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Position Details

Position Information

Announcement Number STAFF - VA - 26213

For questions regarding this position, please contact:

Susan Kelly

Director

(406) 994-5567

[email protected]

Classification Title Student Support Specialist

Working Title Assistant Director of Empower Student Center

Brief Position Overview

The Norm Asbjornson College of Engineering Empower Program at Montana State University is seeking an enthusiastic and organized professional to support computing and engineering students in the growing and busy Empower Student Center. The Center provides a variety of academic and non-academic support to foster and expand access, strengthen community, and advance student success.

Position Number 4C8462

Department NACOE Empower

Division College of Engineering

Appointment Type Professional

Contract Term Fiscal Year

Semester

If other, specify From date

If other, specify End date

FLSA Exempt

Union Affiliation Exempt from Collective Bargaining

FTE 0.75 - 1.0

Benefits Eligible Eligible

Salary $60,000 - $65,0000 annually (full-time equivalent), commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications.

Contract Type LOA

If other, please specify

Recruitment Type Open

Position Details

General Statement

The Empower Student Center supports College of Engineering students from a wide range of backgrounds by offering a welcoming study space along with student-centered programs and services that foster academic success and a strong sense of belonging. The Center is committed to improving retention and graduation outcomes while opening pathways for future engineering and computing students.

The Empower Program is a unit within the Dean’s Office of the College of Engineering. The Assistant Director of the Empower Student Center reports to the program’s Director and collaborates closely with them to create a supportive, student-focused environment. Together, they work to advance student success and strengthen retention and graduation rates across the college.

The Assistant Director works closely with students, providing one-on-one guidance to help them navigate resources across the college, university, and broader community. They oversee Empower tutors and peer mentors, coordinate professional development opportunities, and collaborate with Dean’s Office staff on college-wide initiatives when appropriate.

This position requires the ability to work effectively with individuals and groups with varied experiences and perspectives in a compassionate, student-centered manner. The position includes engaging with community partners, supporting outreach to K–12 schools, and building relationships with Montana’s two-year and Tribal colleges, which may involve travel. This role provides the opportunity to make a meaningful, positive impact on students’ academic and personal journeys and to contribute to a supportive environment that meets the varied needs of our student community.

Duties and Responsibilities

Duties include, but are not limited to the following:

+ Provide direct support services to current and prospective NACOE students to offer guidance and expertise in navigating resources in the college, university, and community.

+ Provide operational management of the Empower Student Center, including scheduling Empower Center tutors, facilitating a welcoming and supportive environment, and coordinating community-building activities for students.

+ Plan and implement programs to support students in computing and engineering, and foster a sense of community and belonging among students to promote persistence and success.

+ Engage with community partners, participate in outreach activities with K–12 schools, and build connections with Montana two-year and Tribal college partners, which may require travel to these communities.

+ Foster relationships with other student success units at MSU and become knowledgeable about campus and community resources.

+ Develop or connect students with opportunities to gain personal and academic skills related to workforce or research opportunities.

+ Communicate with current and prospective incoming students and send out targeted communication to transfer and new students each semester.

+ Provide onboarding for transfer and new students and work closely with NACOE academic advisors.

+ Hire, train, and supervise Empower tutors and peer mentors.

+ Engage in administrative activities including budgets, recruitment, scholarships, website and media development, and assist the Empower Director as needed.

+ Maintain the Empower webpage.

+ Develop summer Empower programming and support, which may include summer courses for Empower affiliates, bridge programming for students, teacher/faculty workshops, and summer institutes for teachers and/or K–12 students.

Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

+ Bachelor’s degree in education, sociology, counseling, social work, and/or in an engineering, computing, or related STEM field(s).

+ Demonstrated experience working with students from varied educational, geographic, or cultural backgrounds.

+ Demonstrated project, program, or event management skills.

+ Experience with or interest in community outreach programs.

Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

+ Master’s degree in education, sociology, counseling, social work, and/or in an engineering, computing, or related STEM field(s).

+ Experience with student recruitment, retention, and engagement practices in an educational setting.

+ Knowledge of American Indian cultures, history, and contemporary issues, particularly those of tribes in Montana.

+ Multilingual, Spanish a plus.

The Successful Candidate Will

+ Have the ability to build strong student relationships with a broad student population (e.g. first generation, non-traditional, rural, veteran, and Indigenous students).

+ Have the ability to complete complex tasks independently with minimal supervision.

+ Promote and demonstrate a commitment to a culture of continuous improvement.

+ Possess strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

+ Possess strong interpersonal and facilitation skills.

+ Be able to effectively prioritize workload and activities and adapt to changing priorities while maintaining a positive, effective, and professional manner.

+ Work for the common good of students’ academic and professional success.

+ Actively listen to all perspectives and value different viewpoints and experiences.

+ Be proficient in computer and technology skills.

+ Enjoy communicating with public audiences.

+ Be a team player.

Position Special Requirements/Additional Information

This position is not eligible for sponsorship.

Work is typically performed in an office environment inside the Empower Student Center. There may be after-hours work required in support of student groups.

Limited travel required. Attendance at occasional evening or weekend events.

This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Physical Demands

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

This position has supervisory duties? Yes

Posting Detail Information

Number of Vacancies 1

Desired Start Date Upon completion of a successful search.

Position End Date (if temporary)

Open Date

Close Date

Applications will be:

Screening of applications will begin on December 16, 2025; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.

Special Instructions

This position is not eligible for sponsorship.

EEO Statement

Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.

In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference, please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.