Professional Development Specialist I

The Professional Development Specialist I helps students to perfect their career readiness skills and to successfully transition to a suitable career path after graduation. 

• Provides individual career coaching sessions and career assessments. Provides students with assistance in exploring degrees/majors that are attainable and aligns with assessment and/or interests, skills and abilities 
• Collaborates, coordinates and promotes field experience internship programs in assigned college. 
• Assists in developing programming for targeted learning outcomes, leading to better retention and graduation rates, as well as improved career choices and career acquisitions for students.  Assists in the planning and implementation of events and job fairs including developing marketing materials and coordinating logistics.  Assists in developing marketing programs that promote career services to students, alumni, employers, faculty and staff 
• Assists with employer outreach efforts of the office by meeting with employers and engaging them with the office, college and university based on their engagement interests 
• Coordinates the use of career services software systems that facilitate interview scheduling, job postings and related services 
• Supports institutional, divisional and departmental program initiatives and events in the evening and weekends 

• Performs all other duties as assigned
• May provide workshop presentations

Direct Reports:

• None

Delegation of Work:

• N/A

Supervision Given:

• N/A

Required Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in counseling, Advising, Higher Education Administration, Human Resources, Social Work or related field

Required Experience:

• Minimum of one (1) year of related job experience 

License/Certification:

• None required

• Master’s degree in counseling, Advising, Higher Education Administration, Human Resources, Social Work or related field. 

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar.  
• Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.  

Skills:

• Skills in managing one’s own time and the time of others. Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents. Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job. Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.  
• Skills in completing assignments accurately and with attention to detail.  
• Skills in editing documents for correct grammar.  
• Skills in communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.  
• Skills in talking to others to convey information effectively.  
• Skills in using computer applications including spreadsheet, database and word processing software.  
• Skills in public speaking and delivering presentations to individuals and groups.  

Abilities:

• Ability to work under pressure and meet close deadlines.  
• Ability to set priorities and complete assignments on time.  
• Ability to analyze, organize and prioritize work while meeting multiple deadlines.  
• Ability to analyze and prepare documents, reports, and correspondence.  
• Ability to review work for accuracy. Ability to work evenings, nights and weekends as necessary.  
• Ability to process and handle confidential information with discretion.  
• Ability to develop specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish work.  
• Ability to communicate and interact effectively with members of the public.  
• Ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.  
• Ability to establish and maintain a good rapport with university faculty and staff, students, and the general public. 
• Ability to operate personal computers with a general understanding of application software, and an understanding of the Internet. Ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.  
• Ability to engage students and to create and enhance their connection to the institution and each other.  
• Ability to work effectively and patiently with students. 

Primary Work Location:

• Works in an office environment.

Physical Demands:

• Work is performed in a typical interior work environment, which does not subject the employee to any unpleasant elements.  
• Individuals have discretion in relation to working, standing, etc., and has minimal exposure to physical risks. 
• Must have precise hand-eye coordination and the ability to identify and distinguish colors. 

Commitment to Excellence - UHD

• Demonstrates a commitment to competently perform his/her job duties and responsibilities within established time frames.  
• Continuously strives to improve work performance.
• Accepts responsibility for his/her commitments to the university.
• Contributes to the success of the university by consistently providing quality results in the performance of his/her job duties and responsibilities.

Respect and Cooperation

• Treats others with courtesy, respect, and dignity in the workplace.
• Promotes cooperation through open and honest communications and consideration of others ideas, thoughts, and opinions.

Integrity

• Demonstrates high ethical standards of conduct in the performance of his/her job duties and responsibilities.
• Accepts responsibility for his/her actions.
• Respects and complies with department and university policies, procedures, and work rules.

Proficiency

• Possesses required job skills and knowledge.
• Demonstrates the ability to apply those skills and knowledge to competently perform his/her job duties and assignments.

Dependability

• Takes responsibility to accomplish job assignments within reasonable deadlines.
• Willing to accept new projects and/or commitments.
• Does due diligence to complete projects within specified timeframes and/or fulfill commitments.
• Arrives to work on time prepared and ready to contribute.

Flexibility

• Willingly adjusts to changing work assignments or conditions.
• Open to changes in operational procedures, technology, and/or organizational structure.
• Views changes as opportunities for learning and professional development.
• Displays a positive attitude to encourage others.
• Promptly responds to changes in work priorities and/or unexpected circumstances or situations.

Computer/Automated System Proficiency

• Proficient in the use of university applications or automated systems to perform job duties.
• Complies with related policies, procedures, and work rules to maintain system security and data integrity.

Focus on Customer Service

• Focuses on customer's needs and expectations. (Customers can be students, external constituents, employees, or university guests.)
• Respectfully ascertains customer's needs and determines appropriate response.
• Promptly responds by providing requested information, takes appropriate action, or refers customer to appropriate individual or department.
• If further actions need to be taken, advises customers of realistic timeframes for a response to their request.
• Follows up with customers on outstanding requests in a timely manner.
• Tactfully explains to customers why their needs and/or expectations cannot be met if the university does not provide the requested information or services.

Problem Solving

• Formulates plans and strategies to proactively resolve anticipated problems.
• Prudently responds to unforeseen problems through careful consideration and analysis of problem and relevant information and circumstances.
• Recognizes and apprises appropriate university administrator when resolution requires senior management input and/or approval.

Instruction/Training

• Demonstrates the ability to orally convey subject or message clearly and concisely to the intended audience.
• Generates interest and enthusiasm in the subject or message from the participants.
• Responds to participants' reactions or comments, and adjusts delivery style and/or format of presentation as needed.
• Possesses a thorough understanding of the subject or topic to provide practical responses to questions or issues.
• Displays applicable visuals and provides appropriate written materials to support the presentation.

Student Success Direct Support

• Assists and/or advises students and/or prospective students with academic plans and course selection, financial options, career plans, and/or student opportunities.
• Contributes to student success through careful monitoring of student progress within caseload.
• Promotes student success through regular and persistent outreach to student caseload.
• Provides encouragement and guidance to foster student success.
• Shares relevant knowledge and insight to apprise students of programs and services available to them.
• Listens and responds to student requests and concerns with patience and understanding.
• Treats students with respect.