Specialist of Innovation Initiatives

Type of Appointment: Full-Time, Probationary 

Collective Bargaining Unit: California State University Employees Union (CSUEU) - Unit 9

Job Classification: Associate, Academic, & Institutional Studies III

Classification Salary Range: $7,210 - $13,044 per month

Anticipated Hiring Range: $86,520 - $96,300 annually 

Work Hours: Monday - Friday, 8am - 5pm, unless otherwise notified. 

Recruitment Closing Date: October 4, 2023

THE DEPARTMENT:

The Office of Academic Innovation (AI), a part of the Office of Student Success, Equity, and Innovation in the Division of Academic Affairs, has as its primary goal to foster and advance a culture of innovation in teaching and learning at Cal Poly Pomona. AI curates experiential learning opportunities for the campus community and is responsible for the strategic, tactical, and operational oversight of the Center for Community Engagement, Innovation Initiatives, Kellogg Honors College, the Student Innovation Idea Lab, the Office of Undergraduate Research, the Career and Professional Readiness Initiative, NSF CPP I-Corps site program, the NSF CPP INVESTS Grant, the Digital Credentialing and Badging Initiative, and present and future institutional level innovation initiatives. Academic Innovation is responsible for advancing and promoting a vision of innovative education in support of the Cal Poly Pomona's strategic plan and academic master plan; guiding faculty and staff development in knowledge and skills necessary for advancing a culture of innovation in learning; assuring the quality of activities under Academic Innovation through assessment and other evidence-based decision-making practices; and seeking external funding opportunities that will support a culture of innovation in teaching and learning.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Under the general direction of the associate vice-president for Academic Innovation (AVP AI), the incumbent will: 

• Oversee the Innovation Incubator to institutionalize various innovation initiatives under the umbrella of the Office Academic Innovation including digital badging and credentialing, micro-internships, signature polytechnic experience (PolyX), etc. aimed at supporting the goals of AI to infuse teaching and learning with creativity, discovery, and innovation in alignment with CPP strategic plan. 
• Exercise considerable originality in developing methods of approach to institutionalizing innovation initiatives including deploying change management methodologies, designing and implementing the process for institutionalization, identifying required resources, and managing the breadth of the project and its interrelationships with many educational policies and programs.
• Collaborate closely with the directors and staff of present and future AI units (CC, CCE, KHC, OUR, SIIL, Career Readiness)  in deploying innovative initiatives including identifying, understanding, and adhering to various policies, procedures and regulations pertaining to new programs that will be developed in Academic Innovation. 
• Exercise considerable ingenuineness and creativeness in developing project approaches, determining and outlining the general project plans, and in the identification and resolution of challenges associated with project implementation.
• Develop and execute program evaluation and assessment for innovation initiatives in the portfolio, ensuring the achievement of program objectives in a timely manner; implement evidence-based decision-making practices to assure the quality of programs under Academic Innovation; and generate and make publicly available reports of program evaluation efforts.
• Make recommendations to the AVP AI related to project implementation and recognize when problems encountered are significant enough to call to the attention of the AVP AI.
• Provide lead work direction to other professional or administrative staff.
• Effectively present ideas and concepts in written or presentation format and use consultative and facilitation skills to gain consensus.
• Serve on university-wide committees as necessary in support of the strategic purpose of Academic Innovation.

Guide faculty, staff and student development in the knowledge and skills necessary to successfully deploy innovation initiatives including trainings, institutes, and workshops.

• Assess campus training needs and develop and coordinate plans for training delivery.
• Support and train students, staff, and faculty on information technology-based systems primarily in the areas of applications software, multimedia, database resources, and network support
• Develop and/or conduct formal training programs, orientations and demonstrations, and self-guided tutorials on equipment, applications, databases, and related systems.
• Write user documentation, user guides, instructor guides, training outlines, and technical training publications.
• Develop and administer policies, procedures and standards related to innovation initiative.

Collaborate with the Divisions of Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, Administrative Affairs, University Advancement, Information Technology, and other relevant Cal Poly Pomona constituents with a stake in the implementation of innovation initiatives.

• Engage in difficult and delicate negotiations in arriving at recommendations which are compatible, to the extent possible, with divergent viewpoints of various individuals and groups resulting from the novelty of the project.
• Practice collaborative leadership and develop and maintain collaborative partnerships across the entire institution and with external stakeholders.
• Collaborate closely with the leadership of the units in deploying innovative initiatives including identifying, understanding, and adhering to various policies, procedures and regulations pertaining to new programs that will be developed in Academic Innovation.

