| Description of Work | The Director of Externships is responsible for developing and administering an externship program that provides College of Law students with transformational opportunities to become competent, ethical, and reflective legal professionals and leaders. In that capacity, the successful candidate has overarching responsibility in the following areas:
Administrative & Strategic:
- Expand and improve the existing externship program to maximize students’ learning from practice in order to enhance their substantive knowledge, practice skills, and professional identity;
- Document externship placements in a manner that satisfies the ABA Accrediting Standards;
- Lead all communications connected to the externship program;
Placement & Outreach:
- Recruit new and maintain existing relationships with placement partners;
- Counsel students on whether, when, and where to pursue externships;
- Work collaboratively with other faculty to ensure quality instruction and supervision;
Teaching & Training:
- Design and teach reflective seminars, orientations, and supervisor training;
- Provide extensive education of students on legal markets, professional pathways, and career development when considering externship placement;
- Review and provide comments on students’ work, primarily reflective essays and evaluations of their experiences.
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln seeks to attract and retain a high-performing and diverse workforce in which employees’ differences are respected and valued to better meet the varying needs of the diverse populations we serve. The university fosters a diverse and inclusive work environment that promotes collaboration so that all individuals are able to participate and contribute to their full potential. As an EO/AA employer, qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran or military status, marital status, and/or political affiliation in its programs, activities, or employment. See: http://www.unl.edu/equity/notice-nondiscrimination.
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| Minimum Required Qualifications | Juris Doctor from an accredited ABA law school and at least three years of experience and demonstrated skills in mentoring, coaching, and supervising law students or lawyers new to practice, and/or providing feedback and fostering critical reflection in comparable settings. Excellent written and oral communication skills. Excellent organizational and/or administrative skills. Demonstrated ability to work both collaboratively and independently. Familiarity with and comfort navigating various software/platforms, including practice management and timekeeping software, Canvas or related learning management system(s), and cloud-based Microsoft Office programs. Knowledge of professional skills required of lawyers in different work environments. Ability to: effectively communicate and teach those professional skills to students of all different backgrounds; organize and sequence curriculum in effective manner; build relationships and communicate effectively with various constituencies, including faculty, students, and outside partners, in order to develop effective placements. Licensed to practice law in the state of Nebraska. |
| Preferred Qualifications | Juris Doctor plus five or more years legal or legal education related work. High degree of professionalism in all aspects of lawyering. Demonstrated ability to effectively multitask, delegate and manage assignments. Creativity and flexibility in approaching and solving problems. Strong interest in all aspects of legal practice, legal education, and the legal profession. Skilled at creating and fostering professional relationships with internal and external constituencies. Flexibility in scheduling, traveling, and being available for various events to support the Program. Ability to promote an inclusive environment that reflects the broad diversity and backgrounds represented by our students, staff, faculty, and community members. |
