Assistant Director of Japan Programs

Earlham College is a Top 100 National Liberal Arts College located in Richmond, IN, a small city that's just a short drive away from several major metropolitan areas including Dayton, Cincinnati, Indianapolis and Chicago.

Richmond and Earlham have a symbiotic relationship. Through research, studies, internships and volunteering, Earlhamites offer Richmond expertise and service as Richmond offers our students the chance to gain valuable, real-world experience. Our community assumes no religious affiliation but follows Quaker principles and practices, which include respect for persons, integrity, a commitment to peace and justice, simplicity, and consensus-based community decision-making. Earlham is committed to and proud of being a diverse and inclusive place most clearly visible in our student body: 20% of our student body are international, coming from 60+ nations in 2022, and 24% are domestic students of color. Faculty and staff also bring tremendous diversity to the College; many have lived and worked outside the United States, and they make a point of drawing on those experiences in their interactions with students. Additionally, Earlham makes it a priority to serve as a safe and welcoming place for LGBTQ+ communities and has a four-star rating on the Campus Pride Index. Our community is characterized by respect for every person and a commitment to social justice. Equity and inclusion are central to Earlham's institutional priorities and our leadership is committed to widening the path to an Earlham education.

Earlham College is seeking an Assistant Director of Japan Programs to join our team.

Job Summary:

The Assistant Director of Japan Programs (ADJP) is a full-time, 12-month position that is a hybrid of Administrative Faculty and Teaching Faculty. It is classified as an Administrative Faculty position (and is therefore not eligible for tenure).

The position has two different bases of operation dividing the calendar year

• From the start of the year (after the U.S. winter holidays) to early August: based on the main Earlham campus in Richmond, Indiana, with some travel to visit colleges and universities partnered with Earlham for Japan Programs and/or other programs.
• From mid-August to mid-December: based in Morioka, Japan, in residence with the fall semester-only Japan SICE Program.

The ADJP assists the Director and other team members with program administration, events planning and management, and maintaining program partnerships. In addition, the ADJP also serves every fall semester as the Faculty Leader of the Japan SICE Program, providing two courses on comparative international education and related areas. In addition, the ADJP also serves as a resource person for the participants in Earlham’s full-time post-bac EC-ALT Program, in which recent college and university graduates serve as assistant English teachers in Morioka.

The ADJP reports to the Director and assists other Japan Programs team members in the administration of various Earlham programs related to Japan, including mainly on-site programs in Japan and programs serving incoming students, staff, and faculty members from Japan. Specific duties will be assigned by the Director.

The current program list includes, but is not limited to:

• Japan Study Program (outgoing students and outgoing Resident Director)
• Japan Study Program (incoming exchange students, exchange faculty, and Faculty Development Program)
• Japan SICE Program (outgoing students)
• Japan SICE Program (incoming exchange students and Staff Development Program)
• Earlham College - Assistant Language Teachers (EC-ALT) Program

Responsibilities: (Richmond and remotely during the fall)

Recruiting students for the off-campus programs in Japan – includes travel to member campuses.

Planning and implementation of orientation programs in the U.S. and Japan, webinars, and pre-departure and post-return orientations.

Occasional travel to Japan is expected to assist with the execution of programs.

Conduct interviews of student and alumni applicants together with the Director and other selection committee members.

Helping maintain and update Terra Dotta-based program information and applications.

