"Director of Civic and Community Engagement"

Job Details

Director of Civic and Community Engagement

Nevada State University appreciates your interest in employment. To ensure your application process runs smoothly, we ask that you keep in mind the following when completing your application:

• The required documents are listed below on the posting. Your application may not be considered if you do not attach the required documents.
• Draft applications are saved automatically and can be accessed through your candidate home account. Completed applications must be submitted prior to the close of the recruitment. Once a recruitment has closed, applications will no longer be accepted.
• Please note, recruitment will close without notice when a hiring decision has been made.

If you need assistance or have questions regarding the application process, please contact the Human Resources department at (702) 992-2320 or apply@nevadastate.edu.

Job Description

Nevada State University invites applications for the position of Director of Civic and Community Engagement.

The Director provides dynamic leadership to advance the university's mission of preparing students to be civic-minded community members and leaders. This position oversees the strategy, budget, policy, and program development that drive Nevada State's vision for civic engagement and collaborative partnerships.

As a member of the university's leadership team and participant in Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) councils, the Director leads initiatives that connect students with civic education, service-learning, and community-based opportunities. The role is central to shaping a culture of engagement where students, faculty, and staff work together with public, nonprofit, and private organizations to create lasting impact.

The Director designs and implements innovative co-curricular programs, develops and assesses policy recommendations, and strengthens campus-community partnerships through creative problem solving and bold ideas. This role also manages grant-funded programs, oversees The Collective (a hub for student and community engagement), and ensures that initiatives are aligned with institutional priorities and student success goals.

Because of its visibility, this position plays a critical role in shaping the university's reputation at the local, state, and national level. The Director represents Nevada State in public forums, higher education networks, and through media engagement, serving as a key ambassador for the university's civic engagement mission.

About the institution:

Nevada State University, a four-year Minority Serving public institution with a statewide mission, is dedicated to excellence in teaching and learning and committed to the advancement of a diverse and largely underserved student population. Designated a Hispanic Serving (HSI) and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Institution (AANAPI), Nevada State is a university where teaching and student support are valued above all else.

Nevada State University continues to grow as an institution of higher education. In Fall 2024, the enrollment surpassed 7,500, with 7,464 undergraduate students and 85 graduate students. A majority of our students are first generation, racial/ethnic minorities, parents, and/or returning students, of which 41% are Hispanic, 13% are Asian/Pacific Islander, 9% are Black/African American, 22% are White, and 6% are multiracial.

We celebrate the storied backgrounds of our campus community. We operate with a shared commitment to represent and serve the diverse population of Nevada and to encourage the exchange of ideas that respects and honors the lived experiences of our students, staff, and faculty. We foster a culture of inclusive excellence so our members can live authentically, fully engage, and flourish. In order to strengthen the university and progress its mission, the university dedicates itself to intentional and ongoing reflection to meeting the evolving needs of Nevada State University, the surrounding communities, and the State of Nevada.

We seek applicants who are passionate about working with this promising student population and collaborating with faculty and staff across departments to make a lasting impact in developing our institution and our community.

We encourage you to highlight your background in fostering an inclusive campus culture and supporting the success of students who are historically underrepresented in higher education.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Develop and lead civic engagement programs that connect students with opportunities for public service, civic learning, and meaningful community partnerships.
• Supervise, mentor, and inspire professional staff and student employees, fostering an environment that encourages leadership development and innovation.
• Oversee operations of The Collective, guiding programming, partnerships, and strategy to make it a vibrant space for student, faculty, staff, and community collaboration.
• Design budgets, timelines, and assessment tools to track impact and continuously improve programs and initiatives.
• Facilitate workshops, trainings, and policy development that expand student engagement and strengthen pathways to student retention and success.
• Build and sustain partnerships with community organizations, nonprofits, local governments, NSHE institutions, and national networks to create civic and community-based initiatives.
• Represent the university publicly in media, at state and national higher education forums, and through key partnerships as a visible leader for civic engagement.

