Specialist for Career Success and Professional Development

Division of Student Affairs

Job Description 

Position Title:                Specialist for Career Success and Professional Development

Department:                             Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs

Job Summary:       

The position is a full-time, in-person, 12-month, and salaried position responsible for developing and implementing career and professional development experiences of an approved five-year Title III grant. The position requires occasional evening and weekend hours to support operations and performs additional responsibilities related to operational and mission-critical needs. 

Examples of essential responsibilities include:

1. Promoting Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Sense of belonging by fostering welcoming environment; participating in and ensuring staff participation in appropriate training and professional development; ensuring accessibility to services; promoting inclusive excellence in programming and service delivery; reporting policy, legal, and regulatory violations; etc.).
2. Providing holistic coaching and mentoring services to individual students and organize and provide events/workshops/services regarding professional skills, career exploration, career markets and prospects, career and post-baccalaureate education planning, matching skills and aptitudes with careers, career search skills, resume building, job application/interview/preparation skills, university and other career search/preparation resources. 
3. In collaboration with faculty and students’ academic advisors, coach/advise/mentor students on the benefits and mechanics of securing and succeeding in high impact work-based educational experiences, particularly internships and externships.
4. Administering and interpreting career-based assessments as university budget allows.
5. Maintaining strong relationships with potential employers. 
6. Promoting connections, networking and recruiting pipelines through programming and individual assistance.
7. Maintaining and improving systems and services designed to link students with post-graduation careers.
8. Teaching Exploratory Studies Practicum II course by developing syllabus, delivering instruction, maintaining office hours, completing grades, etc.
9. Assisting with logistics related to Career, Internship, and Graduate School Fairs.
10. Coordinating and/or assisting with the First Destination Project for graduating students to identify and report on student post-baccalaureate placements (e.g., collaborating with colleges to determine data needs; coordinating with Handshake representatives; disseminating to students; collecting and analyzing data; drafting summary reports; etc.).
11. Assisting with planning and programming related to signature campus events such as Orientation, Fall Family Weekend, Homecoming, Welcome Week, Commencement, etc.
12. Collecting, analyzing, and reporting participation, satisfaction, learning, and other outcomes as appropriate.
13. Participating in program and service-delivery evaluation and assessment activities.

Qualifications:

Minimum Education and Experience 

Bachelor’s degree required in business, counseling, education or related field.

Desirable Education and Experience

1. Master’s degree.
2. Demonstrated experience in working with underrepresented and under-resourced/ disadvantaged individuals preferred.
3. Personal experience overcoming barriers similar to those evidenced in the population to be served by this Project.
4. Related experiences in a college or university setting

Required Skills and Abilities: 

Skills

1. Communication skills: Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills.
2. Self-management skills: ability to manage time effectively, learn and contribute to overall departmental tasks and goals.
3. Project coordination skills: ability to lead or contribute to planning or organizing projects, programs, services, etc.
4. Conflict resolution skills: ability to use interpersonal skills to develop and maintain positive professional relationships and resolve conflict in a team environment and with individuals from various diverse backgrounds and experiences.
5. Analytical skills: ability to analyze information and offer sound recommendations. 
6. Computational skills: ability to perform basic mathematical computations to assist with financial operations and/or data collection, analysis, and reporting.
7. Computer skills: proficiency with word processing and spreadsheet software, preferably Microsoft Office, Microsoft Teams, Outlook Calendaring, Office 365.

Abilities

1. Ability to adhere to work attendance requirements.
2. Ability to model self-care and well-being for colleagues and, most importantly, students.
3. Ability to manage emotions, function effectively, and make sound decisions in stressful and crisis situations.
4. Ability to work on multiple projects, services, activities, and deadlines in a timely and professional manner in a fast-paced and results-oriented environment.
5. Ability to promote and achieve diversity, equity, and inclusion of multi-racial/ethnic, low-income, LGBTQ+, veteran, non-traditional, online, disability, first-generation, and others.
6. Ability to be flexible, diplomatic, patient, service-driven, and a self-starter.
7. Ability to work in teams, independently, and under limited supervision. 
8. Ability to make reasoned decisions and judgments on sensitive and confidential issues. 
9. Ability to work evening and weekend hours based on operational need.
10. Ability to comply with university vehicle-use requirements (some driving may be necessary, including transporting students and staff to approved events).

Desirable Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

1. Preparatory knowledge: coursework, military, or work-based knowledge of career development theory, effective job search techniques, and labor market trends.
2. Software/database systems: Ability to use software/database systems related to career services (e.g., Handshake, etc.).
3. Student knowledge: knowledge of generational college students (e.g., Millennials, GEN Z) and the ability to design generation- and audience-specific programs, events, and services. 
4. Accountability: experience with applying formative, summative, qualitative, and/or quantitative methodologies to assessing student learning outcomes and/or evaluating programs and services.
5. Multimedia experience: ability to collaborate on or design brochures, event flyers, and/or newsletters and develop and manage social media accounts.
6. Reporting experience: experience with program databases or software programs used to track, monitor, and report services to students.
7. Ability to plan and execute programs and services based on social justice, cultural responsiveness, anti-racism, and civility.
8. Regulatory knowledge: FERPA.

Examples of Measures of Success:

1. Participation rates in programs, services, experiences, and opportunities.
2. Retention rates of students receiving services and participating in experiences.
3. Student satisfaction rates.
4. Graduation rates of students receiving services and participating in experiences.
5. Placement rates.
6. Revenue generated.
7. Attainment of Student and Staff Learning Outcomes.
8. Professional development experiences.

Work Environment: 

The Division of Student Affairs at Millikin University is devoted to student success from enrollment to commencement. We are dynamic, agile, and culturally-responsive. We guide, support, and, on occasion, challenge students as they develop, refine, and pursue their academic, career, and personal endeavors. All staff are responsible for creating a safe, welcoming, diverse, inclusive, respectful, and caring environment for students, colleagues, and visitors. We seek skilled and diverse colleagues who are student-focused, flexible, self-motivated, and will embrace and respect who we are and what we do. We also seek colleagues committed to moving the Division forward towards prominence and influence on campus, nationally, and within the Student Affairs profession. 

Before applying, we encourage interested individuals to spend time learning more about who we are, our values, and what we do: https://www.millikin.edu/about/administration/student-affairs. 

Manual Dexterity: Dexterity to operate a keyboard 

Physical Effort: Occasionally sitting at a desk or table; occasional lifting 25 lbs. or less; intermittently sitting/standing; hearing and visual acuity within normal range; ability to stoop, kneel, and crouch occasionally; high degree of mobility required. 

Working Conditions: Typical working conditions found in most administrative work areas; alternative or flexible work schedules.

 Hazards: None