Career Counselor

Summary

Job Category:
Counseling and Academic Advising
Job Title:
Career Counselor
Job Category Definition:
This specialty provides a wide variety of services to students including academic advising, career counseling, personal counseling, and individual and group psychotherapy.
Job Title Definition:
The Career Counselor specializes in assisting individuals in the development of career-life plans that include the exploration of career identity and career possibilities, the formulation of career development goals, and the development of skills and strategies for achieving career/vocational goals; provides career coaching and counseling to undergraduate and graduate students, alumni, and Penn State Employees; partners and forms relationships with employers to match students with career opportunities; serves as a resource to all academic and student service units. Duties are performed at various levels within the defined title.
Working Conditions:
Specific physical requirements and effort are outlined in Job Responsibilities Worksheet (list of essential job duties and responsibilities specific to a particular job at the unit level) in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA).
Other Requirements:
 

Levels

Level 1  

Level Details
Job Code Salary Band FLSA Status
SACA0301 F Non-Exempt

Level 1 positions typically demonstrate baseline working knowledge of routine work applications; follow standard principles and systems and use appropriate terminology associated with a particular field of specialization; participate as a team member in a collaborative environment within a diverse workforce; actively contribute to completion of team goals and assigned tasks; clearly communicate information, ideas, or instructions verbally and in writing; follow recommended approach to assigned work to facilitate achievement of desired results; ensure safe practices and environmental consciousness are exhibited in decisions; typically work under direct and frequent supervision while performing routine duties using established procedures with detailed instructions.

Typical Education & Experience

Master’s Degree or higher in Counseling Psychology, Counselor Education, Student Affairs, Higher Education or a related discipline

Or an equivalent combination of education and experience

Typical Work Duties
  • Under general supervision, provide individual career coaching and counseling to undergraduate and graduate students
  • Assist in the development and delivery of career/life education and outreach programs
  • Advise students on available University resources and procedures
  • Maintain documentation that tracks client progress, assessments results, and goals, ensuring confidentiality
  • Participate in unit-wide projects involving prospective and current students
  • May represent the University/Student Affairs on external or University-wide committees

This profile is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty that will be required of positions in this job title and should not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties should not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of a similar kind or level of difficulty.

Level 2  

Level Details
Job Code Salary Band FLSA Status
SACA0302 G Exempt

Level 2 positions typically demonstrate intermediate knowledge of the concepts, practices and procedures of a particular field of specialization; perform intermediate tasks in defined skill areas/applications by continuously building on current job knowledge; maintain effective relationships with peers, vendors, and others in a diverse environment; support team decisions and follow through with team responsibilities; interpret information, ideas and instructions and communicate clearly and accurately both verbally and in writing including materials intended for distribution; determine causes of unusual occurrences and apply standard principles and practices to determine and implement solutions; ensure safe practices and environmental consciousness are exhibited in decisions; typically work under general supervision, while performing assignments that are varied and that may be somewhat difficult in character, but usually involve limited responsibility.

Typical Education & Experience

1+ years related experience

Master’s Degree or higher in Counseling Psychology, Counselor Education, Student Affairs, Higher Education or a related discipline

Or an equivalent combination of education and experience

Typical Work Duties
  • Provide individual career coaching and counseling; may provide career counseling in a group format
  • Assist in the development and delivery of career/life education and outreach and service programs
  • Participate in unit-wide projects involving prospective and current students
  • Provides liaison and consultative services to faculty, staff and student organizations
  • Represent Career Services at campus/community functions
  • Advise students on available University resources and procedures
  • May support employer outreach, development, and programming initiatives
  • May teach Career Development courses in accordance with academic unit/campus policies
  • Represent the University/Student Affairs on external or University-wide committees
  • Maintain documentation that tracks client progress, assessments results, and goals, ensuring confidentiality
  • Provide professional referral services for any student requiring extended treatment for social, personal or psychiatric problems

This profile is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty that will be required of positions in this job title and should not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties should not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of a similar kind or level of difficulty.

