Career Specialist - School of Engineering

Career Specialist - School of Engineering

University of California Merced

Job Title
Career Specialist - School of Engineering

Job ID
44505

Location
Merced

Full/Part Time
Full Time

Hiring Range
$70,000 - $83,000; department has a maximum budget of $70,000

Job Closing Date
Initial applicant review will begin on or around November 10th, 2022. Posting will remain open until filled.


About UC Merced

The University of California, Merced, is the newest of the University of California system's 10 campuses and the first American research university built in the 21st century. With more than 9,000 undergraduate and graduate students, UC Merced offers an environment that combines a commitment to diversity, inclusion, collaboration, and professional development. With bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs, strong research and academic partnerships, and community involvement, the UC Merced campus is continually evolving and requires talented, knowledgeable, and dynamic educators, researchers, management and staff.

Ranked among the best public universities in the nation by U.S. News and World Report, UC Merced is uniquely equipped to provide educational opportunities for highly qualified students from the San Joaquin Valley and throughout California. The campus enjoys a special connection with nearby Yosemite National Park, is on the cutting edge of sustainability in construction and design and supports the economic development of Merced and the region.

In Fall 2016, UC Merced broke ground on a $1.3 billion public-private partnership that is unprecedented in higher education. The Merced 2020 Project nearly doubled the physical capacity of the campus, enhancing academic distinction, student success and research excellence. In 2018, UC Merced opened the Downtown Campus Center, a $33 million, three-story administrative building located in the heart of Merced.

To set the course of UC Merced's evolution, in 2021 UC Merced will enact its first-ever 10-year strategic plan. This plan will guide how the values of equity and justice influence our pathway toward earning Carnegie R1 research status, growing enrollment, upholding our identity as a minority-serving institution, and operationalizing how commitments to equity, diversity and inclusion are enacted within each campus unit. UC Merced is expected to engage in sophisticated thinking, planning, and implementation of actions that effectively diversify the professoriate and staff, improve campus climate for all campus constituency groups, and strengthen our equity, diversity, and inclusion infrastructure and capacity.


About the Job

The Career Specialist for the School of Engineering provides student professional development activities and implements career readiness education, such as internships, career development programs, and employer engagement in order to support and facilitate the academic, professional and personal development of students within the School of Engineering. The core responsibility of this role is to provide career readiness programming and career coaching to students and alumni, including assessment of student/alumni goals and interests, resume review, interview preparation, networking techniques, self-branding and effective job/internship search tactics to ensure market- and employer-readiness. This position uses coaching techniques and conducts practice interviews (behavioral and technical). This position also plays an integral role in the design, delivery and management of career and professional development programs, seminars and sessions (online and in-person), in order to educate Engineering students on effective career management, and also assists with the collection and reporting of statistics on student employment outcomes. Additional responsibilities include providing relevant market insight to students, participating in career services events, and creating, developing, and maintaining relationships with industry-specific contacts. This position may also develop, deliver, and evaluate career development programs to build foundational career skills of students and alumni. This position reports to the Director, Employer Connections and Internships in the Center for Career & Professional Advancement.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

CAREER READINESS:

• Designs and delivers career programming, expert facilitation, presentations and direct service to enhance student career readiness throughout the student experience. Develops programs and interventions to assist students (first year through graduate students) in developing career pathways including self-efficacy & career identity, employability skills, and professional brand development, networking, reflection and interviewing skills, project based, practical and applied experience and job search success.
  
  
• Integrates programming experiences for Engineering students into the academic and broader student experience with a focus on providing context for culturally diverse first-generation students at a growing research university. Consults and builds collaborative partnerships with academic department leaders, key faculty, student affairs and advising staff.
  
  
• Develops, oversees and incorporates career readiness initiatives as part of a broad and complex campus and external community. Convenes alumni, community professionals and employers in the career exploration, professional development and advancement of students from first year to graduate students and alumni. Develops and facilitates unique career exploration and professional development platforms such as career meet ups, virtual sessions, panels and employer treks. Researches and develops online content delivery methods and collaborates in professional skills course design development with faculty and staff where needed.
  
  
• Provides expertise on experiential education models and guides, monitors and supports students pursuing and completing internships or practical/applied experiences. This includes on campus internships as well as off campus internships and digital badges.
  
  
• Establishes a robust strategic communication, outreach strategy and referral network with engineering academic units, key faculty, professional student organizations, academic advisors and campus collaborators. Develops creative, relevant and scalable strategies to inform, coach, motivate and engage engineering students in building and pursuing their career pathways.
  
  
• Oversees delivery of broad and highly complex career-focused programs and events that incorporate the needs of organization partners / constituents.
  
  ADMINISTRATION & LEADERSHIP:
  
  
• Creates and implements strategic communication strategies to inform campus stakeholders of trending career readiness competencies, job market dynamics and relevant pre and post graduate opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students.
  
  
• Constructs and administers program assessment to determine learning outcomes and track student engagement in services along with internship and employment and/or graduate school outcomes. Uses data in program design and decision making. Develops reports from that data as requested by the Schools, Director and Executive Director.
  
  
• Develops thorough knowledge of career program technical and information systems, processes and protocols.
  
