Job Description:

Job no: 525390

Work type: Staff Full Time

Location: UMass Amherst

Department: CNS Advising Center

Union: PSU

Categories: Academic Advising & Learning Resources, Career Services, College of Natural Sciences, PSU A

About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

Job Summary

The Assistant Director, Graduate Students in the Career & Professional Development Center will work under the general direction of the Director of Career & Professional Development Center in the College of Natural Sciences (CNS), to plan and organize career development and experiential learning activities for CNS graduate students and recent alumni in cooperation with department heads and faculty. Tailored to the needs of departments and students, these activities may include individual counseling, career education programs, classes, workshops, career fairs, mentoring and shadowing programs and career research. This position will work to provide a comprehensive student development program which serves all graduate students. This position will work to identify and develop relationships with STEM companies to increase the number and type of companies who recruit UMass Amherst CNS graduate students.

Essential Functions

Counsels and advises individual students and recent alumni; evaluates level of career preparedness using assessment techniques; advises students about career options related to their interests and qualifications, provides guidance on jobs/internships and other post-graduate options including fellowships and postdoctoral programs, and other experiential learning search techniques including use of social media and relevant technology; identifies factors inhibiting career decision-making and makes appropriate referrals.

Utilizes assessment strategies in program management and advising. Initiates, designs and implements strategies which maximize student participation in career development activities prior to graduation. This may include outreach and engagement strategies, courses and workshops, career fairs, presentations involving alumni and employers, mentoring and shadowing events.

Enlists faculty in supporting the career development of their graduate students; advises colleagues regarding employment and occupational trends and their implications for CNS graduates.

Plans and organizes recruiting events such as employer information sessions, student/employer events, tabling, and potential site tours.

Identifies access and barrier issues limiting the participation and success of students from underrepresented backgrounds in pursuing career advising and collaborates to design and implement steps to advance participation and career success of all students.

Participates in regularly scheduled unit and college meetings; participates in ongoing professional development.

Collaborates with Central Career Services, other UMass careers centers, The Graduate School, the CNS Director of Graduate Student Success and Diversity, and the staff in the CNS Career & Professional Development Center regarding campus fairs, and initiatives, as well as with the entire CNS Student Success Department. Works to include and recruit employers relevant to graduate students to attend UMass Amherst Fairs and programming.

Participates in establishing unit goals and objectives based on the needs of departments, students, recent alumni and employers.

Develops the First Destination Survey for Graduate Students in CNS, working with other constituents on campus who may have done this previously. Contributes to the collection and assessment of this data.

Contributes to career newsletters and platforms for communication with students.

Works within Handshake (and other career platforms) to approve jobs, employers, and to post career events.

Other Functions

Works collaboratively and effectively to promote teamwork, diversity, equity and inclusiveness.

Works in partnership with colleagues within the CNS community and across the campus to support the Dean's strategic priorities.

Performs other duties as assigned in support of the mission and goals of the College of Natural Sciences.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

Bachelor's degree.

Two (2) years of career counseling, advising, field placement, recruiting or other relevant work experience.

Current knowledge of the job market and occupational outcomes of a variety of disciplines, and knowledge of career guidance and job search tools (e.g., LinkedIn, Handshake).

Experience in guiding and teaching the writing of resumes, CVs, cover letters, interview preparation and job search strategies.

Experience with marketing programs, presentation and graphic design tools (e.g., Canva, PowerPoint).

Experience with assessment methodologies and data analysis.

Excellent time management skills.

Excellent verbal, counseling, and written communication skills, including strong presentation skills incorporating current technology.

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Master's degree


• Three (3) years of college level career counseling, advising, field placement, recruiting or other relevant work experience.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

• Typical office environment.

Work Schedule

• Required to work some nights and weekends.


• This position has the opportunity for a hybrid work schedule, which is defined by the University as an arrangement where an employee's work is regularly performed at a location other than the campus workspace for a portion of the week. As this position falls within the Professional Staff Union, it is subject to the terms and conditions of the Professional Staff Union collective bargaining agreement.

Salary Information

Level 26

PSU Hiring Ranges

Special Instructions to Applicants

Along with the application, please submit a resume and cover letter. References will be checked at the finalist stage. Please be prepared to provide contact information for three (3) professional references. Applications will be reviewed on a continuous basis until the position is filled. Early submissions are encouraged.

At UMass Amherst and in CNS, we strive to be a community where every individual feels a sense of belonging, where every individual is included, and where every individual is valued. You can find these values and goals here: https://www.umass.edu/strategicplan/strategic-plan.

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, caste, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, political belief or affiliation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related condition(s), veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, natural and protective hairstyle and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.

Advertised: Oct 17 2024 Eastern Daylight Time

Applications close: Jan 19 2025 Eastern Standard Time

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