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:

– Senior Supervisor

Base Description:

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

Level Summary:

– Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge to perform own work; spends majority of time on tasks related to own job responsibilities. May demonstrate subject matter expertise. Demonstrates intermediate to advanced planning, organizing, directing, and facilitating skills. Demonstrates the ability to coach assigned employees. Assigns and reviews completed work to verify accuracy, quality, and adherence to professional standards. Trains, coaches, mentors, and motivates staff. Anticipates potential problems, issues, and opportunities; researches and recommends solutions within defined policies. May develop creative recommendations for solving problems.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

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

Fiscal Responsibilities:

– May validate and pay invoices
– Monitors and tracks budgets for specific area and/or grant(s)
– May assist in planning and forecasting budgets

Problem Solving:

– Encounters moderately complex problems
– Applies general precedents and practices and specialized knowledge and skills to resolve problems
– Understands benefits, limitations and impact of potential solutions
– Anticipates potential problems and recommends possible solutions within general guidelines

Independence of Action:

– Works independently on moderately complex work assignments, reviews progress, and evaluates results
– Organizes work of direct reports and sets team priorities
– Reviews the work of others to verify accuracy, quality, and adherence to professional standards

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, accurately and persuasively both verbally and in written materials intended for distribution

• Comp Grade – 8
• Minimum – $51,000.00
• MidPoint – $62,500.00
• Maximum – $74,000.00