Director of Career Development

Westcliff University•Tustin, CA

7d•$95,000 - $103,000

About The Position

Western State College of Law at Westcliff University (WSCL) seeks a Director of Career Development to support career counseling, outreach, and professional development programming for law students and alumni. The Director works closely with the Assistant Dean to develop and implement career strategies, programs, employer relationships, and services covering both traditional and alternative career paths. The position includes individual career counseling, reviewing application materials, conducting mock interviews, supporting career research and self-assessment, and helping students identify and communicate their strengths. The Director also develops relationships with employers and legal organizations, collaborates with students, alumni, faculty, administrators, and regional law school career services offices, and contributes to databases, employment data collection, job postings, reports, and initiatives to improve job placement outcomes. WSCL is located in Tustin, California. The school describes its commitment to workplaces and learning environments free from discrimination on protected bases and emphasizes empowering students and employees through education and hard work.

Requirements

Juris Doctor degree.
Bar license from any state.
Three to five years of experience in a law school career services office, judicial clerkship, law firm, or another legal work setting.
Demonstrated transferable knowledge and skills in career services if recent employment is not directly related to the position's duties.
Demonstrated project management experience and the ability to address diverse problems, define relevant issues, draw sound conclusions, and make responsible programming decisions.

Responsibilities

Work with the Assistant Dean to develop and implement career counseling, outreach, and programming strategies for law students and alumni, covering traditional and alternative career and professional development.
Develop and deliver career and professional development programs for students and alumni.
Support large-scale programs, including assessing individual attorney qualifications for program fit.
Research and evaluate employment trends and systemic factors, and recommend effective strategies for students and graduates to engage with prospective employers and legal communities.
Develop employer contacts and expand legal employment opportunities through participation in bar associations, Inns of Court, legal recruiter associations, and consortia; meet or communicate with prospective employers.
Pursue joint programs with student leaders, alumni, faculty, bar associations, and local and regional legal communities, and coordinate cooperative programs, job fairs, and conferences with Southern California ABA law school career services offices.
Serve as a liaison between the Career Services Office and student organizations.
Counsel individual law students on career planning and job searches, including alternative and non-traditional opportunities, and recommend services appropriate to their needs.
Review resumes and cover letters, conduct mock interviews, and assist students with interview preparation, professional skills development, career research, and career options.
Provide self-assessment counseling and help students highlight strengths in their application materials.
Participate in employer outreach and career services administration, including data collection and job postings.
Collaborate with the Assistant Dean of Career Services and other administrators to maintain an interactive database and other career services databases and online presence for students and graduates.
Partner with Career Services Office staff on job placement initiatives, employment data tracking and collection, employer outreach, and student and graduate engagement.
Assist with reports and responses to surveys and questionnaires, including those from U.S. News and Princeton Review.