Student Career Program Specialist

POSITION DETAILS

Founded in 1971 in Long Island City, Queens, LaGuardia Community College is one of seven community colleges of the City University of New York (CUNY). LaGuardia offers more than sixty associate degree programs and more than fifty workforce training, ESOL, GED, and pre-college programs. In 2023, LaGuardia served approximately 24,000 students. More than one-third of LaGuardia?s degree-seeking students are born outside the United States; they come from 136 countries and speak 43 heritage languages. Sixty percent are first-generation college students.

Virtually all LaGuardia students are ethnic minorities (89 percent), 58 percent are women, 27 percent are over the age of 25. Forty-six percent of associate degree students are Hispanic. Upon graduation most students transfer to four-year colleges, typically in CUNY, to complete their baccalaureate degrees. Graduates of career programs such as Nursing, Computer Technology, and Veterinary Technology enter the workforce. LaGuardia ranked fifth among U.S. community colleges in economic mobility - moving low-income students into the middle class and beyond - in studies by Stanford University (2017) and the Brookings Institution (2020). Please visit www.laguardia.edu to learn more.

LaGuardia Community College seeks an experienced Student Career Program Specialist to support adult and non-credit students as they transition into credit-bearing associate degree programs. Reporting to the Director of the Career Development Center, the Student Career Program Specialist will serve as a key connector between Adult & Continuing Education (ACE), Student Affairs, Admissions, International Student Services, and the NEST onboarding team. Key responsibilities will include:

• Conduct targeted outreach to former ACE participants, workforce program completers, and community-based organization partners
• Re-engage stopped-out students and guide them back into academic pathways.
• Provide academic transition advisement focused on admissions requirements, program eligibility, Accuplacer placement interpretation, and Credit for Prior Learning (CPL).
• Collaborate with the NEST team to streamline onboarding workflows across ACE, Admissions, Registrar, and ISS.
• Maintain records of outreach, advisement, onboarding, and enrollment outcomes.
• Develop and facilitate innovative workshops on career exploration and development.
• Maintain accurate records of student records and keep updated written guidelines about processes and procedures to include qualifications, course and work schedules, calendar dates, deadlines, standard forms, and students and administrators? expectations.
• Collaborate with program administrators to ensure that the program is meeting the needs of students and employers.
• Collaborate with Career services staff to develop and deliver career readiness workshops and events for students.
• Use web-based career assessments, labor market information, and other occupational research tools to help students explore their career interests and develop career plans.
• Provide students with feedback on their career goals and help them identify the skills and knowledge they need to achieve their goals.
• Cultivate and maintain professional relationships with ACE divisional counseling, employment, and administrative staff to promote collaboration and cooperation.
• Conduct outreach to current and alumni students to inform them about Credit for prior learning and upskilling opportunities.
• Help students identify the Credit for prior learning and upskilling opportunities that are right for them.

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's Degree and four years related experience required.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience working on grant-sponsored projects in a community college/higher education setting or workforce development.
• Working knowledge of allowable and unallowable costs for higher education grants.
• Experience working in a fast-paced work environment.
• Ability to work independently.
• Creative thinking skills.
• Ability to collaborate and interact well with a variety of people and personalities.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Highly motivated.
• Extremely well organized and detail oriented.
• Ability to use independent judgment. Works well under pressure.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office.

CUNY TITLE OVERVIEW

Administers career development programs and services in a College or Unit.

• Assists in developing and implementing career planning programs and services.
• Takes a lead role in a portfolio of ongoing programs, such as orientation or workshop programs
• May supervise a unit or program, hiring, training, and managing staff
• Consults with faculty, staff, administrators, and employers regarding students career development needs
• Assists in collection, tabulation and analysis of outcomes data for students and other stakeholders, as well as research of employment and market trends
• Assists in policy development and strategic planning/special projects.
• Serves as a liaison to student groups, clubs, and athletic organizations.
• Represents career office on college committees, conferences, and to the College community at large
• Conducts outreach programming, orienting employers and other constituents to services
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Job Title Name: Student Career Program Specialist

CUNY TITLE

Higher Education Assistant

FLSA

Exempt

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

$70,815 - $79,598

Salary commensurate with education and experience.

CUNY's benefits contribute significantly to total compensation, supporting health and wellness, financial well-being, and professional development. We offer a range of health plans, competitive retirement/pension benefits and savings plans, tuition waivers for CUNY graduate study and generous paid time off. Our staff also benefits from the extensive academic, arts, and athletic programs on our campuses and the opportunity to participate in a lively, diverse academic community in one of the greatest cities in the world.

HOW TO APPLY

Visit www.cuny.edu, access the employment page, log in or create a new user account, and search for this vacancy using the Job ID or Title. Select "Apply Now" and provide the requested information.

Candidates should provide a resume and cover letter.

CLOSING DATE

May 12th, 2026 (Extended)

JOB SEARCH CATEGORY

CUNY Job Posting: Managerial/Professional

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

CUNY encourages people with disabilities, minorities, veterans and women to apply. At CUNY, Italian Americans are also included among our protected groups. Applicants and employees will not be discriminated against on the basis of any legally protected category, including sexual orientation or gender identity. EEO/AA/Vet/Disability Employer.

Job ID: 31980

Location: LaGuardia Community College

Job Type: Full-Time

About CUNY La Guardia Community College

LaGuardia Community College, located in Long Island City, Queens, educates more than 50,000 New Yorkers annually through degree, certificate, and continuing education programs. Our guiding principle, "Dare To Do More", reflects our belief in the transformative power of education—not just for individuals, but for our community and our country—creating pathways for achievement and safeguarding the middle class. LaGuardia is a national voice on behalf of community colleges, where half of all US college students study. Part of the City University of New York (CUNY), the College reflects the legacy of our namesake, Fiorello H. LaGuardia, the former NYC mayor beloved for his championing the underserved. Since our doors opened in 1971, our programs regularly become national models for pushing boundaries to give people of all backgrounds access to a high quality, affordable college education. We invite you to join us in imagining what our students, our community, and our country can become. Visit www.LaGuardia.edu to learn more.

Connections working at CUNY La Guardia Community College