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.

Student Advocacy 

Student Advocacy Specialists provide a variety of advocacy services for target student populations who may be experiencing emotional, educational and cultural challenges; interact with students and parents to address academic, educational or personal needs, make referrals as appropriate; assist in creating a supportive environment and offering high quality services on behalf of a diverse student population in collaboration with others in the work unit and University community; assist students with acclimation to the University environment by designing and implementing support initiatives for a variety of special student populations that include but are not limited to: international, under-represented, low income, first generation, students with disabilities, women, LGBTQIA+, and multicultural students; develop and coordinate recruitment and retention initiatives for target student populations; may select prospective students as recipients for college or University scholarships.

• Design, oversee, and implement multifaceted programming and services that support the representation, engagement, retention, or success of target populations, underrepresented groups, or those experiencing barriers to success
• Responsible for a unit’s recruitment, retention, and engagement plans to serve target student populations with an emphasis on goal setting, performance assessment, and strategy development
• Serve as a subject matter expert and resource for other units and student-centered offices throughout the University
• Analyze data to identify factors that affect the recruitment, retention, and success of underrepresented students; apply findings to the management of policies, programs, and resources
• Develop, coordinate, and manage multiple complex projects; may develop and manage project budgets
• Build relationships with diversity organizations, on and off campus, that can enhance enrollment and student engagement goals
• May conduct unit or department wide cultural assessments and contribute to outreach and education efforts aimed at increasing cultural literacy diversity awareness; present and deliver awareness programs
• Serve as the college liaison with the University multi-cultural community
• May identify current and potential funding sources; prepare grant proposals; develop funding partnerships
• 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 – 8
• Minimum – $51,000.00
• MidPoint – $62,500.00
• Maximum – $74,000.00