Professional Development Specialist II

The Professional Development Specialist II collaborates to develop and implement the daily operations of the career center. This position supports students and alumni in enhancing their career readiness and successfully navigating the transition to meaningful career paths post-graduation. Additionally, the specialist represents the university at regional and national events, while also providing support at local enrollment initiatives.  

• Conducts individual career coaching sessions, delivers workshop presentations, and administers career assessments to support student career development. 
• Develops and delivers programs focused on specific learning outcomes that enhance student retention, supports timely graduation, and foster informed career decisions and meaningful professional experience. 
• Collaborates, coordinates and promotes field experience internship programs.  Engages in employer outreach by meeting with industry partners and aligning their interests with opportunities to connect with the office, college, and university. 
• Collaborates with faculty to promote career services to students and employers and participates in meetings and events. Plans and executes career-related programs and job fairs, including developing marketing materials and coordinating logistics. Develops marketing initiatives to increase awareness of career services among students, alumni, employers, faculty, and staff. Coordinates the use of career services software systems to support job postings, interview scheduling, and related functions. 
• Coordinates the sourcing, interviewing, hiring, scheduling, and training of student staff. 
• Connects students with campus and community resources beyond traditional career services to address broader needs, supporting the mission of UHD and the Division. Assists at-risk students in identifying realistic and achievable academic paths to promote retention. Actively participates in institutional, divisional, and departmental programs and events, including those held during evenings and weekends. 

• Performs all other duties as assigned
• May provide workshop presentations

Direct Reports:

• Has authority or responsibility for the supervision of student workers 

Delegation of Work:

• Delegates tasks and responsibilities to student employees, ensuring alignment with their roles, skill levels, and developmental goals while providing appropriate guidance and oversight

Supervision Given:

• Provides supervision and guidance to student employees, ensuring task completion, skill development, and adherence to departmental standards

Required Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Counseling, Advising, Higher Education Administration, Social Work, or a related field 

Required Experience:

• Minimum of three (3) years of related job experience

License/Certification:

• None required

• Master’s degree in Counseling, Advising, Higher Education Administration, Social Work or related field.

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of the career coaching and guidance counseling functions in a higher education environment, and of the related trends, issues and accepted practices.   
• Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar 
• Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.  Knowledge of student development theory, techniques and research associated with ensuring the success of diverse student populations.   
• Awareness of employment laws, performance management, and conflict resolution 

Skills:

• Good technical skills, including proficiency in MS Excel and in using CRM systems.   
• Strong attention to detail as well as strong analytical and problem-solving skills.   
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and customer service skills  
• Skills in managing one’s own time and the time of others. Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents. Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job. Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members 
• Skills in completing assignments accurately and with attention to detail   
• Skills in editing documents for correct grammar  
• Skills in communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience   
• Skills in talking to others to convey information effectively  
• Skills in using computer applications including spreadsheet, database and word processing software   
• Skills in public speaking and delivering presentations to individuals and groups 
• Clear, persuasive verbal and written communication skills across all levels 
• Prioritizing tasks and managing competing deadlines 
• Skills in service orientation by actively looking for ways to help people. 

Abilities:

• Ability to use all relevant software and technology platforms or other programs used by the university.   
• Ability to handle sensitive student information.  
• Ability to represent the university professionally.   
• Ability to apply critical thinking; ability to be creative.  
• Ability to effectively communicate with a wide range of individuals and constituencies in a diverse university community.   
• Ability to work under pressure and meet close deadlines   
• Ability to set priorities and complete assignments on time  
• Ability to analyze, organize and prioritize work while meeting multiple deadlines. 
• Ability to analyze and prepare documents, reports, and correspondence   
• Ability to review work for accuracy. Ability to work evenings, nights and weekends as necessary  
• Ability to process and handle confidential information with discretion 
• Ability to develop specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish work 
• Ability to communicate and interact effectively with members of the public  
• Ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences  
• Ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written form 
• Ability to handle difficult and stressful situations with professional composure. 
• Ability to establish and maintain a good rapport with university faculty and staff, students, and the general public  
• Ability to work collaboratively and building strategic relations with colleagues, coworkers, constituents and volunteers 
• Ability to operate personal computers with a general understanding of application software, and an understanding of the Internet. 
• Ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense 
• Ability to engage students and to create and enhance their connection to the institution and each other 
• Ability to work effectively and patiently with students 
• Ability to effectively market the programs and services of the department. 
• Ability to provide support for student development with a demonstrable concern for students. 
• Ability to cultivate trust and collaboration across departments 

Primary Work Location:

• Works in an office environment. 

