Career Specialist, School of Engineering (On-Site)

The University of California, Merced is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience. The full salary range for this position is $70,200 - $127,400. The hiring department reasonably anticipates offering a salary not to exceed $75,000 annually.

Remote/Hybrid eligibility: This position is fully on-site

Initial applicant review will begin on or around February 3rd, 2025. Posting will remain open until filled.

A Statement of Contributions to Diversity and Inclusion will be required from all finalists. For information on writing this statement, click on https://hr.ucmerced.edu/hr-units/talent-acquisition/contributions-diversity-statement.

The University of California, Merced, is the newest of the University of California system's 10 campuses and the first American research university built in the 21st century. With more than 9,000 undergraduate and graduate students, UC Merced offers an environment that combines a commitment to diversity, inclusion, collaboration and professional development. With bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs, strong research and academic partnerships, and community involvement, the UC Merced campus is continually evolving and requires talented, knowledgeable and dynamic educators, researchers, management and staff.

Ranked among the best public universities in the nation by U.S. News and World Report, UC Merced is uniquely equipped to provide educational opportunities for highly qualified students from the San Joaquin Valley and throughout California. The campus enjoys a special connection with nearby Yosemite National Park, is on the cutting edge of sustainability in construction and design and supports the economic development of Merced and the region.

The Merced 2020 Project, a $1.3 billion public-private partnership unprecedented in higher education and completed in 2020, nearly doubled the physical capacity of the campus, enhancing academic distinction, student success and research excellence. UC Merced also operates the Downtown Campus Center, a $33 million, three-story administrative building located in the heart of Merced.

The university's mission of educational excellence and rigorous inquiry is powered by three schools and numerous research institutes and centers that seek scientific and social solutions for the Valley, California and the world. In partnership with UC San Francisco, UC Merced is preparing the way for a rigorous medical education program.

The course of UC Merced's evolution is piloted by a long-range strategic plan. Enacted in 2021, the 10-year blueprint is guiding how the values of equity and justice influence our pathway to earning Carnegie R1 research status, growing enrollment, upholding our identity as a minority-serving institution, and operationalizing how commitments to equity, diversity and inclusion are enacted in each campus unit.

The Career Specialist for the School of Engineering provides student professional development activities and implements career readiness education, such as internships, career development programs, and employer engagement in order to support and facilitate the academic, professional and personal development of students within the School of Engineering. The core responsibility of this role is to provide career readiness programming and career coaching to students and alumni, including assessment of student/alumni goals and interests, resume review, interview preparation, networking techniques, self-branding and effective job/internship search tactics to ensure market- and employer-readiness. This position uses coaching techniques and conducts practice interviews (behavioral and technical). This position also plays an integral role in the design, delivery and management of career and professional development programs, seminars and sessions (online and in-person), in order to educate Engineering students on effective career management, and also assists with the collection and reporting of statistics on student employment outcomes. Additional responsibilities include providing relevant market insight to students, participating in career services events, and creating, developing, and maintaining relationships with industry-specific contacts. This position may also develop, deliver, and evaluate career development programs to build foundational career skills of students and alumni. This position reports to the Director, Employer Connections and Internships in the Center for Career & Professional Advancement.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Designs and delivers career programming, expert facilitation, presentations and direct service to enhance student career readiness throughout the student experience. Develops programs and interventions to assist students (first year through graduate students) in developing career pathways including self efficacy & career identity, employability skills, and professional brand development, networking, reflection and interviewing skills, project based, practical and applied experience and job search success.
• Integrates programming experiences for Engineering students into the academic and broader student experience with a focus on providing context for culturally diverse first generation students at a growing research university. Consults and builds collaborative partnerships with academic department leaders, key faculty, student affairs and advising staff.
• Develops, oversees and incorporates career readiness initiatives as part of a broad and complex campus and external community. Convenes alumni, community professionals and employers in the career exploration, professional development and advancement of students from first year to graduate students and alumni. Develops and facilitates unique career exploration and professional development platforms such as career meet ups, virtual sessions, panels and employer treks. Researches and develops online content delivery methods and collaborates in professional skills course design development with faculty and staff where needed.
• Provides expertise on experiential education models and guides, monitors, and supports students pursuing and completing internships or practical/applied experiences. This includes on-campus internships as well as off-campus internships and digital badges.
• Establishes a robust strategic communication, outreach strategy, and referral network with engineering academic units, key faculty, professional student organizations, academic advisors, and campus collaborators. Develops creative, relevant, and scalable strategies to inform, coach, motivate, and engage engineering students in building and pursuing their career pathways. Oversees the delivery of broad and highly complex career-focused programs and events that incorporate the needs of organization partners/constituents.
• Creates and implements strategic communication strategies to inform campus stakeholders of trending career readiness competencies, job market dynamics and relevant pre and post graduate opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students.
• Constructs and administers program assessment to determine learning outcomes and track student engagement in services along with internship and employment and/or graduate school outcomes. Uses data in program design and decision making. Develops reports from that data as requested by the Schools, Director and Executive Director.
• Develops thorough knowledge of career program technical and information systems, processes and protocols.
• As a professional member of the Office of Leadership Service and Career and directly serving the School of Engineering, supports broader team and campus initiatives related to student success, advising, campus community collaboration, equity, and access. Manages projects/events and performs other duties as assigned.
• Provides content expertise as appropriate in support of key initiatives within the School of Engineering.
• Research, identify and outreach to employers offering internship and employment options well aligned with the interests, knowledge and skills of UC Merced Engineering students and alumni.
• Facilitate employer information sessions during on campus and virtual visits and develop in-depth knowledge of organizations and opportunities available to students in Computer Science Engineering, Mechanical, Environmental, Civil, BioEngineering, Materials Science and related disciplines. Make recommendations to employer relations team for new organizations to engage on behalf of UC Merced students.
• Plan and facilitate student introductions and referrals to employers of interest, facilitate student preparation for job and internship applications and assist in marketing engineering students and graduates to potential employers.
• Support special initiatives developed with corporate partners to further enhance career readiness and talent pipelines.
• Support employer relations team efforts by actively communicating to engineering students about internship and employment opportunities and engaging students. Conduct needs assessments and obtain feedback from employers regarding results of candidate referrals and job performance of interns and graduates.

EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree in a related field from an accredited university. (Required)
• Advanced degree Masters degree in field related to human services, educational administration, business development, or other relevant background Required Work Experience. (Required)

And

• Minimum 5 years of directly related experience, or equivalent experience/training. (Required)

CRITICAL KNOWLEDGE and SKILLS

• Demonstrated expertise in program development, career coaching, and relationship management, such as recruiting; human resources; talent development, or career services activities is required.
• Experience working with faculty, staff, and students at all levels (particularly with First Generation Students) in Engineering and Computer Science. (Preferred)
• Advanced communication skills, including outreach, group facilitation, coaching, presentation and/or teaching experience, and written skills.
• Experience in the use of online tools, including recruiting tools, CRMs, and social media, to communicate and match employers with students and alumni. Strong ability to design and modify computer applications to meet program needs. (Preferred)
• Strong ability to work with people from diverse cultures.
• Advanced knowledge of academic programs, career services, employer, alumni, and faculty needs and expectations, recruiting and staffing methods, and employment trends. (Preferred)
• Advanced knowledge of needs assessment theory, processes, and practice; project and program design. (Preferred)
• Qualified candidates should demonstrate the proven ability to lead in a highly collaborative environment, possess excellent relationship-building, organizational, planning, and analytical skills, and be self-motivated.
• Ability to travel to corporations, conferences, job fairs, and other events on occasion. Ability to work evening and weekend hours when needed.

Background check is required.

How to Apply:
An online application is required for each position to apply.The University of California, Merced is aware that some web-based application processes may be cumbersome for differently abled applicants. Where appropriate, alternative accommodations will be provided. For applicants with disabilities who need additional assistance using TAM, or reasonable accommodations during the interview or search process, please contact ucmjobs@ucmerced.edu.

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

Equal Employment Opportunity:
The University of California, Merced is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer advancing inclusive excellence. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, pregnancy, or status as a disabled veteran or Vietnam-era veteran, or other protected categories covered by the UC Nondiscrimination and Affirmative Action Policy. UC Merced intentionally promotes and maintains a discrimination- and harassment-free workplace by demonstrating it neither condones nor tolerates employment practices that discriminate against or harass any person or specific group of persons on the basis listed above. We seek candidates who will support our vision to cultivate a vibrant, equity-minded, inclusive excellence university community. When applying to UC Merced, we strongly encourage you to reflect on our Principles of Community and our 2021 strategic plan.

Vaccination Program Policy:

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Vaccination Program Policy. All Covered Individuals under the policy must provide proof of Full Vaccination or, if applicable, submit a request for Exception (based on Medical Exemption, Disability, and/or Religious Objection) or Deferral (based on pregnancy) no later than the applicable deadline. For new University of California employees, the applicable deadline is 14 days after their first date of employment.

Smoke and Tobacco Free Policy:
The University of California, Merced is a smoke and tobacco free workplace. Information and the Smoke and Tobacco Free policy is available at http://smokefree.ucmerced.edu.

E-Verify:
All employers who receive Federal contracts and grants are required to comply with E-Verify, an Internet-based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA). E-Verify electronically verifies employment eligibility by comparing information provided on the I-9 form to records in the DHS and SSA databases. Certain positions funded by federal contracts/subcontracts requires UC Merced to notify job applicants that an E-Verify check will be conducted and the successful candidate must pass the E-Verify check.

Pay, Benefits & Work Schedule:
For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University of California visit: http://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/

This position is eligible for the UC Merced Employee Referral Program (ERP). If you were referred by a UC Merced employee, please identify that employee by name in your application as follows:

Step 5 of 7 Referrals

How did you hear about the job? (select) "other"

Additional information? (select) "other"

Specific Referral Source? (write in) first and last name of referring employee

Referring employee MUST be named on application for eligibility.