Director of Mentorship and Research

POSTING DATE:    11/2/2023
CLOSING DATE:    11/27/2023, 5:00 p.m.
POSITION TYPE:    EHRA Non-Faculty, FLSA Exempt, 1.0 FTE, 12 months
HIRING SALARY RANGE:    $69,642 - $79,956

NCSSM is ranked as the #2 Public School in the U.S.

NCSSM and the Academic Programs division foster an environment of collaboration across departments and divisions and support community-engaged service and research. NCSSM is proud of the diversity of its student body and we seek to attract an equally diverse application pool for this position. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as an individual with a disability, or status as a protected veteran or national guard. If you are an individual with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process, please contact us at hr@ncssm.edu. 

Description of Duties:

We invite and welcome all applications for employment within our institution. NCSSM is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as an individual with a disability, or status as a protected veteran. If you are an individual with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process, please contact us at (919) 416-2662.

The 12-month full time position is responsible for providing leadership, management, planning, implementation and advocacy in providing research and innovation opportunities to students, as well as ensuring minor compliance procedures are followed.

The Director of Mentorship and Research leads the efforts in expanding the number of students served in the Mentorship Program, the summer opportunities, and providing the coordination and support for all NCSSM Morganton departments and divisions. This position directs both the NCSSM Mentorship Program and the Summer Research & Innovation Program in Morganton and supervises the Mentorship and Research team as well as hires and manages the SRIP team. This position will steward and formalize research, industry, university, community colleges and business relationships and partnerships in Morganton, the surrounding communities, and the region. These partnerships will become the mentorship, research, and innovation placements for the students. This position works collaboratively with each department and division of NCSSM to ensure the research and innovation opportunities are accessible to all NCSSM students, offered in a wide and diverse range of disciplines, facilitated by instructor and programmatic support to ensure high quality experiences, focused on student development, and provided at no cost.

Academic Programs serves 680 students in Durham and 300 students in Morganton. We have added students to NCSSM-Online. This person will lead the Mentorship and Research Program for the students at NCSSM-Morganton, may assist with students in the NCSSM-Online program, and lead the Summer Research and Innovation Program (SRIP) each June and July. This position will lead and extend the existing 43-year Mentorship and Research program to Morganton to include the evaluation and leverage of regional assets. There are numerous opportunities in research, industry, business, etc. and this position will steward those relationships and formalize partnerships to full implementation and logistics of student mentorship, research, and innovation experiences. In other words, this position will create numerous partnerships in order to find mentorship placements for students at businesses, industries, entrepreneurial opportunities, corporations, manufacturing, universities, community colleges, with alumni, etc. locally or in the surrounding region. Examples include Appalachian State University, UNC-Asheville, Western Carolina University, Western Piedmont Community College, Lake James Environmental Association, Joara Foundation, etc. This position then manages and supports each mentor and student to ensure rewarding and safe experiences.

Durham has a parallel position that serves the students in Durham during the school year and facilitates all the partnerships at UNC-CH, Duke, NCCU, RTI, etc. as well as leads the Summer Research and Innovation Program (SRIP) each June and July.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

The Director of Mentorship and Research is an EHRA (exempt from the North Carolina Human Resources Act), non-faculty instructional position that reports to the Associate Vice Chancellor of Academic Programs. The Director provides leadership, management, planning, implementation and advocacy in providing research and innovation opportunities to students.

Knowledge of:

• Google Suite, Zoom/Google Meet, Microsoft Office Professional or similar applications and effective use of meeting and instructional technology

Skilled in:                    