Physical Demands:

• Work is performed in a typical interior work environment, which does not subject the employee to any unpleasant elements.  
• Individuals have discretion in relation to working, standing, etc., and has minimal exposure to physical risks. 
• Must have precise hand-eye coordination and the ability to identify and distinguish colors.

Commitment to Excellence - UHD

• Demonstrates a commitment to competently perform his/her job duties and responsibilities within established time frames.
• Continuously strives to improve work performance.
• Accepts responsibility for his/her commitments to the university.
• Contributes to the success of the university by consistently providing quality results in the performance of his/her job duties and responsibilities.

Respect and Cooperation

• Treats others with courtesy, respect, and dignity in the workplace.
• Promotes cooperation through open and honest communications and consideration of others ideas, thoughts, and opinions.

Integrity

• Demonstrates high ethical standards of conduct in the performance of his/her job duties and responsibilities.
• Accepts responsibility for his/her actions.
• Respects and complies with department and university policies, procedures, and work rules.

Proficiency

• Possesses required job skills and knowledge.
• Demonstrates the ability to apply those skills and knowledge to competently perform his/her job duties and assignments.

Dependability

• Takes responsibility to accomplish job assignments within reasonable deadlines.
• Willing to accept new projects and/or commitments.
• Does due diligence to complete projects within specified timeframes and/or fulfill commitments.
• Arrives to work on time prepared and ready to contribute.

Flexibility

• Willingly adjusts to changing work assignments or conditions.
• Open to changes in operational procedures, technology, and/or organizational structure.
• Views changes as opportunities for learning and professional development.
• Displays a positive attitude to encourage others.
• Promptly responds to changes in work priorities and/or unexpected circumstances or situations.

Computer/Automated System Proficiency

• Proficient in the use of university applications or automated systems to perform job duties.
• Complies with related policies, procedures, and work rules to maintain system security and data integrity.

Focus on Customer Service

• Focuses on customer's needs and expectations. (Customers can be students, external constituents, employees, or university guests.)
• Respectfully ascertains customer's needs and determines appropriate response.
• Promptly responds by providing requested information, takes appropriate action, or refers customer to appropriate individual or department.
• If further actions need to be taken, advises customers of realistic timeframes for a response to their request.
• Follows up with customers on outstanding requests in a timely manner.
• Tactfully explains to customers why their needs and/or expectations cannot be met if the university does not provide the requested information or services.

Problem Solving

• Formulates plans and strategies to proactively resolve anticipated problems.
• Prudently responds to unforeseen problems through careful consideration and analysis of problem and relevant information and circumstances.
• Recognizes and apprises appropriate university administrator when resolution requires senior management input and/or approval.

Work Leadership

• Leads the work of assigned staff. 
• Assigns projects and tasks with clear instructions and understanding of work to be performed. 
• Mentors and guides by sharing expertise, knowledge of work rules and procedures, and best practices  
• Follows up to ensure tasks and projects are completed within reasonable timeframes.

Instruction/Training 

• Demonstrates the ability to orally convey the subject or message clearly and concisely to the intended audience.  
• Generates interest and enthusiasm in the subject or message from the participants.  
• Responds to participants’ reactions or comments and adjusts delivery style and/or format of presentation as needed.  
• Possesses a thorough understanding of the subject or topic to provide practical responses to questions or issues.  
• Displays applicable visuals and provides appropriate written materials to support the presentation.

Student Success Direct Support

• Assists and/or advises students and/or prospective students with academic plans and course selection, financial options, career plans, and/or student opportunities.
• Contributes to student success through careful monitoring of student progress within caseload.
• Promotes student success through regular and persistent outreach to student caseload.
• Provides encouragement and guidance to foster student success.
• Shares relevant knowledge and insight to apprise students of programs and services available to them.
• Listens and responds to student requests and concerns with patience and understanding.
• Treats students with respect.