• Conducting program information sessions, both in person and virtual.
• Coordinating the evaluation program and completing yearly evaluation reports (SICE and EC-ALT).
• Working with students interested in Japan (assisting the Director in the spring).
• Assisting the Director and other team members in managing communication with Japan Programs alumni and friends.
• Recruiting, hiring, and orienting recent graduates for the Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) Program in Morioka and Tanohata.
• Assist the Director in organizing the Japan Study Advisory Committee meeting; alternate with the Senior Program Associate (Tokyo) in taking AC meeting minutes.
• Collaborate with the revision of the student handbooks for Japan Programs for the next program cycle (working with the Director and the Senior Program Associate). Primary Duties & Responsibilities (Morioka):
• Serve as the SICE Program Faculty Leader, collaborating with the Program Site Director to administer all aspects of the one-semester program, including arrivals, orientations, housing placements, excursions, cultural immersion activities, departures, and ongoing student support and guidance.
• Serve as the primary representative of Earlham College for students in the SICE Program as well as graduates in the EC-ALT Program.
• Teach two courses in the SICE Program each fall semester, including an anchor course offered every fall, and a second course (that may alternate between two options from one year to the next) based on your academic expertise as related to the program’s overall themes and mission. 
• During their stay in Morioka, ADJP observes a few English classes taught by EC-ALTs, exchanges opinions on the content, and listens to any problems. They also hold meetings with all EC-ALTs to grasp the current situation and identify any problems. In some cases, they will discuss these with the supervisor of Morioka City Board of Education.

Other Duties:

• Engaging in professional development activities through participation in state, regional, and national professional organizations and various opportunities.
• Other responsibilities as assigned by the Japan Study Director.

• An MA degree or higher, preferably in education, comparative education, international education, TESOL, linguistics, intercultural communication, or a closely related field.
• Ability to instruct two courses every fall semester for the students enrolled in the SICE Program, including an anchor course in cross-cultural education and another course that will be based on the incumbent’s academic expertise.
• Study, internship, work, or living experience in Japan.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills.
• The ability to work well with students, staff, faculty, alumni, and program partners.
• Japanese language competency (oral and written) at the upper intermediate to high level (needed for communication with colleagues in Morioka).
• Working knowledge of Japanese cultural etiquette.
• Familiarity with and experience using key software types, including word processing, databases, spreadsheets, Learning Management Systems, etc. Additional preferred qualifications:
• Experience teaching English as a second language, with special consideration for those who have taught English in Japan or to Japanese L1 speakers.
• A record of successful college-level teaching.
• Experience using Terra Dotta’s Study Abroad module.

Benefits Working at Earlham:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance*
• Company paid Long-Term Disability after 1 year of full-time service*
• Basic and Voluntary Life insurance*
• Employee Assistance Program*
• Campus Store Discount
• Free ticket vouchers for Richmond Symphony Orchestra
• Wellness Center Free Membership or Discount for eligible employees
• Athletic Games-Free entry to all home games
• Free entry into most Theatre/Music shows
• Tuition Benefits for Immediate Family for eligible employees*
• 403(b) Retirement* – For eligible employees, Earlham will contribute a non-elective contribution equal to 5% of gross pay after 2 years of service. After 3 years of service, this non-elective contribution increases to 8%. Vesting credit is available for new employees with previous service in the education sector with required documentation.
• Many Wayne County Chamber of Commerce member businesses offer discounts to anyone with an Earlham ID

*All employee benefit offerings are subject to employee eligibility per plan documents.

Please Note: This position will remain open until filled 

To Apply:

• Please submit the following application materials through our Earlham Careers Portal:
• Curriculum Vitae
• Unofficial transcripts
• Cover letter - Address your interest in the opening explaining your relevant work history as it pertains to this position.
• Statement of DEI – Submit your thoughts and experience with matters of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, as it relates and specifically pertains to this position, in a 300 – 1000 word statement.  (Examples of helpful topics include: your understanding of DEI principles, past experiences with DEI, and/or future plans to contribute to DEI at Earlham.)
• Statement of your Teaching Philosophy.
• List of Three Professional References with Contact Information

Earlham College is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse community, one that reflects the makeup of society at large and that particularly welcomes and supports individuals from groups that have been historically marginalized because of factors such as race, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, socioeconomic class, and physical ability. The College strongly encourages applications from women and people of color. As an institution with a Quaker identity, the College also solicits applications from members of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers).

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