Description

Posting Details

Posting Number

S15004P

Working Title

MPA Career Services Coordinator

Department

SPIA-Public Admin & Policy

About the University of Georgia

Chartered by the state of Georgia in 1785, the University of Georgia is the birthplace of public higher education in America and is the state's flagship university (https://www.uga.edu/). The proof is in our more than 240 years of academic and professional achievements and our continual commitment to higher education. UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University's main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 3,100 faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University's enrollment exceeds 41,000 students including over 31,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 19 schools and colleges, including our newly established School of Medicine.

About the College/Unit/Department

College/Unit/Department website

Posting Type

External

Retirement Plan

TRS or ORP

Employment Type

Employee

Benefits Eligibility

Benefits Eligible

Full/Part time

Full Time

Work Schedule

Additional Schedule Information

Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm with occasional evening and night time work, particularly during travel.

Advertised Salary

$50-55k+, Commensurate with Experience

Posting Date

04/15/2026

Open until filled

Yes

Closing Date

Proposed Starting Date

06/01/2026

Special Instructions to Applicants

Location of Vacancy

Athens Area

EEO Policy Statement

The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status or other protected status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR (hrweb@uga.edu).

USG Core Values Statement

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning, as well the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 08.02.18.01.02.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 06.05 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom.

Position Information

Classification Title

Career Counselor II

FLSA

Exempt

FTE

1.00

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent and 2 years of professional experience

Preferred Qualifications

Position Summary

The MPA Career Services Coordinator serves as the primary representative for providing career services to over 170 Master of Public Administration ( MPA ) students by advising students on career and internship strategies and opportunities. The MPA Career Services Coordinator cultivates current and prospective employers of our students by facilitating on-campus information sessions with employers and hosting networking events with alumni and employers. This position also updates and maintains a University of Georgia ELC page displaying internship and job announcements, and other career-related resources. This work includes career counseling for students, including resume review, interview skill development, and professional development coaching.

The MPA Career Services Coordinator supports students at both the Athens and Gwinnett campuses. The position also involves participation in MPA student recruiting efforts, which includes sharing program information with prospective students and explaining career opportunities associated with the MPA degree. Recruiting includes engagement with undergraduate students on campus, participation in graduate recruiting events, and outreach with mid-career government professionals across Georgia.

There are other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies

The individual in this position frequently deals with issues of a highly confidential nature and the primary duties include:

• Ability to exercise discretion and independent judgment with respect to matters of significance.
• Comprehensive understanding of how to work with graduate students;
• Possess a high-level of computer literacy and knowledge of MS Office, database management, and customer marketing applications;
• Ability to lead workshops; have administrative skills; and possess excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to travel to the UGA Gwinnett Campus and regional recruiting events

Physical Demands

• Lift and carry up to 20 lbs.
• Periodic travel to the Gwinnett Campus and recruiting events across the region

Is driving a responsibility of this position?

No

Is this a Position of Trust?

No

Does this position have operation, access, or control of financial resources?

No

Does this position require a P-Card?

No

Is having a P-Card an essential function of this position?

No

Does this position have direct interaction or care of children under the age of 18 or direct patient care?

No

Does this position have Security Access (e.g., public safety, IT security, personnel records, patient records, or access to chemicals and medications)

No

Credit and P-Card policy

Be advised a credit check will be required for all positions with financial responsibilities. For additional information about the credit check criteria, visit the UGA Credit Background Check website.

Background Investigation Policy

Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including, a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of Georgia; confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials (including reference checks) as they relate to the job-based requirements of the position applied for; and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. You may also be subject to a pre-employment drug test for positions with high-risk responsibilities, if applicable. Please visit the UGA Background Check website.

Duties/Responsibilities

Duties/Responsibilities

Career Services & Internship Services

• Advises MPA students on career and internship opportunities.
• Facilitates on-campus information sessions with employers for the purposes of providing job and internship opportunities to students.
• Manages the MPA Mentor Program including alumni recruitment and communication, mentor/mentee matching process, assessment processes, and follow up communication with alumni and students as questions and issues arise.
• Coordinates with and supports the MPA Mentor Program and the Carl Vinson Institute of Government Professional Skills Seminar, external programs contributing to the professional development of MPA students.
• Coordinates resume, cover letter, mock interviews, and other professional development workshops.
• Updates and maintains website displaying internship and job announcements as well as career-related resources.
• Leads the assessment of internships for program graduations including deciding whether students are exempt from the internship requirement based on previous work experience. The internship requirement is part of the important accreditation process for the MPA program and supports the department's overall rankings.
• Collects systematic data on internship supervisor and employer satisfaction with the MPA program and constructs reports to be used by the MPA Director and MPA Associate Director for program assessment.
• Collaborates with the SPIA Career Services Coordinator to manage and track SPIA -funded internship opportunities, such as Experiential Learning and Ralston (rural) internships.
• Coordinates employer relations among students and alumni.
• Works with alumni to build and expand the MPA network.
• Connects current students with alumni for networking and professional development.
• Supports the MPA Associate Director's work with the MPA Advisory Board, organizing meetings each semester and coordinating student engagement with the advisory board.
• Assists with alumni events.

Percentage of time

85

Duties/Responsibilities

Recruitment

• Supports all MPA -related recruitment efforts for both the Athens and Gwinnett campuses as well as the Double Dawgs and MPA /JD programs.
• Supports recruitment of Double Dawgs and students for the undergraduate minor program which involves presenting to undergraduate classes and attending on-campus recruitment events.
• Attends off-campus graduate recruitment fairs at universities across the Southeast.
• Supports the execution of recruitment and orientations events such as Fall and Spring Visitation Days, Gwinnett information sessions, webinars, and Socialization.

Percentage of time

15

Contact Information

Recruitment Contact

Contact Details

For questions concerning this position or recruitment progression, please refer to the Recruitment Contact listed below.

Recruitment Contact Name

Hannah Cowart

Recruitment Contact Email

hrcowart@uga.edu

Recruitment Contact Phone

706-542-2931

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

1. Resume/CV
2. Cover Letter
3. List of References with Contact Information

Optional Documents