Director of Career Development

Career Development Center
Job #542498
Close Date: Thursday, October 24, 2024

At Cal Poly Humboldt, bold hearts and open minds shape the future.

Founded in 1913, Cal Poly Humboldt began as a small college for teachers. Today Humboldt has grown into a comprehensive university with rigorous science and liberal arts programs. Designated a polytechnic in 2022, Cal Poly Humboldt provides hands-on, impactful educational opportunities that lead to meaningful, measurable outcomes for the individual, for the state, and the world.

Cal Poly Humboldt is proud to have over 6,000 students of all backgrounds spread across 61 majors, 13 graduate programs, and 4 credential programs — all of whom contribute passion and creativity within their fields and set the stage for a future grounded in equity and sustainability. Hands-on learning, inspired teaching, ground-breaking research, and thought-provoking creative activity happen daily at Humboldt.

Cal Poly Humboldt is a Hispanic-Serving Institution that strives to foster an inclusive and equitable community to support our students of diverse backgrounds. We are committed to achieving the goals of equal opportunity and endeavors to employ faculty and staff of the highest quality committed to working in a multicultural and multiracial community that reflects the diversity of the state.

Finding a better future is a task for the bold and open, the down-to-earth and visionary. Cal Poly Humboldt strives to cultivate these qualities in leaders, innovators, and scholars in every field.

(Job #542498) Administrator II, Director of Career Development, Salary Range: $5,053 - $16,221 monthly. Hiring Range: $7,500 - $7,917 monthly. This is a full-time, benefited, exempt, 12-month pay plan position in Department the Career Development Center. This position is an Administrator II in the California State University Management Personnel Plan (MPP). Under this plan, incumbents are subject to normal management reviews and serve at the pleasure of the University President. Additional information can be found at: http://www.calstate.edu/HRAdm/policies/mpp.shtml. This position comes with a premium benefits package that includes outstanding vacation, medical, dental, and vision plans, life insurance, voluntary pre-tax health and dependent care reimbursement accounts, a fee waiver education program, membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), and 14 paid holidays per year. Additional benefits information can be found at https://hraps.humboldt.edu/employee-benefits.

Position Summary:

The Director of Career Development is responsible for the advancement of the Career Development Center to ensure that the most innovative efforts are implemented to assist students and alumni in their career planning and development. The Director, reporting to the Vice President for Enrollment Management & Student Success, develops strategies, goals and initiatives for Career Development and leads the execution of strategic priorities that support the SEM Plan and institutional priorities. The Executive Director provides visionary leadership and strategic and tactical oversight to the Career Development Center and its team of highly qualified professional staff to ensure the career preparation and readiness of all Cal Poly Humboldt students, and recent alumni. The Director collaborates closely with academic colleges, academic advising, EMSS colleagues, Place-based Learning Communities, the Center for Community-based Learning, and the Forever Humboldt Alumni Office, in implementing and executing an integrated and sequenced career and professional preparedness plan for Cal Poly Humboldt students. The Director will play a significant and visible role in moving Humboldt’s strategic and operational initiatives forward by building relationships across the institution as an innovative and trusted partner. A vibrant university career center is essential to our polytechnic transformation and student success, and this Director will lead in developing that future-oriented Career Development unit.

Key Responsibilities:

30% - Strategic Vision & Leadership

• Provide strategic, tactical, and operation oversight to the Career Development Center including overall planning, organization, and direction of the Center and all its services; as well as conceptualization, development, and implementation of programs and services to meet the needs of students, alumni, and employers.
• Establish Center’s short-and long-range goals and guide strategic themes that align with the University SEM Plan and Strategic Plan.
• Work with VP EMSS to ensure Career Center is supporting the campus’ strategic efforts to embed a career focus throughout the student lifecycle, by supporting stakeholders with the integration of career readiness experiences into academic and co-curricular programs.
• Develop new or enhance existing career development opportunities for Cal Poly Humboldt students, intentionally increasing touchpoints throughout the student lifecycle and opportunities for career experience, such as enhanced internship opportunities, job shadowing, and similar experiences.
• Continuously strengthen relationships and communication with faculty, campus leadership, campus departments, and student clubs and organizations to achieve the goal of offering a comprehensive program of career and professional development for students and recent alums, including education, career advising, access to internships, and connections with employers and alumni.
• Establish and maintain effective network/relationships with business, industry, government, educational, and community leaders, and lead the effort to develop career and professional opportunities for Cal Poly Humboldt students.

