Job Opportunities

SUA receives many applications each month. Your patience is appreciated as SUA takes the time to properly review, screen, and interview candidates. SUA is an equal opportunity employer.

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Pacific Basin Research Center Post-Doctoral Fellowship (2023-2024 Academic Year)

Date Posted: 04/26/2023

The Pacific Basin Research Center (PBRC) at Soka University of America (SUA), a premier liberal arts university in Orange County, California, is pleased to announce a call for applications for the John D. Montgomery Post-Doctoral Fellowship. The Fellowship is intended to support young scholars whose research and teaching emphasizes human development in and connections among the peoples of the Pacific Basin, defined broadly to encompass Asia, Oceania, and the Americas.

This year’s theme is “Asian America and Intersections across the Pacific.” Preference will be given to applicants in the social sciences or humanities whose research and teaching interests are characterized by multidisciplinary or transnational approaches to historical and contemporary issues of migration, settlement across and within the Pacific Basin.

The Fellow will be expected to teach two courses in both fall and spring semesters (a 2-2 teaching load), including two sections of Introduction to the Pacific Basin, Asian America in Comparative Perspective (International Studies [INTS 342]), and one further course as assigned by the Dean of Faculty. The successful candidate is expected to contribute to the PBRC and the International Studies concentration by participating in Center events, mentoring students, and conducting independent research.

Soka University of America is located in Aliso Viejo, southern Orange County. Soka’s focus on fostering global citizenship is evident in the global makeup of its student body, 50% of which are international students; compulsory second language and study abroad programs; and an interdisciplinary core curriculum featuring small, dynamic classrooms with a 7:1 student/faculty ratio (average class size 12).

Candidates should demonstrate responsiveness toward and understanding of diverse student and alumni backgrounds, especially with regard to socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, culture, ability/disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity and have a willingness to facilitate the university’s mission to develop global citizens.

Benefits and Salary:

The successful applicant will receive a stipend of $60,000. All full-time faculty members are eligible for medical, dental, vision, and retirement benefits.

Application Instructions:

Apply for the Pacific Basin Research Center Post-Doctoral Fellowship
To apply, send a cover letter, curriculum vitae, sample syllabus, and two letters of reference.
Candidates must be able to legally work in the United States of America and be no more than two years beyond earning their PhD.
Employment is contingent on the completion of a successful background check.

Review of applications will begin May 15 and continue until position is filled.

Email: facultyrecruiting@soka.edu

Employment is contingent on the completion of a successful background check. Soka University requires all employees and students to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. If hired, you are required to be fully vaccinated (including booster) for COVID-19 as a condition of your employment at Soka University, except in instances where you have a qualifying medical condition or sincerely held religious belief that is contrary to receiving the vaccine. You will be required to provide your vaccination record on your first day of employment.

Soka University of America is an equal opportunity employer

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Bus Driver

Date Posted: 09/20/2021

Soka University of America (SUA) is seeking a full-time bus driver. At SUA, our bus drivers are an integral part of the community in which they serve. They are committed to safety, customer service and have genuine, caring attitudes for our students.

The driver will operate a 25 passenger bus, 20 passenger bus, or 7 passenger van to transport students safely and efficiently to an assigned location using designated routes within 5 mile radius of campus, according to specified time schedules. In addition, the driver will transport students to further away locations on a need basis for internships, group trips, and athletic team competitions. Contract is for 12-months with full health benefits.

Candidates should demonstrate responsiveness toward and understanding of diverse student backgrounds, especially with regard to socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, culture, ability/disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity and have a willingness to facilitate the university’s mission to develop global citizens.

Qualifications:

High school diploma or equivalent such as general education degree (GED)
Valid California Motor Vehicle License of the Class B type, with passenger endorsement
CA DMV H6 dated within 30 days of application
Knowledgeable in state and local traffic laws
Safe clean driving record
One year minimum training and/or experience in operating a 25 seat bus or above
Ability to communicate effectively
Demonstrated understanding and sensitivity regarding cultural traditions and language barriers
Enthusiasm of interacting with students

Preferred:

Possession of a current First-Aid Certificate
School bus driving experience
Familiarity with smartphones and basic knowledge of social media

Hours of work will include weekdays and weekends.

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of both a background check and the Department of Transportation (DOT) Drug and Alcohol Testing program.

Soka University requires all employees and students to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. If hired, you are required to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 as a condition of your employment at Soka University, except in instances where you have a qualifying medical condition or sincerely held religious belief that is contrary to receiving the vaccine. You will be required to provide your vaccination record on your first day of employment.

Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. The pay range for this position is $19-$22/hr. Soka University of America offers excellent benefits.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

To apply send letter of interest, resume, and three professional references to:

Human Resources
Re: Bus Driver
Soka University of America
1 University Drive
Aliso Viejo, CA 92656

E-mail: jobs@soka.edu

Soka University of America is an equal opportunity employer.

Writing Center Administrative Assistant

Date Posted: 7/13/2023

Soka University of America is seeking a full-time Administrative Assistant to join the University Writing Center team. This role involves steering the administrative operations of the Writing Center to ensure its smooth functioning. The Administrative Assistant models excellent communication, working with the entire Writing Center staff to create a welcoming environment.

Essential duties include but are not limited to:

Greeting students and visitors
Managing appointments online and in-person
Assisting with workshop and event preparation and clean-up
Collaborating with staff to update handouts, guides, and online materials
Maintaining the appearance and supplies of the Writing Center
Running statistical reports as needed
Scheduling tutors and student assistants
Ordering supplies
Supervising student employees
Guiding clients to resources
Providing administrative support to the Writing Center Director/Manager and other staff as needed.
This full-time position is for approximately 40 hours per week during agreed-upon hours within the following times:
- Mondays through Fridays from 9:00am to 7:00pm
- Sundays from 11:00am to 7:00pm

Minimum Qualifications:

Education

Applicants must have a 4-year college degree

Experience

Minimum of one-year administrative work experience, preferably in a university environment
- Previous Writing Center experience is a plus
- Multilingualism is a plus
- Experience with WConline is a plus

Expected Skills:

Successful applicants will have a demonstrated commitment to the mission and values of SUA. They will bring a cheerful demeanor to work and be an optimistic team player committed to the writerly needs of the SUA community. They will be excellent communicators, willing to support students, faculty, and staff. Strong competence in digital platforms is required. They will have excellent organizational and interpersonal skills and a scrupulous work ethic. They will be sensitive to working with people of diverse identities, experiences, and backgrounds.

Soka University of America offers excellent benefits. Salary range for this position is $43,000 to $48,000 and will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Employment is contingent upon the completion of a successful background check. Soka University requires all employees and students to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. If hired, you are required to be fully vaccinated (including booster) for COVID-19 as a condition of your employment at Soka University, except in instances where you have a qualifying medical condition or sincerely held religious belief that is contrary to receiving the vaccine. You will be required to provide your vaccination record on your first day of employment.

Application review will begin immediately. The position will remain open, and applications will be reviewed until the position is filled.

Application Requirements:

Must submit the following to be considered:

letter of interest for this position
resume
two professional references

Apply for the Writing Center Administrative Assistant position

For inquiries, e-mail: jobs@soka.edu

Soka University of America is an equal opportunity employer.

Mental Health Counselor

Date Posted: 9/5/2023

Soka University of America is seeking a Mental Health Counselor. This is a full-time, 12-month position. The Counselor will provide individual and group counseling to students, as well as crisis intervention, consultation, and outreach to students, faculty, and staff. The Counselor primarily serves as a mental health resource to individual students.

Essential duties include but are not limited to:

Providing individual and group counseling with appropriate treatment plans for students.
Providing crisis intervention and risk/safety assessment services in instances where students may require hospitalization or a higher level of care.
Providing case management.
Maintaining ethical and comprehensive clinical records.
Scheduling appointments and attending regular meetings with the Director of Student Services.
Providing consultation and outreach services to faculty and professional staff.
Providing outreach programming on a variety of developmental, preventative, and / or mental health topics.
Performing other similar duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education & Licensure

Master’s Degree in a related field (Counseling Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Marriage and Family Therapy, Clinical Social Work).
Current California license as a marriage and family therapist, professional clinical counselor, psychologist, or social worker.

Professional Experience

Minimum of two years of counseling experience in higher education or with college-aged adults.
Experience working with college students from diverse social, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds including students of color, students from lower economic backgrounds, first generation college students, students with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ students. Experience working with international students a plus.

Expected Skills:

Demonstrated knowledge and sensitivity regarding cultural traditions, language barriers, identity, and intersectionality.
Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and an enthusiasm for working with students, faculty and other university personnel.
High ethical and professional standards.
Bilingual or multilingual proficiency a plus.
Experience providing crisis stabilization services in a community mental health setting or university counseling center.
Experience conducting intake interviews, including psycho-diagnostic assessment, case conceptualization, and treatment plan formulation, for students with a broad spectrum of psychological problems, ranging from adjustment issues to major psychiatric disorders.

