Senior Program Coord, PAL

University of Colorado Denver

Student Transitions and Family Engagement – Office of Academic Achievement & Student Success

Senior Program Coordinator, PAL

Position # 00704876 Requisition # 27968

* Applications are accepted electronically ONLY at www.cu.edu/cu-careers *

Student Transitions and Family Engagement has an opening for a full-time University Staff (Unclassified) Senior Program Coordinator, PAL

The University of Colorado Denver seeks individuals with demonstrated commitment to creating an inclusive learning and working environment. We value the ability to engage effectively with students, faculty and staff of diverse backgrounds.

As Colorado’s public urban research university, the University of Colorado Denver educates a diverse student body through quality academics, ambitious research, creative work, and civic engagement in the city we call home. CU Denver graduates gain the powerful combination of immersive classroom and real-world experience that are in demand today. The city benefits from well-educated, top talent and a new generation of knowledge that fuels the future of Denver and our region. We are CU in the City.

CU Denver offers more than 100 degree programs, from the bachelor’s to the doctoral level, in the heart of downtown. Here, more than 15,000 students pursue academic programs that range from global energy management to music industry studies to criminal justice. As part of the state’s largest public university system, CU Denver is a major contributor to the Colorado economy, with nearly 2,500 employees and annual economic impact of $800 million.  Read CU Denver Quick Facts here . 

CU Denver Chancellor since July 2020, Michelle A. Marks is an innovator dedicated to making higher education equitable for the good of society. She spent her first 100 days on the job listening to the CU Denver community. Over six months, Chancellor Marks charged the university to collaboratively generate thousands of ideas to develop a radically new plan for CU Denver, designed not only to reset the playing field, but to change the game, increase access to an excellent education, and tackle some of the grandest challenges facing our society, all in service of the idea that CU Denver should work for all.

“CU Denver is the essential institution to meet this moment. We’re a pioneer of inclusive learning. We’re young and innovative, embodying the curiosity, kindness, and ambition of the Rocky Mountain spirit. And we believe that redefining the urban public research university is the most important thing we can do for higher education and for the future of America.”

~ Chancellor Michelle Marks, PhD

In her first year, the Chancellor created a robust campus strategic plan. The Strategic Plan was created with the help of a steering committee and vision teams made up of campus faculty, staff, students, alumni, donors, and Denver community members. The vision and five goals laid out in this strategic plan are inspirational, aspirational, and ambitious. They are also achievable. Having painted the vision for our future, we now turn our attention toward how we will deliver on this promise https://www.ucdenver.edu/2030/purpose-vision-values .

Jobs in this career family support students’ emotional and physical well-being and intellectual, cultural and social development outside the context of the formal instruction program or traditional academic unit.  Functions include student counseling, career guidance, residence life, multicultural affairs, support of student activities and organizations, recreation services and intramural athletics administration.

Senior Professionals are responsible for exercising discretion, analytical skill, personal accountability and responsibility in a wide range of areas including academic, administrative, managerial and student services functions. Work involves creating, integrating, applying and sharing knowledge directly related to a professional field.  Work is performed fully independently.

Position Emphasis:

The Sr. Program Coordinator for the Peer Advocate Leader program is a vital member of the Student Transitions and Family Engagement team. They will provide leadership for a comprehensive peer mentoring program and student transition program that encourages student learning, enhances the overall university experience, results in community building and enhances the overall educational experience for students, in particular first year students.

This description is a summary only and is describing the general level of work being performed, it is not intended to be all-inclusive. The duties of this position may change from time to time and/or based on business need. We reserve the right to add or delete duties and responsibilities at the discretion of the supervisor and/or hiring authority.

