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.

Counseling

The Counselor helps students understand and manage social, academic, and personal issues; provides preventive and developmental counseling; coordinates the activities of various student programs and services; assists with student retention programs incorporating personal counseling, career exploration, and academic support services.

• Review academic/career/personal goals and overall academic progress with assigned students
• Provide professional counseling for students regarding academic, career, personal and financial matters
• Refer students to University offices, faculty, staff and /or outside agencies or other professionals as necessary
• May assist in course selection and academic planning to ensure compliance with related policies/regulations
• May administer and evaluate placement testing in specialized cases; apply University academic policies to best advise students, and assist with data reporting
• Assist in planning and coordination of cultural and social events for students and the community
• Participate in unit-wide projects involving prospective and current students (i.e., recruitment activities, commencements, award receptions, orientations, cultural and social events, etc.)
• Consult with faculty/staff and provide information
• Plan, implement, assess and evaluate specific programming or counseling area, educational program, or academic support service
• Coordinate support groups, mentor programs and specialized academic support programs including tutoring
• Assist students with appeals, complaints or institutional concerns
• May instruct credit-bearing courses or first-year seminars
• May present at state and national conferences
• Advocate for students and work with other staff members and campus organizations to promote academic, career, and personal development; may serve on University committees
• May coordinate training for new and entry-level counselors; serve as a resource for counselors regarding questions and problem cases
• May provide counseling services to meet the needs of special student populations, including students with disabilities, multicultural and non-traditional students, and student athletes
• Maintain case notes that track client progress, assessments results and counseling goals; maintain confidential records
• May assist with the supervision of graduate assistants, interns, wage payroll employees, and/or students
• May supervise staff members, 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 – 9
• Minimum – $56,200.00
• MidPoint – $68,800.00
• Maximum – $81,500.00