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Academic Administrator, Assistant Dean of Academic Skills

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Position description

The Academic Administrator (who will have a working title of Assistant Dean of Academic Skills) will manage and oversee the University of California, Irvine School of Law Academic Skills Program (ASP Program). The main goal of the ASP Program is to develop and deliver programs to promote the academic success of students from matriculation, throughout law school, and as they prepare to enter the legal profession. This includes programming and support for students during pre-orientation, orientation, the three years of law school, and bar prep. The primary responsibility of the Assistant Dean of Academic Skills will be to independently manage the ASP Program’s development and delivery of programming, working with students individually as well as in small and large group settings to improve various academic skills, such as written legal analysis, exam taking, and time management. The Assistant Dean of Academic Skills will also teach an ASP course or courses as needed, and provide feedback to students on practice exams, exercises, and other writing throughout their law school career. The Assistant Dean will also assist students with pre- and post-graduate study for bar examinations. Salary will be commensurate with experience. The Assistant Dean of Academic Skills will report to the Vice Dean or the Dean.

The responsibilities of the Assistant Dean of Academic Skills will include, but are not limited to:

• Developing and implementing a cohesive ASP curriculum for students, which begins before the fall 1L semester and continues through students’ post-graduate study for bar examinations;
• Researching and implementing the most current best practices for bar preparation and academic skills;
• Providing individual academic counseling to all law students regarding course selection, bar and legal practice preparation, referrals to Disability Services for learning disabilities and accommodations, time management, learning styles, and overall student success;

• Collaborating with the Vice Dean, Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and Inclusive Excellence, the Associate Dean of Lawyering Skills, and the Assistant Dean for Student Services;
• Developing and teaching one or more courses in the curriculum as needed to improve student legal analysis, writing, and/or bar taking skills;
• Attending and participating in senior administration and faculty meetings;
• Developing and delivering a comprehensive program for students on topics including class preparation, study habits, case briefing, outlining, written legal analysis, and exam taking, including a pre-orientation program, sessions during orientation, and workshops throughout each academic year;

• Working closely with faculty members to design and administer exercises in doctrinal subjects, and to provide individual and group feedback;
• Developing and teaching (as needed) 3L-year and post-graduation summer bar-exam preparation programs that include individual counseling, workshops, and feedback on practice exams;
• Hiring, training, and managing ASP Program staff who effectively deliver of all of the above academic skills services and programs to students;
• Managing the ASP Program budget;
• Working closely with other departments in the Law School, including but not limited to the Career Development Office, Student Affairs, Alumni Relations, Admissions, Lawyering Skills Program, Clinical Program, and working closely with Senior Administrators;
• Serving on committees as necessary that seek to advance the goals of the Law School; and
• Collaborating with professionals within the department, within the Law School, and from other law schools across the country to research and present on topics relevant to the ASP industry.

Requirements
Candidates for the position must have a J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school and a record of academic and extracurricular success in law school, and admission to a state bar, preferably California;

At least five years of relevant professional experience (preferably including teaching), with a focus on legal writing and analysis, preferably with experience in law school academic skills or similar programs; familiarity with the format and subjects tested on the California Bar Exam.

Superior written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills;

The ability to think imaginatively and critically about techniques to improve law students’ academic development, and to design, implement, and manage innovative programs to promote that development.

The ability to handle confidential information, exhibit good judgment, and exemplify professionalism in working with students, faculty, and staff.

The ability to initiate and forge partnerships within the law school, with the Orange County legal community, and nationally within the Legal Academic Skills Community.

The ability to work collaboratively with a diverse and growing population of students and promote inclusive excellence.

The ability to juggle multiple competing priorities and meet firm deadlines.

TO APPLY: To be considered for this position, applicants should submit the following materials:

  1. Cover Letter
  2. Resume
  3. Relevant Publications and/or writing samples
  4. Contact information for three references
  5. Statement of Contributions to Diversity
  6. Inclusive Excellence Activities Statement

For more information about UCI Law, visit: www.law.uci.edu.
Interested candidates should submit application materials using UC Irvine's online application system, AP Recruit: https://recruit.ap.uci.edu/JPF06651

The University of California Irvine is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer advancing inclusive excellence. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC nondiscrimination policy. A recipient of an NSF ADVANCE award for gender equity, UCI is responsive to the needs of dual career couples, supports work-life balance through an array of family-friendly policies, and is dedicated to broadening participation in higher education.

Application Requirements

Document requirements
Reference requirements
  • 3 required (contact information only)