Soka University of America offers excellent benefits. Salary range for this position is $76,000 to $90,000 and will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Application review will begin immediately. The position will remain open, and applications will be reviewed until the position is filled.

Application Requirements:

Must submit the following to be considered:

letter of interest for this position
resume
three professional references

Apply for the Mental Health Counselor position

For inquiries, e-mail: jobs@soka.edu

Soka University of America is an equal opportunity employer.

Associate Director, Community Relations

Date Posted: 09/19/2023

Under the general supervision of the Executive Director of Strategic Marketing and Communications, the Associate Director of Community Relations leads efforts to enhance awareness of Soka University of America locally, nationally, and globally, managing external community engagement with SUA’s campus, rich educational resources, and global leadership in human rights.

The Associate Director leads SUA’s paid advertising strategy, placing ads in print and online media, and tracks the effectiveness of advertising campaigns. The incumbent also manages the Community Relations team, which leads production of major university events, such as the spring festival, the Summer at Soka series, Founders Art Gallery exhibits, and other prominent events that engage external and internal communities.

Essential duties include but are not limited to:

Provide leadership and direction to the Community Relations team by establishing goals, setting expectations, and guiding strategy.
Oversee the community campus tour operation, providing direction to the Community Relations team responsible for executing tour logistics. Coordinate with areas responsible for other campus tour operations to ensure alignment of tour guide availability and messaging.
Oversee management of the public areas on the first floor of Founders Hall, including the reception area, welcome center, and Founders Art Gallery.
Supervise staff and student employees by providing coaching and feedback, handling performance issues, and ensuring positive morale.
Lead the Community Relations team in production and logistical support for major events that support the university’s mission and community engagement goals. These include the spring festival, the Summer at Soka series, Founders Gallery exhibits and receptions, opening and anniversary ceremonies, externally promoted lectures and seminars, and other events that aim to connect the university with the community.
Manage budgets, logistics, and on-site execution by troubleshooting issues, overseeing setup/teardown, and ensuring seamless delivery. Develop detailed processes, contingency plans, day-of schedules, and post-event reports.
Execute contracts and riders, manage hospitality needs for invited guests, performers, and their teams.
Select venues, create contracts, schedules, budgets, schedule spaces, maintain inventory, procure insurance, and determine production needs by assessing event formats, attendance, and types of engagements.
Coordinate event marketing and promotions across channels, including website updates, email campaigns, social media, and print materials such as programs, signage, and tickets.
Recruit, lead, and manage staff and volunteers for events. Conduct training sessions and briefings so all understand their event roles and responsibilities.
Coordinate across university departments by maintaining open communication, identifying dependencies, and facilitating collaboration.
Ensure compliance with laws, codes, permits, insurance, contracts, and accessibility requirements.
Develop comprehensive advertising plans and media schedules for the university across digital, social media, print, outdoor, and other platforms.
Research and identify appropriate advertising opportunities and placements that align with target audiences, enrollment goals, and brand messaging.
Negotiate pricing and placement contracts with media vendors. Maintain relationships with media sales representatives.
Manage advertising budgets. Track spending and make recommendations for optimal budget allocations and ROI. Provide regular budget reports and projected pacing.
Communicate with media vendors to make sure advertising requirements are satisfied and deadlines are met.
Analyze campaign performance data and create reports on effectiveness and areas for optimization. Share key insights and recommendations with stakeholders.
Develop dashboards, reports, and other materials to showcase advertising results and strategies. Highlight metrics like exposure, inquiries, impressions, and engagement.
Stay up-to-date on trends and innovations in higher education advertising to incorporate into media plans and strategies.
Work with the Manager of Community Relations to build and maintain relationships between the university and civic and community leaders.
Represent the university at community events to strengthen ties. Provide university updates and input on community issues.
Research community organizations and programs that closely align with the university’s mission, values, and target demographics, including chambers of commerce, business associations, school districts, nonprofits, etc.
When warranted, develop strategic partnerships with local businesses, nonprofits, and other entities. Identify shared goals and co-sponsorship opportunities.
Analyze opportunities to sponsor events, initiatives, and other assets that provide exposure, networking, and goodwill for the university. Consider different sponsorship tiers and benefits.
Work with the Manager of Community Relations on an overall budget for community sponsorships based on university objectives and projected ROI. Allocate funds across different partners strategically.
Other duties as assigned by the Executive Director of Strategic Marketing and Communications.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education

Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, a related field, or equivalent experience.

Experience

5+ years of experience in marketing, communications, event planning, operations, logistics, or related fields.

