Director of Career Development and Experiential Education
About the role
The Director of Career Development and Experiential Education provides vision and creative leadership for the development, implementation, and enhancement of career development and experiential learning opportunities for all Hood College graduates.
Responsibilities
Organize events that facilitate the interaction between members of the Hood community and organizations offering employment and/or experiential education opportunities.
Cultivate and maintain relationships with area organizations, civic groups, service agencies, and community leaders to promote Hood College as a resource for employees, interns and volunteers.
Serve on designated campus committees as needed.
Chair the High-Impact Practice Task Force and oversee the successful execution of the team’s charge.
Oversee the annual P.I.R.E.S. event in collaboration with other campus offices.
Lead, supervise, and/or collaborate with the offices overseeing on-campus student employment, internship, undergraduate research, and study abroad opportunities for students.
Coordinate the Career Center's outreach and liaison efforts with campus offices and work collaboratively with faculty to identify new experiential education opportunities.
Partner with faculty and the Office of Alumni Relations to identify and expand opportunities for experiential education through the alumni and/or parent network.
Maintain partner agreements, memberships, and MOU’s as required.
Partner with faculty to support and promote experiential education within the curriculum.
Sponsor faculty and student educational/promotional programs related to experiential education (workshops, best practices, etc.).
Oversee operational and endowed budget lines intended to support high impact experiences for students and faculty.
Advise current students (first year through seniors and graduate students), prospective students, and alumni, on career choice and professional development, experiential education options, major selection, career shifts, resume development, graduate school, networking/informational interviews, job related correspondence, interviewing skills, job search strategies, etc.
Assist Center constituents via appointments, walk in hours, phone, email, etc.
Develop and co-present workshops including, but not limited to, resume writing, effective interviewing, job searching, changing careers, career exploration, transitioning to the work world, and marketing liberal arts skills.
Partner with College departments and offices on career related issues and support/co-sponsor relevant programs and services offered by these constituents.
Explain/demonstrate effective use of career-related platforms and library resources.
Work with staff, College offices, and constituent groups to determine programming needs for constituent groups.
Supervise staff members in the Career Center and support their ongoing professional development consistent with their roles and responsibilities.
Engage in professional development programs specific to experiential education and high-impact practices (e.g. NSEE, AACU), as well as career development (e.g. NACE).
Represent Hood College and the Center for Career Development and Experiential Education at campus events, programs, and other activities.
Qualifications
Master’s Degree
Five (5) or more years of experience in a college/university environment, with at least 2 years serving in a leadership/supervisory role is required.
Demonstrated effective, innovative and collaborative leadership in higher education; and a history of strong commitment to higher education.
A proven record of success as an effective leader who is able to provide confident, collaborative leadership and work collegially with faculty and other administrators.
A professional of great integrity who values the Hood College community and its spirit, traditions, and future.
Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and switch tasks as needed.
Strong verbal/written communication skills and interpersonal skills; experience working with a diverse group of customers.
Exceptional presentation skills.
Well-developed organization and time management skills.
Ability to work in a fast-paced, constantly changing office environment where teamwork is essential.
A sound understanding of career counseling and student development, as well as experiential education concepts.
Ability to work well one-on-one and in groups with students and employees.
Demonstrated knowledge of employment trends, issues and skills.
Proven ability developing and facilitating training programs for diverse populations.
Knowledge and proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office.
Technology Skills Proficient in MS Office tools (Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), e-mail and Internet.
Ability to learn new applications quickly including organization-wide information systems and department-specific software applications.
Language Skills Strong verbal and written communication skills. Ability to effectively provide information and positively respond to questions from both external and internal constituents through multiple modalities. Ability to analyze data and write routine reports.
Mathematical Skills Proficient with statistical and financial concepts. Must have the ability to apply those concepts to tracking, projections, goal setting and interpreting reports. Must be able to draw conclusions from reports and make cost effective decisions regarding programs.
Reasoning Ability Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a number of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, verbal, diagram, or schedule form. Ability to work independently and as a member of a group in developing and executing project plans. Ability to work in theoretical arena and apply logic as appropriate.
Physical Demands The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate, and could include interaction with other staff, students, and the public, telephones, and other office equipment.