Overview

About the Bard Prison Initiative

Formed in 1999 to address the mass incarceration crisis, the Bard Prison Initiative (BPI) defies expectations of who college is for and where it might lead. For twenty years, BPI has reimagined and redefined questions of availability, affordability, and expectations typically associated with college in America. One of the most rigorous and effective college-in-prison programs in the country, BPI is now extending its radical intervention in educational inequity outside of prison through the Bard Microcolleges and BardBac.

About the Position

The Career and Professional Development Advisor will join BPI’s New York City team to facilitate the effective delivery of job seeker services such as job preparation, career development, and self-directed job search resources. This role supports alumni by providing engaging and informative workshops and 1:1 counseling sessions to promote professional development and advancement. The Career and Professional Development Advisor will also juggle competing priorities to effectively serve alumni and engage nonprofit and corporate employers. This position reports to the Associate Director for Career and Workforce Development. This is a full-time, in-person position in New York City (midtown Manhattan office).

Essential Duties

  • Lead, plan for, and deliver robust and consistent career development services to BPI alumni
  • Empower alumni with career exploration, job search strategies, resume and cover letter writing support, interview tips, and salary negotiation techniques by leading regularly scheduled, comprehensive workshop sessions and presentations
  • Provide 1:1 and group advisement
  • Document and collect data and maintain records
  • Coordinate with the Associate Director of Education Persistence, Success, and Advising in ensuring that students in need of higher education for their chosen career are properly informed and supported
  • Effectively engage, build, and develop strong relationships with employers
  • Provide motivational support to alumni and regularly follow up with alumni via text or calls to discuss their career journeys

Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree required
  • Professional experience with career services, career development, workforce development, or talent recruitment and/or development
  • Strong understanding of the opportunities, issues, and challenges formerly incarcerated individuals face in the workplace
  • Experience conducting career counseling in a high volume environment
  • Experience in public speaking or workshop presentations
  • Familiar with job recruitment landscape, including insights on employers, labor market trends, bars of success, and barriers to employment
  • Ability to research and quickly develop knowledge of employer recruiting strategies, job market trends, and personal and professional growth
  • Capacity to recognize and appreciate the lived experience of alumni while supporting them in reaching their highest potential
  • Values and promotes diversity and inclusion
  • Comfortable with and skilled at working with/navigating technology
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills
  • Strong time management, organizational skills, and attention to detail
  • Flexible and adaptable

Preferred Qualifications

  • Master’s degree preferred
  • Hands-on experience with ONET, Handshake, and other career service platforms
  • Professional experience with the reentry of formerly incarcerated individuals

Compensation: $60,000 – $70,000 plus benefits

To Apply

Please submit a resume and list of three professional references as well as one document that answers the following questions:

  • What are the top two reasons you are interested in exploring whether this position is the right fit for you? (Maximum of 250 words)
  • What are the top two to three things that others would say you are better at than 95% of the people they know? Share how this has made a difference in your work. (Maximum of 250 words)
  • Take a look back at any job and/or class you had and tell us about one to two experiences when you had to go to someone else for help because they were stronger in a certain area. (Maximum of 250 words)
  • What are the top 2-3 things those who have worked with you would say you are not so good at doing? Cite some evidence or examples. (Maximum of 250 words)

Upload these documents to Interfolio at: http://apply.interfolio.com/125830