Department Coordinator, Community Engagement Center

Overview

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 provides operational support to the Community Engagement Center and affiliated programs. Primary responsibilities include tracking the details of multiple budget lines, including operating, endowed, and grant funds; program, event and activity support; maintaining website and assisting in the development of communications materials for CEC;  data management and statistics gathering; student employee coordination including supervising 1-2 student office assistants; general office management & department collaboration, supporting team of 6 professional staff offering a menu of curricular and co-curricular offerings related to community engagement.

This is a full-time, non-exempt position that requires being onsite during business hours Monday through Friday. 

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.

Responsibilities

• Program, Event & Activity Support

Processes student applications for CEC programs, including creation of on-line application forms, merging of data, issuing reminders and ensuring applications are complete. Assists with the planning and implementation of the annual pre-orientation & orientation event for first-years and orientation for ongoing groups. Works with campus reservation staff to find appropriate space and room setups. Creates and tracks RSVPs for department events. Arranges for, reserves appropriate transportation for, and ensures payment of vendors for community-based learning in classes or co-curricular events, including managing the CEC HourCar membership, campus van rental, and bus reservations. Ensures evaluation data is entered and reported accurately.

• Communication, Marketing & Publicity

Develops advertisements of various means: social media, posters, email newsletters, Event Calendar, Mac Daily, etc. Creates and drives a social media and communications strategy for the CEC. Maintains and updates the Community Engagement Center website and newsletter lists. Utilizes survey information for input into SLATE tracking system, presentations, reporting, etc. from various formats. Stays informed of, and sometimes collaborates for communications with, academic consortia (i.e. Project Pericles, Imagining America, Campus Compact, Bonner, etc.).

• Budget Tracking & Processes

Creates processes to manage and track finances of the departmental budget, funds and grants within the department, including development and maintenance of complex databases and spreadsheets. Processes expenditures and initiates payment. Develops and maintains systems to keep track of applicants, budgets and track expenses for student projects. Works with students to ensure correct paperwork is submitted and submits reports. Works with co-directors, staff, and campus offices to ensure timely and accurate financial reports to staff and funders. 

• Data Management & Statistics

Manages the collection of student engagement statistics, including communication with local nonprofit organizations, student organizations, and faculty to gather information. Develops and administers survey each semester from start to finish in coordination with CEC colleagues (requires expertise with Qualtrics, SLATE, Excel/Google Sheets). Supervises the entry of data. Runs reports and processes to ensure data integrity. Creates and distributes reports of student engagement activity.

• Student Employee Coordination

Completes hiring process for student employees, including creating/maintaining job descriptions and applications, posting for openings etc. in college's on-line system JobX. Hires, trains, supervises and provides direction to student office assistants. Supervises and mentors 1-2 student workers, working closely on projects that support the student leadership programs, CEC events, and meetings. 

• General Office Management & Department Collaboration

Works collaboratively with the CEC Co-Directors on departmental projects and represents the goals of the department on various campus committees, including those focused on technology. Maintains supplies, storage and office equipment such as copiers, printers and computers. Maintains program records, including contracts, reports, and administrative files. Provides support for office programming on campus and conference travel for CEC staff. Collaborates with other IGC departments for building issues, student employee coordination and other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• High school diploma/GED required, Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• 1-3 years of experience working in an administrative support position required, 3-5 years of experience preferred
• Familiar with web design, designing and editing online publications, social media and general marketing materials.  
• Knowledge of administration of grants, tracking financial reporting, budgets and data. Office management, excellent customer service and multitasking
• Ability to work as a supportive team member in a dynamic office and be productive while experiencing frequent interruptions.
• Experience in organizing multiple projects, adhering to deadlines, and maintaining program records.
• Prior experience in arranging logistical details of public events. 
• Demonstrated ability to be flexible and work with ambiguity. Strong problem-solving skills are essential to this position.

Compensation:

The hourly wage for this position will be $22.85 to $23.89 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.

This position is represented by MAPE. 

Application Guidelines:

For best consideration, please submit your cover letter and resume through the Macalester Employment Opportunities webpage by November 3rd, 2025. No applications will be received after this date.

Jaclyn Howard

Talent Acquisition Manager

[email protected]

Macalester College - Institutional Overview

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.