Required Qualifications:

• Master's Degree.
• Five (5) years of related work experience in higher education.
• Leadership experience in student development, program management, or community engagement.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with diverse groups of students, faculty, staff, administrators, and external partners.
• Strong supervisory skills with the ability to delegate, provide feedback, and manage professional staff and student employees.
• Excellent organizational, problem-solving, and decision-making skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong oral and written communication skills, including business writing and presentation skills.
• Proficiency with technology tools and software, including Microsoft Office (Excel) and web-based applications.
• Demonstrated ability to manage budgets, track financial data, and use standard accounting methods.
• High professional and ethical standards with the ability to handle confidential information responsibly.
• Eligibility to work in the United States without sponsorship (Nevada State does not sponsor employment-related visas).

Please note: Applicants must meet the posted minimum qualifications at the time of application in order to be considered for the position.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree and progressively responsible experience in higher education, civic engagement, community partnerships, or related fields.
• Master's degree in higher education, public administration, nonprofit management, or a related field.
• Experience with program assessment, data collection, and both quantitative and qualitative analysis.
• Experience developing policy and procedures and implementing effective operations management techniques.
• Knowledge of long-term planning and short-term execution strategies with the ability to anticipate challenges and develop contingency plans.
• Experience motivating volunteers and building constituencies across campus and community groups.
• Familiarity with alumni relations, advancement trends, and community fundraising.
• Knowledge of personnel policies and experience managing HR operations within higher education.
• Understanding of the intersection between business operations and academic goals.
• Creativity and ingenuity, with a demonstrated ability to introduce innovative approaches to engagement and programming.
• Experience with social networking systems and emerging technologies for engagement.
• Human behavior research certification and/or relevant research experience.

Salary & Benefits

Budgeted salary for this position is $86,445. Nevada State University offers excellent benefits, including 19.25% retirement match, 24 annual leave days, beginning balance of 30 sick leave days, 12 paid holidays, educational benefits, and three health insurance plans that can be supplemented with flexible spending accounts or health savings accounts.

This Posting is Open Until Filled

The posting will remain open until filled, with the first review of applications to begin on Wednesday, October 22, 2025. Qualified individuals are encouraged to apply by October 21 for full consideration.

Special Instructions for Internal NSHE Applicants

Nevada State University employees or employees within the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE, UNLV, UNR, NSU, CSN, TMCC, WNC, GBC, or DRI) MUST use the "Browse Jobs" process within Workday to find and apply for jobs at Nevada State and other NSHE Institutions. Once you log into Workday, type "Browse Jobs" in the search box which will navigate to the internal job posting site.

If you complete an application outside of the internal application process, your application will be returned and you will have to reapply as an internal applicant which may delay your application.

Exempt Yes

Full-Time Equivalent 100.0%

Required Attachment(s)

Please note, once you submit your application the only attachment(s) viewable to you will be the attachment(s) to the resume/CV section of the application. Any additional required attachment(s) to the cover letter, references, additional documents sections of the application, will not be viewable to you after you submit your application. All uploaded attachment(s) will be on the application for the committee to review. To request updates to attachments, prior to the committee review of applications, please contact the candidate helpdesk at apply@nevadastate.edu.

Please upload the following documents:

• Detailed resume listing relevant qualifications and experience;
• Cover Letter indicating why you are a good fit for the position and Nevada State University;
• Names and contact information of three references (you will be notified before references are contacted).

Applications that do not include the required uploaded documents may not be considered.

Note to Applicant

Applicants should fully describe their qualifications and experience with specific reference to each of the minimum and preferred qualifications in their cover letter. The search committee will use this information during the initial review of application materials.

References will be contacted at the appropriate phase of the recruitment process.

This position may require a criminal background check to be conducted on the candidate(s) selected for hire.

As part of the hiring process, applicants for positions in the Nevada System of Higher Education may be required to demonstrate the ability to perform job-related tasks.

Nevada State University does not currently sponsor Visas, all applicants must be eligible to work in the United States without sponsorship.