Job Description
Special Instructions to Applicants: Please attach a
cover letter and resume.
Position Summary
Reporting to the Assistant Dean for Student Programs, the Student
Engagement Specialist will support the extracurricular and
co-curricular activities of the School of Social Sciences Moody
Gateway Program for Undergraduates. The incumbent is responsible
for overseeing the professional practica and externships; summer
fellowship program; annual undergraduate research showcase;
OwlConnect alumni networking events, and Gateway research travel
grant requests. The Student Engagement Specialist also supervises
the undergraduate student ambassadors. The successful candidate
must be able to collaborate, communicate effectively, prioritize
multiple tasks, take a proactive approach to work assignments, and
take initiative. This wide range of responsibilities demands great
flexibility, an excellent work ethic, and attention to detail. The
Student Engagement Specialist also serves as the back-up to the
Office Manager and will be responsible for helping welcome guests
to the Dean’s Suite.
Ideal Candidate Statement
The ideal candidate is a confident, service-oriented administrative
leader who brings structure, follow-through, and sound judgment to
a complex program environment. They will be comfortable working
independently and, in a team, communicating proactively, and
building strong working relationships with students, faculty,
staff, alumni and industry professionals. The ideal candidate
demonstrates strong planning and organizational skills while
maintaining flexibility amongst competing priorities. This
individual should be able to anticipate needs, navigate unexpected
challenges with composure and creativity, and effectively manage
multiple priorities. It is imperative candidates possess strong
communication skills, including the ability to tailor messages to
varied audiences, synthesize complex information into clear and
compelling narratives, and represent the School of Social Sciences
and the Gateway Program with professionalism, accuracy, and
attention to detail.
Working location, working hour expectations
- Following the successful completion of the probationary period,
this position is offered as a hybrid role, combining both in-office
and remote work 1-2 days per week to provide flexibility and
support collaboration. Per Rice
policy 440 , "work arrangements may be subject to
change."
Occasional weekend and/or evening work for special events
Physical Demands
- Requires working at a computer for extended periods of time (up
to eight hours per day)
- Must be able to move event-related materials to and from event
sites - Must be able to lift and carry up to ten pounds
Hiring range: $60,000 to $65,000
Requirements:
- Bachelor’s Degree
- 2+ years of related program experience in higher education
student programs, career services, academic advising, experiential
learning, and/or related fields.
Skills:
- Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail, with
the ability to manage multiple concurrent priorities and
deadlines.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills; able to make
presentations to prospective and current students.
- Strong customer service orientation and ability to build
rapport with diverse student populations.
- Ability to develop and initiate new strategies for student and
employer engagement.
- Adept at problem solving, creating contingency plans, and
handling issues when necessary.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team to meet
expected deadlines and schedules.
- Advanced level of competency with Word, Excel, PowerPoint,
G-suite.
Preferences:
- 3+ years related program experience in higher education student
programs, career services, academic advising, experiential
learning, and/or related fields.
- Experience in developing and implementing student-centered
programs and services.
- Experience working with students interested in pursuing social
sciences and liberal arts degrees.
- Experience monitoring and evaluating program success.
- Experience working on a team to create, implement or deliver
projects or programming.
- Knowledge of project management software tools such as Asana
and Monday.com
Essential Functions:
- Administers program operations, ensuring efficient, effective,
and productive operations.
- Creates and implements plans to achieve program objectives and
mission.
- Interprets, implements, and ensures compliance with policies
and regulations and recommends changes to procedures and
processes.
- Creates and implements outreach plans that may include
relationship development, communications, events, and conference
management.
- Provides support in developing relationships with internal and
external entities.
- Analyzes data, identifies trends, develops reports and
recommends and implements changes to improve alignment with
institutional mission and goals.
- Creates budget plans, monitors and approves expenditures,
develops reports, conducts analyses and manages and maintains
financial records.
- For academic programs, may be responsible for student records,
curriculum support, managing scholarships and fellowships, and
monitoring student progress.
- Performs all other duties assigned.
Additional Functions:
- Manages all aspects of the Social Sciences Moody Gateway
Program, including the professional practica and externships;
summer fellowships; annual on-campus undergraduate research
conference; individual conference travel grants and monthly Owl
Connect networking events.
- Represents the Gateway program at campus events for current and
prospective undergraduate students.
- Collaborates with campus partners in the Office of
Undergraduate Admissions, Office of First Year Programs, Office of
International Students and Scholars (OISS), Center for Career
Development (CCD), and others, when necessary.
- Works with the Office of Undergraduate Admissions office on
prospective student presentations and events.
- Oversees Student Ambassadors for coordination with Admissions
and Gateway events.
- Coordinates the production of student-oriented communications
and marketing materials for regular communication through school
listservs.
- Develops, maintains, and improves administrative processes,
documentation, tracking tools, and workflows to support consistent
program operations and timely execution.
- Tracks program data, prepares reports, and supports
administrative aspects of financial and program planning, including
resource tracking, and discussions related to program operations
and revenue use.
- Other duties as assigned.
Rice University HR | Benefits:
https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits
Rice Mission and Values : Mission and Values | Rice
University
Rice University is committed to ensuring Equal Employment
Opportunity and welcoming the fullness of diversity into our
candidate pools. Rice considers qualified applicants for employment
without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual
orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic
information, disability, or protected veteran status. Rice also
provides reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with
disabilities. If an applicant requires a reasonable accommodation
for any part of the application or hiring process, please get in
touch with Rice University’s Human Resources Office via email at
facstaffada@rice.edu for support.
If you have any additional questions, please email us at
jobs@rice.edu . Thank
you for your interest in employment with Rice University.