Career Consultant - Career Connections Center-Houston

TITLE

Career Consultant

JOB SUMMARY 

Provides specialized individual and group career counseling, consulting and advising in an effort to assist students in developing the competencies required to become informed about their choice of a major, career options, opportunities related to their personal and professional objectives, and to make informed decisions concerning career goals. Utilize career development and student development theories to design, deliver, and evaluate services such as consulting, career assessments, presentations and workshops, industry programs, career education literature and handouts, and learning activities.  Liaises and collaborates with senior stakeholders including faculty, administration, staff, employees, and students / student groups on special programming initiatives. The position serves as a liaison between the Career Connections Center and college administrators, faculty and students in the assigned college(s) and is expected to work collaboratively with Academic Advising and the Pioneer Center for Student Excellence. This position is normally focused on one of five colleges/schools and is expected to become an expert in career and employment opportunities for a segment of the TWU population. Gathers and synthesizes workforce and labor market information and liaise with local, regional, and national employers to gain insight into industry, hiring needs, and expand career and internship opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students, and alumni.  The incumbent must show initiative, enthusiasm, and dedication to helping students reach their career goals, work independently, and be able to effectively interact with faculty and administrators. Work is performed under general supervision and performance evaluation is based upon completion of assignments and results obtained. Performance evaluation is conducted through the performance evaluation system and in accordance with the University Policies & Procedures.

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS

Reports to:     Senior Associate Director Career Education

Supervises:   May supervise undergraduate and graduate interns

ESSENTIAL DUTIES - May include, but not limited to the following:

• Providesindividual and group career counseling and advising.

• Recommends, administers, and interprets standardized career assessment inventories, including but not limited to: FOCUS2, MBTI, Strong Interest Inventory, card sorts, etc. 

• Providesoccupational information.

• Developsand presents workshops, programming and occupational information to various audiences, including employers.

• Performs operations of Handshake, the Center’s online job/internship search resource including approving uploaded student resumes and writing/updating articles.

• Develops and maintains industry technical knowledge and operations, with regard to programs including but not limited to: Handshake, FOCUS2, OptimalResume, Blackboard, Canvas, and social media (LinkedIn).

• Attends peer staff meetings, trainings, and occasional off-campus training/workshops throughout the year.  Participation in external professional associations is necessary.

• Conducts research on trends in career development and workplace readiness, and apply knowledge of learning strategies and techniques to help create appropriate, cutting edge programs and content.

• Develops curriculum for and conducts career development related workshops and class presentations. 

• Markets and implements career related programs and gathers data to analyze program effectiveness.

• Designs and updates career-related handouts, tip sheets, worksheets, and presentation (in-person and online) to facilitate career education. 

• Evaluates and determines validity of online resources for Center.

• Updates staff on activities and issues.

• Works collaboratively with faculty and staff in all areas of the university.

• Acts as aliaisonto one or more colleges and provides reports on activities and program outcomes.

• Assists with annual Career Fairs and Career Networking Receptions, and other program/events as necessary.   

• May work remotely in Dallas or Houston.

• May develop and maintain web page informationfor career counseling/advising topics.

• Maintains effectivecommunicationand provides high qualitycustomerserviceto students, faculty, staff, and employers.

• Creates effectivemarketing strategies/materialsto increaseparticipation in Career Connections Center initiatives.

• Participates in the  development  and  delivery  of  departmental  and  Student  Life  Division initiatives and assist other staff with implementingprogramming.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES

• Performs other duties as requested.

EDUCATION 

Master’s degree in Higher Education or related field strongly preferred. Bachelor’s degree in Higher Education or related field required.

EXPERIENCE

One year of experience in the field of Higher Education with preference in Career Services.

REQUIREMENT

Regular and reliable attendance at the University during regular scheduled days and work hours is an essential function of this position.  

All employees share the responsibility of maintaining information security and privacy requirements within the university by adhering to Federal and State regulations, and TWU Policies & Procedures.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES - The following are essential:

• Advanced knowledge of career development theories, coaching, career decision making, learning styles, and job search techniques.

• Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; and learning and motivation.

• Knowledge of needs assessment theory, processes, and practice, workshop and program design.

• Knowledge of print and online career resources.

• Advanced knowledge of industry and job market trends.

• Advanced knowledge of LinkedIn and other social media tools.

• Ability to work collaboratively with colleges and schools, the Pioneer Center for Student Excellence, and student life units. 

• Ability to work autonomously and as a team-oriented individual that isable to work evenings and weekends as needed.

• Ability to provide and analyze statistical data forperiodicand end of year reporting.

• Ability and familiarity with computerapplications in a career services setting.

• Ability to  organize  work  effectively,  conceptualize  and  prioritize  objectives  and  exercise independent judgment based on an understanding of organizational policies.

• Ability to establish andmaintain effective workrelations with students, faculty, staff,and the public.

• Ability to communicate effectively orally, by phone, electronically, in person, and in writing.

• Ability and willingness to occasionally travel on behalf of TWU and Career Connections Center.

• Understanding of social media for communication with students.

• Ability to use a personal computer and other office equipment, including university related software and email. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described in the Essential Duties and below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

The employee may be required to travel.

WORK ENVIRONMENT 

All employees are responsible for maintaining an environment that is free from discrimination, intimidation, harassment, including sexual harassment. Work is normally performed in a typical interior work environment.

SAFETY

TWU promotes a safe working environment. Employees are responsible for completing assigned tasks safely and efficiently, and supervisors are responsible for creating and maintaining a safe work environment. Employees must report any unsafe work conditions or practices, as well as any near-miss incidents, to their supervisor and Risk Management. Supervisors and employees should ensure that injury/accident reports are submitted to the Office of Human Resources and Risk Management within 24 hours of the incident.

Texas Woman’s University, an AA/EEO employer, provides equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected category, class or characteristic.

All offers of employment will be contingent on the candidate’s ability to provide documents which establish proof of identity and eligibility to work in the United States. Positions at Texas Woman’s University deemed security-sensitive require background checks and verification of all academic credentials.

If you are a male between the age of 18 and 25, federal law requires that you must be registered with the U.S. Selective Service System, unless you meet certain exemptions under Selective Service law. Under HB 558, enacted by the 76th Texas State Legislature, if you are currently of the age and gender requiring registration with Selective Service, but knowingly and willfully fail to do so, you are ineligible for employment with an agency in any branch of Texas state government.  For additional information regarding registration or status, you can contact the Selective Service System at 847-688-6888 or www.sss.gov.

TWU is the nation’s largest university system focused on women and a federally recognized Hispanic-Serving Institution. TWU is situated approximately 30 miles north of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex and is home to approximately 16,433 graduate and undergraduate students across three campuses; Denton, Dallas, and Houston respectively. This diverse academic student community is guided by faculty committed to excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service. TWU is ranked among the nation’s top ethnically diverse institutions according to U.S. News & World Report (2022).

Additional information about the University is available at http://www.twu.edu