Career Specialist: Equity Partnerships and Programming

If you have any questions about the position or our application process, reach out to us at recruiting-u@smith.edu.

Job Summary

The Career Specialist: Equity Partnerships and Programming serves as a campus educator aimed at scaling and maintaining diverse student engagement in career education programming. The person in this role will cultivate partnerships with campus unity organizations, with first generation, low-income, and DACA/undocumented student groups and with campus staff to ensure students are equitably supported in the initiatives and programming provided by the Lazarus Center. In addition, the person in this role will provide individual career advising to students across academic fields, and will plan and facilitate group programming in support of students' career exploration, social capital building and readiness to pursue experiential and post-graduation opportunities. This is a two year fixed term position.

Essential Functions

• Build and maintain partnerships with unity organizations to identify and implement programming that supports student career exploration opportunities and career mobility.
• Collaborate with the Office of Multicultural Affairs, the Office of Equity and Inclusion, the International Students Office and other relevant offices to promote and co-create programming that will enhance student access to and participation in career development workshops, alum panels and other events. Scale initiatives focused on equitable access, such as programs to support international, undocumented, and DACA students.
• Partner with the Offices of Institutional Research and Equity and Inclusion to develop and implement strategies for scaled engagement of first generation and/or low income (FGLI) students in year one, targeting 100% of FGLI student engagement in at least one Lazarus Center workshop or advising session.
• Lead orientation programming and First Year Experience sessions.
• Conduct regular tabling and outreach activities at venues across campus to ensure visibility and engage students outside of the Lazarus Center.

Career Education and Student Support (30%):

• Advise students with regard to career exploration, job searching, and strengths/values identification in individual and group sessions.
• Educate students about best practices in networking/social capital development; review students' resumes and cover letters; offer effective interviewing resources.
• Encourage student preparation and skill-building through participation in strengths-based self-assessment, mentoring connections, industry education, and experiential learning opportunities. Participate in professional development opportunities as requested.
• In particular, receive training on the Career Launch curriculum and lead one cohort learning experience based on this method annually in J-term.

Other Functions

Data and Team Support (10%):

• Routinely enter data and support survey collection to support equity analysis of career engagement and learning outcomes over time.
• Driven by analysis of equity and access gaps, support the team as needed by filling in advising and/or programming gaps and taking direction on evolving strategic priorities.
• Support the peer adviser team in drop-in advising and workshop delivery and co-lead sessions with the peer advisers.
• Support digital engagement efforts through newsletter and social media posts, commenting, and sharing.

All employees are expected to participate in the College's efforts to create a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming work environment.

Minimum Qualifications (knowledge, skills, education, experience, certifications, licenses):

• Bachelors degree and 3-5 years experience as a student leader, organizer, adviser or related role
• Experience in inclusive program design and implementation
• Career education skills with ability to understand diverse students' needs and concerns
• Self-directed, outcome-oriented, and detail-oriented
• Strong research, analytical, and problem-solving skills
• Excellent interpersonal, and written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to partner with units across campus and manage projects across teams
• Success working both independently and collaboratively
• Occasional travel (internship sites) and evening/weekend work (student-facing workshops)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's Degree in a relevant field
• Familiarity with the Career Launch curriculum

Skills

Familiar with Google suite, including basic spreadsheet and data analysis. General knowledge of CRM platform management, with a preference for knowledge of career education platforms such as Handshake, Vault, or PeopleGrove. Understanding of equity and inclusion issues in higher education and knowledge of best practices in career development for undergraduate liberal arts students. Participates in a collaborative approach, making recommendations to management to establish program vision and goals, and overall guidelines/procedures/policies for the center.

This is a two year fixed term position.

Review of applications will begin

Position Type:

Located in Northampton, MA, Smith College is one of the largest women's colleges in the country and is dedicated to excellence in teaching and research across the liberal arts. A faculty of outstanding scholars interact with students in small classes, as advisors, and through student-faculty research projects. The College is a member of the Five College Consortium with Amherst, Hampshire and Mt. Holyoke Colleges, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst.Students cross-enroll and faculty cross-teach across the Five Colleges.

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 151B, it is the policy of Smith College to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact our recruiting team at recruiting-u@smith.edu.

As set forth in our mission and values, Smith College is committed to promoting a culture of equity and inclusion among students, staff and faculty. The College will not discriminate in employment on the basis of age, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, genetic information, age, veteran status, physical or mental disability, or any other classification protected by law. Smith College is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all state and federal laws that prohibit discrimination.