Assistant Director of Career Readiness, Experiential Learning and Career Success
The University of Montana - College of Business, Missoula, MT, United States
Description
The office of Experiential Learning and Career Success invites applications for a Public Education Specialist to serve as Assistant Director of Career Readiness.
This role provides leadership in advancing a comprehensive, integrated approach to career readiness that connects curriculum, coaching, and experiential learning. The Assistant Director develops and delivers a career course, co‑curricular credential programs, and tools that help students build, reflect on, and articulate professional skills.
Through coaching and strategic partnerships, the Public Education Specialist supports students at all stages while adapting to workforce trends and emerging technologies. Working collaboratively across campus, this role ensures recruiting, internships, and partnerships are leveraged as meaningful educational experiences that strengthen career readiness and post‑graduate success.
Responsibilities
Deliver student-centered career coaching, presentations, and group sessions across all majors and stages of career development.
Provide guidance on self-assessment, exploration, internships, job search strategies, and professional skill development.
Build partnerships with academic and student success units to support targeted student populations.
Stay current on workforce trends, labor market insights, and emerging career technologies, including AI-based tools.
Integrate career readiness into co-curricular and experiential learning, including internships, student employment, and recruiting activities.
Manage and evolve the Griz Career Skills program, including curriculum, delivery, and digital credentialing.
Develop and teach career courses while creating tools and resources that support faculty and student learning.
Contribute to departmental initiatives, campus collaboration, and ongoing professional engagement.
Minimum Qualifications
Master’s degree in higher education, counseling, student affairs, education, workforce development, or a related field; or a bachelor’s degree with at least five (5) years of relevant experience.
Three (3) years of experience coaching or advising college students or adults in career or professional development.
Experience developing and delivering educational content, instruction, workshops, or training for college students or adult learners.
Demonstrated experience supporting student success, career readiness, workforce preparation, experiential learning, or related educational programming.
Knowledge of instructional design principles and ability to design and organize learning materials, curriculum, or programs that support student skill development and engagement.
Strong communication, collaboration, and facilitation skills with the ability to work effectively with students, faculty, staff, and external partners.
Ability to work independently while managing multiple priorities in a dynamic environment with strong organization, creativity, and attention to detail.
Commitment to student success and supporting students from diverse backgrounds and academic pathways.
Preferred Qualifications
Membership and engagement in career services and/or career development professional associations such as NACE, MPACE, NCDA, NRWA, or others.
Experience working in a university career center, experiential learning program, or student success initiative.
Experience developing curriculum or teaching credit-bearing or co-curricular courses.
Experience collaborating with faculty to integrate career readiness into academic programs or classroom experiences.
Experience managing student success or educational programs.
Experience supporting internships, student employment, or other experiential learning initiatives.
Professional certifications related to career coaching, advising, résumé writing, or career assessments.
Familiarity with career readiness platforms or career management systems (e.g., Big Interview, Handshake, or similar tools).
Benefits
Insurance package
Mandatory retirement plan
Partial tuition waiver
Wellness program
Additional Information
Position Number: 010500
Compensation Title: Public Education Specialist
Union: FOCUS-MFPE
Work Schedule: Full-time, 1.0 FTE (40 hours/week), Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, optional remote work 1 day per week for 12 months/year. Position grant-funded through Summer 2028 with likelihood of extension.
Probationary Period: Six (6) months minimum
Equal Opportunity Statement The Affiliation of the University of Montana is an equal opportunity employer. UM Affiliation does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of protected class status as described in UM’s non-discrimination policy and any applicable law. Reasonable accommodations are provided in the hiring process for persons with disabilities. Qualified candidates may request veterans’ or disabilities preference in accordance with state law.
Background Investigation Criminal background investigation is required prior to the offer of employment. Finalists for this position will be subject to criminal background investigations.
Testing and Reference Checking Individual hiring departments may elect to administer pre‑employment tests relevant to essential job functions. References not listed on the application materials may be contacted; notice may be provided to the applicant.
Employment Eligibility All new employees must be eligible to work in the United States and furnish required verification by the first day of employment. The University of Montana is unable to sponsor H‑1B visas requiring the additional fee introduced by the September 19 2025 Presidential Proclamation.