Duties:

• Developing and implementing mentor training and leadership retreats
• Assists with managing a budget of over $100,000 through purchasing, monitoring purchases of PAL program, and tracking student staff hourly work and pay.
• Coordinate mentoring for students who request one off mentorship opportunities.
• Coordinates new Transfer Student mentoring opportunities through the PAL program that creates and implements transfer specific workshops,
• Participates in National Transfer Week with the Director of Transfer Initiatives,
• Assists new first year and transfer students at Orientation and Extended Orientation programs through PAL engagement opportunities, including: transfer-student specific programming, one-on-one PAL coaching requests and meetings, and ongoing outreach in coordination with the Director of Transfer Initiatives and Director of Student Transitions
• Serves on the Educationally Purposeful Peer Interactions (EPPI) group on campus, which brings together staff and faculty that work with peer leaders and mentors.
• Interfaces with a combination of students, faculty, and staff members on a regular basis through one-on-one supervision meetings with student staff, one-on-one facilitated conversations around student success, ongoing division-wide meetings, and larger Student Transition and Family Engagement planning meetings and trainings.
• Explore options for peer mentoring of online students and transition programs for online students. Supervision of 30-50 Peer Advocate Leaders and 7+ group leaders, 2-3 graduate assistants
• Partner with Student Success in coordinating outreach calls to students, completed by PALs
• Collaboration with departments across campus, including: programmatic partnerships with CU Denver Welcome Week committee, Student Life ongoing programming, Transfer Initiatives programming and outreach, Student Success ongoing student support calls and programs, Undergraduate Advising programs and outreach, and continued student staff professional development opportunities in partnership with Lynx Connect.
• Assist with general STFE team initiatives and programs, and collaborate with staff and faculty across academic departments, Student Community and Engagement, and Academic Achievement, to best serve and support the PAL program and students with whom the PAL program serves.

Minimum Qualifications: 

• A bachelor’s degree in education, communication, social science, women and gender studies, psychology, computer science, information systems, business, health sciences, physical sciences, public administration, business administration, higher education, counseling, hospitality, liberal arts, finance, accounting, human services, student affairs, or a directly related field from an accredited institution.

Substitution: A combination of education and related technical/paraprofessional experience may be substituted for the bachelor’s degree on a year for year basis.

• 2 years of professional level experience coordinating/working with student programs in an institution of higher education in student activities, campus life, or related area.  

Conditions of Employment:                    

This position is student facing and requires significant in-person presence

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in College Student Personnel, Higher Education Administration, or related field from an accredited institution.

• Three (3) years of experience in peer mentoring/leadership
• Experience developing and implementing peer leadership or student engagement programs
• Experience with transition programs for First-Year and Transfer students
• Experience supervising peer mentors
• Experience with a public urban university with an understanding of the issues and dynamics of difference and a strong commitment to enhancing multicultural understanding on campus

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to communicate effectively, both in writing and orally.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees at all levels throughout the institution.
• Outstanding customer service skills.
• Demonstrated commitment and leadership ability to advance diversity and inclusion.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with a wide variety of individuals, with a commitment to working with a diverse campus population of students, faculty, and staff
• Ability to function in a fast-paced, student centered and developmentally focused higher education environment
• Resourcefulness and ability to problem-solve and take initiative
• Ability to anticipate needs and priorities
• Flexible and collaborative, yet able to work independently with a high degree of independence

Salary and Benefits:

The hiring range/salary for this position has been established at $48,004-$60,000 and is commensurate with skills and experience.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Colorado provides generous leave, health plans and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.

Benefits: https://www.cu.edu/employee-services/benefits

Total Compensation Calculator: https://www.cu.edu/employee-services/total-compensation

The University of Colorado offers a full benefits package.  Information on University benefits programs, including eligibility, is located at https://www.cu.edu/employee-services

The University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus is dedicated to ensuring a safe and secure environment for our faculty, staff, students and visitors. To assist in achieving that goal, we conduct background investigations for all prospective employees.

The University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus is committed to recruiting and supporting a diverse student body, faculty and administrative staff. The university strives to promote a culture of inclusiveness, respect, communication and understanding. We encourage applications from women, ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities and all veterans. The University of Colorado is committed to diversity and equality in education and employment.

*Applications without both required documents will not be considered.

Questions should be directed to: Lory-Ann Varela, LoryAnn.Varela@ucdenver.edu

Application deadline is November 14, 2022.