20% - Data Collection & Program Evaluation

•  Collaborate with Institutional Research to collect, analyze, and share data broadly to support career outcomes, including the possibility of joining the First Destination survey at a CSU system level, and create a culture of career-focused data awareness at Humboldt.
• Ensure the collection of statistics relating to the use of the Career Development Center, such as job listings, referrals, and placements for both employment and graduate/professional school acceptance. Use data to support strategic decision-making regarding resource allocation and service and program delivery.
• Ensure that levels of student, faculty, staff, and employer satisfaction with various programs and services are analyzed, and the results are used to identify patterns and trends to optimize overall resource effectiveness and program adjustments, particularly in comparison with peer institutions and best practices for career education and services.
• Ensure a culture of continuous improvement exists in the Career Development Center, and data-driven strategic planning and decision-making is conducted.
• Partner across campus to tell the story of successful Career Development support for Humboldt students and alums, including the incorporation of career-focused data in enrollment, outreach, and publicity efforts.

20% - Staff Development & Oversight

• Provide oversight to the professional and student staff of the Career Development Center and provide timely and meaningful performance evaluations.
• Oversee the management and continued growth of professional and student staff. Foster an environment that allows individuals to progress and develop as professionals.
• Support and enhance professional roles that align with colleges and industry to provide programs and support with recognized value by students, faculty, staff, alumni, parents, community partners, and employers.

15% - Stakeholder Engagement

• With Center staff and campus stakeholders, increase employer outreach and on-campus engagement opportunities with an overall goal of increasing access to diverse internship and employment opportunities for Cal Poly Humboldt students.
• With Center staff and campus stakeholders, evaluate and support existing activities and technology tools and identify new career readiness engagement opportunities, such as career fairs & expos, meet-ups, mentoring initiatives, networking events, and career panels. Create an intentional employer model that brings employers directly to the students and into the classroom.
• Collaborate with University Advancement to identify potential corporate partnerships and development opportunities to support career development initiatives and programs.
• Partner with the Forever Humboldt Alumni Office to identify potential alumni-led employer connections for students and the eventual development of an alumni mentoring program.
• Enhance advancement and employer engagement potential by serving as a visible leader who proactively develops relationships with campus partners and external employers and industry stakeholders.

10% - Administration, Technology & Operations

• Oversee operation with multiple technological functions critical to career services including website, online job listing service (Handshake), employer information, VMock, and other data collection systems.
• Develop ongoing awareness of trends related to new technologies and tools in the field of career development and readiness, identifying technology solutions to help the Career Development Center create equitable student impact at scale.
• Work closely with VP EMSS to develop annual budget requests directly linked to department goals and university strategic efforts. Annually review existing goals, conduct appropriate benchmarking, and establish new goals and strategies consistent with university goals and objectives.
• Generate revenue to offset departmental operating expenses through job fairs, sponsorships, and similar initiatives.

5% - Other Duties as Assigned

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Associated with this Position Include:

• Demonstrated ability to lead, manage, and supervise a diverse staff in a dynamic environment that requires the department and staff members to adapt to change processes, practices, and initiatives.
• Ability to involve others in the decision-making process, foster effective faculty/staff relations, and provide strong team leadership.
• Demonstrated ability to engage in strategic planning to ensure the most effective and efficient delivery of programs and services.
• Ability to learn university policies and procedures, and state & federal laws, and Chancellor’s Office Executive Orders; coupled with a sufficiently deep understanding of how such policies and procedures interact to inform decisions regarding policy interpretations and implementations.
• Understanding of and the ability to apply the change process, lead, and guide members of the department individually and collectively; and ability to apply future thinking and planning concepts to create department vision, mission, goals, and objectives.
• Ability to work effectively with faculty, technical and non-technical management and professional support staff, as well as student staff.
• Ability to develop an environment that promotes partnership and transparency with other organizations.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate, foster positive and cooperative relationships with students, staff, faculty, and others.
• Demonstrated ability to problem solve, generate viable options, and identify appropriate solutions; and ability to listen to differing viewpoints, see multiple perspectives of a conflict and provide effective conflict resolution skills.
• Strong student-centered approach, sensitivity to diversity, integrity, and passion for working in a learning centered environment.
• Familiarity with career-related technologies and software including systems for service delivery, record keeping, and reporting purposes.
• Knowledge of innovative career services practices and trends, career development theories, recruitment and employment trends, and job and internship search techniques and tools.
• Ability to work in an environment with a wide range of people representing various interests and perspectives.

