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:

– Intermediate Professional

Base Description:

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

Level Summary:

– Demonstrates ability to perform intermediate tasks in defined skill areas. Demonstrates intermediate knowledge of internal procedures. Works under general supervision, performing assignments that may be varied and sometimes difficult. Supports team decisions and follows through with team responsibilities. Interprets and communicates information clearly and accurately. Demonstrates intermediate problem–solving skills.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

– May serve as direct supervisor for part–time, student, and/or temporary workers or volunteers

Fiscal Responsibilities:

– May validate and pay invoices

Problem Solving:

– Encounters generally routine problems; occasionally faces more complex and/or varied problems
– Typically follows recommended course of action and procedures to resolve problems
– Applies knowledge of larger unit goals, priorities, and related procedures in determining course of action

Independence of Action:

– Work is generally monitored by supervisor
– Detailed instructions and procedures are generally provided
– Uses available guidelines to make appropriate adaptations to routine situations and refers other situations to supervisor

Communication and Collaboration:

– Communicates internally within working unit and/or the University
– May communicate with external audiences
– Collaborates closely with team members
– Interprets and communicates information, ideas and instructions clearly and accurately both verbally and in written materials intended for distribution

• Comp Grade – 6
• Minimum – $42,100.00
• MidPoint – $51,600.00
• Maximum – $61,000.00