Competencies/Skills:

Proven ability to develop and execute marketing and communications plans.
Proven ability to build relationships and work effectively with people from different backgrounds and roles.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Strong organizational and project management skills.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Commitment to Soka University of America’s mission and values.
High ethical and professional standards.

Soka University of America offers excellent benefits. Salary range for this position is $60,000 to $73,000 and will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Application review will begin immediately. The position will remain open, and applications will be reviewed until the position is filled.

Application Requirements:

Must submit the following to be considered:

letter of interest for this position
resume
three professional references

Apply for the Associate Director, Community Relations position

For inquiries, e-mail: jobs@soka.edu

Soka University of America is an equal opportunity employer.

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Part-Time Lighting Technician, Soka Performing Arts Center

Date Posted: 08/28/2023

Under the oversight of the Soka Performing Arts Center General Manager, and the supervision of the Technical Services Manager (TSM), the Lighting Technician provides all lighting and associated design support for events at the Soka Performing Arts Center. The Lighting Technician advances lighting needs for upcoming events; leads in hanging and focusing the event lighting design; enters lighting cues into lighting console; responsible for supervising and managing a small crew of Student employees to serve in the PAC. Running all lighting for rehearsals and performances; responsible for lighting equipment inventory; maintains equipment and recommends replacement and purchasing strategies; acts as interface with any visiting lighting related crew/personnel and/or any other working lighting personnel to communicate and ensure that stage and artist lighting quality is at its optimum during both rehearsal and performance, for both the Main Concert Hall and Black Box Theatre.

Essential duties include but are not limited to:

Responds to work calls made by the TSM and assists in the creation of work call schedules.
Collaborates with the creative team to understand the overall vision for the event or performance, and creates a lighting design that enhances and supports that vision.
Selects and programs lighting fixtures and equipment, including choosing colors, intensity, and timing of lighting cues.
Attends rehearsals and technical rehearsals to fine-tune lighting cues and ensures they align with the creative vision.
Under the direction of the TSM, manages lighting equipment inventory and recommends rentals and purchases as needed.
Provides general support for all technical stage and backstage needs, including set-up, operation and strike/tear-down and light plot restore, for all events in the Soka Performing Arts Center.
Under the supervision of the TSM, operates the motorized rigging system and related rigging support systems.
Supervises and directs the lighting technical operations for the Main Concert Hall and Black Box Theatre for all student and faculty events.
Demonstrates a professional and friendly working rapport with artists, licensee clients and university staff and students, and demonstrating fantastic customer service skills, integrity, and reliability.
Creates and maintains a safe and pleasant working environment for staff and clients
Performs maintenance on stage equipment and theatre systems as required and maintains records of maintenance and repairs.
Assists in general training and supervising of student technical crews in the area of lighting and design.
Communicates regularly and immediately with Management regarding problems or issues impacting production.
Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements:

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Theatre/Performing Arts design & technology or equivalent professional experience in technical theater, stage operations and stage lighting for the theatre and live concert settings.

Expected Skills:

Ability to work evenings and weekends required.
Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
Excellent communication and collaboration skills, as lighting designers must work closely with a variety of creative and technical professionals.
A keen eye for detail and an ability to think creatively and innovatively.
Experience in the field, including a portfolio of successful lighting designs for a range of events and performances.
Knowledge and practical hands-on experience working with modern computerized lighting systems in a professional theatrical setting – specifically ETC Ion Xe and ETC Net3.
Demonstrated proficiency in stage lighting design, and electricity for the performing arts.
A thorough knowledge and understanding of stage rigging, counterweight systems and motorized rigging systems and standard practices for their operation.
Computer proficiency and knowledge of standard office software as well as specialized theatrical and entertainment software such as Vector works Spotlight, ETCNet3, etc.
Work effectively and sensitively with diverse constituencies.
Able to provide excellent customer service and have public relations skills; establish and maintain effective and enjoyable working relationships with others.
Work under pressure and within set timeframes.
Work independently as well as an effective team member in the execution of events.
A strong understanding of safety issues associated with working in a theatrical setting.
Excellent oral, interpersonal communication, and problem-solving skills.
Demonstrated proficiency in reading, understanding, interpreting, and implementing technical riders and other written documents.

This is a part-time, hourly position. Compensation for this position is $33.00 per hour.

Application review will begin immediately. The position will remain open, and applications will be reviewed until the position is filled.

Application Requirements:

Must submit the following to be considered:

letter of interest for this position
resume
three professional references

Apply for the Part-time Lighting Technician position

For inquiries, e-mail: jobs@soka.edu

Soka University of America is an equal opportunity employer.

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