Minimum Qualifications:

1. Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in Education, Business, Communications, Counseling, or related field.
2. At least two (2) years of progressively responsible supervisory/leadership experience
3. At least three (3) years of experience working in career or advising services at a college or university.
4. At least five (5) years of student services program experience in a higher education environment, or similar organization.

Preferred Qualifications:

1. Master’s degree in higher education administration, human resources, counseling, communications, business, or a similar field.
2. Experience managing a university Career Development Center.
3. Knowledge of the CSU and relevant policies and procedures

Application Procedure: To apply, qualified candidates must electronically submit the following materials by clicking the Apply Now button:

• Letter of Interest
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• Contact information for at least three professional references

Application Deadline: The deadline to submit application materials is 11:55 p.m. on Thursday, October 24, 2024.

Any inquiries about this recruitment can be directed to careers@humboldt.edu or Cal Poly Humboldt’s Human Resources Office at (707) 826-3626.

We acknowledge that Cal Poly Humboldt is located on the unceded lands of the Wiyot people, where they have resided from time immemorial. We encourage all to gain a deeper understanding of their history and thriving culture. As an expression of our gratitude we are genuinely committed to developing trusting, reciprocal, and long lasting partnerships with the Wiyot people as well as all of our neighboring tribes. Cal Poly Humboldt was the first campus in the California State University system to offer a stand-alone major in Native American Studies.

Cal Poly Humboldt is committed to enriching its educational environment and its culture through the diversity of its staff, faculty, and administration. Persons with interest and experience in helping organizations set and achieve goals relative to diversity and inclusion are especially encouraged to apply.

Working in the state of California is a condition of employment for this position. Even if part or all of an employee's assignment can be performed remotely, the employee must maintain a permanent residence in the state of California. The employee must be able to accept on-campus work assignment, as assigned, and come to campus when needed.

CSU strongly recommends that all individuals who access any in-person program or activity (on- or off-campus) operated or controlled by the University follow COVID-19 vaccine recommendations adopted by the U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) applicable to their age, medical condition, and other relevant indications and comply with other safety measure established by each campus. The systemwide policy can be found at CSU Vaccination Policy and any questions you have may be submitted to hr@humboldt.edu.

Cal Poly Humboldt hires only individuals lawfully authorized to work in the United States. This position may be considered a “Campus Security Authority”, pursuant to the Clery Act, and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1107 a condition of employment.

CAL POLY HUMBOLDT IS NOT A SPONSORING AGENCY FOR STAFF OR MANAGEMENT POSITIONS (e.g. H1-B VISAS)

Evidence of required degree(s), certification(s), or license(s) is required prior to the appointment date. Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check, employment verification, and education verification) is required for employment. Cal Poly Humboldt will issue a contingent offer of employment to the selected candidate, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or if it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information.  Certain positions may also require a credit check, motor vehicle report, and/or fingerprinting through Live Scan service. Failure to satisfactorily complete or adverse findings from a background check may affect the employment status of candidates or continued employment of current CSU employees who are being considered for the position.

This position is a “designated position” in the California State University’s Conflict of Interest Code. The successful candidate accepting this position is required to file Conflict of Interest forms subject to the regulations of the Fair Political Practices Commission.” In reference to the full disclosure letter, please refer to HR 2010-08.

Cal Poly Humboldt is committed to achieving the goals of equal opportunity and endeavors to employ faculty and staff of the highest quality reflecting the ethnic and cultural diversity of the state. Additional information about Cal Poly Humboldt can be found at www.humboldt.edu.

Cal Poly Humboldt is a Title IX/Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer. We consider qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, medical condition, disability, marital status, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected status.  Mandated Reporting: This position may be considered a “mandated reporter” under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

Additionally, all CSU staff and faculty receive training annually on their obligations in responding to and reporting incidents of sexual harassment and sexual violence. You will be notified by email when you are required to take this mandated training.

Class Code: 3312
Publication Date: October 3, 2024