The office ofExperiential Learning and Career Success invites applications fora 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.
- 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.
- 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).
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 fivepriorities 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.