• Thinking strategically and implementing data-informed decisions for program implementation and assessment
• Teaching and facilitating effective student experiences in research and innovation in the virtual and in-person environments
• Assessing student learning outcomes in research and innovation experiences and personal/professional development
• Organizing and leading events and communication avenues to promote student participation/application/matriculation/celebration of their research and innovation experiences
• Advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in research and innovation programming
• Promoting, developing, assessing, and sustaining professional relationships and partnership building
• Providing and carrying out safety and compliance processes for high school student level programming
• Managing program logistics and student transportation for research and innovation
• Managing budgets and hiring of personnel to support research and innovation programs
• Organizational and interpersonal communication skills with adults as well as students at the high school level
• Collaborating and communicating effectively across a wide range of stakeholders including students, families, volunteer mentors, institutions, businesses, and organizations
• Administering and facilitating summer residential experiences (application process, training staff, leading communications among all stakeholders, transportation logistics, organize all student engagement activities)

Preferred experience in:

• Research and/or mentoring experience
• Expertise in personal and professional skill development and training
• Program planning and implementation
• Enthusiasm to provide instruction and office hours for synchronous and online distance learning courses in the evening

Ability to:

• Lead the full implementation of the research and innovation opportunities, Mentorship and Summer Research and Innovation Programs for NCSSM-Morganton students as well as contributing to opportunities for NCSSM-Online students, including setting up new programs, recruiting volunteer mentors to partner with NCSSM-Morganton to offer student opportunities, and providing leadership and support to NCSSM-Morganton departments in offering student opportunities in research and innovation. 
• Train students, faculty, staff, and mentors to provide excellent student support and opportunities in research and innovation. 
• Establish ownership of areas of responsibility with an aptitude to anticipate and proactively implement tasks while identifying areas of improvement, efficiencies, and solutions.
• Adapt to a changing environment while paying critical attention to details.
• Demonstrate a high level of professionalism, initiative, resourcefulness, and personal accountability.
• Interact in a positive manner with diverse constituents including students, faculty, staff, and the public while upholding the intent and integrity of NCSSM policies and procedures.
• Communicate effectively in writing and verbally with internal and external constituents, build relationships, manage expectations, and take responsibility for a high level of service.

Minimum Education and Experience:

Master’s degree and two years of research experience in a STEM, Social Sciences, Arts, or Humanities discipline. A bachelor’s degree plus alternative or equivalent professional training and experience may be substituted for the advanced degree on an exceptional basis.

Team NCSSM Benefits

Free On-campus Parking

Vacation: Varied based on EHRA or SHRA Classification. For SHRA and Faculty, earn from 14 days to 26 days per year based on years of state service (part-time employees are pro-rated).  EHRA SAAO Group I, receives 26 days per year and EHRA SAAO Group II/Instructional (IRIT), receives 24 days per year. Leave is earned monthly.

Sick Leave: 12 days per year.

Additional Leave: Family Medical Leave (FMLA), Paid Parental Leave (PPL), Civil Leave, Extended Illness, Short/Long Term Disability, Family Illness Leave, Military Leave, Community Service Leave, Bonus Leave, Voluntary Shared Leave and Leave Without Pay.

Holidays: 12 days per year

Retirement: Required participation for all employees working 3/4 time or more. Option (1) Teachers’ and State Employees’ Retirement System (TSERS) requires 6% of gross salary. Employees are vested for retirement after 5 years. Option (2) The Optional Retirement Program (ORP) requires 6% of gross salary. Employees in ORP are vested after 5 years of participating in ORP. As a participant in either retirement program, you are automatically covered for short-term disability (eligible after 1 year of service/no cost), long term disability (eligible after 5 year of service/no cost). Death benefit of minimum $25,000/maximum $50,000 based on previous 12 month salary (eligible after 1 year of service/no cost).

Supplemental Retirement Plans: Supplemental retirement plans provide an additional opportunity to help you reach your retirement goals.  Supplemental Plan offerings such as a 401(k), 403(b), or 457(b) on a Roth (after-tax) or pre-tax contributions from several different vendors.

Health Insurance: Employee only coverage under the State Health Plan (PPO) is provided to employees that work 30 or more hours a week. The cost is determined by the type of coverage elected by the employee. Dependent coverage is available by payroll deduction.

