Assistant Director of Career Advising and Student Success (Hybrid Opportunity)

About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

Job Summary

The Assistant Director of Careers and Internships applies knowledge and guidance to undergraduate and graduate education students in the career planning process. This position has a strategic role in the ongoing career development of students in collaboration with the Graduate Program Director (GPD) and Undergraduate Program Director (UPD), academic advising, educator preparation, faculty, staff, and other relevant parties across the university on matters related to career exploration and development. The primary focus of this role involves providing support and guidance to undergraduate and graduate students in their career path and job search process, and to students seeking internships for the Community Education and Social Change concentration of the education major.

Essential Functions

• Develops, implements and organizes career advising, professional development training, and workshops on topics such as resumes and cover letters, career exploration, industry research, networking, mock interviews, LinkedIn engagement, job and internship searches, interviewing, business correspondence and etiquette, and offers evaluation and negotiation.
• Advises students, in one-on-one meetings, workshops, and small group settings related to career preparation and searches.
• Provides feedback to students related to cover letters and resumes and conducts practice interviews.
• Creates, maintains and disseminates digital materials and resources related to career services and professional development.
• Creates and leads trainings in emerging technologies which enhance delivery service (i.e., Big Interview, Salesforce, Handshake and SSC Navigate).
• Remains current on industry and hiring trends, as well as available opportunities that might interest students.
• Participates in strategic planning related to career services support for education students. Engages with students via classes, workshops, and clubs related to career services.
• Assists with event planning activities related to career development, preparation and exploration.
• Collects, organizes, and disseminates data related to non-licensure field placements while adhering to proper procedures and regulations

Other Functions

• Supports the Director of Student Success and Engagement in operational and team management functions. Responsible for overseeing all related operations in absence of the Director, including supervision of reporting staff.
• Supports the creation and maintenance of Career and Internships forms.
• Supports Advising Center Events as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Bachelor's Degree and 2 years of career counseling, advising, field placement, or other relevant work experience.
• Experienced and efficient problem solver; able to proactively address issues to facilitate timely resolution.
• Strong organizational skills, including the ability to independently prioritize work and handle multiple tasks. Ability to maintain accurate and detailed records.
• Superior interpersonal communication skills; proven success with developing positive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and all external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated understanding of, and a commitment to cultural, social, economic, and ethnic diversity and inclusion.
• Proficient in the use of Google Suite & Apps; Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, & Teams; Zoom Conferencing; Slack; and LinkedIn.

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Master's Degree and 2 years' relevant experience in counseling or career advising.
• Previous experience working in Higher Education
• Technical proficiency in various career-related tools/technologies including Handshake, iConnect, Big Interview, SPIRE, and Learning Management platforms such as Blackboard Learn, CANVAS, and Moodle.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

• Typical office environment.

Work Schedule

• Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 4:30pm.
• Periodic nights or weekends to support core student centered events.
• This position has the opportunity for a hybrid work schedule, which is defined by the University as an arrangement where an employee's work is regularly performed at a location other than the campus workspace for a portion of the week. As this position falls within the Professional Staff Union, it is subject to the terms and conditions of the Professional Staff Union collective bargaining agreement.

Salary Information

Salary Level 26

PSU Hiring Ranges

Special Instructions to Applicants

Along with the application, please submit a resume and cover letter. References will be checked at the finalist state. Please be prepared to provide contact information for three (3) professional references. Applications will be reviewed on a continuous basis until the position is filled. Early submissions are encouraged.

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, caste, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, political belief or affiliation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related condition(s), veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, natural and protective hairstyle and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.