Assistant Director - University of Pennsylvania

University Overview


The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.




Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.




The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.








Posted Job Title

Assistant Director





Job Profile Title

Associate Director D, Student Services, Graduate Programs





Job Description Summary

The Assistant Director is responsible for the organization, administration, and continuous monitoring and development of the Master of Science in Genetic Counseling (MSGC) Program in collaboration with the Director. This position oversees the day-to-day operation of the academic and research requirements of the Genetic Counseling Program. General responsibilities include overseeing the application process, student guidance, and course coordination. The Assistant Director is responsible for assuring compliance with university and departmental policies and procedures and ensuring that the program provides its students with the knowledge and skills necessary for successfully completing the MSGC Program, passing the American Board of Genetic Counseling Certification Examination, and practicing professional practice.


The Assistant director must have superb organizational skills and a strong knowledge base in clinical genetics. They will be knowledgeable of the practice-based competencies for genetic counseling students as well as the Standards for Accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling. The Assistant Director must possess excellent interpersonal skills. They will be the instructor of the Advanced Genetics course and Introduction to Research; thus a, a broad knowledge of genetic principles and strong research skills are required.





Job Description


Job Responsibilities

+ Administration: Assist the Program Director in evaluating the qualifications of and selecting all instructors and staff for employment within the Program. Provide leadership for formulating and revising the mission statement, policies, procedures, and objectives, as needed for the Program, in conjunction with the program leaders and advisory committees through strategic planning. Ensure that strategic planning and appropriate recommendations from the advisory committee are implemented. Facilitate new student orientation. Maintain appropriate student and administrative records. Develop, coordinate, revise, and oversee the program’s admissions process, including participation in University Open Houses and other recruiting events. Review all applications and interview selected candidates for admission to the MSGC program yearly. Participate in the Program’s ongoing self-assessment and recommend modifications to ensure compliance with accreditation standards.

+ Instruction/Curriculum: Responsible for the design, organization, and ongoing refinement and implementation of the Program’s didactic curriculum in conjunction with the ABGC practice-based competencies and ACGC accreditation standards. Serve as a primary instructor for several core courses. Provide direct support and mentorship of thesis projects each year.

+ Together with other program leadership, evaluate student performance and monitor academic progress. Formulate a remedial plan for students at risk and assess its effectiveness. Provide support for students' professional development, including career guidance, counseling, and letters of reference.

+ Supervise and mentor new instructors. Act as a sponsor for community activities involving students. Assist in fundraising for the program. With other program leadership, represent the program and engage with the greater genetic counseling community.



+ Perform additional duties as assigned



Qualifications


Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Arts, and 5 to 7 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required



+ Master's Degree required in Genetic Counseling and 5 to 7 years of experience preferred.



Position contingent upon funding






Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania





Department / School

Perelman School of Medicine





Pay Range

$61,046.00 - $113,435.00 Annual Rate

Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, as well as internal and market factors and grade profile.










Affirmative Action Statement Penn adheres to a policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.




Special Requirements Background check required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.




University Benefits

+ Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts : Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.

+ Tuition : Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits . You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.

+ Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.

+ Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.

+ Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.

+ Wellness and Work-life Resources : Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.

+ Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.

+ University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.

+ Discounts and Special Services : From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.

+ Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.

+ Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.

+ Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.




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To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay



The University of Pennsylvania's special character is reflected in the diversity of the Penn community. We seek talented faculty and staff who will constitute a vibrant community that draws on the strength that comes with a substantive institutional commitment to diversity along dimensions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, veteran status, interests, perspectives, and socioeconomic status. Grounded in equal opportunity, nondiscrimination, and affirmative action, Penn's robust commitment to diversity is fundamental to the University's mission of advancing knowledge, educating leaders for all sectors of society, and public service. The University of Pennsylvania prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.