Contact For additional information about benefits, please visit the Montana University System Benefits website or contact the appropriate office.
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This role provides leadership in advancing a comprehensive, integrated approach to career readiness that connects curriculum, coaching, and experiential learning. The Assistant Director develops and delivers a career course, co‑curricular credential programs, and tools that help students build, reflect on, and articulate professional skills.
Through coaching and strategic partnerships, the Public Education Specialist supports students at all stages while adapting to workforce trends and emerging technologies. Working collaboratively across campus, this role ensures recruiting, internships, and partnerships are leveraged as meaningful educational experiences that strengthen career readiness and post‑graduate success.
Responsibilities
Deliver student-centered career coaching, presentations, and group sessions across all majors and stages of career development.
Provide guidance on self-assessment, exploration, internships, job search strategies, and professional skill development.
Build partnerships with academic and student success units to support targeted student populations.
Stay current on workforce trends, labor market insights, and emerging career technologies, including AI-based tools.
Integrate career readiness into co-curricular and experiential learning, including internships, student employment, and recruiting activities.
Manage and evolve the Griz Career Skills program, including curriculum, delivery, and digital credentialing.
Develop and teach career courses while creating tools and resources that support faculty and student learning.
Contribute to departmental initiatives, campus collaboration, and ongoing professional engagement.
Minimum Qualifications
Master’s degree in higher education, counseling, student affairs, education, workforce development, or a related field; or a bachelor’s degree with at least five (5) years of relevant experience.
Three (3) years of experience coaching or advising college students or adults in career or professional development.
Experience developing and delivering educational content, instruction, workshops, or training for college students or adult learners.
Demonstrated experience supporting student success, career readiness, workforce preparation, experiential learning, or related educational programming.
Knowledge of instructional design principles and ability to design and organize learning materials, curriculum, or programs that support student skill development and engagement.
Strong communication, collaboration, and facilitation skills with the ability to work effectively with students, faculty, staff, and external partners.
Ability to work independently while managing multiple priorities in a dynamic environment with strong organization, creativity, and attention to detail.
Commitment to student success and supporting students from diverse backgrounds and academic pathways.
Preferred Qualifications
Membership and engagement in career services and/or career development professional associations such as NACE, MPACE, NCDA, NRWA, or others.
Experience working in a university career center, experiential learning program, or student success initiative.
Experience developing curriculum or teaching credit-bearing or co-curricular courses.
Experience collaborating with faculty to integrate career readiness into academic programs or classroom experiences.
Experience managing student success or educational programs.
Experience supporting internships, student employment, or other experiential learning initiatives.
Professional certifications related to career coaching, advising, résumé writing, or career assessments.
Familiarity with career readiness platforms or career management systems (e.g., Big Interview, Handshake, or similar tools).
Benefits
Insurance package
Mandatory retirement plan
Partial tuition waiver
Wellness program
Additional Information
Position Number: 010500
Compensation Title: Public Education Specialist
Union: FOCUS-MFPE
Work Schedule: Full-time, 1.0 FTE (40 hours/week), Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, optional remote work 1 day per week for 12 months/year. Position grant-funded through Summer 2028 with likelihood of extension.
Probationary Period: Six (6) months minimum
Equal Opportunity Statement The Affiliation of the University of Montana is an equal opportunity employer. UM Affiliation does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of protected class status as described in UM’s non-discrimination policy and any applicable law. Reasonable accommodations are provided in the hiring process for persons with disabilities. Qualified candidates may request veterans’ or disabilities preference in accordance with state law.
Background Investigation Criminal background investigation is required prior to the offer of employment. Finalists for this position will be subject to criminal background investigations.
Testing and Reference Checking Individual hiring departments may elect to administer pre‑employment tests relevant to essential job functions. References not listed on the application materials may be contacted; notice may be provided to the applicant.
Employment Eligibility All new employees must be eligible to work in the United States and furnish required verification by the first day of employment. The University of Montana is unable to sponsor H‑1B visas requiring the additional fee introduced by the September 19 2025 Presidential Proclamation.
Contact For additional information about benefits, please visit the Montana University System Benefits website or contact the appropriate office.
#J-18808-Ljbffr