| Associate Director of Bar Support | ||
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| Category: | Staff positions   |
| Department: | School of Law |
| Locations: | Bristol, RI |
| Posted: | Feb 10, '17 |
| Type: | Full-time Regular |
| Ref. No.: | 109814 |
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About Roger Williams University:
Roger Williams University, located on the coast of Bristol, RI, is a forward-thinking private university with 45 undergraduate majors and more than a dozen graduate programs spanning the liberal arts and the professions, where students become community-minded citizens through project-based, experiential learning. With small classes, direct access to faculty and boundless opportunities for real-world projects, RWU students develop the ability to think critically while simultaneously building the practical skills that today's employers demand. In the five years since launching its signature Affordable Excellence initiative, the University has established itself as a leader in American higher education by confronting the most pressing issues facing students and families – increasing costs that limit access to college, rising debt and the job readiness of graduates. In addition to its 4,000 undergraduates and 300 graduate students, RWU is home to a thriving School of Continuing Studies based in Providence as well as Rhode Island's only law school.
Roger Williams University is committed to creating and supporting an intellectual community devoted to teaching and learning and providing the opportunity for personal and intellectual growth for students, faculty and staff. The University credits much of its growth and success to the hard work and dedication of its employees.
Job Description:
The Associate Director of Bar Support's primary objective will be to enhance the bar passage rates at the law school through developing, implementing, directing, and evaluating a comprehensive bar examination program, including teaching the for-credit Applied Legal Reasoning course. The Associate Director will work in the Academic Success Program and will assist the Director of Academic Success to incorporate best practices in preparing students for the bar and in academic advising.
Bar Exam Material Review and Preparation
Teach Applied Legal Reasoning (ALR) course each semester as arranged by the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, in multiple sections as appropriate. The primary focus of the course should be the Multi-state Bar Exam (MBE), but there should also be instruction and coverage of the Multi-state Performance Test (MPT) and the Multi-state Essay Exam (MEE) and other skills necessary for first time bar success. Course should include feedback and evaluation of course performance to strengthen content knowledge and analytical and writing skills needed for bar success. The Associate Director will work with the Director of Academic Success to incorporate best practices in teaching into the bar prep program and will incorporate instruction by distance learning into the bar prep program.
Provide support to graduates during bar preparation leading up to the bar.
Provide remedial instruction and support for students who fail to earn a passing grade in ALR for the purpose of improving performance on the MBE and providing a way for students to obtain academic credit for the course, if appropriate.
Design, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive workshop series for all law students on topics related to the bar. Workshop series should include, at minimum, the following topics: early considerations for first and second year students, preparing for the Multi-state Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE), overview of the application process, and workshops on the MBE, MPT, and MEE.
Student Counseling and Guidance
Meet individually with all third year students to review important information on the bar exam. These mandatory "Bar Information Meetings" are to provide individual counseling and advice for students on the steps they should follow to ensure first-time bar success and to advise students regarding the bar exam application process and choice of jurisdiction. In collaboration with the Director of Academic Success, provide academic advising sessions to first and second-year students, as well as open door advising sessions before course registration.
Serve as academic advisor for students identified most likely to fail the bar exam. As academic advisor, review and approve course registration each semester for adequate coverage of bar courses and provide other academic support, in conjunction with the Director of Academic Success and the Writing Specialist, to improve analytical and writing skills necessary to pass the bar exam.
Work individually or in a group setting with graduates who were unsuccessful on the bar exam to provide coaching and guidance as they prepare to retake the bar exam.
Analyze bar exam results, including analysis by law school performance and admissions criteria (LSAT and undergraduate GPA) and provide regular reports to the faculty and senior staff.
Maintain the law school's website on the bar exam and Character & Fitness process in accordance with best practices and ABA requirement Standards 504 & 509.
Bar Exam Liaison
Advise the faculty and administration regarding any bar preparation matters and work with faculty on the integration of bar exam topics and material, including assessments, in select courses.
Oversee the ABA reporting of bar exam data in consultation with the Registrar and Associate Dean.
Attend regional and national Academic Support Conferences.
Serve as the primary contact for the School of Law with commercial bar course vendors and bar examiners to obtain results, monitor changes to the exam, and arrange for meetings as appropriate.
Provide information to students and administrators about the bar exam, including the application process, and organize sessions with bar examiners where possible.
Requirements:
J.D. degree from an ABA accredited law school and strong academic credentials and admission to the practice of law.
Three years of relevant experience, either in the law school academic support field or teaching bar exam skills.
Proven teaching, interpersonal and counseling skills including class preparation, classroom teaching and working with individual students.
Adept at developing, marketing and delivering a bar preparation program.
Commitment to diversity and supporting a diverse student population. Willingness to work with students with a range of disabilities.
Proficient in compiling and analyzing data for statistical analysis.
Intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite.
Additional Information:
Roger Williams University is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer committed to inclusive excellence and encourages applications from underrepresented populations.
For information on our Non-discrimination and Title IX policy, visit: rwu.edu/NDT9
Application Instructions:
Please attach a resume, cover letter, and list of three (3) professional references.
http://rwu.interviewexchange.com/jobofferdetails.jsp?JOBID=81401
