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Penn State Job Catalog

Career Services Specialist – Advanced Professional (PSU1168)

Additional Levels
Job Strings

The defined natural career progression within or between job profiles.

Career Services



Job Summary

The Career Services Specialist is responsible for supporting students, alumni, and/or other community members with career development guidance, programs, and resources across multiple academic disciplines; collaborates with students, employers, faculty, and staff to facilitate career exploration, professional skill-building, and successful career transitions; partners and forms relationships with employers to match individuals with career opportunities.

Representative Duties

  • Provide career coaching and/or counseling; meet with individuals to assess career goals, skills, interests, and qualifications to develop personalized career plans
  • Support individuals in exploring graduate school options, career pathways, and employment opportunities
  • Provide guidance on resume writing, interview preparation, job searching strategies, and other career-related skills
  • Plan, coordinate, and lead workshops and programs that address career exploration, resume writing, job searching, professional networking, and interviewing skills
  • Collaborate in the development and delivery of career readiness education, outreach, and programs
  • Plan and execute career fairs, networking events, and other employer connection opportunities
  • Engage in employer outreach and development initiatives to promote employment opportunities for students and alumni; foster relationships with companies, alumni, and industry partners to secure new internship or job opportunities; develop employer relations strategies to engage employers and potential partners; develop employee recruiter networks
  • Maintain documentation that tracks client progress, assessments results, and goals, while ensuring confidentiality
  • Identify, qualify, and evaluate career experiences including internships and job opportunities to ensure high-quality experiences and alignment with program goals
  • Develop and maintain communication strategies to connect with students and alumni to encourage engagement with Career Services
  • Collect and analyze data to evaluate program effectiveness, outcomes, and employer engagement trends
  • May work closely with academic departments, faculty, and other University offices to integrate career development into the student experience
  • May administer and interpret a broad range of career assessment instruments
  • May supervise staff members, including hiring, development, and performance management

Level Matrix

Level:
Advanced Professional
Base Description:
– Completes activities, tasks, and/or projects of a functional nature.
Level Summary:
– Demonstrates proficient and comprehensive knowledge of defined skill areas/applications. Applies knowledge of principles, practices, and procedures of a particular field to decision-making and problem–solving. Works under minimum supervision on varied and sometimes difficult work assignments, conferring with supervisor or subject matter experts on unusual matters. May lead others or a team in completion of complex assignments. Interprets and communicates information clearly, accurately, and persuasively. Researches and tries new approaches when solving difficult or novel problems.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
– Indirect supervisor or mentor for other full–time employees
– May serve as direct supervisor for part–time, student, and/or temporary workers, volunteers, or a full–time employee
Fiscal Responsibilities:
– May validate and pay invoices
– May monitor/track budgets and funding
Problem Solving:
– Encounters generally routine problems with progressively more complex and/or varied problems
– Typically follows recommended course of action and procedures to resolve problems
– May apply specialized knowledge and skills to resolve complex and/or varied problems, with supervisor oversight
– Researches and tries new approaches when solving problems
Independence of Action:
– Works with minimal supervision on more difficult work assignments, conferring with supervisor on unusual matters
– Follows precedents and procedures
– May set priorities and organize work within general guidelines established by supervisor
Communication and Collaboration:
– Communicates internally and externally within working unit and the University
– May communicate with external audiences for business purposes
– Promotes open communication in a manner that builds relationships among team members
– Applies appropriate strategies for managing conflict; negotiate reasonable compromises; propose and evaluate possible solutions
– Interprets and communicates information, ideas and instructions clearly, accurately and persuasively both verbally and in written materials intended for distribution
Salary Structure
  • Comp Grade – 8
  • Minimum – $51,000.00
  • MidPoint – $62,500.00
  • Maximum – $74,000.00
FLSA Exemption Status
Exempt
Minimum Education
Bachelor's Degree
Minimum Experience
3+ years of relevant experience
Equivalency
Or an equivalent combination of education and experience
Additional Job Requirements