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:

– Supervisor

Base Description:

– Supervises direct reports, but primarily completes activities, tasks, and/or projects of a functional nature.

Level Summary:

– Demonstrates appropriate knowledge to perform own work; spends majority of time on tasks related to own job responsibilities. Demonstrates baseline planning, organizing, directing, and facilitating skills. Reviews completed work of others to verify accuracy and quality. Follows recommended approaches to assigned work. Supervises assigned staff and coordinates routine work activities. Monitors employee interactions and facilitates a productive working environment. Communicates instructions and policies in a consistent, effective and timely manner. Identifies and addresses concerns appropriately. Makes recommendations for possible solutions.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

– Typically oversees at least 2 full–time direct reports or equivalent team of part–time and/or student workers (for Support track, performs work at Senior Support level or higher; for Professional track, performs work at the Advanced Professional level or higher)

Fiscal Responsibilities:

– May validate and pay invoices
– May monitor/track budgets for specific area and/or grant(s)

Problem Solving:

– Encounters generally routine problems with progressively more complex and/or varied problems
– Typically follows standard operating procedures to resolve problems
– May apply specialized knowledge and skills to resolve complex and/or varied problems
– Applies proven and tries new approaches when solving problems

Independence of Action:

– Works with minimal supervision on difficult work assignments, conferring with manager on unusual matters
– Follows precedents and procedures
– Organizes work of direct reports and may set priorities within general guidelines established by manager
– Reviews the work of others to verify accuracy, quality, 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
– Collaborates closely with team members; may interact with other staff outside of area
– Utilizes a communication style that is appropriate for a given situation
– Interprets and communicates information, ideas and instructions clearly and accurately both verbally and in written materials

• Comp Grade – 7
• Minimum – $46,400.00
• MidPoint – $56,800.00
• Maximum – $67,300.00