Master of Social Work

Job Description

There are two Graduate Assistant positions available, (1) 5-hour position on the West Chester Campus, (1) 10-hour position on the Philadelphia Campus. Both graduate assistants are expected to collaborate regularly.

1. Identify potential new practicum sites. Contact organizations, inquire about their interest in working with students and answer questions about our practicum program.
2. Request from new Practicum Instructors: Practicum Instructor application and resume. Upload the documents onto OneDrive and Tevera.
3. Assist Practicum Directors with creating Practicum Instructor and Student orientations, including:
1. Gather handouts to send to participants,
2. Verify that information on handouts and PowerPoint presentations are current and update accordingly,
3. Support the in-person and online orientations.
4. Review for accuracy, thoroughness and professionalism the descriptions of practicum experience that students write. Upload the documents to D2L for other students to access.
5. Assist with planning the on-line and in-person Seminar in Field Instructor course, including:
1. Gather handouts to send to participants,
2. Verify that information on handouts and PowerPoint presentations are current and update accordingly,
3. Support the in-person and online course.
6. Assist with creating, planning and implementing workshops.
7. Update tip sheets and handouts for students as needed.
8. Update practicum site data as needed, including processing practicum instructor applications and affiliation agreements as needed.
9. Create fillable Word documents as needed.
10. Create newsletters for students and practicum instructors.
11. Additional activities that support the practicum offices.

Visit the Graduate Field Education and Undergraduate Field Education sites.

GA Job Description for Dr. Wan-Yi Chen

and GA Job Description for Dr. Kerrie Ocasio

This will be a 3 credit hour tuition waiver per semester to work 5 hours per week PER GRADUATE ASSISTANT.

2024-2025 GA Responsibilities Description from Drs. Kerrie Ocasio and Wan-Yi Chen - 2 POSITIONS AVAILABLE

The GA position will run concurrently to the practicum placement, such that the practicum hours and GA hours will be satisfied at the same time and will not result in any additional time. The GA funds provide an incentive for this special project and represent an opportunity to receive some funding during the practicum placement.

Possible activities for 24-25 may include assisting the practicum sites in need of program design and infrastructure support, as well as measurement and analysis development. These skills support the development of management and leadership skills for students interested in those opportunities in their careers.

A graduate assistant working with Dr Ocasio or Dr. Chen is expected to be interested in a career advancement in an organization; is able to think creatively and abstractly; has an interest in program design and evaluation; has the ability to work independently, has good communication skills, and can be on site one day a week, during regular business hours.

If you want to apply, please provide a cover letter and your resume. Please also reach out to the Practicum Office to arrange for logistics associated with this practicum arrangement.

GA Job Description for Dr. Meagan Corrado

This may be a remote or hybrid position and will be for a 3-credit hour tuition waiver per semester to work 5 hours per week. Students from both locations welcome to apply.

Looking for a student with strong writing skills and creative ideas to provide support with the MSW student journal "Voices" and the school social work certificate program. The ideal student for this position is a self-starter, takes a collaborative approach, demonstrates leadership skills, and completes work in an organized manner.

GA Job Description for Dr. Ginneh Akbar

This position will be for a 6-credit hour tuition waiver per semester to work 10 hours per week. Students from both locations welcome to apply.

I'm seeking a Graduate Assistant (GA) to join me with conducting research projects. We'll be looking into issues like mass incarceration, crime, racism, and social justice, and environmental justice. You'll also help review research and literature on these topics. You may also work on syllabus development and updating syllabi. Other tasks may involve coordinating and conducting interviews, transcribing them, and putting together digital storytelling pieces.

GA Job Description for Dr. Pier Cicerelle

This position will be for a 3-credit hour tuition waiver per semester to work 5 hours per week. Most work will be completed remotely and only under specific circumstances will in-person meetings be necessitated (if at all). Responsibilities include conducting literature searches and reviews and conceptualizing research projects and presentations on varied topics. These topics include but are not limited to trauma theory and health behavior, LGBTQAI2S+ healthcare experiences, pedagogical approaches to social work education regarding LGBTQAI2S+ topics, academic freedom, educational gag orders, and an LSW prep course research project. The student might also be asked to create and maintain a record of grant opportunities and calls for journal manuscripts as related to these topics. This graduate assistantship will also include the opportunity to contribute to publications and presentations with author credit. Candidates should have strong writing skills, and be proactive, independent workers, who are detail-oriented, organized, and motivated. Interested folks should submit a writing sample, a resume, and a cover letter that discusses research and professional interests.

