Amherst College invites applications for the Program Director, Amherst Careers in Science & Technology position. The Program Director, Amherst Careers in Science & Technology is a full time, year round position, job group and level PT-5. This is a three-year term appointment, with possibility of renewal. Amherst College has profoundly transformed its student body in terms of socioeconomic status, ethnicity, and nationality, among other areas. Today, nearly one-quarter of Amherst’s students are Pell Grant recipients; 45 percent of our students identify as domestic students of color. Our expectation is that the successful candidate will excel at working in a community that is broadly diverse with regard to race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, gender, nationality, sexual orientation, and religion.

The Program Director will launch and manage the new Amherst Careers in Science and Technology program, working with alumni and employers to increase internship, job and experiential learning opportunities available to students. The incumbent will provide career education and job search coaching to liberal arts students interested in pursuing careers in non-health care positions in the science industry, such as research, technology, and related fields.

Takes appropriate actions to support a diverse workforce and participates in the College’s efforts to create a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming work environment.

Summary of Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

• Program Management - In conjunction with faculty, administrators, students, alumni, and employers, develop comprehensive programming, resources, and partnerships for students interested in pursuing careers in science and technology, build networking opportunities, develop and deliver career programs and special events, particularly experiential learning opportunities such as career treks and interterm programs, provide leadership and long-range vision for the program , conduct research on industry and hiring trends, and forecast shifting opportunities or areas of focus for program based on the external environment, manage program budget, build program awareness particularly among first- and second-year students and faculty, create program materials, maintain web pages, and promote program to incoming students and parents, hire, supervise, train, and evaluate a student intern

• Student Preparation - Provide targeted advising sessions and programs to help students explore, prepare for, and begin careers in science and technology fields, conduct practice interviews, create relevant web and print resources, and review application materials, facilitate student involvement in professional organizations to enable exploration, networking, skill-development, and interview preparation, assist students in building relevant interpersonal, organizational and technical skills, assist students in preparing to apply to graduate schools

• External and Employer Relations - Build relationships with graduate programs, contribute to College efforts to build strong relationships with its network of alumni, faculty and other partners connected to the science and technology sectors, partner with alumni and local and national employers to develop shadowing opportunities, internships, and full-time opportunities for students, regularly host evening employer/graduate school information sessions

• Bachelor’s degree and 3 years of experience in a science or technology industry; or advanced degree in a science, math, or technology related field.
• 3 years of career services, recruitment, project management, event management, or other relevant experience.
• Demonstrated capacity and motivation to work effectively with a diverse student body.
• Understanding of science and technology employment trends.
• Strong organizational, customer service, and problem solving skills.
• Demonstrated written and verbal communication, and presentation skills.
• Ability to travel periodically to engage with employer partners, alumni, and parents.
• Able work occasional evenings and weekends.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite and Google apps.
• 5 years of related experience is preferred

Interested candidates are asked to submit a cover letter, resume, and the names and contact information (email and/or telephone numbers) for three professional references. Review of applications will continue until the position is filled.

ABOUT AMHERST COLLEGE

Amherst College, one of the premier liberal arts colleges in the nation, is located in Amherst, Massachusetts, a town of approximately 35,000 residents in the western part of the state. The college’s community is composed of about 1,800 students from 48 states, plus Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and 54 countries around the world, and about 1,000 staff and faculty. The college’s scenic 1,000-acre campus includes a 500-acre wildlife sanctuary and the Book & Plow Farm; three museums: Emily Dickinson Museum, Beneski Museum of Natural History and Mead Art Museum; and multiple educational and cultural venues and resources through the Five College Consortium. The town of Amherst offers an amazing variety of coffee shops, restaurants and entertainment, and a very active outdoor life. Our vibrant campus, diverse community and beautiful surrounding, makes Amherst College and the Town of Amherst the perfect place to work, learn and live!