Penn State Job Catalog

Additional levels that exist for this job profile can be seen below.

The defined natural career progression within or between job profiles.

Counseling

The Counselor helps students understand and manage social, academic, and personal issues; provides preventive and developmental counseling; coordinates the activities of various student programs and services; assists with student retention programs incorporating personal counseling, career exploration, and academic support services.

• Review academic/career/personal goals and overall academic progress with assigned students
• Provide professional counseling for students regarding academic, career, personal and financial matters
• Refer students to University offices, faculty, staff and /or outside agencies or other professionals as necessary
• May assist in course selection and academic planning to ensure compliance with related policies/regulations
• May administer and evaluate placement testing in specialized cases; apply University academic policies to best advise students, and assist with data reporting
• Assist in planning and coordination of cultural and social events for students and the community
• Participate in unit-wide projects involving prospective and current students (i.e., recruitment activities, commencements, award receptions, orientations, cultural and social events, etc.)
• Consult with faculty/staff and provide information
• Plan, implement, assess and evaluate specific programming or counseling area, educational program, or academic support service
• Coordinate support groups, mentor programs and specialized academic support programs including tutoring
• Assist students with appeals, complaints or institutional concerns
• May instruct credit-bearing courses or first-year seminars
• May present at state and national conferences
• Advocate for students and work with other staff members and campus organizations to promote academic, career, and personal development; may serve on University committees
• May coordinate training for new and entry-level counselors; serve as a resource for counselors regarding questions and problem cases
• May provide counseling services to meet the needs of special student populations, including students with disabilities, multicultural and non-traditional students, and student athletes
• Maintain case notes that track client progress, assessments results and counseling goals; maintain confidential records
• May assist with the supervision of graduate assistants, interns, wage payroll employees, and/or students
• May supervise staff members, including hiring, development, and performance management

Level:

– Senior Professional

Base Description:

– Completes activities, tasks, and/or projects of a functional nature.

Level Summary:

– Demonstrates advanced knowledge of principles, practices, and procedures of a particular field. Works independently on moderately complex work assignments under limited oversight, reviews progress, and evaluates results. Monitors work and projects ensuring timeliness, quality, and efficiency. Identifies and mobilizes resources to achieve outcomes. Trains others and reviews progress with management. Presents ideas, concepts, and instructions in a clear and persuasive manner. Develops new techniques, concepts, and approaches and applies them to moderately complex and strategic and/or operational issues.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

– Indirect supervisor 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
– Monitors and tracks budgets and funding

Problem Solving:

– Encounters moderately complex problems
– Applies specialized knowledge and skills to resolve problems
– Understands benefits, limitations, and impact of potential solutions

Independence of Action:

– Works independently on moderately complex work assignments, reviews progress, and evaluates results
– May set priorities and organize work within general guidelines established by supervisor
– May review the work of others to verify accuracy and conformance to required procedures and special instructions

Communication and Collaboration:

– Communicates internally within working unit and the University
– Communicates with external audiences for scheduling/coordination
– May communicate with external audiences for business purposes
– Coaches others in using appropriate strategies for resolving conflict; negotiating reasonable compromises; and proposing and evaluating possible solutions
– Give candid and constructive feedback to others to influence and persuade managers and employees to accept and implement findings and recommendations

• Comp Grade – 9
• Minimum – $56,200.00
• MidPoint – $68,800.00
• Maximum – $81,500.00