Community Engagement Program Associate

The Community Engagement Program Associate operates as part of a collaborative team of five professionals and two support staff to deliver a diverse range of curricular and co-curricular high impact community-engaged programs and opportunities. Plays a key role in building and enhancing college and community partnerships, emphasizing mutually beneficial and reciprocal relationships.

This position  is responsible for administering the Lives of Commitment Program; strengthening local community-engaged partnerships; facilitating new pathways for student engagement, including hosting engagement fairs each semester; advising student organizations focused on community-engagement; supporting our Bonner Leaders Program and CEC student workers. 

This is a full-time, twelve month position, with required evening and weekend hours and occasional travel. This is an onsite position, with work hours of 8:00am to 4:30pm Tuesday, Thursday, and Fridays and 10:00am to 7:00pm on Mondays and Wednesdays. 

About The Department: 

The Community Engagement Center is a catalyst for deep collaborative engagement which centers community knowledge(s) and agency in order to creatively solve problems, engage community-identified needs and initiate transformative change. 

The work of the Community Engagement Center is rooted in place. We strive to have ongoing, reciprocal, and dynamic relationships with local communities, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies in the Twin Cities. Macalester is located on land identified currently as the Macalester-Groveland neighborhood of St. Paul, but we are situated close to and engage with a wide range of neighborhoods throughout St. Paul and Minneapolis — each with its own history and current reality.

While the Twin Cities is lauded for a wide range of community assets and successes, it is vital to recognize that we also have some of the worst equity outcomes (disparities) in the nation. Each neighborhood has a specific history related to settler colonialism, racism, and exclusion. We believe it is imperative to dig deeply into the narratives of people and places as we engage with others in community-engaged work. Situating our work within an understanding of often imbalanced power dynamics helps to bridge teaching & learning with critical community engagement. Building multifaceted long-term relationships is essential to our ability to nurture trust and co-create partnerships that use asset-based approaches to  advance shared priorities.

• Administer Lives of Commitment Program

Recruits incoming cohorts, coordinates selection process, runs pre-orientation retreat, sophomore leadership training and monthly training. Develops and maintains relationships with Lives of Commitment community partners and coordinates weekly volunteering, small group reflection, large group programming and Saturday trips.

• Strengthens Off Campus Partnerships

Deepens existing community partnerships by conducting site visits, collaborating on joint projects with partners to address community and campus needs.  Triages community requests for student involvement. Regularly visits and communicates with partners to identify new entry points for engagement and to support robust, co-creative opportunities. Works with partners to resolve any issues that arise in the context of Macalester student engagement.

• Facilitate New Pathways & Entry Points for Student Engagement

Regularly welcomes partners to campus for Community Engagement & Involvement Fairs and interacts in meaningful ways with Macalester students. Plans and implements the bi-annual community involvement fair with 40+ community organizations on campus. Coordinates the department's group transportation efforts and advertises options to students.

• Advise Student Organizations focused on Community Engagement

Advises and supports the work, leadership and development of student organizations that have a primary focus on community engagement (currently: Scots in the Cities & Habitat for Humanity).  This often involves the planning of alternative break trips and providing training on standards of good practice and risk management.

• Plan & facilitate programming as part of Bonner Scholars Program staff team

Supports specific class years of Bonner Scholars, facilitating site placements and doing problem solving for site-based issues that arise, and collaborating with the campus team that administers a comprehensive Bonner Program. Provides efforts to expand Bonner-like civic engagement programming to additional students on campus that share identities with the Bonner cohort.

• In collaboration with staff colleagues in the Community Engagement Center, supervise CEC student workers, expand place-based engagement and serve as collaborative partner in academic community-based learning. 

• Bachelor’s Degree required
• 3-5 years professional experience in community or civic engagement within higher education or work in a community-based nonprofit required.
• A commitment to student development & success, high-impact practices, and a high level of interaction with a variety of stakeholders is essential.
• Understanding of diverse local community issues, neighborhoods and organizations. 
• Commitment to positive social change and an understanding of social change theory and ethics of good practice in community engagement.
• Strong interpersonal and coalition-building skills. Skilled communicator able to engage with and across a variety of audiences both on and off campus.
• Experience in organizing multiple projects, adhering to deadlines, and maintaining program records. Proficient in google workspace (g-suite/google apps).
• Able to adhere to budget guidelines drawing from a variety of sources, prepare a budget plan in consultation with supervisor, and reconcile college purchasing card expenses in a timely manner.
• Demonstrated ability to be flexible and work with ambiguity. Strong problem-solving skills are essential to this position.
• Valid driver's license preferred, role requires ability to travel within Twin Cities to meet with community partners on a regular basis.

Compensation:

The salaried wage for this position will be $50,625 - $54,000 depending on experience.

Benefits: 

At Macalester, we are proud to offer excellent comprehensive employee benefits. Here are some highlights:

• 10% employer contributions to the retirement plan. 
• Generous Parental Leave. 
• Outstanding vacation and sick time packages, plus an additional 10 holidays.
• Comprehensive health insurance plans, including a generous employer contribution to Health Savings Account.
• Tuition assistance which pays between 75% - 100% of eligible tuition for employee dependents at select institutions.
• Free primary care for most services through Nice Healthcare when enrolled in a Macalester health plan.
• Access to the athletics fitness facility, wellness coaching and activities.

These are just some of the great benefits Macalester has to offer! To see our full benefits packages and options, please visit our Benefits Page.

Satisfactory completion of a criminal background check is a condition of employment.

Application Guidelines:

For best consideration, please submit your cover letter and resume through the Macalester Employment Opportunities webpage by July 6th, 2025. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled. 

Jaclyn Howard

Talent Acquisition Manager

jhoward3@Macalester.edu

Founded in 1874, Macalester College provides students with the inspiration, insight, and experience to become successful and ethical leaders. Located in flourishing St. Paul, Minnesota, Macalester enrolls over 2,000 students from across the country and around the world. Macalester is a preeminent liberal arts college recognized for its student service and celebration of internationalism.

At Macalester, we look at our employees through a whole-person, holistic lens. With comprehensive benefits and well-being programs, we provide and enable our community members to grow and care for themselves, their families, and one another. Our whole-hearted fidelity to community-building and social justice exemplify these ideals.  Macalester College continuously prioritizes a culturally diverse and pluralistic community. We value individuals of all backgrounds and lived experiences. 

Our rich blend of people holding varied identities enhances our strong commitment to multiculturalism and global citizenship. We seek candidates who reflect and strengthen our campus environment. Macalester invites and encourages everyone to apply who would add depth to our community including those from all sexual orientations, races, ethnicities, national origins, genders, religions, abilities, and ages.