Salary: $26.55 Hourly
Location: Missoula Mountain Campus
Job Type: Hourly Staff Full-time
Job Number: 202400641
Sector:
Department: VP for Student Affairs, University of Montana
Closing Date: 4/21/2026 11:59 PM Mountain
FLSA: Determined by Position
Bargaining Unit:
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 will provide 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.
Examples of Duties and 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, resume writing, or career assessments.
- Familiarity with career readiness platforms or career management systems (e.g., Big Interview, Handshake, or similar tools).
Additional Information
Position Number: 010500
Compensation Title: Public Education Specialist
Union: FOCUS-MFPE
Work Schedule: Full-time, 1.0 FTE (40 Hours a week), Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, option for remote work 1 day per week, 12 months/year. Position is currently grant-funded through Summer 2028, with extended funding likely.
Probationary Period: Six (6) months minimum
Benefits Include: Insurance package, mandatory retirement plan, partial tuition waiver, and wellness program.
Screening of applications will begin after the closing date; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.Complete applications received by the closing date will be guaranteed consideration.
A complete application includes:
- Letter of Interest – addressing your qualifications and experience related to the stated required skills for the position. A general letter salutation such as “Dear Search Committee” or “Dear Hiring Manager” is acceptable.
- Detailed Resume – listing education and describing work experience
- Three (3) Professional References – names and contact information
Must be eligible to work in the United States upon hire. Sponsorship is not available for this position.
The University of Montana is interested in receiving applications from people who would assist the University in demonstrating its five priorities for action: Place student success at the center of all we do; drive excellence and innovation in teaching, learning, and research; embody the principle of “mission first, people always”; partner with place; and proudly tell the UM story.
The Affiliation of the University of Montana (UM Affiliation) 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. For example, this material is available in alternative format upon request. Qualified candidates may request veterans’ or disabilities preference in accordance with state law.
Criminal Background Investigation is required prior to the offer of employment. In accordance with university regulations, finalists for this position will be subject to criminal background investigations.
References: References not listed on the application materials may be contacted; notice may be provided to the applicant. UM partners with SkillSurvey for reference checking. Applicants may receive emails from SkillSurvey to submit reference information.
Testing: Individual hiring departments within the UM Affiliation may elect to administer pre-employment tests, which are relevant to essential job functions.
Employment Eligibility: All New Employees must be eligible and show employment eligibility verification by the first date of employment at UM and all affiliated campuses, as legally required (e.g., Form I-9). The University of Montana will require proof of authorization to work in the United States before final hiring. Due to the September 19, 2025 Presidential Proclamation and related guidance from USCIS and the Department of State, the University may be limited in its ability to offer H-1B sponsorship. At this time, we are unable to sponsor new H-1B visas that require payment of the additional fee introduced by the Proclamation.
To apply, please visit https://www.schooljobs.com/careers/ummissoula/jobs/5291620/assistant-director-of-career-readiness-experiential-learning-and-career-success
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