  
• As a professional member of the Office of Leadership Service and Career and directly serving the School of Engineering, supports broader team and campus initiatives related to student success, advising, campus community collaboration, equity and access. Manages projects/events and performs other duties as assigned.
  
  
• Provides content expertise as appropriate in support of key initiatives within the School of Engineering.
  
  EMPLOYER RELATIONS:
  
  
• Researches, identifies and outreaches to employers offering internship and employment options well aligned with the interests, knowledge and skills of UC Merced Engineering students and alumni.
  
  
• Facilitates employer information sessions during on campus and virtual visits and develop in-depth knowledge of organizations and opportunities available to students in Computer Science Engineering, Mechanical, Environmental, Civil, Bioengineering, Materials Science and related disciplines. Makes recommendations to employer relations team for new organizations to engage on behalf of UC Merced students.
  
  
• Plans and facilitates student introductions and referrals to employers of interest, facilitate student preparation for job and internship applications and assist in marketing engineering students and graduates to potential employers.
  
  
• Supports special initiatives developed with corporate partners to further enhance career readiness and talent pipelines.
  
  
• Supports employer relations team efforts by actively communicating to engineering students about internship and employment opportunities and engaging students. Conducts needs assessments and obtain feedback from employers regarding results of candidate referrals and job performance of interns and graduates.
  
  
  Qualifications
  
  EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE
  
  
• Bachelor's degree in related field from an accredited university and 5 years of directly related experience, or equivalent experience/training. (Required)
  
  
• Master's degree in field related to human services, educational administration, business development or other relevant background. A Master's degree may substitute for one year of experience; however, the candidate should possess actual work experience and possess the skills, knowledge, and abilities essential to the successful performance of the duties assigned to the position. (Preferred)
  
  CRITICAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
  
  
• Demonstrated expertise in program development, career coaching and relationship management, such as recruiting; human resources; talent development or career services activities is required.
  
  
• Experience working with faculty, staff and students at all levels (particularly with First Generation Students) in Engineering and Computer Science. (Preferred)
  
  
• Advanced communication skills, including outreach, group facilitation, coaching, presentation and/or teaching experience and written skills.
  
  
• Experience in the use of online tools, including recruiting tools, CRMs and social media, to communicate and match employers with students and alumni. Strong ability to design and modify computer applications to meet program needs. (Preferred)
  
  
• Strong ability to work with people from diverse cultures.
  
  
• Advanced knowledge of academic programs, career services, employer, alumni, faculty needs and expectations, recruiting and staffing methods, employment trends. (Preferred)
  
  
• Advanced knowledge of needs assessment theory, processes, and practice; project and program design. (Preferred)
  
  
• Qualified candidates should demonstrate the proven ability to lead in a highly collaborative environment, possess excellent relationship building, organizational, planning and analytical skills, and be self-motivated.
  
  
• Ability to travel to corporations, conferences, job fairs and other events on occasion. Ability to work evening and weekend hours when needed.
  
  
  Background Check
  
  Background check and fingerprinting will be required.
  
  
  Policy Statement
  
  How to Apply:
  An online application is required for each position to apply. The University of California, Merced is aware that some web-based application processes may be cumbersome for differently abled applicants. Where appropriate, alternative accommodations will be provided. For applicants with disabilities who need additional assistance using TAM, or reasonable accommodations during the interview or search process, please contact ucmjobs@ucmerced.edu.
  
  Equal Employment Opportunity:
  The University of California, Merced is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer advancing inclusive excellence. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, pregnancy, or status as a disabled veteran or Vietnam-era veteran, or other protected categories covered by the UC Nondiscrimination and Affirmative Action Policy. UC Merced intentionally promotes and maintains a discrimination- and harassment-free workplace by demonstrating it neither condones nor tolerates employment practices that discriminate against or harass any person or specific group of persons on the basis listed above. We seek candidates who will support our vision to cultivate a vibrant, equity-minded, inclusive excellence university community. When applying to UC Merced, we strongly encourage you to reflect on our Principles of Community and our 2021 strategic plan.
  
  Vaccination Program Policy:
  
  As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Vaccination Program Policy. All Covered Individuals under the policy must provide proof of Full Vaccination or, if applicable, submit a request for Exception (based on Medical Exemption, Disability, and/or Religious Objection) or Deferral (based on pregnancy) no later than the applicable deadline. For new University of California employees, the applicable deadline is 14 days after their first date of employment.
  
  Smoke and Tobacco Free Policy:
  The University of California, Merced is a smoke and tobacco free workplace. Information and the Smoke and Tobacco Free policy is available at http://smokefree.ucmerced.edu.
  
  E-Verify:
  All employers who receive Federal contracts and grants are required to comply with E-Verify, an Internet-based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA). E-Verify electronically verifies employment eligibility by comparing information provided on the I-9 form to records in the DHS and SSA databases. Certain positions funded by federal contracts/subcontracts requires UC Merced to notify job applicants that an E-Verify check will be conducted and the successful candidate must pass the E-Verify check.
  
  Pay, Benefits & Work Schedule:
  For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University of California visit: http://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/
  
  To apply, please visit: https://careerspub.universityofcalifornia.edu/psp/ucm/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM.HRS_APP_SCHJOB.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST&Action=U&FOCUS=Applicant&SiteId=25&JobOpeningId=44505&PostingSeq=1
  
  
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