Level 3  

Level Details
Job Code Salary Band FLSA Status
SACA0303 H Exempt

Level 3 positions typically demonstrate proficient and comprehensive knowledge of defined skill areas/applications to integrate fundamental elements from other specialties into work assignments; apply knowledge of principles, practices, and procedures of a particular field of specialization to complete difficult assignments; promote a culture that is conducive to effective relationships among diverse team members; ensure safe practices and environmental consciousness are exhibited in decisions; may lead a project team involved in completion of difficult assignments, requiring proficient knowledge of field of specialization; interpret and communicate information, ideas and instructions clearly, accurately and persuasively both verbally and in writing including materials intended for distribution; incorporate new facts and ideas into group processes and apply creative thinking to develop new solutions; typically work with minimal supervision on difficult assignments, conferring with manager on unusual matters.

Typical Education & Experience

3+ years related experience

Master’s Degree or higher in Counseling Psychology, Counselor Education, Student Affairs, Higher Education or a related discipline

Or an equivalent combination of education and experience

Typical Work Duties
  • Provide individual career coaching and counseling; may provide career counseling in a group format
  • Collaborate in the development and delivery of career/life education and outreach and service programs
  • Perform special projects that are closely aligned with training/coursework in academic departments
  • Lead/coordinate special projects or initiatives that provide benefit across all campuses
  • Provide liaison and consultative services to faculty, staff and student organizations
  • May teach Career Development courses in accordance with academic unit/campus policies
  • Represent Career Services at campus/community functions
  • Advise students on available University resources and procedures
  • May engage in employer outreach and development initiatives to promote employment opportunities for students and alumni
  • Represent the University/Student Affairs on external or University-wide committees
  • Take on a leadership role for projects, under supervision of a career services manager
  • Administer and interpret a broad range of career assessment instruments
  • Maintain documentation that tracks client progress, assessments results, and goals, ensuring confidentiality
  • Provide professional referral services for any student requiring extended treatment for social, personal or psychiatric problems

This profile is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty that will be required of positions in this job title and should not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties should not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of a similar kind or level of difficulty.

Level 4  

Level Details
Job Code Salary Band FLSA Status
SACA0304 I Exempt

Level 4 positions typically demonstrate advanced knowledge of principles, practices, and procedures of a particular field of specialization and complete complex assignments; integrate complex elements from other specialties into work assignments; demonstrate a strong commitment to inclusionary practices which support diversity throughout the University; establish a shared vision and take responsibility for the achievement of team goals, and provide direction for appropriate implementation of plans; present ideas, concepts and instructions in a clear manner, and use persuasion and negotiation to build consensus and cooperation; ensure safe practices and environmental consciousness are exhibited in decisions; develop new techniques, concepts, theories, programs or solutions and apply them to complex strategic operating issues; typically work independently on complex work assignments, review progress and evaluate results and update management as appropriate; may direct and delegate work to lower-level staff.

Typical Education & Experience

5+ years related experience

Master’s Degree or higher in Counseling Psychology, Counselor Education, Student Affairs, Higher Education or a related discipline

Or an equivalent combination of education and experience

Typical Work Duties
  • Provide individual and group format career counseling
  • Lead the development and delivery of a variety of career/life education and outreach and service programs
  • Supervise Master’s level students or interns; may supervise support staff or lower level employees
  • May teach Career Development courses in accordance with academic unit/campus policies
  • Provide liaison and consultative services to faculty, staff and student organizations
  • Represent Career Services at campus/community functions
  • Advise students on available University resources and procedures
  • May engage in employer outreach and development initiatives to promote employment opportunities for students and alumni
  • Represent the University/Student Affairs on external or University-wide committees
  • Perform special projects that are closely aligned with training/coursework in academic departments
  • Lead/coordinate special projects or initiatives that provide benefit across all campuses
  • Administer and interpret a broad range of career assessment instruments
  • Involved in professional associations which may entail making presentations or writing in professional journals
  • Mentor junior level Career Counselors or new hires
  • Provide leadership on committees and on unit operations in absence of Associate and Assistant Director
  • Maintain documentation that tracks client progress, assessments results, and goals, ensuring confidentiality
  • Provide professional referral services for any student requiring extended treatment for social, personal or psychiatric problems

This profile is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty that will be required of positions in this job title and should not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties should not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of a similar kind or level of difficulty.

Level 5  

There is currently no level 5.