Director of Career & Professional Development - WVU Tech (Beckley)

About the role

Reporting to the Dean of Students, the Director of Career & Professional Development coordinates and provides events, services, and opportunities to assist students in their pursuit of careers or graduate school. This position is based at West Virginia University Institute of Technology (WVU Tech) in Beckley, WV, part of the WVU system of campuses. WVU is a place of purpose and community, with a profound impact on the state of West Virginia and a commitment to the personal and professional growth of employees. Core values — service, curiosity, respect, accountability, and appreciation — unite the Mountaineer community.

Responsibilities

• Advise students (one-on-one and in group settings) on major/career exploration and planning, resume/cover letter development, interview skills, job search strategies, and graduate school preparation.
• Work collaboratively with staff in the Student Success Center to provide major/career advising to incoming students.
• Interpret career assessment results and facilitate individual and group sessions for new students.
• Provide expertise to students on a variety of career exploration tools and related resources, such as VitaNavis Super Strong, Handshake, LinkedIn, etc.
• Create marketing materials and effectively promote to students, alumni, and faculty/staff.
• Coach students to assist them on future planning to ensure WVU Tech’s retention rates.
• Develop, coordinate, and implement career readiness events, such as Cozy Up with Career, Mock Interviews, TGBAA Mentoring Events, annual etiquette dinners, in-class presentations as requested by faculty, etc.
• Create, collect, and analyze recruiting and outcome related data including the Graduate Placement Survey for fall, spring, and summer graduates.
• Build and maintain relationships with graduate and professional schools.
• Facilitate networking of qualified students with hiring agencies.
• Coordinate with the Office of University Relations to connect current students with WVU Tech Alumni to create mentor-mentee relationships.
• Evaluate, monitor, and network program applicants.
• Coordinate development of individualized academic oriented work/school plans.
• Communicate with academic deans, department chairs, and faculty.
• Enroll and monitor participant progress.
• Process, record, and distribute evaluation reports.
• Maintain confidential student files.
• Plan and execute annual activities calendar.
• Formulate annual goals and objectives.
• Manage Career and Professional Development Departmental budget.
• Create and publish office educational materials.
• Manage departmental on-line career management system.
• Has purchasing authority utilizing Procurement Card and Oracle to obtain office supplies, student activity expenses for career and service events.
• Act as a bridge between students and corporate, non-profit, and government employers; build and manage relationships with these groups while promoting the university and students to create a pipeline of employer partnerships.

Requirements

• Master’s degree.
• Two (2) years of directly related experience.
• Experience in career services/student affairs, human resources, or higher education environment is preferred.
• Any equivalent combination of related education and/or experience will be considered.
• All qualifications must be met by the time of employment.
• Daily routine walking within buildings and around campus.
• Weekly carrying and setting up displays and information for events (approximately 25 lbs).
• Daily sitting at computer terminal.

Skills

• Detail oriented with a desire to assist students/employer representatives.
• Strong organizational, problem solving, communication, public relations, flexibility, and resource networking skills.

Benefits

• 37.5-hour work week.
• 13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar).
• 15 annual leave (vacation) days per year or more based on years of service.
• 18 sick days per year (for personal illness, caring for sick family, medical appointments; family includes immediate relatives, in-laws, and household members).
• Range of health insurance and other benefits.
• 401(a) retirement savings with 6% employee contribution match, eligibility to continue health insurance, and other retiree perks.
• Wellness programs.

Schedule

Full-time.