Associate Director, Center for Professional Development - Public Interest

Seattle University offers a hybrid work model for this position.

About the Role

The Associate Director focuses on public interest and government opportunities, supporting students and alumni in understanding public interest employment opportunities during and after law school. The role involves building relationships with employers at the local, state, and federal levels, with a particular focus on:

• Public defense agencies, prosecutor's offices, the State Attorney General's Office, and other city, county, and state agencies
• The various Judge Advocate General (JAG) Corps programs
• The statewide civil legal aid/nonprofit network
• Postgraduate public interest fellowship opportunities
• Private bar opportunities that focus on public interest work

The Associate Director assists with organizing the Northwest Public Service Career Fair, supports students and alumni with registration, reviews application materials, and conducts mock interviews. They maintain the law school's relationship with Equal Justice Works and connect students to its career fair and fellowship programming. The role involves developing relationships within the public interest community and representing the Department at external events.

Internally, the Associate Director partners with the Access to Justice Institute (ATJI), supports first-year students in the First Year Fellows Program, and collaborates with the Externship Program. They counsel law students and alumni on career options, application materials, job search skills, and professional development. The role includes reviewing and editing job application materials, managing professional correspondence, and meeting one-on-one with students to develop personalized career strategies.

The Associate Director works closely with the Assistant Dean and CPD team to collect, analyze, and submit employment statistics. They develop electronic communications, including a bi-weekly newsletter, targeted emails, and website content updates. The role also involves creating student resources, such as handouts and presentations, and collaborating on workshops and panel presentations.

The Associate Director represents the Center for Professional Development at community events with law firms, legal aid providers, government agencies, the judiciary, and bar associations.

Core Competencies

• Effective Team Collaboration: Works harmoniously with others toward a common goal, leveraging individual strengths to achieve shared objectives.
• Emotionally Intelligent Communication: Engages in skillful exchange of information, thoughts, and feelings, verbally and non-verbally.
• Ethics and Integrity: Demonstrates an unwavering commitment to honesty, professionalism, and alignment with our Jesuit mission in all actions and decisions.
• Flexibility and Innovation: Embraces change, approaching problems with curiosity, adaptability, and a commitment to making a positive impact.
• Mindful Inclusion: Fosters mindful inclusion by consciously creating a workplace that celebrates differences, embraces cultural humility, and empowers uniqueness.
• Outcomes-Driven Orientation: Sets clear objectives, pursues excellence, and delivers measurable outcomes while upholding Jesuit Catholic values.

Requirements

• A Juris Doctor degree from an American Bar Association approved law school plus two years of work experience practicing law, preferably within a public interest or government setting.
• Experience participating in the hiring of attorneys and/or law clerks or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Exceptional written and oral interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability and enthusiasm to engage in routine one-on-one counseling relationships.
• Comfort with public speaking and leading presentations to a range of audiences.
• Self-motivation and individual initiative to manage duties/projects, as well as the ability to work effectively within a team.
• Ability to stay current on job opportunities and hiring practices of government employers and communicate this knowledge to students and alumni.
• Experience with Microsoft Office products and comfort learning and working within content and career management systems.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity and the university's mission, vision, and values.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience as a practicing lawyer in a federal, state, county, or city agency or public interest non-profit.
• Experience with local, regional, and federal government hiring practices.
• Mentorship experience.
• Familiarity with ABA and National Association for Law Placement (NALP) guidelines.

Benefits

Seattle University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Three different medical plans, dental, and vision insurance programs.
• Life, short-term, and long-term disability coverage.
• Retirement benefits with up to a 10% employer contribution (5% nonelective employer contribution plus a dollar-for-dollar match of voluntary contributions up to 5%).
• 100% paid tuition benefits for the employee and dependents.
• Subsidized transportation benefit.
• Wellness program with free access to an onsite fitness facility.
• Generous holiday schedule, including a paid Holiday break closure in December, vacation, and paid sick leave.
• Paid community service leave.

Pay

$78,000 - $85,000. The salary offered will be determined based on qualifications, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information.

Schedule

This is a full-time, 12-month position. Participation and attendance at local and regional events is required and may include some evening and weekend commitments. Positions designated as hybrid eligible may offer a hybrid work schedule after successful completion of an introductory period of 3-6 months.