GA Job Description for Dr. Casey Bohrman

This position will be for a 3-credit hour tuition waiver per semester to work 5 hours per week.

GA Job Description for Dr. Angela Lavery

This position will be for a 3-credit hour tuition waiver per semester to work 5 hours per week.

• GA will be responsible for organization, development and design of the Graduate Certificate in Gerontology Newsletter for both Fall and Spring semesters.
• GA will assist with any applicable social media outlets (Facebook Page; Twitter, etc.)
• GA will assist with any applicable service learning project for core Gero Cert courses and with any research related to those service learning projects (permissions to use measurement tools, data collection and analysis if applicable). This may also include communicating with service learning sites and or key contacts (ex: Dept. of Aging).
• GA will assist with article development in regard to Gerontological Higher Education (literature searches; writing literature review, etc.)
• GA will assist in ongoing research of other Gerontology Certificate programs to compare to what is offered at our institution.
• GA will assist with development of marketing materials of the Gerontology Certificate program.
• GA will attend applicable Certificate meetings with Graduate Coordinator of the Graduate Certificate in Gerontology.
• Other tasks may include: assisting Graduate Coordinator with the revisions/updates and execution of the Strategic Development Plan – Short and Long-Term Goals and

Objectives; review of Certificate website and make suggestions for update/revision/editing; coordinating with other Gerontology Certificate Faculty members; activities and development of materials and projects to be used for Careers in Aging Week in April 2024 as well as the PA – NASW Aging Symposium scheduled for May 2024 and other events prior and assist with search in funding opportunities to update educational materials for required Gerontology Courses.

GA Job Description for Dr. Alison Neff

This position is 5 hours weekly for 3 credits. Faculty has a research project planned for academic year 2024-25 focused on preparing students for the Social Work licensure (LSW) exam with particular attention to the racial disparities in exam outcomes. Outside of this, faculty's research focuses on incarceration / reentry / diversion through faculty's role as Clinical Director of The Center for Carceral Communities. GA's role will primarily consist of assisting faculty with research / scholarship projects, though some teaching-related support and/or clerical tasks may be requested. Research / scholarship tasks may include: conduct literature searches and reviews; technical assistance related to assessment tools or data collection; engage in recruitment for subjects and control group participants, data collection, entry, and analysis; assist with conference proposals or manuscripts.

GA will develop various research skills based on the above tasks. Concrete outcomes include:

• Completion of CITI Human Subjects Research (HSR) Certification
• Abstract submission for a national conference
• IRB submission for new project
• Opportunity to collaborate with co-researchers

GA Job Description for Dr. Christina Chiarelli-Helminiak

This can be a remote or hybrid position and will be for a 3-credit hour tuition waiver per semester to work 5 hours per week. Students from both campuses welcome to apply.

Dr. Tina Chiarelli-Helminiak is seeking a Graduate Assistant to assist with several ongoing research studies. Dr. Tina believes the realization of human rights is necessary to achieve social justice and utilizes such a frame to guide her research, especially within the context of social work and higher education. During Academic Year 2024-25, anticipated research projects include:

• Social work educators' experiences during the pandemic
• Social work and public health professionals' experiences in times of public crisis (i.e., COVID-19 and racial injustices)

All projects include opportunity to conduct literature reviews, qualitative and quantitative data analysis, and contribute to manuscripts and presentations with author credit.

Interested students should have the ability to work independently and as part of research teams with scholars outside of WCU. Previous research experience is preferred, but not required.

To apply, please submit a cover letter and resume. In the cover letter, please discuss your interest in the anticipated research projects listed above and how the research experience connects with your career goals.

GA Job Description for Dr. Page Walker Buck

This position will be for a 3-credit hour tuition waiver per semester to work 5 hours per week.

Work will be completed remotely and will typically include weekly 1hr meetings via Zoom. Other hours can be completed at on the student's schedule.

Responsibilities include: conducting literature searches and reviews, conceptualizing research projects and presentations on varied topics. These topics include but are not limited to mental health, moral distress, suicide prevention.

