Director of Career Development and Experiential Education

Frederick, Maryland•Frederick, MD

5d•Onsite

About The Position

Under the general direction of the Provost/VPAA, the Director of Career Development and Experiential Education will provide vision and creative leadership for the development, implementation, and enhancement of career development and experiential learning opportunities for all Hood College graduates. The Director of Career Development & Experiential Education supervises and directs the day-to-day activities and functions of the Center for Career Development and Experiential Education, including career services, experiential learning opportunities, and other high impact practices. The Director serves as a member of Provost Council and, as such, shares in the responsibility of upholding the academic mission of Hood College and is an important part of the Provost’s leadership and advisory team. A cornerstone of the mission under the Director’s oversight is promotion, advancement and assessment of high-impact learning experiences at Hood College, which are strategic focus for the institution. The Director’s success achieving this mission requires a strategic and highly collaborative approach that engages multiple constituents both on campus, as well as within the community. The Director is responsible for all aspects of staffing in the Center including hiring, training, supervising, mentoring and evaluating. The Director also establishes, reviews and revises policies and procedures that guide the general operation of the Center and selects library and technology resources in support of the Center's mission. Oversight of the Center’s budget lines, including operational budget, endowed support, and grant funding, is also under the Director’s purview.

Requirements

Master’s Degree
Five (5) or more years of experience in a college/university environment, with at least 2 years serving in a leadership/supervisory role is required.
Demonstrated effective, innovative and collaborative leadership in higher education; and a history of strong commitment to higher education.
Professional experience that focuses on facilitating relationships to support the professional preparation and success of others and that demonstrates broad familiarity with the career interests of today's liberal arts students and graduates.
Experience leading experiential education programs in an academic setting.
A proven record of success as an effective leader who is able to provide confident, collaborative leadership and work collegially with faculty and other administrators.
A professional of great integrity who values the Hood College community and its spirit, traditions, and future.
Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and switch tasks as needed.
Experience in supervising client-centered office and multiple employees.
Strong verbal/written communication skills and interpersonal skills; experience working with a diverse group of customers.
Exceptional presentation skills.
Well-developed organization and time management skills.
Ability to work in a fast-paced, constantly changing office environment where teamwork is essential.
A sound understanding of career counseling and student development, as well as experiential education concepts.
Ability to work well one-on-one and in groups with students and employees.
Demonstrated knowledge of employment trends, issues and skills.
Proven ability developing and facilitating training programs for diverse populations.
Knowledge and proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office.
Proficient in MS Office tools (Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), e-mail and Internet.
Ability to learn new applications quickly including organization-wide information systems and department-specific software applications.
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to effectively provide information and positively respond to questions from both external and internal constituents through multiple modalities.
Ability to analyze data and write routine reports.
Proficient with statistical and financial concepts.
Must have the ability to apply those concepts to tracking, projections, goal setting and interpreting reports.
Must be able to draw conclusions from reports and make cost effective decisions regarding programs.
Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a number of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, verbal, diagram, or schedule form.
Ability to work independently and as a member of a group in developing and executing project plans.
Ability to work in theoretical arena and apply logic as appropriate.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; use fingers, hands, reach with hands and arms; and talk and hear.
The employee is required to sit.
The employee may occasionally be required to stand and lift and move up to twenty-five pounds.
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.

Nice To Haves

Values diversity, equity and inclusion in all that they do.

Responsibilities

Organize events that facilitate the interaction between members of the Hood community and organizations offering employment and/or experiential education opportunities.
Cultivate and maintain relationships with area organizations, civic groups, service agencies, and community leaders to promote Hood College as a resource for employees, interns and volunteers.
Establish regular ties with alumni programs to identify and coordinate appropriate opportunities for alumni to collaborate with students; maintain and expand on-line mentoring network of alumni who are willing to assist students and fellow alumni in career development; cultivate relationships with alumni through individual visits and attendance at alumni events on and off campus; and develop, plan and implement co-sponsored events with Alumni Relations Office (on-campus lectures, networking events, etc.).
Maintain active, ongoing communication with and support for Institutional Research, Student Life, the Graduate School, Admissions, Student Success, and others.
Serve on designated campus committees as needed.
Chair the High-Impact Practice Task Force and oversee the successful execution of the team’s charge.
Oversee the annual P.I.R.E.S. event in collaboration with other campus offices.
Lead, supervise, and/or collaborate with the offices or that oversee on-campus student employment, internship, undergraduate research, and study abroad opportunities for students.
Coordinate the Career Center's outreach and liaison efforts with campus offices and work collaboratively with faculty to identify new experiential education opportunities.
Oversee recruitment of student participants, promotion on campus and in the community, and cultivation of new business/employer partnerships to expand experiential learning opportunities for Hood students.
Partner with faculty and the Office of Alumni Relations to identify and expand opportunities for experiential education through the alumni and/or parent network.
Maintain partner agreements, memberships, and MOU’s as required.
Partner with faculty to support and promote experiential education within the curriculum.
Facilitate assessment practices designed to evaluate experiential learning; ensure comprehensive annual reporting of all outcomes relative to experiential learning
Sponsor faculty and student educational/promotional programs related to experiential education (workshops, best practices, etc.).
Oversee operational and endowed budget lines intended to support high impact experiences for students and faculty.
Advise current students (first year through seniors and graduate students), prospective students, and alumni, on career choice and professional development, experiential education options, major selection, career shifts, resume development, graduate school, networking/informational interviews, job related correspondence, interviewing skills, job search strategies, etc.
Assist Center constituents via appointments, walk in hours, phone, email, etc.
Make referrals to other offices, departments, or resources off campus when appropriate.
Develop and co-present workshops including, but not limited to, resume writing, effective interviewing, job searching, changing careers, career exploration, transitioning to the work world, and marketing liberal arts skills.
Partner with College departments and offices on career related issues and support/co-sponsor relevant programs and services offered by these constituents.
Explain/demonstrate effective use of career-related platforms and library resources.
Oversee ongoing assessment of client
Work with staff, College offices, and constituent groups to determine programming needs for constituent groups.
Supervise staff members in the Career Center and support their ongoing professional development consistent with their roles and responsibilities.
Engage in professional development programs specific to experiential education and high-impact practices (e.g. NSEE, AACU), as well as career development (e.g. NACE), as appropriate.
Share Hood College programs and outcomes at regional and/or national conferences.
Maintain and enhance professional development by continually acquiring knowledge and skills in career development and experiential education by reading literature and attending professional conferences.
Represent Hood College and the Center for Career Development and Experiential Education at campus events, programs, and other activities.