Career Counselor, Center for Disabilities Studies

University of Delaware

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The University of Delaware is an Equal Opportunity Employer which encourages applications from Minority Group Members, Women, Individuals with Disabilities and Veterans. The University's Notice of Non-Discrimination can be found at http://www.udel.edu/aboutus/legalnotices.html


Job No: 497208
Work Type: Staff
Location: Newark
Categories: Administrative Support, Student Affairs & Services, Full Time


Pay Grade: 29E

Context of the Job:

Under the general direction of the Career & Life Studies Certificate Program Manager, the Career Counselor provides career and employment support for individuals associated with the initiative and works collaboratively with campus and business partners.

The Career & Life Studies Certificate (CLSC) is housed at the University of Delaware Center for Disabilities (CDS). The initiative provides a comprehensive set of supports for UD students with intellectual disabilities within an inclusive college experience, as well as services to high school students with a range of disabilities through specific programs overseen by the CDS. More information on the initiative can be found at https://www.cds.udel.edu/clsc/.

The Center for Disabilities Studies (CDS) is the largest research and public service center in the College of Education and Human Development. It provides a leadership role in promoting the inclusion of individuals with disabilities in all aspects of society. The Center accomplishes this through education, service, information dissemination, and research.

Major responsibilities:

Direct service with students with intellectual disabilities:
• Develops and delivers course modules and workshops to students enrolled in the Career and Life Studies Certificate (CLSC) program including the creation of course materials.
• Provides individualized coaching support to students enrolled in the program and co-facilitates the creation and modification of person-centered plans.
• Lead the assessment of individuals' employment skills and career interests in order to support appropriate internship and employment opportunities in conjunction and collaboration with other CLSC staff and activities.
• Support students' development of applications, resumes, cover letters, and interviews with potential employers.
• Support student self-advocacy for workplace accommodations and adaptations, and help facilitate conversations among students, employers and other colleagues.
• Provide and develop periodic on-site job and internship coaching for a designated caseload of students.
• Establish a mechanism to offer resources and supports for alumni.
• Counsel and coach students in collaboration with the university's Career Center regarding career decision-making, assessment, and/or the graduate school process.
• Work in collaboration with the Career Center to develop and conduct student-centered workshops for autistic individuals specific to employment seeking and retention skills.
• Support other students with disabilities engaged in postsecondary transition programs as needed.

Direct work with local businesses and corporations:
• Establish new employer contacts and strengthen current employer contacts through outreach activities to determine hiring needs and promote autistic individuals as a potential candidate pool.
• Conduct industry research and develop target employer lists for outreach efforts.
• Serve as a liaison for internship supervisors at job sites as identified.
• Work in collaboration with CLSC staff to develop and conduct training for employers specific to hiring and retaining individuals with disabilities.

Programmatic responsibilities:
• Participates in the recruitment, training and supervision of miscellaneous wage, UD undergraduate hourly staff, interns, and volunteers during the academic year who serve as internship coaches, point coaches, and teaching assistants.
• Maintain specific documentation and participate in the data collection and dissemination processes for the CLSC program, research, CDS-specific and contractual needs.
• Write and compile sections of associated reports summarizing time-specific activity.
• Design, develop, schedule, and conduct presentations on current trends and research in career development for individuals with disabilities for university stakeholders.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree and two years of related experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience. Degree in special education (emphasis on autism preferred), vocational rehabilitation, human services, or related field preferred.
• Higher education experience preferred.
• Experience in career development services.
• Experience working with individuals on the autism spectrum.
• Knowledge and use of career development assessments.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with experience preparing and presenting to a variety of stakeholders groups.
• Strong organization and planning skills.
• Strong case management skills.
• Flexibility, adaptability, and eagerness to learn.
• Strong collaboration skills and experience.
• Effective interpersonal and networking skills.
• Understanding of research in career and employment development preferred
• Demonstrates an understanding and consideration of the differing needs and concerns of individuals with varying identities, cultures and backgrounds.
• Committed to fostering a workplace culture of belonging, where diversity is celebrated and equity is a core value.

Special Requirements:
• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends as needed.
• Accessible, reliable transportation for periodic travel to statewide school districts and the surrounding region.

Notice of Non-Discrimination, Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action
The University of Delaware does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, marital status, disability, religion, age, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law in its employment, educational programs and activities, admissions policies, and scholarship and loan programs as required by Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and other applicable statutes and University policies. The University of Delaware also prohibits unlawful harassment including sexual harassment and sexual violence.

Applications close:

PI178850598