NC Flex Plan: Plan offers Health Care Flexible Spending, Dependent Day Care Flexible Spending, Dental Insurance, Vision Care Plan, Critical Illness, Cancer Insurance, Core Accidental Death & Dismemberment, Voluntary Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance, Accident, and Group Term Life. All plans are pre-tax basis / Cost varies depending on selections.

Voluntary Group Term Life Insurance: Securian (This is an after-tax plan and is portable)

Tuition Waiver: Three courses per academic year tuition free (at any of UNC 17 campuses that offer courses) for permanent full-time employees.

State Employees Credit Union: Membership welcomed. Contact the SECU Credit Union for information.

Community Service: 24 hours leave credited each calendar year (prorated for part-time) unless you choose the Mentoring/ tutoring option – 1 hour each week up to a max of 36 hours that schools are in session as documented by the elected board of the local education agency or the governing authority of any non-public school.

Facilities: Library & Gymnasium - other athletic facilities available at no cost to employees. Cafeteria on site.

About NCSSM:

North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (NCSSM) is a world-class public high school with statewide reach empowering academically talented students from diverse backgrounds from every corner of the state to design their own future. We offer residential high school programs in Durham and Morganton for juniors and seniors or virtual high school courses and programs that students can take alongside their local curriculum, all tuition free. Our wide array of summer offerings for rising 5th- through 12th-graders includes free opportunities for in-state students alongside paid options for students from anywhere in the world. NCSSM Extended Learning partners with communities and regions to advance student learning and outcomes.

Specializing in science, technology, engineering, and math, and embracing the fine arts and humanities, NCSSM has become the model for 18 such specialized schools around the globe since its founding in 1980 and is a full constituent of the University of North Carolina System. NCSSM’s Ignite + Transform comprehensive campaign seeks to raise $50 million in private support for our mission.

The new NCSSM-Morganton campus opened in 2022 for summer programs and its first fall academic term. NCSSM-Morganton focuses on the booming fields of data science and artificial intelligence, preparing the leaders of tomorrow to navigate a future driven by data and machine learning, with emphasis on the humanistic implications and ethical use of these tools.

Nearly two-thirds of NCSSM graduates earn a bachelor’s degree in a STEM field -- over three times the national average, including 58 percent of our underrepresented minority graduates, which is nearly four times the national average. Nearly three-quarters have earned or are seeking a graduate degree. A 2020 economic impact study found that 54 percent of our alumni continue to live and work in North Carolina, catalyzing nearly $1.3 billion in annual economic activity. NCSSM values the diversity in our student body, and all members of the NCSSM community are expected to foster a safe environment of respect and inclusion for all faculty, staff, and students.

For more information, please read the NCSSM strategic plan and visit ncssm.edu.

How to Apply:

Submit electronic application via: http://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/northcarolina/. Please create an account, search for the Director of Mentorship and Research position vacancy, and submit the online application.

Please complete your application in full. All required Competencies, Work History, and Credentials must appear on the application in the Education and Work Experience sections of the application to receive consideration during the selection process. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing the State Application form in its entirety. “See Attached Resume or an Embedded Text Resume” will be considered incomplete and will not be processed. Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

Applicants seeking Veteran's Preference must attach a DD form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, along with the state application. Applicants seeking National Guard Preference must attach a NGB 23A (RPAS) if they are a current member of the NC National Guard in good standing. If applicants are a former member of the NC National Guard who served for at least six years and was discharged under honorable conditions, they must attach either a DD256 or NGB 22 along with their state application.

Final candidates are subject to criminal and sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require a motor vehicle check. If the highest degree is from an institution outside of the U.S., final candidates are required to have their degree equivalency verified at www.wes.org or equivalent service. NCSSM participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

Please refrain from submitting multiple applications. However, if multiple applications are submitted to a posting, only the most recent application received prior to the posting close date will be accepted. There is a 24 hour waiting period before an applicant can re-apply to a position.

If you have questions, please contact Eric Hunsley at 828-347-9139 or eric.hunsley@ncssm.edu.

NCSSM is an EEO/eVerify/VEVRAA Employer