Job Description

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.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities Other duties may be assigned

Employer & Center Outreach Activities (40%)

1. Organize events that facilitate the interaction between members of the Hood community and organizations offering employment and/or experiential education opportunities.
2. 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.
3. 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.).
4. Maintain active, ongoing communication with and support for Institutional Research, Student Life, the Graduate School, Admissions, Student Success, and others.
5. Serve on designated campus committees as needed.

Experiential Education Oversight (40%)

1. Chair the High-Impact Practice Task Force and oversee the successful execution of the team’s charge.
2. Oversee the annual P.I.R.E.S. event in collaboration with other campus offices.
3. Lead, supervise, and/or collaborate with the offices or that oversee on-campus student employment, internship, undergraduate research, and study abroad opportunities for students.
4. Coordinate the Career Center's outreach and liaison efforts with campus offices and work collaboratively with faculty to identify new experiential education opportunities.
5. 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.
6. Partner with faculty and the Office of Alumni Relations to identify and expand opportunities for experiential education through the alumni and/or parent network.
7. Maintain partner agreements, memberships, and MOU’s as required.
8. Partner with faculty to support and promote experiential education within the curriculum.
9. Facilitate assessment practices designed to evaluate experiential learning; ensure comprehensive annual reporting of all outcomes relative to experiential learning
10. Sponsor faculty and student educational/promotional programs related to experiential education (workshops, best practices, etc.).
11. Oversee operational and endowed budget lines intended to support high impact experiences for students and faculty.

Career Development Services (10%)

1. 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.
2. Assist Center constituents via appointments, walk in hours, phone, email, etc.
3. Make referrals to other offices, departments, or resources off campus when appropriate.
4. 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.
5. Partner with College departments and offices on career related issues and support/co-sponsor relevant programs and services offered by these constituents.
6. Explain/demonstrate effective use of career-related platforms and library resources.
7. Oversee ongoing assessment of client Work with staff, College offices, and constituent groups to determine programming needs for constituent groups.

Supervisory and Professional Development (10%)

1. Supervise staff members in the Career Center and support their ongoing professional development consistent with their roles and responsibilities.
2. 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).
3. As appropriate, share Hood College programs and outcomes at regional and/or national conferences.

Must be available to perform other duties as assigned, including:

1. Maintain and enhance professional development by continually acquiring knowledge and skills in career development and experiential education by reading literature and attending professional conferences.
2. Represent Hood College and the Center for Career Development and Experiential Education at campus events, programs, and other activities.

Office hours are Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Occasional evening and weekend hours may be required for outreach, programming and recruitment events.

Must be willing to perform essential duties on campus and outside of the office for outreach, education events and activities.

Travel for recruitment, networking, and professional development may be required.

Qualifications

We seek a candidate who values diversity, equity and inclusion in all that they do. Candidates must have strong organizational skills and a proven ability to work collaboratively with partners across campus in support of Hood College’s mission as a student-centered, liberal arts institution.

To perform this job successfully, the individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Education and/or Experience Requirements/Qualifications

• 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.

Technology Skills

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.

Language Skills

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.

Mathematical Skills

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.

Reasoning Ability

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.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate, and could include interaction with other staff, students, and the public, telephones, and other office equipment.

Compensation

This is a position with an annual starting salary range of $63,000 to $70,000 depending on circumstances including an applicant’s skills and qualifications, certain degrees and certifications, prior job experience, training, and other relevant factors. Hood College has provided a compensation range representing its good faith estimate of what the College may pay for the position at the time of posting. The College may ultimately pay more or less than the posted compensation range. Hood College offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, vision, retirement, paid time off, and tuition benefits. Learn more about Hood College

To Apply

We invite qualified candidates to apply online via our electronic application which requires submission of a cover letter, resumé and three professional references.

If you need assistance with the online application process, please email humanresources@hood.edu or call (301) 696-3592.

Hood College does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, marital status, pregnancy, disability, religion, or age in recruitment, admission and access to, or treatment, or employment in its programs, services, benefits, or activities as required by applicable laws including Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and complies with the law regarding reasonable accommodation for disabled applicants and students. Inquiries about discrimination or reasonable accommodation should be referred to the Coordinator for Title IX, Alumnae Hall, 401 Rosemont Avenue, Frederick, MD 21701 (AD 308), (301) 696-3123. For complete information on Hood College's nondiscrimination policy, please visit http://www.hood.edu/non-discrimination/.