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 

The Student Advocacy Specialist advocates for the representation, retention, and success of specific student populations; develops, assesses, and implements initiatives and programs aimed at providing resources, services, and opportunities to target student groups; leverages data to inform strategy and report on impact; engages with student groups to identify needs and challenges; advocates for student groups within the broader University community; administers needs assessments and delivers training to University faculty and staff; facilitates the development of support networks for students.

• Design, oversee, and implement programming and services that support the representation, engagement, retention, or success of specific populations, underrepresented groups, or those experiencing barriers to success
• Collaborate on a unit’s recruitment, retention, and engagement plans to serve target student populations with an emphasis on goal setting, performance assessment, and strategy development; leverage data to inform the management of policies, programs, and resources
• Direct pre-college programs, orientation programs, research experience programs, or cocurricular programs that promote and emphasize student development, success, and community engagement for specific student populations
• Design, oversee, and implement intercultural programming and services that support and advocate for international populations and a campus-centered global learning environment
• Meet with student groups to assess needs, identify challenges, provide resources and referrals, and facilitate the development of community groups and support networks for students
• Provide intercultural assessment assistance to student organizations, staff units, and faculty members/departments; present and deliver educational programs; serve as a subject matter expert and resource for other units and student-centered offices throughout the University
• Serve as the college liaison and advocate with internal and external organizations and committees that have shared goals of student access and success; participate in University committees related to multicultural affairs, resources, and scholarship committees
• Manage the program, center, or related event budgets; allocate resources and monitor expenditures; identify and solicit current and potential funding sources; prepare grant proposals; develop funding partnerships
• May supervise staff members and/or student workers and volunteers, 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