Develop a marketing communication strategy in collaboration with Strategic Communication to include, but not limited to, social media marketing campaigns, visual communication strategies, development and maintenance of a website for the innovation initiatives, etc. Serve as the prime contact for the innovation initiatives in the portfolio to internal and external stakeholders, and collaborate with representatives from public and private entities as pertaining to the innovation initiative.

• Manage the relationships with vendors of technologies employed in innovation initiatives.
• Liaise between the Cal Poly Pomona community and the external community.
• Handle potentially sensitive situations, and deploy consultative skills in collaborating with internal and external constituent groups.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Equivalent to graduation from a four-year college or university
• Five (5) years of progressively responsible administrative or professional experience which demonstrates ability to conduct complex analyses of problems in assigned functional areas OR The rank of Associate Professor or higher In a four-year college or university and demonstrated experience in research or special study work may be substituted for up to four (4) years of experience.
• Thorough knowledge of the principles of management and organization; and of administrative survey principles and techniques and skill in their applications; thorough knowledge of the subject area of assignment.
• Ability to plan, organize, conduct and participate in major administrative and analytical studies; ability to relate the overall objectives and policies of the Trustees, the Office of the Chancellor and the administration and faculties of the campus to the studies
• Ability to see the interrelationships within and among the various educational, administrative and fiscal programs on the campuses; sensitivity to the special needs of various campuses because of different size, location, characteristics and circumstances.
• Ability to approach problems objectively; ability to present findings and recommendations clearly and diplomatically and to reconcile, to the extent possible, various divergent points of view; ability to utilize complex statistical and various analytical research methods; ability to draw conclusions and develop recommendations; ability to prepare written reports; ability to develop and maintain high level contacts including the leading of meetings and negotiations.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE: 

• A master's or doctoral degree in relevant discipline
• Basic foundation of knowledge and skills in technical information systems and application program/software packages
• Five (5) years or more of experience in a university environment working closely with faculty, students, staff, and university administrators
• Experience managing change processes in an institutional environment similar to a university;
• Experience in training and development

COVID-19 Vaccination

Individuals who access in-person on- or off-campus University programs or activities are strongly recommended to follow the COVID-19 vaccine recommendations adopted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the California Department of Public Health and to follow any campus safety measures that may be recommended or required by Cal Poly Pomona to decrease the likelihood of COVID-19 transmission or illness and allow the core mission and activities of the campus to continue.  The complete text of the policy may be viewed at COVID-19 Vaccinations and Other Safety Measures .

Out of State Work

The California State University (CSU) system is a network of twenty-three public universities providing access to a quality education through the support of California taxpayers. Part of CSU’s mission is to prepare educated, responsible individuals to contribute to California’s schools, economy, culture, and future. As an agency of the State of California, the CSU’s business operations almost exclusively reside within California.   The CSU Out-of-State Employment Policy prohibits hiring employees to perform CSU-related work outside California. See policy at https://calstate.policystat.com/v2/policy/10899725/latest/ . 

Background Check

Cal Poly Pomona will make a conditional offer of employment, pending the satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check). The conditional offer of employment may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information.  In determining the suitability of the candidate for the position, Cal Poly Pomona will give an individualized assessment to any criminal conviction history, considering such factors as the nature, gravity and recency of the conviction, the candidate’s conduct, performance or rehabilitation efforts since the conviction and the nature of the job applied for. See policy at https://www.cpp.edu/eoda/employee-labor//documents/employment-policies/hr2017-17.pdf .  

I-9

Cal Poly Pomona hires only individuals lawfully authorized to work in the United States. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.  See Form I-9 Acceptable Documents at https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents .

Child Abuse/Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA)

The person holding this position is considered a “mandated reporter” under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment. See policy at https://calstate.policystat.com/v2/policy/10927154/latest/ .

Smoking

Cal Poly Pomona is a smoke and tobacco-free campus.  See policy at  https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/6591951/latest/ . 

Clery Act

In compliance with state and federal crime awareness and campus security legislation, including The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act, California Education Code section 67380, and the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA), the Cal Poly Pomona Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available at: https://www.cpp.edu/campus-safety-plan.shtml .

Reasonable Accommodation

We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact the ADA Coordinator by email at ADACoordinator@cpp.edu . More information is available at: https://www.cpp.edu/eoda/employee-labor//access-accommodations/index.shtml .

Equal Employment Opportunity

Cal Poly Pomona is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The university subscribes to the pay transparency nondiscrimination provision and all state and federal regulations that prohibit discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity/gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, age, disability, genetic information, medical condition, and covered veteran status. More information is available at: https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/OFCCP/pdf/pay-transp_%20English_formattedESQA508c.pdf and at https://www.cpp.edu/eoda/employee-labor/documents/aa-eeo-doc/policy-statement_2022-aap-for-california-state-polytechnic-university-pomona_confidential_20220127.pdf .