This graduate assistantship will also include the opportunity to contribute to publications and presentations with author credit. Candidates should have strong writing skills, be proactive, independent workers, who are detail-oriented, organized, and motivated. Interested folks should submit a writing sample, a resume and a cover letter that discusses research and professional interests.

GA Job Description for Dr. Pablo Arriaza

This is a research position for a 5hr/week graduate assistantship in exchange for 3 credits of tuition waiver. More details on this position are forthcoming.

GA Job Description for Dr. Hadih Deedat

This is a research position for a 5hr/week graduate assistantship in exchange for 3 credits of tuition waiver. More details on this position are forthcoming.

GA Job Description for Dr. Brie Radis

This is a research position for a 5hr/week graduate assistantship in exchange for 3 credits of tuition waiver.

Dr. Radis studies multiple areas including mental health, harm reduction and youth, housing and homelessness, food insecurity, LGBTQIA+ practice and theory, antiracism and social work education pedagogy including trauma informed educational practices.

Seeking the following skills and values:

A graduate assistant working with Dr. Radis needs to have strong writing skills and editing skills, an ability to work independently and be a problem solver/self-starter. It is helpful for applicants to be able to multi-task, be organized, and be successful with following through with deadlines They must also be flexible and a strong communicator. It is vital that this GA be committed to cultural humility, committed to anti-oppressive and antiracist work in social work, and LGBTQIA+ rights.

GA tasks:

The primary tasks for this GA role will be working on literature reviews, working on papers, supporting editing of a book and presentations. Other tasks may be including specific publication tasks editing a manuscript for APA 7 including the references, proofreading and strengthening a PPT presentation or a manuscript draft, or a poster presentation, and curriculum research. There may also be some mentoring of undergraduate social work students engaged in research or to present at a conference. The student may be involved in the Philadelphia Resource Pantry by assisting with related tasks.

Other details:

• To apply, please provide a cover letter and resume. In the cover letter, please discuss your writing experience, any prior research experience and interests, plus your focus for your MSW (and post-graduation).
• Most work will be completed remotely, however, if an opportunity to collect data or present becomes available, the student might need to be available for occasional onsite work.

GA Job Description for Dr. Brie Radis

This is a research position for a 10hr/week graduate assistantship in exchange for 6 credits of tuition waiver. Position Summary:

The Resource Pantry Coordinator is an essential member of the Philadelphia campus. In this role, you are a representative of the pantry to both the university, and to our community partners Sharing Excess and Philabundance. If you are passionate about promoting equity for student populations, this could be the perfect role for you.

It's important to note that each week can look completely different in this role, as the pantry coordinator is often involved in multiple initiatives that enhance the student experience. You will be asked to be on campus at least once per week however, to ensure that the grab-and-go table is stocked up, pantry orders are put away accordingly, and that the bathrooms are stocked with safer sex materials for our students.

We are consistently looking for ways to improve our services provided and enhance the student experience overall here at WCU in Philly. If this is something you too are passionate about, we welcome you to apply for this position!

Responsibilities Include:

• Submitting and putting away food orders from our community partners
• Maintaining inventory received and inputting current inventory into Pantrysoft
• Recruiting, training, and managing WCU students or graduate assistants serving as volunteers
• Creating flyers to advertise new pantry items available or additional products offered such as diapers, safer sex materials, etc.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Excel, and Outlook
• Overseeing and supervising graduate assistants in research that supports the pantry and improves the services provided
• Ideally collaborating with and/or are a part of ethics committees on campus that promote student success such as the Philadelphia Advisory Council, Graduate Student Association or events planning committee
• Maintaining relationships with community partners, faculty members, and students to ensure a continuum of care
• Acts as a representative for the WCU Philadelphia chapter

Qualifications:

• Identifies as a graduate student who can work 10 hours per week
• Has the ability to lift up to 25 lbs.
• Can maintain a hybrid schedule (Student MUST be able to come to campus at least once per week)
• Graduate student active status at WCU
• Have clear written and verbal communication skills

GA Job Description for Dr. Susan Wysor-Nguema

This is a research position for a 5hr/week graduate assistantship in exchange for 3 credits of tuition waiver. More details on this position are forthcoming.