Director of Certification and Clinical Placements

Missouri Western State University

Missouri Western State University

Posted on May 17, 2026
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Position Information
Position Title Director of Certification and Clinical Placements
Job Description
The Department of Education seeks an experienced educator to serve as an Instructor and Director of Field Experiences. This full-time position will be responsible for activities related to teacher certification, clinical and field placements for all teacher education programs, including serving as instructor of record for field and clinical courses and training and coordinating school and university-based supervisors. The ideal candidate will have substantial experience working in K-12 schools, particularly those in the state of Missouri, as well as previous experience serving as a supervisor for teacher candidates. The Director will work with diverse populations of collegiate students, collaborate to develop positive relationships with community partners and schools, and teach applied learning courses in a collegial and cooperative environment. This position requires exemplary organizational skills, attention to detail, proficiency with a variety of software, and an eagerness to use new technological tools and acquire new skills in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
Missouri Western State University’s Education Department is a student-centered learning community preparing teachers through applied learning. Missouri Western is committed to recruiting, preparing, and supporting teacher leaders from diverse backgrounds, grounded in equitable, inclusive teaching practices. Missouri Western excels in preparing future teachers through a rigorous, affordable program providing frequent, powerful applied learning experiences in diverse settings, by supportive faculty skilled in current classroom practices. Missouri Western’s Education programs are fully CAEP accredited. Missouri Western’s future teachers have diverse backgrounds and experiences. All teachers recommended for certification demonstrate mastery of content by meeting GPA, testing, and dispositional requirements through rigorous training and supportive processes.
Designated as the State of Missouri’s applied learning institution, Missouri Western State University is a public open-access institution located in St. Joseph, Missouri, on a beautiful 744-acre campus approximately 45 minutes north of the Kansas City International Airport. With 4,500 plus graduate and undergraduate students and over 29,000 alumni, Missouri Western is designated as a First-Gen Forward campus dedicated to academic innovation, regional and community partnerships, and a student-centered experience.
Missouri Western State University is an active participant in the educational, economic, cultural, and social development of the people and region it serves, and the campus’ distinctive focus on applied learning and research is a hallmark of its innovative teaching and learning environment. Missouri Western seeks to build an inclusive environment that is open, welcoming, and supportive of individuals of all backgrounds. We strongly encourage candidates from underrepresented groups and women to apply for this position.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES
  • Coordinates, monitors, evaluates, and implements all activities related to field and clinical placements in P-12 school settings, in accordance with university and state requirements.
  • Develops and maintains strong professional relationships with P-12 administrators and teachers, as well as the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
  • Monitors and coordinates all activities related to certification compliance for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
  • Trains, mentors, and supervises field and clinical experience supervisors.
  • Serves as the instructor of record for field and clinical experience courses.
  • Advises potential and incoming students regarding certification options, course transfer equivalencies, and initial plans of study.
  • Performs other related duties as assigned

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES
  • Detailed understanding of and ability to consistently adhere to P-12 school district procedures and protocols.
  • Knowledge of the Missouri teacher certification process.
  • Ability to advise new and transfer students of certification requirements and course/class suitability.
  • Data collection, monitoring, and analysis skills for certification and accreditation needs.
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office programs and course learning management systems.
  • Organized thinker with exceptional attention to detail.
  • Excellent communication skills, both verbally and in writing.
  • Ability to effectively organize and prioritize tasks.
  • Strong professional communication skills with diverse stakeholders and in high-stakes situations.
  • Ability to navigate between P-12 student, university student, university, district, and certification needs.
Required Qualifications
  • Master’s Degree in Education
  • Five or more years of successful teaching experience in P-12 school systems
  • P-12 Teacher Certification
  • Three or more years of successful experience supervising in-service or pre-service P-12 teachers
  • A valid driver’s license.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Ten or more years experience teaching in Missouri public schools
  • Missouri Teacher certification
  • Previous training on the Missouri Educator Evaluation System
  • Prior experience serving as an instructor of record for pre-service teacher candidates in field-based experiences
Physical Demands
  • Required to use close vision and be able to focus.
  • Regularly required to talk and hear; frequently required to sit, stand, and bend at the knee and waist, and walk.
  • Must be able to have repetitive wrist, hand and/or finger movement to type and work on computer.
  • Must have finger dexterity and hand-eye coordination to work on computer, telephone, and related office equipment.
  • Regular attendance is a necessary and essential function.
FLSA Exempt
Additional Demands
Hours of Work
Monday – Friday; 8:00am – 4:30pm
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