 4-year graduation rate ranked #1 in New Jersey and #9 among U.S. public institutions TCNJ is a model for public higher education.
TCNJs Center for Community Engagement (CCE) is the primary administrative home to the Colleges community engagement activities that integrate educational experiences with community service student development and civic participation. The Center is the home to two institutes: Community Engaged Learning (CEL) Institute and the Bonner Institute. Grounded in TCNJs mission to empower its diverse students staff and faculty to sustain and enhance their communities as well as TCNJs commitment to the public purpose of higher education TCNJs CCE develops lifelong learners who are prepared to lead lives of critically informed community engagement.
The CEL Institute oversees and coordinates TCNJs community engaged learning activities. CEL is an educational experience in which students engage in an organized community-based activity or project that addresses community-identified needs. CEL experiences are intentionally designed to advance the communities and community members with which they engage while developing knowledge of and experience with civic responsibility diverse communities social issues and social systems and structures. CEL at TCNJ takes three primary forms: a first-year community engaged learning experience; Introductory and Advanced CEL courses; and internships and community engaged learning research and special projects.
Position Overview: The CEL Specialist supports the Community Engaged Learning Institute by managing the CEL Courses program with support from the CEL Director and assisting with First-Year CEL programming in coordination with the CEL Manager. This 10 month position is primarily responsible for collaborating with faculty staff campus partners and community partners to design implement and assess meaningful community engaged learning opportunities including CEL courses CEL internships CEL scholarship and related community-based learning experiences. This role requires independent program coordination strong faculty and partner collaboration knowledge of CEL course design and best practices and the ability to assess a complex program involving multiple stakeholders.
Responsibilities:
- CEL Course Program Management and Support
- Manage the CEL Courses program with support from the CEL Director.
- Collaborate with faculty and staff to create implement and assess meaningful community engaged learning opportunities including CEL classes CEL internships CEL scholarship and related experiences.
- Support faculty in CEL course design by connecting faculty to appropriate community partners ensuring reciprocal relationships updating syllabi to include appropriate graded assignments and reflection activities and sharing best practices for project design and implementation.
- Support implementation through logistics local travel coordination access to CEL funding and additional student workshops.
- Support assessment through class-specific surveys class visits to lead reflection discussions and CEL rubric training to assess related assignments.
- Evaluate CEL program goals processes and operations and implement alternative procedures to meet program objectives as necessary.
- Direct the maintenance of essential records and files including the CEL class application process PAWS designations database and website upkeep and CEL reporting.
- Prepare detailed correspondence communicating expectations requirements processes and timelines for CEL programming.
- Collaborate with General Counsel to update waivers policies and procedures to ensure relevant federal and/or state laws and regulations are followed and manage students compliance with required forms and behaviors.
- Maintain integrity and appropriate confidentiality in program operations. Advise and counsel students parents and/or staff when emergent problems occur within the CEL program consulting with the Director to resolve problems or policy concerns as needed.
- Develop findings conclusions and recommendations for assessment promotion and improvement of the CEL program.
- Community Engagement and Partnership Development
- Develop and maintain community partnerships and support campus-wide community engagement initiatives.
- Maintain and develop mutually beneficial relationships with community partners and non-profit organizations in the Trenton region.
- Meet with interested partners to learn about their needs and connect them to appropriate CCE programs faculty or campus partners.
- Attend and coordinate staff attendance at community meetings to build new relationships.
- Faculty Student and Stakeholder Support
- Serve as a primary point of contact for CEL Courses-related questions from faculty students community partners and campus stakeholders.
- Provide guidance on CEL expectations course logistics reflection activities community partner coordination student compliance requirements and program timelines.
- Coordinate with the CEL Director on complex issues policy concerns or matters requiring escalation.
First-Year CEL Program Support
Support First-Year CEL programming as needed in coordination with the CEL Manager who oversees the First-Year CEL program.
Assistance may include supporting service logistics helping with service experience coordination supporting assessment activities and providing back-up leadership of direct service experiences including driving 15-passenger vehicles when necessary.
Attend and participate in Professional Development meetings trainings and conferences.
Required:
- Graduation from an accredited college with a Bachelors degree supplemented by a Masters degree (preferred) in a field related to the position to be filled or equivalency as determined by the appointing authority.
- Experience in familiarity with the culture of higher education institutions and experience working with faculty.
- Experience building and maintaining community partnerships with Trenton-area community partners preferred.
- Experience organizing and managing records and assessments.
- Experience designing and implementing plans and projects.
- Experience with community-engaged learning theory and practice.
- Experience in training and public speaking
- Familiarity with civic engagement and social change topics
- Non-provisional drivers license
Persons with disabilities may request reasonable accommodations in order to perform the essential functions of the position. If the requested accommodation(s) cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship the applicant may not be eligible for the position. Accommodation: Applicants who require a reasonable accommodation to apply or interview should contact.
Employer Qualifications
Employment at TCNJ is contingent upon the successful completion of an applicable background check reference checks and verification of identity and authorization to work in the United States (Form I-9).
Employee Benefits
As a member of The College of New Jersey Community you will be a part of an exciting and rewarding public college career. Eligible full-time employees will be able to take advantage of a generous benefits package that includes health welfare and retirement benefits including:
- Comprehensive benefit plans covering medical dental and prescription plans
- Generous leave entitlements program and Energy Savings Program
- Employee and dependent Tuition Waiver and Reimbursement Program
- Pension retirement and deferred compensation plans group life insurance
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Employee affinity groups
- New Jersey State Employee Discount Program(Pet insurance cell phone plan discounts discounted amusement park tickets etc.)
- Access to extensive learning opportunities
To view a comprehensive list of benefits available to employees visit ourHealth Benefits Plans and Programspage to learn more!
How to Apply
Qualified candidates should apply online and submit a letter of interest resume (CV) as well as the names and contact information for three professional references. Applications submitted by the priority deadline of July 27 2026 will receive primary consideration with the review process commencing on that date. Applications will be considered until a viable finalist has been found.
The College is committed to fostering a welcoming and inclusive campus community that respects and uplifts individuals from all backgrounds. We value the varied perspectives experiences and talents of all members of our community and strive to create an environment where everyone has equitable access to opportunities for success. As an equal opportunity employer we comply with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. We encourage applications from individuals whose lived experiences and professional interests align with our institutional mission of academic excellence access and integrity.
Required Experience:
IC
