Director of Career Services

Position Summary:The Director of Career Services provides strategic leadership and manages the daily activities of the Center. This position is responsible for the administrative oversight of the Career Center and leadership for coordinating university-wide career services. This role advises students and alumni on career development topics in both individual and group settings, and builds relationships on campus to enhance collaborations among Career Services, faculty, and school administrative areas. The Director will focus related student programming on the core proficiencies and skills necessary to be successful in careers, as guided by research and information from faculty and employers.

Specific Job Duties (Essential Functions and Responsibilities)

● Develops a career services strategic plan that articulates short- and long-range plans that collaboratively builds a university-wide culture of early career development, intentional career readiness, ongoing occupational wellness, and employment success for students and alumni while also scaling operations, programs, opportunities, and outcomes of the department.

● Supervises the department staff including hiring and onboarding team members, training and supporting professional development, completing performance evaluations and recognitions, and addressing personnel matters.

● Provides, as necessary, an advanced level career counseling for students and alumni on a variety of career development and readiness topics such as career exploration, resumes, cover letters, job/internship search, employment applications, professional development, etc.

● Partners with faculty and staff for the implementation of various student and alumni career services initiatives including programming which cultivates career readiness competencies. This includes: collaborating with academic departments and community partners to foster internship and employment opportunities for Adams State students; planning and coordinating events such as etiquette dinners, workshops, presentations, etc.; and coordinating with academic departments across campus on open positions, civic engagement and internship opportunities, and on-campus recruiting events.

● Collaborates across campus and divisions with administrators, faculty, and staff to build partnerships and eliminate barriers for embedding career readiness competencies, career development programs, and job/internship recruitment into the curriculum and co-curriculum at the university.

● Develops and implements a comprehensive on-campus marketing program for the Center and its services through various traditional and nontraditional outreach strategies as well as digital and print mediums including promotional materials, advertisements, social media, website, etc.

● Develops and implements programs and resources accessible to students regardless of their ability.

● Plans and coordinates ASU’s Fall local Jobs Fair and Spring Career Fair; recruitment of employers and students, planning, coordinating, and reserving facilities as appropriate.

● Serves as a primary liaison between the university and employers at the state, regional, national, and international level focused on developing pipelines and partnerships for career opportunities including full- and part-time jobs, internships, and work-based learning experiences, and recruitment events and professional development programs.

● Formulates and prepares budgets, grant proposals, and project proposals while acting as a responsible steward for tracking expenditures and monitoring mission critical priorities.

● Represents the university at on- and off-campus committees, meetings, events, and professional organizations which may require travel to off-site locations.

● Establishes effective communication channels with internal and external stakeholders to coordinate career services, disseminate career information, and promote career opportunities.

● Collaborates with various campus stakeholders to pilot innovative approaches to providing professional development and career exploration to support ASU’s students and alumni.

● Commissions and administers career-based software and technologies for the delivery of innovative and responsive career services including a career management system, career exploration assessments system, first destination survey, and other career support systems.

● Collecting monthly and yearly statistics for appropriate reporting as it relates to job status via graduate exit interviews and alumni surveys.

● Develops and implements data collection methods for gathering and measuring information on career-based variables of interest to the university including the career readiness and employment success of students and alumni as well as feedback from employers and faculty/staff.

● Prepares and submits reports for department outcomes highlighting strategic recommendations and utilizing qualitative and quantitative data analysis that demonstrates service and program effectiveness.

● Works with the appropriate departments to participate in New Student Orientation, Discover Days, Resident Assistant training, and other relevant programming

● Coordinates with faculty members to assess career opportunities within the professional fields.

● Maintains a strong relationship with Alumni Relations as an access point for job/internship opportunities and student mentoring.

● Develops relationships with local businesses for corporate sponsorship opportunities.

● Chairs and oversees a Career Advisory Committee consisting of internal and external stakeholders to inform and steer the curriculum and co-curriculum that is responsive to the needs of business, industry, and organizations.

● Demonstrates awareness of one’s own cultural beliefs, perspectives, and privileges as a part of one’s orientation toward leadership.

● Maintains a bias toward decision-making that is informed by research, data, and theory and that leverages students’ unique cultures, experiences, and backgrounds and abilities as strengths.

● Builds a culture of collaboration, teamwork, and “over-communication” that fosters collaboration within and across department lines.

● Other duties as assigned.

● Occasional evening and weekend hours may be required.

Qualifications:

We recognize that women and people of color are often less likely to apply to a position if they don’t match 100% of the job qualifications. Don’t let that be the reason you miss out on this opportunity! We encourage you to apply if you can demonstrate many of these skills and competencies.

● Master’s degree in business, education, or a related field or a Bachelor’s degree and 8 years experience in Career Services.

● Minimum of 7 years of related work experience in career counseling or employment relations within career services at a college or university.

● A minimum of 3 years of related work experience in managing a career center and supervising career services staff.

● Demonstrated ability to develop new and innovative programs related to career development and preparation.

● Demonstrated experience partnering with faculty and employers.

● Demonstrated ability to manage budgets, grant proposals, project proposals, expenditures, and reconciliations, etc.

● Excellent customer service skills with a student-centered approach.

● Demonstrated knowledge of principles and practices of career counseling and employer relations in higher education.

● Proficiency with career management systems and first destination survey systems, preferably Handshake.

● Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

● Demonstrated technology proficiency related to the needs of the position.

● Ability to treat others with respect, civility, and courtesy and to work honestly, effectively, and collegially with employees, students, and the community. This includes the ability to use appropriate conflict management skills to effectively manage any disagreement that might arise or to bring the disagreement to management for assistance in productive resolution when the situation requires.

Preferred Qualifications:

● Master’s degree in business, education, or a related field and 5 years of experience in Career Services with at least 5 years in a supervisory role in higher education.

● Proficiency with student information systems, preferably Workday.

● Proficiency with learning management systems, preferably Blackboard.

● Demonstrated experience working with people of diverse backgrounds and underserved populations in higher education.

● Bilingual, Spanish speaking.

Salary and Benefits:

The pay range for this position is $56,250-$63,970 commensurate with experience and education. In addition to salary, Adams State University offers a competitive benefits program including medical, dental, vision, disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, and retirement savings plans. For detailed benefits information please visit

How to Apply:

Application materials described below must be submitted through

Required Documents:

● A detailed cover letter of application addressing interest/experience as well as professional interests and goals.

● Diversity Statement including what it would mean to you to work at an HSI.

● Resume/Curriculum vitae.

● Undergraduate and graduate transcripts (unofficial copies will be accepted, official transcripts will be required upon hire).

● A list of three professional references (name, affiliation, email address, and phone number) who can address your qualifications for the position.

This position is open until filled with a tentative start date of August 15, 2024.

Questions about the position may be directed to Savala DeVoge at

About Adams State University – Alamosa, Colorado

Adams State University is a state-supported, regional comprehensive university located in the San Luis Valley of Southern Colorado in the city of Alamosa. As the state’s premier Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and a Minority Serving Institution (MSI), over 50 percent of its undergraduate students represent racially diverse backgrounds. A high percentage of undergraduate students are first-generation and Pell eligible. The university offers undergraduate programs in the arts and humanities, physical and natural sciences, mechanical engineering, social sciences, kinesiology, fine arts, business, and nursing, and specializes in educator preparation in several disciplines. Adams State also offers graduate degrees in cultural resource management, public administration, music education, kinesiology, higher education administration and leadership, history, business (MBA), and educator programs, including counselor education; the university also has a doctoral (PhD) program in counselor education. The university has an active athletic program. The Adams State Grizzles athletic teams compete in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC).

The institution is committed to increasing the diversity of its professional staff and is actively seeking qualified applicants who have experiences, skills, and/or personal attributes that augment the perspectives of our current faculty and staff. We are working to diversify our faculty and staff and especially encourage applications from women, BIPOC, LGBTQ+ community members, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and other historically-underrepresented populations. We will give particular consideration to qualified applicants with experience in ethnically diverse settings; persons who possess varied language skills, a record of successful experience in engaging diverse communities/student populations; and job seekers who can contribute to equity, diversity, and inclusion. The successful candidate will join a campus that is dedicated to inclusive excellence and acknowledges Adams State’s purpose to foster the educational goals of its students and the well-being of the surrounding community.

About Us – Diversity & Inclusive Excellence

Disclosure:

In compliance with the Immigration Control Act of 1968 candidates for positions must provide proof of eligibility to work before an offer of employment can be made final.

Background Check Policy:

Adams State University performs background checks as a condition of employment for prospective employees and current employees seeking certain promotional opportunities. Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of an acceptable background check. Applicants will be asked to provide personal data and sign a release form before the background check is conducted. Applicants who fail to provide the data and consent form will not be considered for employment or promotion. Background checks include review of criminal records and sex offender registry background. Credit and driving record background may apply to certain positions.

Adams State University is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for its students, faculty, staff and visitors, and to protecting its funds, property and other assets. Well-informed hiring decisions contribute to this effort. Therefore, Adams State University has adopted a policy on background screening for its prospective, continuing, and returning employees as well as students in certain circumstances. Offers of employment will be contingent upon the completion of an acceptable background check. The information received in response to a background check will be treated as confidential to the extent provided for by law.

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and Part 106 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, including in admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and CFR 106 to Adams State University (ASU) may be directed to ASU's Office of Equal Opportunity, Director Ana Guevara, and/or to the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights of the Department of Education. Support resources for sexual misconduct, ASU's sexual misconduct policies, contact information for the Adams State University's Office of Equal Opportunity & Title IX, as well as a detailed procedure for filing a grievance due to discrimination on the basis of sex may be found online at These procedures also describe the University's response to reports and/or complaints of sex discrimination or sexual harassment.

Adams State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. Applications are sought from all qualified persons regardless of race, color, sex, disability, and, as covered by law, veteran status. In addition, University policies prohibit discrimination on the basis of religion, national origin, ancestry, age, sexual orientation including transgender status and gender expression, marital status, and parental status.

Adams State University is dedicated to fostering Inclusive Excellence and especially encourages applications from women, people of color, members of the LGBTQ+ community, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and other historically underrepresented populations. Given the university’s mission and student body composition, the institution is committed to increasing the diversity of its professional staff and is actively seeking qualified applicants who have experiences, skills, and/or personal attributes that augment the perspectives of our current faculty and staff; we will give particular consideration to qualified applicants with experience in ethnically diverse settings or who possess varied language skills and have a record of successful experience in engaging diverse communities and student populations. Additional information about the university and the academic mission may be found at

R231